Finally- OW certified!!

[Spencermm]

Well, I finally got to do my OW checkout dives this past weekend, and I passed! I had been ill the day before and perhaps should have called the dives due to mild congestion. I had some problems at 13 ft. clearing my ears, but patience (just hanging there for 5-10ish minutes) proved helpful.
What I’ve experienced from 1st day of class to last day has been surprising. I definitely know more now than before, which wasn’t much. Now, however, I am awestruck by what all I don’t know.
My wife worked for 3-4 years to earn her Black Belt in Kung **. At her ceremony, when the Si ** presented her with her belt he said something to the effect of, “Now you are ready to begin learning.”
That is exactly how I feel. I will enjoy the journey though.
Thanks for all the help everyone,
Spencer

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

Congrats, these threads give hope to those of us who are newer than you!

 

[shotthebreeze]

Congrats on your OW Cert! Take advantage of some of that southern diving!

 

[nolatom]

Congrats. Your attitude is just right for learning, you understand what you know,and what you don't know.

Keep diving, and ask questions whenever you have them. I don't know about shoreside diving in southeast Texas, but offshore is a whole wonderful world. As you get a little more experience, look into the Flower Garden Banks and Stetson trips, out of Freeport. Sort of intermediate dives, though a savvy rookie can do it if the conditions (meaning mostly light or no current) are good. It's where I went, with all of about 6 open water post-cert dives, to try to move beyond rookie status.

It's also one of the best values around, the boat's spartan, but the food's good, so's the camaraderiel, and all the emphasis is on diving (then you eat, and sleep, before diving again). I'd rather spend the money on good diving (and the Flower Garden Banks and Stetson are beautiful), than on fancy cabins and other frou-frou stuff.

Check it out when you feel you're ready: try www.gulf-diving.com I'm not involved with them except as a yearly diver, and like them..

 

[PePaw]

Congratulations !
Keep diving and practice skills at every opportunity !

 

[parrottheaddiver]

Congrats on your Cert. Safe Diving!

 

[Jimmer]

Congratulations, I hope you have a long enjoyable, and safe lifetime of diving.

 

[Natasha]

Welcome to the world of Scuba. Congrats!

 

[letsgodiving]

Congrats Spencermm

 

[diver 85]

In this sport(like others) you never stop learning.......Keep up the good work & get in some dives......