Hello from Chicagoland!

[gangrel441]

Ok, ok....I have been posting on here for a short while already, but I realized that I never posted an introduction thread. So, I figured what better time to do that than on the day Mrs. Gangrel and myself completed our Rescue training!

:wave-smil

Anyhow, I completed OW certification through SSI back in 1987, but after 2 years of sporatic diving, I took a 9 year hiatus. The wife and I were certified through NAUI in 2000, and after a single shore dive in Aruba, we completed PADI AOW on our honeymoon in Curacao. We have gotten wet every chance we get since then, which unfortunately isn't as often as we would like.

Anyhow, Nitrox, Reef Fish Identification, and Reef Creature Identification followed, and now Rescue. We are doing classroom work on UW Photographer soon, and will complete the OW portion of that specialty while on the Belize Aggressor in 2 weeks. Ultimately, it looks like the objective for us is divemaster, and I am contemplating pursuing instructor certification, though I am in no rush at this point. Already been teaching karate for 11 years, so no need to jump in the deep end here...

Guess that's about it. If anyone in and around Chicago is looking for a dive buddy, the Mrs. is planning on hanging up the fins for about 9 months after this next trip, so I may be looking to buddy up.

 

[dlndavid]

Welcome to SB, better late than never to make an intro. And speaking about late. You're up kind late.
David

 

[scubajoe]

Welcome to the board!

Joe

 

[mania]

Welcome - better late than never

Mania

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

:sunny Hi gangrel441,

I would like to Welcome you to Scuba Board –One of the most informative and dedicated boards on the net. You can meet a lot of helpful people here and it’s an awesome place to get answers to your questions regarding scuba diving. If you ever want to chat feel free to PM me.

Take care and Safe Diving

almtree:
-Matt-

:balloon
Click here to greet a new member!
No experience needed and it feels great!​

 

[Natasha]

Welcome to ScubaBoard..from a fellow Chicagoan.

 

[DandyDon]

Hi and Welcome to SB.com on more time

:cheering: Congratulations on Rescue diver!

Guess that's about it. If anyone in and around Chicago is looking for a dive buddy, the Mrs. is planning on hanging up the fins for about 9 months after this next trip, so I may be looking to buddy up.

Hmmmm? Bringing a little diver into the world are y'all? The Mrs. is still welcome to her own SB membership, and we can still talk diving during the this time.

don :cowboy2:

 

[gangrel441]

:sunny Hi gangrel441,

I would like to Welcome you to Scuba Board –One of the most informative and dedicated boards on the net. You can meet a lot of helpful people here and it’s an awesome place to get answers to your questions regarding scuba diving. If you ever want to chat feel free to PM me.

Take care and Safe Diving

almtree:
-Matt-

Thanks Matt. Already been posting for a few months and reading a heck of a lot longer, and have already gotten some great and timely advice and information. I may take you up on your suggestion of dropping a PM someday.

 

[gangrel441]

Hi and Welcome to SB.com on more time

:cheering: Congratulations on Rescue diver!

Thanks Don. I've been reading your posts for sometime, and believe me, coming from you, I consider that quite a compliment!

Hmmmm? Bringing a little diver into the world are y'all? The Mrs. is still welcome to her own SB membership, and we can still talk diving during the this time.

don :cowboy2:

I know she's welcome, but she is less electronically sociable than I am, and isn't really interested in posting. She gets all her SB news, weather, and sports from me.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks Don. I've been reading your posts for sometime, and believe me, coming from you, I consider that quite a compliment!

:blush: You're too kind, sir, but then - you haven't seen me dive. The more Rescue Divers we have out there, the less likely I'll drown.

Still, it's a good accomplishment. :35: