ScubaJoey.com
Registered
After nearly 20 years of quietly soaking up the wisdom (and the drama) here on ScubaBoard, I figured it’s time to introduce myself and dive into the discussions officially.
About Me
I first got certified as a junior diver at the age of 13. Growing up in South Florida, I was lucky enough to have a pair of older Navy divers as family friends who introduced me to snorkeling and, eventually, diving. Believe it or not, they used to take me out in a Zodiac through the Boynton Inlet. Looking back, I must’ve been nuts because there are days I won’t even drive a friend’s boat through there now!
Fast forward: I dove on and off through college (when I had access to gear and dive buddies), but it wasn’t until my 30s that I got serious again. I climbed the recreational ladder through Advanced and Rescue certifications but stopped short of going pro. Liability as a non-practicing dive professional? No thanks!
My journey then took a technical turn. Like many wreck divers, I fell in love with the sport after reading Shadow Divers. I had the privilege of diving with some of the crazy, phenomenal folks mentioned in the book, and they inspired me to push my boundaries. After a near-death experience (a story for another day), I transitioned to rebreather diving and now primarily use a Revo rebreather for technical dives, though I avoid the super-deep trimix stuff these days. For recreational dives, it’s back to basics with a single open-circuit setup.
Oh, and for sheer fun, my favorite class was Zombie Apocalypse diving on Halloween—because why not?
On the Debates We All Love
I’ve enjoyed the passionate debates here over the years. To give you an idea of where I stand:
What’s Next
Now, I’m embarking on the next phase of my diving journey by launching ScubaJoey.com. It’s all about blending my passion for diving with the opportunity to help others explore the underwater world. I’m focusing on providing quality training and charter experiences, emphasizing safety, fun, and lifelong learning.
Looking forward to connecting with you all, hearing your stories, and continuing to learn from the amazing community here. Feel free to reach out, debate, or just say hi!
Cheers and bubbles,
Joey
About Me
I first got certified as a junior diver at the age of 13. Growing up in South Florida, I was lucky enough to have a pair of older Navy divers as family friends who introduced me to snorkeling and, eventually, diving. Believe it or not, they used to take me out in a Zodiac through the Boynton Inlet. Looking back, I must’ve been nuts because there are days I won’t even drive a friend’s boat through there now!
Fast forward: I dove on and off through college (when I had access to gear and dive buddies), but it wasn’t until my 30s that I got serious again. I climbed the recreational ladder through Advanced and Rescue certifications but stopped short of going pro. Liability as a non-practicing dive professional? No thanks!
My journey then took a technical turn. Like many wreck divers, I fell in love with the sport after reading Shadow Divers. I had the privilege of diving with some of the crazy, phenomenal folks mentioned in the book, and they inspired me to push my boundaries. After a near-death experience (a story for another day), I transitioned to rebreather diving and now primarily use a Revo rebreather for technical dives, though I avoid the super-deep trimix stuff these days. For recreational dives, it’s back to basics with a single open-circuit setup.
Oh, and for sheer fun, my favorite class was Zombie Apocalypse diving on Halloween—because why not?
On the Debates We All Love
I’ve enjoyed the passionate debates here over the years. To give you an idea of where I stand:
- Should a non-pro get Divemaster? Nope. Liability without the benefits? Hard pass.
- Best dive gear brand? The one with training and service available near you. Why buy Scubapro if your shop only services Aqualung?
- Support your local dive shop or buy online? Both! If your shop adds value (within 15%), they deserve support. If not, adapt or sink.
- Service your own gear? It depends. If you’ve got the technical skills and mindset, sure. But for someone else’s gear? Leave it to the pros.
What’s Next
Now, I’m embarking on the next phase of my diving journey by launching ScubaJoey.com. It’s all about blending my passion for diving with the opportunity to help others explore the underwater world. I’m focusing on providing quality training and charter experiences, emphasizing safety, fun, and lifelong learning.
Looking forward to connecting with you all, hearing your stories, and continuing to learn from the amazing community here. Feel free to reach out, debate, or just say hi!
Cheers and bubbles,
Joey
