Well, I jsut got Open Water Qualed a couple weeks ago here in Hawaii and loved it. I immediately went out and bought my own gear. So far I have a knighthawk BCD w/Air2, Mark 11/395 reg, and an Oceanic Atom 2.0 computer, Tusa fins, Aqua lung snorkel and Mares Wanted mask. I have had many hobbies before and I am in love with this one. So far since getting qualed I have only been up to the north shore to do shore dives at three tables and shark's cove but looking to hopefully go else where for shore dives as the north shore is about to become inaccessable due to winter surf. I am going to be doing my advanced course beggining of October.