Hypno-toad
Registered
Hello all! I am a new-to-diving newbie from New England. I thought I'd introduce myself.
I have always loved the water. I was one of those kids often described as a fish. I would constantly be in a pool/ocean/lake, often enduring some massive sunburns on family vacations southwards. I was a lifeguards worst enemy - the last kid out of the water. I would be wrinkled, white, and cold but I'd still be just as happy swimming around as anything. As an adult, time and money weeded out swimming and water for my other passion, horses. If I wasn't in the water, I was on a horse.
With a back injury preventing me from riding (and my horse nearing retirement anyway), I was coerced into trying scuba from a friend at work who is a divemaster and fellow equestrian who understood my psychotic need to dump obscene amounts of my limited time and money into a sport. (Actually the story went more like this: After seeing photos from a recent dive, I told said friend he was crazy for diving in the winter in New England [in a wetsuit none the less]. He said I should try diving to see what it's all about so I wouldn't call him crazy anymore and I said, "fine I will" because I am four years old like that.) I got myself down to the dive shop and before I knew it, I owned a mask, fins, boots, snorkel, and enrollment in an open water class.
I just finished my final exams and confined water dives yesterday. (Talk about being a newbie!) I have my open water dives in the middle to end of May, depending on our weather and water temps up here in the balmy Northeast.
I am having such a blast. I found each skill surprisingly easy to do. I think years of maintaining composure and control when a 1700lb horse is trying to kill you helps in reducing panic. I just relaxed and did what I was taught to do. It was great. I did well on the exams and the pool time was awesome. I tried to let myself get bored with the pool because I can't wait to get out in open water. I spent every moment I could drilling the skills into my head and I got really, really comfortable with them. I am excited to put them to use.
I am looking for some advice. I will be buying my own gear as the financial situation will allow. I own the basics, but will still need a wetsuit/BCD/regulator/tank/computer. I am wondering what would you invest in first? My dive shop has really quality rental gear (I did my dives in an Aqualung PRO LT with a Titan regulator) at really great prices, so I have no worries renting gear from them, but each dollar I spend renting gear is a dollar I could be putting towards my own. What would you like to have first if you were me? What would make diving more enjoyable?
I appreciate any tips, support, or information you have to offer. I may be a newbie, but I am already loving it and having a blast! I hope to see some of you in the water!
I have always loved the water. I was one of those kids often described as a fish. I would constantly be in a pool/ocean/lake, often enduring some massive sunburns on family vacations southwards. I was a lifeguards worst enemy - the last kid out of the water. I would be wrinkled, white, and cold but I'd still be just as happy swimming around as anything. As an adult, time and money weeded out swimming and water for my other passion, horses. If I wasn't in the water, I was on a horse.
With a back injury preventing me from riding (and my horse nearing retirement anyway), I was coerced into trying scuba from a friend at work who is a divemaster and fellow equestrian who understood my psychotic need to dump obscene amounts of my limited time and money into a sport. (Actually the story went more like this: After seeing photos from a recent dive, I told said friend he was crazy for diving in the winter in New England [in a wetsuit none the less]. He said I should try diving to see what it's all about so I wouldn't call him crazy anymore and I said, "fine I will" because I am four years old like that.) I got myself down to the dive shop and before I knew it, I owned a mask, fins, boots, snorkel, and enrollment in an open water class.
I just finished my final exams and confined water dives yesterday. (Talk about being a newbie!) I have my open water dives in the middle to end of May, depending on our weather and water temps up here in the balmy Northeast.
I am having such a blast. I found each skill surprisingly easy to do. I think years of maintaining composure and control when a 1700lb horse is trying to kill you helps in reducing panic. I just relaxed and did what I was taught to do. It was great. I did well on the exams and the pool time was awesome. I tried to let myself get bored with the pool because I can't wait to get out in open water. I spent every moment I could drilling the skills into my head and I got really, really comfortable with them. I am excited to put them to use.
I am looking for some advice. I will be buying my own gear as the financial situation will allow. I own the basics, but will still need a wetsuit/BCD/regulator/tank/computer. I am wondering what would you invest in first? My dive shop has really quality rental gear (I did my dives in an Aqualung PRO LT with a Titan regulator) at really great prices, so I have no worries renting gear from them, but each dollar I spend renting gear is a dollar I could be putting towards my own. What would you like to have first if you were me? What would make diving more enjoyable?
I appreciate any tips, support, or information you have to offer. I may be a newbie, but I am already loving it and having a blast! I hope to see some of you in the water!