fnfalman
Contributor
As long as there are hot mermaids around, I'm good to go.
Outliving your buddies
- Thread starter TSandM
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jIM STEELE
Contributor
I have 2 vary long time friends still diving in cold water at 80. My dad was diving In worm water at 86or7 this gives hope never stop dive onI seriously doubt I'll be diving in 20 years . . . that would make me almost 80, and no one in my family keeps their brain that long . . .
I've really enjoyed reading the stories and insights from those of you who have been diving for far longer than I have. It's funny -- my other sport is horseback riding, and I have quite a number of friends I met when I first got into that here in Seattle, 24 years ago, who are still at it. Diving seems to be different.
CaChief
Registered
.I seriously doubt I'll be diving in 20 years . . . that would make me almost 80, and no one in my family keeps their brain that long . . .
I've really enjoyed reading the stories and insights from those of you who have been diving for far longer than I have. It's funny -- my other sport is horseback riding, and I have quite a number of friends I met when I first got into that here in Seattle, 24 years ago, who are still at it. Diving seems to be different.
Rather an interesting coincidence, I have continued to enjoy horseback riding (penning, but mostly trails in recent times). Although I started riding as a youngster, I only started diving ten years ago, at 57. After a lengthy hiatus, the youngest daughter (20 years old) and one of five children, and seven grandchildren, decided she wished to pursue an education in marine biology. She indicated a desire to learn scuba diving as an adjunct to her future vocation. Consequently, she is now completing her OW certification and Dad has a new potential dive buddy. I intend to enjoy her company on the trails, or in the water, until such time as she goes the way of the other kids, find mister right, marry, and have little ones of her own. Hopefully, she will continue to enjoy having the "old man's" company, up in the saddle or down in the ocean. And, for someone my age, that isn't half bad. We are now attempting to recruit the older grandkids. We will see how that goes.
Cheers and happy diving,
Christopher
Bigd2722
Contributor
I've been very fortunate in that the 3 of the 4 people I started diving with 17 years ago still dive with me. I divorced the 4th and have no idea what she's up to.
billt4sf
Contributor
Why do they stop diving, I wonder?
When my wife stops, I will stop. I'm sure the reverse is also true. We got married late in life, so being together and sharing life's joys (and sorrows) is MUCH more important to me than diving.
I LOVE diving, but there are quite a few things I love more, and would have a harder time giving up: classical music, other nature trips, traveling to foreign countries, reading, ....
- Bill
When my wife stops, I will stop. I'm sure the reverse is also true. We got married late in life, so being together and sharing life's joys (and sorrows) is MUCH more important to me than diving.
I LOVE diving, but there are quite a few things I love more, and would have a harder time giving up: classical music, other nature trips, traveling to foreign countries, reading, ....
- Bill
K
KeithG
Guest
Why do they stop...? (you fill in the blanks)
My dive buddy is my best friend (and my long suffering wife). We do many things together. But we do other things. I still play hockey, she still goes out with the girls. We do as much as possible together (wine, scuba, theater, travel, ...), but we do not prevent the other from doing other things.
We have had very frank conversations about how I am going to be stuck in the home as she continues to dive. But we have both promised that the others ashes will feed the fish in Bonaire.
TSandM: great thread!
---------- Post added March 10th, 2013 at 02:19 AM ----------
Just re-read my last post and I think I managed to depress myself (sucks to be me? - Damn you TSandM for asking! )
We both dive for pure enjoyment. We live life for pure enjoyment. The underwater grins we get when we see something new or unexpected is what we live for. No expectations going into each dive. Same old same old is great. Something new is wonderful. The best underwater pose is your dive buddy gesturing frantically at something just behind your head.
Be it underwater, or in a small winebar in rural Spain. The unexpected is awesome.
Thanks for asking!
My dive buddy is my best friend (and my long suffering wife). We do many things together. But we do other things. I still play hockey, she still goes out with the girls. We do as much as possible together (wine, scuba, theater, travel, ...), but we do not prevent the other from doing other things.
We have had very frank conversations about how I am going to be stuck in the home as she continues to dive. But we have both promised that the others ashes will feed the fish in Bonaire.
TSandM: great thread!
---------- Post added March 10th, 2013 at 02:19 AM ----------
Just re-read my last post and I think I managed to depress myself (sucks to be me? - Damn you TSandM for asking! )
We both dive for pure enjoyment. We live life for pure enjoyment. The underwater grins we get when we see something new or unexpected is what we live for. No expectations going into each dive. Same old same old is great. Something new is wonderful. The best underwater pose is your dive buddy gesturing frantically at something just behind your head.
Be it underwater, or in a small winebar in rural Spain. The unexpected is awesome.
Thanks for asking!
For a lot of people diving is one of those "try before you die" things. For a small group it becomes a serious hobby. I think most people probably stop because of either the costs involved or the hassle.
Personally, I'll keep diving for as long as I'm healthy enough that my doctor will let me get near water.... or maybe after that. I'd rather die in my harness than get so old that I have to stop living.
R..
I'm more worried about my diving buddies outliving me. 
chrpai
Contributor
IMO, this is a real problem for the activity / industry. It's the cycle that causes a lot of the LDS behaviors that us hard core's don't like.
I've heard it been said that when one LDS treats another LDS as the enemy / competitor that they have it all wrong. The real competitor is all the other leisure activities that can steal divers away.
I've heard it been said that when one LDS treats another LDS as the enemy / competitor that they have it all wrong. The real competitor is all the other leisure activities that can steal divers away.
I was first certified in 1967; was in the water almost continuously for about ten years; slowly tapered off; started regular diving again when my son was 13 (he's now 34); living in Florida now and diving once or twice a month. Constantly looking for people to dive with; there is a small group at the company at which I work that succeeds in putting together a dive 2 or 3 times a year.
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