The pursuit of happiness...

[ScubaGirlJg]

Hey ScubaBoard members!

I just got Open Water certified today and while thinking about it I wondered on what is it that makes Scuba divers come back for more...

I can tell just from the beginning what it is for me but I want to hear what drives all of you out there to continue returning to the sea, spring, pond etc.

It could be the marine life, the tranquility, the thrill etc...So I really want to hear from you guys!

My last checkout dive was in Blue Grotto in Fl and it was great! It was a cavern/cave but we only went to the cavern. It has to have been one of the best moments of my life because of the excitement I experienced from looking at it all!

So on with your thoughts!http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/Standard Smiles/04.gif

 

[CalgaryDF]

I think the biggest thing for me is the thrill of being able to breath underwater and explore the ocean floor. No matter where you go there is always something new to see and its just amazing to me.

Congratulations on being certified, I hope you never grow bored of the underwater world.

 

[ScubaGirlJg]

I feel like I never will!!!

 

[shoturtle]

congrats on the cert

 

[Capt.JimDavis]

Congrats from one newbie to another!!!
I just got certified on 8/14/09 and yes it is exciting...

Well, I am a boat Captain and an ex-Navy officer, ex- yacht charter owner/operator.
Since the age of 5-6, I dreamt to be on a boat and in the middle of a big ocean.
I don't know why?
But I can't stay away from the ocean...
Being inside (under) the ocean is thrilling, scary, exciting, adventurous and an unusually extraordinary event.
It is like being in space.
Kind of defying gravity and being in another world which wasn't designed for us humans to occupy.
Which kid doesn't want to be an astronaut when they grow up?
Well, for those of us who couldn't go up, we have SCUBA...

I'm sure we all love to hear your reasons.

 

[k ellis]

Captain I could not have said it better. When we see a ship at dock you have to climb ladders to get up close and personal views of ships on each deck. You have to brave the heat if its tropical. When you are diving and you want to see another deck you just gently kick a little and pass right past the deck of choice. Looking under your feet and knowing that you are looking down several if not hundreds of feet in some cases and getting a view one can not get in the air. It gives it a magical feel.

When you do go out on tour with a charter company you get a nice quiet view of a world filled with beauty and silence not kids running around screaming and adults getting drunk and making fools of themselves. Its like a magical get away most only dream about.

Then there are those rare but awesome moments like diving in Disneys Epcott centers aquarium. Its a tad expensive but for a short period you get to do what you enjoy most which is dive and watch all of the children on the other side of the glass watch with amazement.

Id have to say if anything would be what keeps me coming back it would be feeling totally free and independant of Gravity and the sheer enjoyment for an environment man can do very little to alter from the way it appeared thousands of years ago.

 

[it_mike]

Congratulations ScubagirlJg! Welcome to our obsession!

Capt.Jim and Kirby have spoken well to some of the things that drive our passion. I suspect we all have slightly different collections of reasons for diving, but they've covered the basics.

Me? I just love blowing bubbles! The serenity calms and relaxes me, driving my stress away. Even if it's just sitting on the bottom of the pool, it's wonderfully therapeutic.

Again, welcome to our addiction. You'll find many friends and great advice here at SB.

Mike

 

[UnderwaterAsia]

I'd have to agree with k_ellis. The feeling of freedom is second to none. It's difficult to be stressing about land-based things when you're submerged.

And for me, the life and feeling of exploration is also very addictive. There's simply so much to see and to learn about the life down there. You've not only got the fact the so much marine life is either beautiful or or downright bizarre to look at, but when you start to dig a little deeper and look at the behavior, the relationships and think about how it all came to be... it just blows your mind.

In a nutshell, the more I dive and the more closely I look t the underwater world, the more fascinating and compelling it becomes. That's what keeps me coming back for more.

 

[Jayde323]

ScubaGirl, the Cousteau quote in my signature pretty much sums it up for me. No matter what is going on in my life topside, when I hit the water, none of it matters. The feeling of being weightless, both physically and mentally is what got me addicted to diving.

For my husband, he says he loves it because he can't hear me gripe at him underwater.

 

[CamG]

Greetings Scubagirl and congratulations on your certification. As so many have said the freedom, zero gravity, peace, and so many to list. I have bounced from hobby to hobby in my life, but nothing even close to diving. It challenged me to overcome the fears and status quo that over takes our lives. It gave me back the adventure you had as a kid! Who never dreamed of underwater adventures and finding treasures lost in the sea. Discovering mysteries lost in the water just waiting for you and I. There have been moments burned into my mind that will be there till I die. Coming up from a deep dive in Gilboa quarry from the deep side and the sun exploding onto the shelf of the wall. The light creating prisms that cascaded onto the bottom. Following my dive buddy Matt on a deep dive at 120' along the wall just enjoying the scenery and fellowship.
Diving is all this and so much more, it can be something different to every diver!
It is as individual as we are! While on that note I have had the pleasure of meeting some truly awesome people while diving. I have made very close friends and a few new brothers. These are the dive buddies that I would ride the lightning with no joke!
Diving has given more to me than I could ever give back but I am trying to do my best!

"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free!"
Jacques Cousteau

Safe diving to all and find your dreams. They are waiting for you just beneath the surface!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!