When I was 12, I bought a pair of black full foot fins. I used them at a pool party, and left marks all over the pool. The owner of the pool called my parents, and demanded that I clean the pool. I tried, but wasn't making much progress until one of my fathers co-worker loaned me his scuba tank & reg. (this was in 1964) I scrubbed the bottom of the pool with steel wool pads, and loved it. This wasn't punishment, this was a treat.
I didn't think much more about it until I snorkled while on a cruise in 2000. Wanted, no, had to see more. Been hooked since. (took a 2 year break 2003 thru 2004 - big mistake. Could be much farther along than I am now)