Hi Sara
You've had lots of responses but I just thought I might share
my experience. My Open Water Course was an (unwanted)
Christmas Gift 3 years ago. I went along because I didn't want
any hurt feelings.
On my Open Water Course, between the first and second open
water dive, I sat down and cried. I had problems with
buoyancy and a buddy that kept taking off - leaving me feeling
that I had failed - not the course, but the standards I stupidly
set myself - after all, shouldn't you just be able to spend a
few hours in a classroom and a pool, then be able to set forth
in the great blue yonder?
However, I went home smiling, saying how great it was and
mmmm, I'll think about doing it again! However, my birthday
is 21st January and guess what, just 3 weeks after that
Open Water Christmas Present, I was off on my "Birthday"
Advanced course.
The "Drift" component was a nightmare. The current was
running so fast I overshot the exit point and ended up way
past where I should have been, I was soooo embarrassed). The night dive - well, it was cold and raining and late - about 10pm - I still had a fear of shooting to the surface.
The next dive was a boat dive. We dived a small fishing boat
in great vis with a sandy bottom which made me feel that
I had lots of space to play in and my fears seemed to disappear.
I knew from then that I had been my own worst enemy.
As I said, that was 3 years ago and I've been addicted ever
since. I have dived in PNG, the Solomons and in 2 weeks head
off to do the Coolidge in Vanuatu (of course I also do lots
of local dives).
I guess what I am trying to say is, give it a good try - you'll
either love it or hate it - but if you love it, you'll really love it!
You've had lots of responses but I just thought I might share
my experience. My Open Water Course was an (unwanted)
Christmas Gift 3 years ago. I went along because I didn't want
any hurt feelings.
On my Open Water Course, between the first and second open
water dive, I sat down and cried. I had problems with
buoyancy and a buddy that kept taking off - leaving me feeling
that I had failed - not the course, but the standards I stupidly
set myself - after all, shouldn't you just be able to spend a
few hours in a classroom and a pool, then be able to set forth
in the great blue yonder?
However, I went home smiling, saying how great it was and
mmmm, I'll think about doing it again! However, my birthday
is 21st January and guess what, just 3 weeks after that
Open Water Christmas Present, I was off on my "Birthday"
Advanced course.
The "Drift" component was a nightmare. The current was
running so fast I overshot the exit point and ended up way
past where I should have been, I was soooo embarrassed). The night dive - well, it was cold and raining and late - about 10pm - I still had a fear of shooting to the surface.
The next dive was a boat dive. We dived a small fishing boat
in great vis with a sandy bottom which made me feel that
I had lots of space to play in and my fears seemed to disappear.
I knew from then that I had been my own worst enemy.
As I said, that was 3 years ago and I've been addicted ever
since. I have dived in PNG, the Solomons and in 2 weeks head
off to do the Coolidge in Vanuatu (of course I also do lots
of local dives).
I guess what I am trying to say is, give it a good try - you'll
either love it or hate it - but if you love it, you'll really love it!