Sunday we went scuba diving for the first time! Well, we sort of had a pre-scuba experience a few months ago inside of the DC convention center. A travel expo had come into town and our coworker invited us to try out scuba in their blow-up pool. It was enough to pique our interest but not enough to have us go into full out certification before our honeymoon. So, we just signed up for a beginner dive to see how we would like it.
For the dives, we actually had to arrive at 6 AM and since it was about an hour away we had to leave at 5 AM and wake up at 4:30 AM! We actually woke up around 4:57 AM but we ended up making it in time anyway. We met our instructor, Bobby, of Maui Sun Divers, at a Starbucks so that we could fill up on carbs before our trip. He was definitely a character but we got along well and he helped to ease Laura's "concerns" about scuba diving. One benefit was that it would just be the two of us in the class and we would be going into the water off the beach instead of off of a boat. So, both of those led to more close, personal instruction that helped both of us.
We got to the beach around 6:30 AM - Bobby says he always tries to be the first diver there to avoid the rush. We got all changed into the wet suits, fins, mask, etc. and Bobby took the time to explain a bunch of little concepts to us such as how to get the water out of your mask underwater. Laura was freezing most of the time since we changed into the wet suits early on and then went and soaked them in the showers. So, while Bobby was talking to us we were standing outside at 6:30 AM in dripping wetsuits.
But, no worries, soon we were off to our first dive! Bobby helped us both into the water where we put on our fins and started getting used to breathing through the regulator. Laura was a little freaked out at this point since we were half in the water and half out of it but soon we were completely underwater. For the rest of the dive we stayed completely underwater and never rose to the surface. We saw a bunch of coral and fish and were able to practice equalizing the pressure in our ears and getting the water out of our masks underwater. The whole dive was about 40 minutes and then we came out to take a break.
The lesson was actually two dives so we came out to switch tanks and get some water. At this point, all of the other dive shops had come out to do their first (and probably only) dive so we were ahead of the game. We refueled and then headed back out, going out a different way. We were used to swimming and breathing underwater now so we were able to enjoy the scenery some more. For most of both dives, Bobby kept us within arm's reach so that we would feel safe. Towards the end of the second dive, he let us swim more on our own since we were used to it more at that point. On a couple of occasions, he also took pictures of us with his underwater camera. We also got to see some sea turtles up close!
After the dive, we got out of our wetsuits and packed everything back up. We had the option of buying the underwater film from Bobby for $50. Although this was a rip-off, we felt we should since it was our honeymoon and our first real scuba diving experience! The film is at Costco (Maui Costco!) right now but we should have the images soon on both print and CD. We both had a lot of fun and were glad that we got the close, personal instruction from Bobby. We may not end up doing scuba diving again (Laura still isn't sold!) but it was still a great time!
For the dives, we actually had to arrive at 6 AM and since it was about an hour away we had to leave at 5 AM and wake up at 4:30 AM! We actually woke up around 4:57 AM but we ended up making it in time anyway. We met our instructor, Bobby, of Maui Sun Divers, at a Starbucks so that we could fill up on carbs before our trip. He was definitely a character but we got along well and he helped to ease Laura's "concerns" about scuba diving. One benefit was that it would just be the two of us in the class and we would be going into the water off the beach instead of off of a boat. So, both of those led to more close, personal instruction that helped both of us.
We got to the beach around 6:30 AM - Bobby says he always tries to be the first diver there to avoid the rush. We got all changed into the wet suits, fins, mask, etc. and Bobby took the time to explain a bunch of little concepts to us such as how to get the water out of your mask underwater. Laura was freezing most of the time since we changed into the wet suits early on and then went and soaked them in the showers. So, while Bobby was talking to us we were standing outside at 6:30 AM in dripping wetsuits.
But, no worries, soon we were off to our first dive! Bobby helped us both into the water where we put on our fins and started getting used to breathing through the regulator. Laura was a little freaked out at this point since we were half in the water and half out of it but soon we were completely underwater. For the rest of the dive we stayed completely underwater and never rose to the surface. We saw a bunch of coral and fish and were able to practice equalizing the pressure in our ears and getting the water out of our masks underwater. The whole dive was about 40 minutes and then we came out to take a break.
The lesson was actually two dives so we came out to switch tanks and get some water. At this point, all of the other dive shops had come out to do their first (and probably only) dive so we were ahead of the game. We refueled and then headed back out, going out a different way. We were used to swimming and breathing underwater now so we were able to enjoy the scenery some more. For most of both dives, Bobby kept us within arm's reach so that we would feel safe. Towards the end of the second dive, he let us swim more on our own since we were used to it more at that point. On a couple of occasions, he also took pictures of us with his underwater camera. We also got to see some sea turtles up close!
After the dive, we got out of our wetsuits and packed everything back up. We had the option of buying the underwater film from Bobby for $50. Although this was a rip-off, we felt we should since it was our honeymoon and our first real scuba diving experience! The film is at Costco (Maui Costco!) right now but we should have the images soon on both print and CD. We both had a lot of fun and were glad that we got the close, personal instruction from Bobby. We may not end up doing scuba diving again (Laura still isn't sold!) but it was still a great time!
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