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I fell in love with the ocean at an early age -- practically before I could even walk! My loving cousins in South Florida (who are a great deal older than I am) would take me "swimming" (will she sink or float???), snorkeling (stop holding your hand over the snorkel!!!) & yes, scuba diving in the relative safety of some of our favorite water activity spots (i.e. hidden from "The Man"). Regardless of these early tests of endurance & gumption, my love of the ocean increased, as did my curiosity for what lay beneath. Being consistently clear, calm, & shallow waters (not to mention WARM), a limited depth swimming (for real this time), diving (free style) & snorkeling still allowed for an eyeful of some of the ocean's finest -- beautiful shells, sand dollars by the millions, sea horses, fish of all makes & models, reefs with abundant life & color, dolphins, manatee, and, of course, my personal favorite -- sharks. While over those years I enjoyed keeping company with many of the ocean's locals (as well as those of the Glades & the mighty Mississippi) I knew there was much more too it than that. I knew that even before we had more than 3 channels on the television to illustrate this. I wanted more, I wanted to see it all, and I wanted to go deep. And most of all, I wanted to capture my experiences on film. Many moons later, many days & nights staring out over the horizon of the Gulf, still yearning for the depths, fate brought me everything I had waited so patiently for -- all in one wonderful, vivacious, enthusiastic & loving package -- my husband now -- Brett (owner of this joint). He knew I'd been on scuba, albeit under extenuating circumstances, & wished to lead me into the world of right, true & proper SCUBA diving. Little did he know he was creating (finishing?) a monster -- a sea monster! :) I finally achieved my official Open Water Certification in February of 2004. Pool work was cold, but the open water dives were much better than I had hoped. Rather than doing my final dives in the unforgiving waters of Saguaro Lake (our open water locale of choice at that time) I was able to finish them on our first excursion together as a couple -- in Cozumel, Mexico (Advanced Open Water achieved while there, as well). I had the time of my life, and greatly enjoyed the company of everyone who went with us from the shop (the usual suspects) & learned all of those things I'd been missing out on during my formative years. I fell in love with Brett all over again under the water (as I do time & time again) & regardless of our relationship, he was an instructor to the core & I don't mind saying I was a stellar student! :) After some ear issues were sorted out (which have plagued me since my days of team swimming & board diving) the world became my ocean -- & vice versa. It would be a long time before we got to dive together again in salt water, but over the years, I've been right there with him in those lovely lakes, teaching pools (great viz!!) & long days & nights of classroom teaching (both other students, as well as myself). I have since moved on in my diving education & career & don't intend to stop any time soon. I have learned from the best & I strive to be among the upper echelon of divers. I've made fabulous new friends, both through the dive shop & on our adventures abroad -- they're the best!! I've seen so many amazing things & encountered so many wonders & aspects of humanity -- the experiences are indescribable! Even capturing on film does not do it all justice. While I've only been "officially" diving for about 4 years now, I feel that under the sea, is definitely where I belong -- of course, with Brett (& my crazy dive buddies -- there went one!) by my side. I'm venturing into new worlds every day, even when I'm not diving, & I love it! I couldn't ask for anything more. Alas, with my lofty goals, I will try to get to "more", whatever that may be. And I'm certain, beyond any doubt, that my instructor will ensure I achieve those goals -- & allow me my personal endeavors (photography, sea life/shark conservation, all the good stuff) along the way. As a result of our concerted efforts, I will be one of the first women in the region (one of very few in the grand scheme of things) to become a Tec Rec/Tec Deep Diver. That is an achievement of which I will be very proud -- the getting there is tough for anyone, but the payoffs are incredible! Here's
to all the fish in the sea, & here's to all that love & are inspired by
them! **Splash** Certification Level: PADI Divemaster DM#235791 Certifications:
In Progress: Underwater Photography (Digital), Altitude Diver, Drift, AND..... ****TEC REC/TEC DEEP DIVER!!!
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