Comments from a Wannabe

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03-18-2012 09:51 PM
Wannabe23

Comments from a Wannabe

I was at Little River this weekend with my 10 year old son letting him get comfortable with his mask and fins before he takes his upcoming Jr. Open Water course. I showed him the cave opening and told him how it was for cave divers only and how special training was needed before going in there and about how I was going to be starting my cavern and intro lessons very soon. SSK was there preparing for her dive. As she hooked up her SM rig and went through her predive checks we both watched with great interest. As she entered the water we both hovered facedown in the water watching as she effortlessly and gracefully moved through the water below us and disappeared into the darkness of the cave. Now I am sure its no big deal once you have all kinds of dives under you belt but to mere observer you are left with a sense of amazement and awe. Once she disappeared and we both lifted our heads up my son said to me “dad, I want to be a cave diver” and I replied to him “me too son, me too”. So thanks to you SSK and to all of you who lead the way and inspire others to follow. :clapper
03-18-2012 10:10 PM
Dominic

Great post man, must have looked awesome.
03-18-2012 11:45 PM
jxh2297

It seems to draw attention like you described, I once surfaced from devils eye and a family was just staring and me and they immediately said that is amazing! Could have been that it was at night and my 21 watt light monkey shined out of the cave :)
03-19-2012 12:33 AM
LCF

I remember doing my cavern class, and watching the cave divers disappear into the darkness, until they were just points of light. I don't know how anyone can watch that and not be enthralled. I know exactly how you felt.
03-19-2012 01:02 AM
Mauro Bordignon

This gives me a very nice image!! Go on both of you at due time, be safe and have fun!!
03-19-2012 05:06 AM
sskasser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannabe23

I was at Little River this weekend with my 10 year old son letting him get comfortable with his mask and fins before he takes his upcoming Jr. Open Water course. I showed him the cave opening and told him how it was for cave divers only and how special training was needed before going in there and about how I was going to be starting my cavern and intro lessons very soon. SSK was there preparing for her dive. As she hooked up her SM rig and went through her predive checks we both watched with great interest. As she entered the water we both hovered facedown in the water watching as she effortlessly and gracefully moved through the water below us and disappeared into the darkness of the cave. Now I am sure its no big deal once you have all kinds of dives under you belt but to mere observer you are left with a sense of amazement and awe. Once she disappeared and we both lifted our heads up my son said to me “dad, I want to be a cave diver” and I replied to him “me too son, me too”. So thanks to you SSK and to all of you who lead the way and inspire others to follow. :clapper

Wow, thank you. I'm glad you had a great day there and I love that you're teaching your son to love the great outdoors. It was certainly beautiful that day!

Dive safe and enjoy the ride!
03-19-2012 05:50 AM
a64pilot

I've got my whole family diving (open water), but have been contemplating getting my Son SM and Cavern. He's 16, some agencies will allow that as long as they dive only with their certified parents.
Kids are a little unique, my daughter last year when she was 12 had her head screwed on a lot better then than now, I think puberty kicks in and they go dumb for awhile.
03-19-2012 09:22 AM
cavewoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannabe23

I was at Little River this weekend with my 10 year old son letting him get comfortable with his mask and fins before he takes his upcoming Jr. Open Water course. I showed him the cave opening and told him how it was for cave divers only and how special training was needed before going in there and about how I was going to be starting my cavern and intro lessons very soon. SSK was there preparing for her dive. As she hooked up her SM rig and went through her predive checks we both watched with great interest. As she entered the water we both hovered facedown in the water watching as she effortlessly and gracefully moved through the water below us and disappeared into the darkness of the cave. Now I am sure its no big deal once you have all kinds of dives under you belt but to mere observer you are left with a sense of amazement and awe. Once she disappeared and we both lifted our heads up my son said to me “dad, I want to be a cave diver” and I replied to him “me too son, me too”. So thanks to you SSK and to all of you who lead the way and inspire others to follow. :clapper

I enjoyed reading this, it's nice to hear the perspective of an onlooker. Reminds me of when I first came down here to take my cavern course. Good luck to you and your son with your future training.
03-19-2012 09:27 AM
JamesK

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

my daughter last year when she was 12 had her head screwed on a lot better then than now, I think puberty kicks in and they go dumb for awhile.

I guess I am still having puberty flashbacks! LOL....

OP, I enjoyed reading this like everyone else. I started diving just so I could cave dive. I remember watching a group of divers head in to Ginnie (Devils) when I was getting ready for my first cavern/intro dive. I could not wait to get out of the water and put on some gear and be just like them! I hope you and your son both build on this through the years and he keeps that same enthusiam. Sounds like a great bonding moment.
03-19-2012 09:37 AM
Skorpiov

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've got my whole family diving (open water), but have been contemplating getting my Son SM and Cavern. He's 16, some agencies will allow that as long as they dive only with their certified parents.
Kids are a little unique, my daughter last year when she was 12 had her head screwed on a lot better then than now, I think puberty kicks in and they go dumb for awhile.

It just gets worse until they are about 26.
03-19-2012 01:40 PM
WEPIV

Gee Shirley, first you mention getting two teenage boys to help you carry your tanks up and now you had a father and son mesmerized watching you descend....
03-19-2012 02:01 PM
Tegg

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEPIV

Gee Shirley, first you mention getting two teenage boys to help you carry your tanks up and now you had a father and son mesmerized watching you descend....

It's the pink fins.
03-19-2012 02:09 PM
sskasser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegg

It's the pink fins.

LOL, no pink fins that time...but I do know how you do loooooovvvee the pink fins, Joe ;) I will be taking them to Hawaii with me tomorrow, though :D
03-19-2012 02:11 PM
Tegg

Quote:

Originally Posted by sskasser

LOL, no pink fins that time...but I do know how you do loooooovvvee the pink fins, Joe ;) I will be taking them to Hawaii with me tomorrow, though :D

Is it against the rules for me to delete another moderator's comments due to extreme jealousy?
03-19-2012 02:12 PM
sskasser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegg

Is it against the rules for me to delete another moderator's comments due to extreme jealousy?

Don't be jealous. I'll let you wear them when I get back ;)
03-19-2012 03:13 PM
Sludge

Problem solved!
03-19-2012 05:16 PM
a64pilot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skorpiov

It just gets worse until they are about 26.

Our oldest is 28, just moved back into the house and brought our two Grandkids with her, so now there are seven where there were four.

At fifteen she had her head on better than now at 28, so I don't know, maybe it's genetic? My Daughters go dumb, and stay that way?

I wonder what their plan is in ten years when I sell everything, quit working and retire where it's warmer?
03-20-2012 07:41 AM
JamesK

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Our oldest is 28, just moved back into the house and brought our two Grandkids with her, so now there are seven where there were four.

At fifteen she had her head on better than now at 28, so I don't know, maybe it's genetic? My Daughters go dumb, and stay that way?

I wonder what their plan is in ten years when I sell everything, quit working and retire where it's warmer?

Forget about their plan, I know mine. My wife and I are moving in with you! LOL. Ten years right?