Comments from a Wannabe

[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.

[Dominic]

Great post man, must have looked awesome.

[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

[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.

[Mauro Bordignon]

This gives me a very nice image!! Go on both of you at due time, be safe and have fun!!

[sskasser]

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.

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!

[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.

[cavewoman]

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.

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.

[JamesK]

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.

[Skorpiov]

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.