LEARNINGCURVE maximum planned depths of 15m on both dives . Nick even let me plan our second dive ( with guidance of course ). I had been wanting to go through the plane and that ’ s what we did . This was the first time I needed to use a torch , as it gets very dark .
I needed just one more open water dive to complete my practical training and Stella volunteered to be my instructor the very next weekend . Thanks !
I ’ m not joking
Woohoo – all my practical sections where now signed off . This just left my theory exam , which I was dreading . It was such a long time since the Zoom sessions . I studied and studied and still managed to fail ! It was only on my 2nd try that I passed and then I became a qualified Ocean Diver . I was so proud with myself , since I was still 13 when I qualified . What a journey – good and bad dives but overall an amazing experience . Shortly after , the club was hosting its annual Summer Sizzler . I was so excited . I thought that it would boost my confidence and it really did . I managed to do not one , but two successful RIB dives and I can ’ t even describe how proud of myself I was , I just couldn ’ t believe I did it . The first RIB dive we dived the Missouri wreck and – I ’ m not joking – it was phenomenal ! It was probably one of my best dives ever , I equalised my ears and got down to 12 metres . The wreck wasn ’ t in one piece , but that just made it even more exciting because you had to search and figure out which bit of the wreck was which . I found loads of cool shells ( which I stuffed in the drysuit pocket ) and saw loads of crabs and fish . I somehow managed to use 130 bar ( probably because I saw a huge crab .)
On the decompression stop I tried to play rock , paper , scissors with Stella , but I don ’ t think she realised what I was doing and just thought I had gone a bit strange . I ’ d best let her know beforehand next time .
The second RIB dive didn ’ t go quite as well as the first , but was still incredible . I mean , rolling backwards of the back of the boat is still the best thing ever . I don ’ t think the novelty will ever wear off ! Later I did a shore dive and it was one of my longest dives ever . A full 58 mins . These dives really boosted my confidence . It was an amazing weekend and I can ’ t wait for next year ’ s event .
Unforgettable
I had been on a fantastic journey , but a certain day was going to stay with me forever . It was my birthday and I got to go scuba diving ! Ian pulled out all the stops for the day and got a team together – Chris Heywood , Gary Williams , Derek and Mike F – for a diving day . It was back in Anglesey , this time at Penryhn Bay and it was just unbelievable .
First of all , the RIB ride was absolutely phenomenal . The waves were so choppy , it felt like I was actually flying ! Once we got to our dive site at Lamb Island , everyone was starting to get a bit hungry so Ian and myself decided to let everyone else eat and we went exploring .
It was an amazing dive ! I was so happy I had managed to equalise my ears and managed to get down to 11m . Having finished our dive , we flung ourselves back onto the RIB – it ’ s not the most graceful thing in the world .
Next , we crawled off the RIB and onto an old coastguard ramp and jumped off it into the water . It surprises me just how buoyant drysuits are , since I just hit the water and didn ’ t even sink ! I just bobbed about for a bit , fascinated at being held up in the water with no need to move . I didn ’ t even have to move to stay on top of the water , I could just lie on my back and float away !
I got back onto the RIB , ate my dinner and gave out some birthday cinnamon rolls . It was then time to head back , but on the way home we took a detour to stop off at the Skerries . To my delight there was lots of seals surrounding the island . I wanted to stay on the RIB to enjoy the seals but I decided to go and explore .
It was full of daisies and it looked so beautiful , even though there was loads of bird poo . It felt so unreal . I just couldn ’ t believe I was there , standing in a drysuit watching the seals next to this huge lighthouse on this little island . After about 15 mins we headed back home , avoiding the breaking white waves ( sadly ). After the sea calmed down a bit , I drove the RIB under the usual supervision , and this time controlled the steering and the speed . It was so fun . Overall , I can ’ t even begin to describe how amazing and unforgettable this day was .
These dives have been amazing and I am so proud with them all even if some didn ’ t go to plan . I can ’ t even describe how amazing these experiences have been . Sorry it ’ s been a long read , but I had a full 12 months to cover !
I ’ m absolutely looking forward to doing the Sports Diver Course .... and Boat Handling . �
The team contemplates an amazing day at Llanfwrog .
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