Malpaso, congratulations on your new certification. I commend you for continuing you dive training, and unlike some detractors posting above, think the AOW class is a valuable one for divers at a variety of experience levels. You gave the class the best evaluation possible. It helped you become a better diver, including being comfortable in less than ideal conditions. I hope you maintain your enthusiasm, your desire to expand your skills and competence as a diver, and stay active. SnorkelLA and jmneill apparently did not have the positive experience that you did. That is too bad. Thanks for your post. I like positive people, and divers who are positive and excited about diving and learning to be better divers.
DivemasterDennis
While I may have sounded callous, I do believe that certain things contribute to the "enjoyment" factor and the "education" factor of a class that many will agree is a bit shaky in its purpose and meaningfulness. When I was through with my AOW some years ago I had the feeling of "Wow, I can't believe I payed all that money for 6 dives and a new c-card just so I can hop on a boat". I was expecting a lot more from the class than I got. The thing is, most newly minted OW students who take the class leave it thinking they just climbed mount Everest, when they don't realize what they really got. Then they end up leaving the class thinking they can handle any situation while diving, when in reality, one adventure dive in "X" conditions or "X" requirement, IMO, only makes you about a .5% more experienced diver.
I am glad that you decided to further your diving education, OP. But if you think this was mentally and physically "strenuous" wait until Rescue, if you so choose to do it.
I also wouldn't say AOW is like going from the driving range to the golf course, far from it in fact. It is like going from "rookie golfer who plays a 60" to "I'm now able to golf at "x" range, but I am only slightly more experienced, but I have an AOW card that says I can play here"
Taking diving classes doesn't get you experience, diving gives you experience