I grew up watching "Flipper!" and I had always wanted to scuba dive. I hated having to continually come up for air when swimming underwater with a mask. I went to St. Croix for a spring break from medical school with a friend from school. I saw a pamphlet for a day-long course to check scuba out. I signed up. It was on the north shore, near Cane Bay. We had about an hour of "class" at a picnic table under some palms, then did a shore dive during which we descended gradually along the bottom. I still vividly remember the feeling of being able to breathe underwater. Such freedom! I was instantly hooked. We eventually reached a wreck of a Cessna or Piper, then gradually re-ascended along the bottom to the beach, and had lunch. The second dive we went out until we were on a fantastic coral-covered wall, and descended next to it, observing all of the colorful life that lived on it. I have no idea how deep we went, but we ascended in the same way, gradually following the bottom up to the beach. Couldn't get certified until all my medical training was finished, but am so glad I did.