scubadada

I was certified by the LA County Underwater Unit when I was 16 and living in the Los Angeles area. I was a competitive swimmer and water polo player through high school. I dived actively, mostly shore diving in LA, Orange, and San Diego Counties, with occasional trips to Catalina, for the decade while I finished high school, college, and medical school. I lived in Portland, OR for 8 years before moving to the Philadelphia area. I did not dive for 17 years. I was recertified with my son when he turned 12, we've been diving together for 24 years. My wife was certified with my daughter when she turned 12, the whole family has been diving together for 19 years. We try to dive as a family as much as we can, more often now, it's my wife and me. I also dive by myself whenever I have the opportunity. We've owned a 2nd house in Boynton Beach, FL for 9 years.

2020 got off to a good start with 2 visits to Florida, hit 1900 dives. Then came Covid-19. Our trip to Bonaire in April was cancelled. My trip to Malpelo in June was cancelled, rescheduled for July 2021 . I was able to get back down to Florida for 29 wonderful dives at the beginning of June, 20 in July, and 20 in September. I ended the year with just 81 dives, fewest dives in a year since 2011 However, that's 81 dives better than none.

I'm cautiously optimistic for 2021. My wife and I have been fully vaccinated since the beginning of March. I got back to our home in Florida for the first time since last September and got in 18 great dives in Jupiter, West Palm, and Boynton Beach. This included a fantastic Lemon Shark dive in Jupiter. I will get back to Florida again toward the end of April. My trip to Malpelo is still on for July. We hope to get back to Bonaire this year to make up for our cancelled trip last April.

April 8, 2021