I have just returned from vacation on Maui with my wife. JoAn has been studying and practicing for 3 months now to become a certified Open Water Diver. She had her first pool session in January and the weather was COLD! It was 37 degress and foggy when she got out of the pool! She persisted and passed all the book work and tests. She spent hours in front of the TV watching the PADI video. She would call me at work to find the answer to questions she needed help with understanding. She wanted to do well on the tests and also to know what was happening while diving.
We had planned to finish her certification dives before leaving for Maui, but it just didn't happen. We went to Maui and it was there she finished her OW certification with Maui Diving in Lahaina. It worked out that she was the only student in the class at the time. Ryan, the instructor, was very thorough and made sure she did all the skills correctly. He did a great job and was patient with her.
Following her certification, we booked 2 dives with him as a dive guide. We did a shore dive at Mala Wharf in Lahaina. Mala Wharf is a collapsed concrete structure that rests in about 45 fsw. It looks like a collapsed freeway ramp! We saw many different species of fish and also saw a White Tip shark. The turtles were there and swimming around.
The total dive time was 55 minutes and maximum depth was 41 fsw. It was our first dive together. It is the start of a new adventure for her and the realization of a goal we had set many months ago.
Something that makes this a great accomplishment and inspiration for others is that my wife is 74 years old. She will be 75 in June. Ryan said he was amazed at her for trying and proud she succeeded in passing certification. He said he couldn't imagine his mother getting certified, let alone his grandmother!
Yes, there is no age limit on diving. We are able to enjoy the dive sport together now. It is GREAT!
We had planned to finish her certification dives before leaving for Maui, but it just didn't happen. We went to Maui and it was there she finished her OW certification with Maui Diving in Lahaina. It worked out that she was the only student in the class at the time. Ryan, the instructor, was very thorough and made sure she did all the skills correctly. He did a great job and was patient with her.
Following her certification, we booked 2 dives with him as a dive guide. We did a shore dive at Mala Wharf in Lahaina. Mala Wharf is a collapsed concrete structure that rests in about 45 fsw. It looks like a collapsed freeway ramp! We saw many different species of fish and also saw a White Tip shark. The turtles were there and swimming around.
The total dive time was 55 minutes and maximum depth was 41 fsw. It was our first dive together. It is the start of a new adventure for her and the realization of a goal we had set many months ago.
Something that makes this a great accomplishment and inspiration for others is that my wife is 74 years old. She will be 75 in June. Ryan said he was amazed at her for trying and proud she succeeded in passing certification. He said he couldn't imagine his mother getting certified, let alone his grandmother!
Yes, there is no age limit on diving. We are able to enjoy the dive sport together now. It is GREAT!
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