I just hit 60 (dives) last Sunday. And I was partnered up with this Hoover who had about 15 or so dives. And after about 5 or 6 dives with this guy I started feeling pretty good about myself - I'm not bouncing off the bottom, I can drop like a stone and put on the brakes a few feet from the bottom and hover, I don't come out as fatigued as I used to, I'm not a chuckwagon harvesting kelp all along my dive, I'm using less weight now and consuming less gas now, and its all good. Im silently thinking I rule
Its at these times that I feel most vulnerable. I make a conscience effort to never lose that great respect and scary edge. I dive with a higher confidence level than I ever have, but I know that (as FredT once told me) fear is at my elbow...just don't let it into my suit.
I need to keep that newbie edge.
I noticed the change when I moved to the Drysuit. For me, it was a no brainer. After about 45 dives in a 7mm wetsuit, I got in my 50/50 and first dive, nailed it. I watched many of my peers (and my wife...who has 3 times as many dives as I do) cork out, or wig out, or just struggle with it...I'm fortunate to have never had that problem. Reading the Fundy's book a few times brought into words what I've been suspecting for a while:
"diving ability involves knowledge, natural aptitude, and practiced technique..." It goes onto say that knowledge and technique are within the control of a motivated diver, and basically that some are gifted with natural ability. Before the book (and this board) I was on the road to relying too much on my "gifts" and THAT is where the danger is.
Understanding the need for improved techniques and skills to complement my natural ability, and to keep on the training path (new courses, dedicating some dive trips solely to practice and not sightseeing, etc.) is what will, hopefully, keep me a newbie forever.
The foundation is there. The base line skills came very quickly but relaxing on that and becoming king scuba dude in my little circle is easy and alluring. Seeking out new stuff and demanding more out of myself and approaching the new skills and courses with intensity is what keeps me a newbie. I dont want to be a fat diver who thinks hes all that the boats are loaded with these people (heck, me and one other new diver I had to pull my PADI OW instructor out of La Jolla cove on my first ocean training dives nice.) I want to know there is more to know. Like UP, Im looking forward to DIR/F setting the bar and becoming a newbie again.
K
Its at these times that I feel most vulnerable. I make a conscience effort to never lose that great respect and scary edge. I dive with a higher confidence level than I ever have, but I know that (as FredT once told me) fear is at my elbow...just don't let it into my suit.
I need to keep that newbie edge.
I noticed the change when I moved to the Drysuit. For me, it was a no brainer. After about 45 dives in a 7mm wetsuit, I got in my 50/50 and first dive, nailed it. I watched many of my peers (and my wife...who has 3 times as many dives as I do) cork out, or wig out, or just struggle with it...I'm fortunate to have never had that problem. Reading the Fundy's book a few times brought into words what I've been suspecting for a while:
"diving ability involves knowledge, natural aptitude, and practiced technique..." It goes onto say that knowledge and technique are within the control of a motivated diver, and basically that some are gifted with natural ability. Before the book (and this board) I was on the road to relying too much on my "gifts" and THAT is where the danger is.
Understanding the need for improved techniques and skills to complement my natural ability, and to keep on the training path (new courses, dedicating some dive trips solely to practice and not sightseeing, etc.) is what will, hopefully, keep me a newbie forever.
The foundation is there. The base line skills came very quickly but relaxing on that and becoming king scuba dude in my little circle is easy and alluring. Seeking out new stuff and demanding more out of myself and approaching the new skills and courses with intensity is what keeps me a newbie. I dont want to be a fat diver who thinks hes all that the boats are loaded with these people (heck, me and one other new diver I had to pull my PADI OW instructor out of La Jolla cove on my first ocean training dives nice.) I want to know there is more to know. Like UP, Im looking forward to DIR/F setting the bar and becoming a newbie again.
K