After 29 years as a professional scuba instructor, I realized that we have neglected a very important demographic. Most of you have probably walked into your local dive center and inquired about learning to dive. Or, perhaps you were on vacation and the opportunity presented itself. Most of you probably entered the sport alone. Others may have taken the open water course with your spouse, partner, kids, or a friend.
After you are certified, most of you probably realized that the two biggest obstacles in your path to the water are your wife and your boss. If your spouse is a diver or has her own passion for something she wants to be doing, you are lucky. I've never been married, but I've dated women who dive at the tech and cave level like myself and that was pretty great. Even more great, my girlfriend for the past 6 years is a pro figure skater who trains and coaches almost every day. That means she does her thing and I do mine. Together, we like to ride horses and hike. But, it frees me up to dive alone or with my friends.
I'm my own boss, or occasionally I work for a shop, so the boss is usually happy that I'm going diving.
But, for those whose spouse doesn't dive, and doesn't want to dive, there is hope. Your boss!!! That's right. Get your other boss, the one that signs your paychecks, addicted to scuba diving. It's your best shot at escaping the 40+ hour work week followed by the dreaded weekend "honey-do" list. Maybe your business meeting, CER, and training update locations will change from places like Kansas City or Cincinnati to places where there is diving like Vancouver or Miami? Maybe you'll get an extra day tossed into a business trip to get wet? Maybe you'll get to play hooky with your boss and go diving? Who knows? Maybe even get that promotion?
As an instructor and dive buddy, I've heard, "My wife won't let me," so often, if I had a dollar for each time I heard that, I would have actually made a profit in this industry. So, I propose trying to encourage your boss to go diving. It's your best shot. Other than divorce and quitting your job to do what I do. Let me know how it works out.
After you are certified, most of you probably realized that the two biggest obstacles in your path to the water are your wife and your boss. If your spouse is a diver or has her own passion for something she wants to be doing, you are lucky. I've never been married, but I've dated women who dive at the tech and cave level like myself and that was pretty great. Even more great, my girlfriend for the past 6 years is a pro figure skater who trains and coaches almost every day. That means she does her thing and I do mine. Together, we like to ride horses and hike. But, it frees me up to dive alone or with my friends.
I'm my own boss, or occasionally I work for a shop, so the boss is usually happy that I'm going diving.
But, for those whose spouse doesn't dive, and doesn't want to dive, there is hope. Your boss!!! That's right. Get your other boss, the one that signs your paychecks, addicted to scuba diving. It's your best shot at escaping the 40+ hour work week followed by the dreaded weekend "honey-do" list. Maybe your business meeting, CER, and training update locations will change from places like Kansas City or Cincinnati to places where there is diving like Vancouver or Miami? Maybe you'll get an extra day tossed into a business trip to get wet? Maybe you'll get to play hooky with your boss and go diving? Who knows? Maybe even get that promotion?
As an instructor and dive buddy, I've heard, "My wife won't let me," so often, if I had a dollar for each time I heard that, I would have actually made a profit in this industry. So, I propose trying to encourage your boss to go diving. It's your best shot. Other than divorce and quitting your job to do what I do. Let me know how it works out.
