James Blog #2 scuba divin'

On this expedition we had the opportunity to get scuba certified. I had been wanting to do scuba diving ever since I learned about scuba. So this was a very great opportunity for me. I still find it hard to believe that I went scuba diving within the past 2 weeks.it feels like I missed a lot. Surprisingly to me I did very well during the book portion of the scuba certification but, when it came down to the first two dives. I messed up and couldn't equalize my ears. Making it too dangerous to continue my dive. So a huge bummer to me I had to come out of the water early and had a bummer rest of the day. Luckily I made it to the required depth for first dive of 18 ft so my first dive counted but, my second dive did not. The next day was our second and final dive. I was so stoked to be able to dive again. But, the boat trip was canceled do to the wind picking up and the swells being to dangerous to dive. So I had to wait another day to take on the dive again. The next day I woke up eager as ever to get in the water. We packed up our gear and went to the dock. Got on the boat and started for the dive spot. I was getting my gear ready when I suddenly heard a loud noise in my right ear. Turns out I had the luck of picking two tanks consecutively that had a bad o-ring and at that point I thought my luck was running out and I was not going to do too well on the dives. I was also thinking about how this would more than likely be my last chance to get scuba certified. Thankfully I had the best instructor, JB. She made it so that everyone else's third dive, my second dive, should count and she split up my dives so I was on pace with everyone in the group. Then we went down. I made sure to equalize my ears and do everything JB told me to do. I slowly descended thinking in my head, “ gotta touch the bottom. Gotta touch the bottom.” As I slowly sunk the rest of the group around me I touched the bottom. The biggest amount of relief and joyfulness rushed through me. I was so happy. My goal to touch the bottom and equalize was achieved and I could actually scuba dive. It was the most amazing feeling to be down at the bottom in control and see all of the life in the ocean. Thanks to JB and everyone in my group helping to cheer me up and push me to dive, I have a memory I will never forgot and always tell. Now I cant wait for surfing.