Why does a 61 year old take up scuba?
I don’t think scuba diving was ever something that I considered. I had enjoyed watching Jacques Cousteau, but it never hit me that I would be doing something underwater. Some of my friends go on scuba vacations every year, and yet I never even had a desire to dive. But by a happy accident the thought crept into my life and I decided I should overcome my fear of the ocean. If you need reasons to start this adventure consider that scuba diving opens up new adventures, new travel destinations, new photography.
Growing Up In Alaska Meant Cold Swimming
My brother Jimmy and I entering the cold waters of the Pacific about 1967
Like all kids who grew up in Ketchikan, Alaska we would swim in the inland waterways fed by the Pacific Ocean. I have no idea how cold that water was, but when you are a kid you seem to overcome that cold and enjoy the water. I leaned to swim at a place called “Buggy beach.” A place a few miles south of town where someone had put up a cement barrier making an artificial tidal pool. Ask anyone from Ketchikan their memory of those swimming lessons at Buggy Beach and “being cold” is one of them. Still, those two weeks a year of summer were great.
My brother at Buggy Beach in Ketchikan
My first discovery that water could be warm was when my parents took us on vacation in British Columbia at Lakelse Hot Springs. There the warm waters of the swimming pool I perfected my underwater swimming. When we would go “south” to Oregon, my folks had friends who had a swimming pool – I thought they must be rich. Swimming in warm water.
For the last 27 years I have lived in Arizona, and swimming was a pool. Water vacations were in Cabo and would enjoy relaxing by the pool reading. Last trip my wife said she wanted to go snorkeling with our 8 yo son. She was shocked when I said, “I’ll go.”
So close to the ocean
Mind you, I didn’t think she was serious. She didn’t think I was serious. When we got to Cabo I couldn’t back down – “Of course I meant it.”
She chose a scuba adventure through the Bounty Queen, a “pirate ship” meant for kids, and JJ loved it. Our “pirate” had Johnny Depp’s movements down to a tee, and before long had JJ talking like a pirate. But for me, I realized I had a bit of a fear of this adventure. I had joked about how there were no sharks in the swimming pool, and told people about the predatory squid in the Sea of Cortez by Cabo. I didn’t realize that I had a bit of a fear of the ocean. But, I wasn’t going to back down for this.
JJ on his way to become a pirate
Snorkeling was my Gateway to Scuba
Holding this great puffer fish was awesome, but all I could think about was sushi
In spite of my fears of getting in the water, I loved snorkeling. It turns out that Cabo has a lot of creatures in the area. But I was hooked. I loved going in the water. Ok, there were a few fears – the shadows I saw out of my mask were no doubt sharks that were stalking me, or perhaps a group of killer squid getting ready to take me down to the depths and consume me.
The fish were amazing, and then it hit me- maybe I should consider scuba diving. So I began my internet search and the more I looked, the more I liked it. The more I talked to people who did this, the more I realized what a new world this would open up to me.
I never thought about sushi this fresh
The Medical Side of Scuba
It turns out my doctor is a scuba enthusiast, and he takes some great photographs. I don’t have any contraindications to diving, and there was no need to have a note from the doctor. But if you do take medications, or have some health conditions, please talk to your doctor. Also, when you do go diving, be in good health. You want to clear your ears and be able to clear your ears for your dives. Don’t go diving if you are taking medicines for acute conditions (colds, sinus issues, etc). In classes you will learn how to dive safely, and how to get out of trouble.
Get PADI Certified
Scuba isn’t that complicated, but there are some great classes about how to do it, and it is pretty easy to get certified. PADI is the world’s largest scuba diving training organization. To be certified means that you have taken the training to learn to use the scuba gear, as well as learn to dive safely. Since there are over 6500 PADI stores, many in resorts, this means that when you have your certification they know they can safely rent you the gear.
I did a quick google search for local PADI instruction centers and first up came Fins Up Scuba in Scottsdale, with glowing comments. So I went to the shop. I noticed while there I felt that slight sense of nausea, anxiety – a new sensation for me. In spite of that, or maybe because of that, I signed up for a class. Since my wife and son were going to be visiting her folks in Canada, it gave me something to do to occupy the time. I hate the empty house.
When you sign up you start with fifteen hours of on-line instruction. This is an easy to follow on-line program that gets you oriented to the gear and safety. I loved the training. While at the store they helped me get proper fins, a scuba mask, boots, and a snorkel. The class provided the tanks, wetsuit, regulator, and BC suit.
They have two components for being certified. First is making sure you are safe, and going through some exercises in a swimming pool. Things like clearing a mask, using a buddies breather if you run out of air. But the hardest part was swimming 200 yards to begin with. To say I am out of shape is an understatement. There is no time limit, but I started out with a breast stroke and by the time I hit the first fifty yards I was out of breath, the last 150 yards were mostly on my back. I was the “old man” at the pool, and happy to report I wasn’t the last one in, but I was second to last.
Advantages to being the “old” one in the scuba class
Looking at my fellow students, not only was I the oldest one there, but these kids were all muscle and no marble. I was the inverse. When you buddy up you help the “strongest” buddy get in their gear first because they can be in their gear and help the weakest buddy. This wasn’t a contest.
They paired me with the nicest guy, Tim. What a great buddy. A day at the pool, lots of learning and exercises, and I made it through. From 8 am to 5 pm. I think I went to bed at 730 that night. Always swim with a scuba buddy – cannot imagine not doing that.
The “old” guy and my buddy Tim
The next weekend we had four dives at Lake Pleasant. This is an artificial lake created by the Carl Pleasant Dam, finished in 1927, and was the largest multi-arch dam in the world. The lake was filled by the Agua Fria River, capturing a large watershed throughout Yavapai County. But when later became a storage reservoir for waters from the Colorado River used for irrigation of the local agriculture. To complete it they added another dam in 1994 that tripled the surface area of the lake and the old dam is still seen by divers, as it is underwater. I am told the architecture of it is beautiful as it is made of bricks.
My instructors for the dive at Lake Pleasant. I did great until they said a Bull Shark could live in the lake for a month
Because of the long dry weather the lake is low and visibility is about 15 feet. Still, it was scuba, and being in the cool lake (84 degrees) in real water was a trip. Only once did I look up and see how much water was above me and felt a sense of panic. But what overcame it was seeing some pike swim by. I pointed them out to my scuba buddy, Tim.
Two days of training, and while I cleaning out my gear I was smiling; I realized I found a new sport in life. Now to get my wife into it, and JJ as soon as he can.The instructors were great, helpful, and encouraging.
Scuba expands family vacations to the other 75% of the Earth – and it is educational!
For the past ten years our family has traveled the world through the lens of history, food, relaxation, and photography.
I never tire of finding history in travels
I love travel for its education, there is nothing like going on tours of places to learn their history, or seeing science in action. Taking JJ around the world has been better education than he could ever get in a text book. Now I look forward to what he will learn as he gains an appreciation for our environment, from seeing first hand conservation of the oceans and reefs, as well as seeing the effects of global warming. We look forward to taking him to the Galapagos where Darwin developed the theory of evolution.
My chum Simon Majumdar loves seeing the world through the lens of food – and traveling with him is an adventure in dining. Spain, Greece, and even in his home turf of London and Los Angeles meant eating in some of the greatest spots. It turns out divers love food too- and on most diving vacations they are fed some of the amazing local foods in far away spots. Now I can see it- going to a great place for diving, seeing some seafood and then eating it.
The stress of my job requires relaxation and that used to be sitting poolside with a good book. But I can’t sit still for too long, and now I look forward to returning to Cabo for the scuba diving (already found the PADI dive shop). In fact, the book will be for after the diving. It turns out the best way to relax is not to sit, but to have some activity, and nothing better than a good dive for some great activity. Less sun damage too!
I love seeing the world through a lens – photography, and my favorite subjects are my wife and son. No matter what the great monument, landmark, or scene they can all be improved by my two favorite subjects. All of those lenses has provided me amazing travel in the past few years. Now I want to photo them underwater, along with lots of creatures.
My two favorite subjects
Oh, and the camera gear – well, that is a whole new level of gear. They even have special cases for the iPhones and Android phones for scuba (more than just the water resistant cases). Not to mention the scuba gear.
Scuba for kids
PADI has some programs for children 8-10 but you have to be 10 to be open water certified.
A reason to get in shape
The best part, it has motivated me to get in shape, walking daily, swimming in the pool and working on getting the body in shape – I mean, round is a shape, but I think I can do better. So, if you are middle age, or approaching being an elder – this might be a sport to motivate you to getting into shape.
No age limit for scuba diving, the water is great for people of all ages and abilities. If this old guy can do it, so can you. I only wish I would have started years ago. For the best training, get certified by a PADI school today. If you are in Phoenix or Scottsdale, go to Fins Up Scuba. A whole new set of adventures, and a whole new group of dive buddies awaits.
