In the mid 1980s I made thirteen Scuba Dives in Negril Jamaica. On two separate trips I took the "Discover Scuba" training course offered by the Negril Scuba Center and made the dives. Unfortunately I was never PADI certified and didn't continue diving.
In the late '90s my son's school was taking them Scuba Diving to Jamaica for a field trip (man, I wish I went to that school). He and I took the PADI course and purchased BCDs, Octopuses (Octopi?) along with masks, fins, snorkels and some other gear. We were going to do our Open Water dives in Curacao, however, obligations at work forced me to miss that trip. Ty got certified then went on to dive with his classmates in Jamaica. He then went on to get his Advanced Open Water certification.
At the end of 2007 some friends were planning a trip to Runaway Bay in Jamaica. My buddy Jason was telling me what a great time they had snorkeling last year. I suggested we become certified PADI divers this time around then continue diving here in Ontario (not to mention taking a few more trips to hot, sunny destinations). We completed our classroom and Confined Water Dives here in Toronto and will do the Open Water Dives in Jamaica.
<<Update: January 2008>> Jason and I completed our Open Water dives in Jamaica (what an excellent trip!) and are now PADI Certified. Jason also proposed to his long time girlfriend Linda and we'll all be returning to Runaway Bay in 2009 for the wedding! Congrats guys!!!
I've been fortunate to find a really great Local Dive Shop (LDS). Colt Creek Diving is located in Newmarket, Ontario about halfway between Jason and my homes. They've been really excellent in providing us with information, training and of course; gear. This year we expect to take part in the numerous dive events put together by Colt Creek.
<<Update: February 2008>> Just completed my Ice Diver course at Kirkfield Quarry. While Saturday was a balmy zero degrees Celsius, Sunday was minus 9 without the wind chill. Talk about chilly!
<<Update: March 2008>> A group of divers from Colt Creek headed down to Cuba in March for some warm water diving. The trip was awesome! I managed to achieve my Advanced Open Water Diver certificate and Scott Rae completed his Divemaster course. Everyone had a great time. Thanks to Scott, Brad and the rest of the Tank Jockeys for putting the whole thing together!
Gear
As with skydiving I'm a bit of a Gear-Slut when it comes to a new sport or interest. I preparation for Scuba season I've outfitted myself with the following
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OMS Backplate & Dual Bladder Wing
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Apeks Tek 3 first stage w/ XTX 50 second stage & Octo
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Aqualung SeaQuest Pro XLT Buoyancy Compensation Device (BCD)
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Sherwood Magnus first stage with Magnum second stage regulator (plus octopus)
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Aqualung Slingshot Fins & Oceanic booties
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Prescription Dive Mask's XS Scuba Z-Duo mask & Genesis snorkel
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Uwatec SMART COM Dive Computer & Uwatec bottom timer
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Bare "shorty" 3mm wetsuit & 2mm gloves
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Northern Diver Cortex Drysuit & Undergarment with Bare "lobster" gloves
Since most of my diving will be in Ontario I plan to get set up for cold water diving. The drysuit should really go a long way to keeping me warm.
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