SCUBA Diving

SCUBA Diving

I've been a certified SCUBA diver since 1984, but during that time my interest in diving has gone through a few peaks and valleys so I haven't been an active diver the entire time. I recently went through a period of almost 10 years during which I didn’t SCUBA dive at all; although I did continue to do some free diving during our sailing trips in Southern California.

My oldest daughter, Sarah, has always loved the ocean and has been snorkeling the coves around Catalina Island since she was 5 years old (she was sailing with us before she could talk). As she grew older, she continued snorkeling and by the time she was 7 or 8 years old she started asking if she could SCUBA dive. Each time she asked, I would tell her that she couldn't get diver certification until she was 12 years old (I later found out this is not entirely true) and that her mother and I would consider whether she was ready or not when she was old enough. On the day of her 12th birthday she asked again and informed us that she was ready. After considerable thought and discussion (see here for details), my wife and I decided to allow her to start diving. In August 2007, Sarah became a certified SCUBA diver.

Her interest in diving has rekindled my interest and we are now diving together whenever we get a chance.

Diving has become a family activitty.  Father and daughter preparing for a dive (Santa Catalina Island) - August 2007

 Last Updated: 29 Nov 2007