The 2008 season of diving is coming to a close for me. I was scheduled to go diving on Nov. 16th to finish up the dives for my Advanced Nitrox course and that was blown out and re-scheduled for Nov. 22. Thanks to the smart thinking of my instructor, Geoff Graham, that too was cancelled since it is supposed to be too cold out. Therefore, this dive will have to wait to the Spring of 2009.
I am very proud of my accomplishments this year. I began the season with the goal of completing 1 dive safely and ended up completing about 15 dives. As many of you know, due to my health I did not think I was capable of diving again. Things in your life happen for a reason and I know that one thing that I have learned over the past few years is that you need to appreciate every dive no matter how good or bad it is. Each dive is a gift and it can be taken away in an instant. This past year and the year before has also been very trying on me and my diving capabilities because of personal issues. There are people whom misunderstand you, betray you and attack you quite unexpectantly. The fact that you care deeply about them is lost in the difficulties of the feelings they ensue. I am accepting the fact that I needed to learn these things in life... After this dive season I feel confident in saying that my spirit has not been broken and I am starting to find joy in diving again. There is still some concerns for my health and I am doing the best that I can with these concerns. Just as other divers have inspired me, I in turn, am pretty sure that I have at least inspired a few divers this year and I know I made a lot of new dive friends.
As I look back at this year I would have to say my best dive was on the Varanger, I always loved this wreck and I had a great time being able to dive it again. The vision of the beautiful sea anenomes is still fresh in my mind.
In looking onto the 2009 season, I hope to get to some of my favorite wrecks like the Arundo, Varanger, Moonstone, Offshore Paddlewheeler and N. Pacific. So someone pleeeaaase put it on your schedule!!! I also just heard about a trip to the Galapogas Islands being organized for 2011 and I am seriously thinking of signing up for it. I always wanted to go there.
Over the long winter I will be keeping up on my dive education by taking Decompression Techniques. Perhaps this course will lead me to some exciting dives next year! There are no dive trips planned for the winter, perhaps a little skiing in Maine if we can swing it.
I hope everyone has a safe winter and I hope Santa brings everyone lots of diving toys. I know my Santa's list includes a rebreather, new light, drysuit...I can dream can't I??? Oh yeah and a new wreck reel! I had an awful time trying to deploy a lift bag from mid water column with my current reel. It went up ok but trying to maintain your buoyancy mid water column and reel it back in...lets just say I had some major spidered nylon line. Good thing this was in the quarry and not on some wreck in the ocean. Therefore, I'd like one of those new reels with the plastic case that helps to prevent the line from spidering.
During these tough economic times we should all try and support our local dive shops so that they will be there to educate and support us in the future. I have always been a strong believer in purchasing all of my dive equipment from the local dive shop even if it costs a little more money than on the internet. Without them, all those joyfull days out diving on a wreck would not be possible!
I would like to wish a Special Merry Christmas to all the past, present and future diving companions, they all hold a special place for our shared love of wreck diving!
Safe Diving! Kim
