End of my 25th year as a North Atlantic Wreck Diver

A few weeks ago when I was diving the Resor I kind of knew that it would be my last dive of the season.  Just like skiing when you try to get that last run of the day in and you end up hurting yourself, I figured the Resor was a great dive to have as my last one for the season and why push my good luck that I had this year.

One of the oldest photos of me diving, still in a wetsuit & some rental gear (1989 ish)

Well, I safely completed my 25th year as a scuba diver!  I do believe that the number of divers that have dove consecutively every year for 25 years or more is limited in the North Altantic.  I am not in the geriatric club yet but, I am in the 25 year and over scuba diver club, if there is such a thing..In addition, just as I predicted, it was a banner year...I ended up making about 44 dives on wrecks such as the Arundo, Oil Wreck, San Jose, Tolten, Resor, Maurice Tracey, Pinta, $25 Wreck, Sea Hag, Sea Girt Wreck, Gulftrade, Flour, Gloria, Immaculata, U-352, Aeolus, Pappose, USCG Spar and Shurz.   As in every year there were other trips that did not happen due to weather conditions and other obstacles like the St. Lawrence River trip but, there is always next year!

 I think the highlight of my year was finally being able to tackle the Oil Wreck.  I was recently reading a  technical diving book and it was talking about knowing your "comfort zone".  I have always known my personal "comfort zone" but, when it came to this particular wreck, I always felt that I wasn't quite ready for it.  I had been on boats destined for this wreck numerous times over the years but, never made it there and in the back of my mind I knew that there was a reason why I never made it there.  I remember one time in particular when my instructor said he'd be my buddy for the Oil Wreck which gave me a lot of confidence but, then that day never came...I was again left thinking perhaps this is one wreck that I will never dive.  In the end, I got there sort of by accident when we were supposed to be diving the Somerstad and ended up at the Oil Wreck due to weather offshore.  I know Captain Dan and others on board the Indy that day knew how hard I've tried to tackle this wreck and realize that defeating this was a huge accomplishment for me. I now hope to dive it again someday..

As you all know this blog is meant to inspire current divers and perhaps others that may aspire to learn to dive.  Its my small contribution to the diving community and my way of leaving my mark in this great underwater world we all share.  I want to be remembered as someone who lived life to the fullest, I didn't spend my weekends watching TV or cleaning the house I went out and experienced life.  If nothing else, my children will have this blog to look back on someday and be able to feel what I felt diving each dive.

I don't have any real plans yet for the 2012 dive season other than I know I will be going to North Carolina again, I went with a great bunch of divers and look forward to exploring new wrecks in that area.  I have 4 more videos to edit and post from this years trip to North Carolina so check back over the winter and I'll post them.  I also really missed diving the Varanger and Offshore Paddlewheeler this year so I will make it a priority to get out there in 2012.  One of the things about wreck diving in NJ is that you can plan out what wrecks you'd like to dive each year but given the weather and other events out of your control you never know where you actually end up diving.  Its always that excitement of the unknown destination that keeps me coming back time and time again.  Especially when you board a dive boat and hear the Captain say, lets go check out some new numbers...you never know what you will find.  This year alone there were several new wrecks discovered and while I was not on the boat those particular days, I was so excited and happy for those that stepped out of the box into the unknown and made a grand historic discovery for all. Perhaps next year I will be able to dive these newly discovered wrecks myself...the opportunities are endless! 

I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I am going is what inspires me to travel it. --Rosalia de Castro

I want to thank all of the divers in my 25 year journey whom was there to share diving with me.  My life is richer for having all of you in my life!!  Looking forward to many more safe years of wreck diving...

Still at it after 25 years! (2011)

 

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.   --Hellen Keller