Anyone ever snorkel or scuba dive?
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Anyone ever snorkel or scuba dive?
| Fri, 11-19-2004 - 4:00pm |
Jose has been saying that he wants to go snorkeling or scuba diving while we're in Hawaii. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I've never done anything like that before and I'm scared! Has anyone tried either one? Is one better than the other to do? I'm so afraid of embarassing myself! I know a lot of my fear has to do with my weight, but I don't want that to stop me from having a good time. Also, this is almost 6 months from now, so hopefully I'll have lost another 20-30 pounds by then (which will put me to 175 to 185) so it won't be too bad, I hope!
~~Linda

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I went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef when I was in high school. I am so glad I did it because it was a once in a lifetime experience, but honestly I was scared to death the whole time. I was self conscious about my size, but that wasn't the biggest problem I had. It was really scary to me to be out in the middle of the ocean. The waves weren't huge or anything but it was hard swimming around. Had I been in better shape or a stronger swimmer it might have been better, but I kept worrying I was going to drown out there. I almost floated right into a huge pointy coral because my snorkel fell apart and I was trying to fix it, LOL! But, like I said, all that really didn't matter so much knowing that I had done something totally amazing that not many people get to do. So anyway, I say go for it, push yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone, you won't regret it!!
Amanda
Amanda
mom to Ethan (7), Ryen (6), and Katelyn (2)
Thanks, Amanda. If I really work hard, I know I can be in better shape and able to give it a try. I know I'll enjoy it, but you're right, it's outside my comfort zone and I'm not good at going outside my comfort zone. But like you said, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I will probably go for it.
~~Linda
~~Linda
I'm glad to see others have tried it at a higher weight. That makes me feel a little better. I won't lie about my weight THIS TIME! Hopefully, my weight won't be too bad by then and I won't be embarrassed to tell the truth. Thanks for your encouragement, Sharla :)
~~Linda
~~Linda
I have been certified in open water scuba since 91, and have snorkeled forever. It is an experience that is definetly worth it. The equipment for sciba is weird to get used to, but once you are inthe water it doesn't matter. I learned in Wayland, MA, and did my open water cert dives off the coast of Glouscester and Rockport. In MAY. I swear I was cold for three days. Take a course here at home, or do the quickie-ones out in HI.
Snorkeling I do alot anyway, and did that in the Bahamas, because the water was so shallow. I weighed my heaviest then, and kept bobbing to the surface like a cork because as we all know....we float good ! With scuba, weight has nothing to do with it and your bouyancy is compensated for with a lead weight belt.
Whatever you do, DON'T pee in your wetsuit 'to keep warm'. Not that I EVER DID, but the thought of marinating in that was NOT cool.
Let us know what you decide !
Amy
>>Whatever you do, DON'T pee in your wetsuit 'to keep warm'. Not that I EVER DID, but the thought of marinating in that was NOT cool.<<
That's great advice, Amy! I'll try to keep that in mind lol! Seriously, thanks for the input. I think we're leaning towards snorkeling, since that's what Jose seems to want to do more. BTW, we're also going to go parasailing! That's something that I've always wanted to do but was too afraid (can you tell I'm chicken sh**?) But what the hell, I might as well do some fun stuff while I'm down there. It's giving me a lot of incentive to strenthen up before my trip, so that's a good thing!
~~Linda
~~Linda
Linda
Are you afraid of what you will look like in a swim suit...or afraid of the water? It is great exercise. My daughter has snorkled and she said it was basically floating on top of the water looking down into the sea with goggles. Thou I suppose you could dive a little bit into the sea for a better look.
BUT...I can't swim so advise from me is futile.
Sussie_Q
Sussie,
I guess I'm afraid of making a fool out of myself. I think I'm more afraid of the unknown, not knowing what to expect. I don't know exactly what is involved with snorkeling, but from what people are telling me (including you) it's not as involved as I thought it might be. I know how to swim, and I took lessons when I was a kid so I'm pretty good at it (at least I used to be, it's been a long, long time!) I guess I've just used my weight as an excuse not to do things for so long, that now that I want to try new things, I'm a little nervous. But to be honest, I'm really looking forward to this and I'm pumped to get myself into better shape before we go. I have almost 6 months to do that so I have plenty of time to look better and feel stronger. And looking better in a bathing suit sure would help!
Edited to say - it's great to have people that I can talk to about my fears because of my weight. IRL, I don't feel comfortable talking to people about that. But I know everyone here understands, and it's great that I can talk about how I'm feeling. Thanks everyone for being here!
~~Linda
Edited 11/20/2004 10:22 am ET ET by linda112491
~~Linda
Linda,
I have been certified to dive since 1988.. I love it, love it, love it. HOWEVER, DO NOT take a quickie "resort course" to dive. They are very dangerous! If you want to scuba, learn the right way. Its fun, great, you see things on a whole new level....but, you are doing something that could seriously harm you if done the wrong way or without knowing the precautioins.
I snorkel and dive and I love both, but would scuba any day over snorkeling if given the choice.
JMHO
Dawn
I've never gone diving before, so we would have to take the quickie course if we were going to do it. It's too cold to dive up here now, so I wouldn't be able to take classes here until after my trip. But I think we're going to be snorkeling instead of diving anyways. You guys have made diving sound like so much fun! There's a diving school near my house, so maybe next summer I'll take some lessons. Thanks for the tip, Dawn. I'll avoid the "quickie class" and go snorkeling instead. We were leaning towards that, anyways.
~~Linda
~~Linda
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