Tonight I finished the swimming pool session of my NAUI open water diver certification. The class was/is being offered through navy MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) and taught by staff from IB divers (Imperial Beach, to the San Diego uninformed). In the past week I have made great progress in my comfort with scuba diving. I was initially frightened to descend into the depths of the 14 foot swimming pool, relying only on my scuba unit as a life source. Now, I am feeling much more comfortable in the underwater environment, and have learned the proper techniques for handling emergency situations. I have overcome the initial fright, and I am really starting to enjoy my time underwater, even looking forward to these sessions. Tomorrow is my first open water dive. I am excited as well as humbled, anticipating the beauty, complexity, force, and sheer power of the ocean. By keeping a calm, collected manner, and remembering all of my training, I feel confident in handling the prospective perils I may encounter, yet I hope for a rewarding, memorable experience.
Tomorrow we will be diving at La Jolla Shores, entering the water from the beach. This site has been one of my favorite San Diego destinations. Due to the clarity, cleanliness, and calmness of the water, this is my favorite San Diego beach for swimming by far. Just up the shore are some really great tide pools at Dike rock. Also on the beach sits the Scripps Institution, where I worked my favorite job thus far. I have also passed a handful of evenings along this shore enjoying myself at such events as barbecues, picnics, bonfires, and the solo drum circle I attended at Black's Beach. Thus, it is only natural that on this beach, where I have learned so much from, and greatly enjoyed exposure to many things oceanic, that I will take the next step into my encounter with the marine realm...
