Alla you fullas, Get outta Ma boat!
January 31, 2010Well, it happens twice a day on dive trips, sometimes more… That horrible point where everyone else is geared up and about to go into the water. Why is this awful? Because, as skipper and boatman, I get stuck on the damn boat!
Crazy lycra body suit guy... He had it on when we picked him up, he had it on that night out on the town...
This used to be Ok, but then Cam made the horrible mistake of giving me a try-dive, during which I set records that stand to this day for rapid air consumption and panic attacks. (Most people say these are not records to be proud of, but hey! A record is a record!) Since then, Bev and Trev compounded the issue by teaching me how to dive properly (And I use the term “Properly” in the loosest possible sense of the word… You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!)
Trev helping out the guys at the Paihia Dive club on a Cavalli Islands expedition
Then along came Toni with the solution to my dilemma! As a trainee divemaster I could help her out with discovers and even tag along on guided dives if we had someone to cover the boat! Brilliant! I love discovers as well, introducing people to the underwater world, helping them find their feet as they adapt to the alien environment, laughing to myself as they crawl along the bottom with their hands, wincing as they prod nudubrachs to see what they feel like… All these things are awesome, though, because through gentle coaxing by the end of the second dive, quite often you can see them well on the way! Plus, the smiles when they get it… Priceless!
Had enough of the kids during school holidays? Discover Scuba Diving!
So summer has been brilliant so far, Driving the boat (And then palming THAT job off wherever possible!) taking care of gear and logistics (Because Cam is the Admiral), making the tea, swapping the gear, and making sure people who come diving with us have the best experience possible!
Plus, thanks to the mighty Porpoises, I’ve had the pleasure of helping out with an Open Water course, More discovers, and even the odd random invitation to go out for a good old fashioned fun dive! (Essential for keeping your interest alive!) Bev and Trev have always done their best to promote diving in Northland, and to this end they’ve recently upgraded their boat… Watch out for the Pacific Runner! Sorry, Cam, but Deep 6’s title as fastest dive boat in the bay might be under threat!
Trev and company on one of Molly's last trips for Porpoise dive... Hanging out in the sun up at the Cavalli Islands
The mighty Keri Dive has helped out as well, with the same random dive invitations, to cruise out on the Lady Rose, their spacious, warm, comfortable Catamaran. Run by Dave and Sue Wadsworth of Kerikeri , also keen supporters of diving in Northland. And as for the Barbecue Lunch Dave serves up… Dribble… Nothing like a hot, fresh-made hamburger after a dive! I fear if I go out on Lady Rose much more, I might well end up with a third buttock… (And you’re definitely too fat already, Fatty… Lose some freaken’ weight! -Ed)
Warm, Comfy, quick, and best of all, a barbecue! Skipper and Dive Guru Dave Wadsworth at the Helm.
Toni also gets me diving by covering the auxiliary skipper angle by dragging Phil (Husband!) Ball out whenever she can… Phil skippers for Dolphin Discoveries during the… well, I was going to say “Week”, but during the summer it’s a bit more constant than that! He normally pilots the mighty Dolphin Discovery 4, and has a weird passion for jetboats… (Phil, Dave and Sue coming soon to guilty parties, providing Karl’s laptop doesn’t fill up with viruses again –Ed) One day, when I win lotto, Dolphin discovery 5 will be mine…
We have a rule on the boat... If you pull a hat out of the tide, you must wear it all day. Phil Ball Still manages to make this hat look good!
So despite still sitting on the boat far too often, A huge thank you to all the special people who go above and beyond the call of duty to help a new diver get his gills wet! Y’all know who you are! And, as Axl Rose once said, to all those opposed…
