April 1, 2012

A few months ago, Chris got SCUBA certified.  It will be a useful skill on our trip.  Not only will be fun and exciting, it will also help us identify and repair issues with the bottom of the boat, such as a propeller wrapped in fish line.  In addition, Chris will be able to spearfish for food.  I know- this is starting to sound a little too Swiss Family Robinson. But Chris loved the classes and convinced Bryson and I to try it.  I was a bit uneasy, because I sometimes feel anxious when snorkeling.  But Bryson was really motivated so I was willing to give it a try.

This weekend, Bryson and I took our SCUBA certification class after preparing for weeks, reading the instructional materials.  We arrived at Blue Water Divers in Rochelle Park early Saturday morning.  Bryson was excited about the Dunkin’ Donuts that David, the owner, provided for us.  We met the other 4 students and got started by reviewing the first few chapters.

The classroom portion was a great review, and after lunch, we got into the pool!  Bryson was an absolute natural.  He had really paid attention to the technical details and was easily able to demonstrate the required skills.  I couldn’t get over how unafraid he was.

I was fine after getting over the part where you have to breathe underwater without your mask on.  It helped that David was so adept at easing my panic.  He was extremely patient and all of a sudden I was done with the skills without a hitch. (That’s Bryson and I giving the official “okay” sign.)

We had a ton of fun.  It is exhilarating to swim while breathing freely under the water.  This morning, we did our pool work when we got there at 9 and finished up by reviewing the last few chapters and taking the final exam.  I was so proud when Bryson earned a 92% on the final exam!  All we need to do now is take our open water certification dives, which we’ll do once we’re under way in July.  We are looking forward to exploring the beautiful underwater worlds together in the year to come!

Most importantly, Bryson and I enjoyed two full days together, which is rare in a family of five.  We got up early together (even rarer when I’m in the equation), chatted during the drive down to Rochelle Park, scoped out the best donuts together, and cheered each other on while learning the SCUBA skills.  SCUBA is done with a strict buddy system, so it was a great experience to have Bryson as my “buddy”.  The instructor remarked at what a great team we made.  You would think that, as his mother, I would be coddling him along and making sure he was okay.  But our team dynamic was a little different:)  Depending on how nervous I was about a particular skill, I would scheme and plan with Bryson about how he would go first so that I would be able to finish last and pop my head out of the water in case I was freaking out! 

If anyone is interested in getting SCUBA certified, I can’t recommend Blue Water Divers (www.bluewaterdivers.com) enough.  Their number is 201-843-3340 and they are a full service, 5-Star PADI shop.  It was great working with them.  They offer an Intro class twice a month on Wednesday nights if you want to experience SCUBA in their pool before deciding whether or not to get certified.