Scuba goals 2011

In January, I wrote an entry about my goals in diving for this year. Now that it's almost halfway into the year, I'd like to share with you how I am doing so far.

The list I made back then was:

• Pass the rescue diver course
• Aim for 100 total dives
• Dive in more demanding spots
• Dive in Portugal and Egypt
• Become a divemaster

So, how am I doing?

In April I have started the Rescue Diver Course and I am proud to say that I passed the course. Theory and practice dives went well, but the scenario's were much more demanding. It took a lot from me and my two fellow students but it was worth it.

Well I wanted to double my total dives this year at least and preferably aim for 100 total dives. I can say that I am well away with that. Starting the year with 45 dives in total I am now at 83. So I am 7 dives away from doubling up and it is only June.
Diving abroad was a mixed success. During my time in Portugal, the weather was awful so no diving was possible. However, Egypt was great. I also dove some more demanding sites there with stronger currents and a wreck. So I caught two flies in one stone there.

And for the divemaster part. I will go there, but I'm not sure when exactly.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.... And enjoy some highlights of my dive trip to Egypt.

Dive safe and have fun,

New year, new goals

First of all, I want to wish everyone a happy new year. And of course happy diving....

The holiday season is allways a time to look back at the past year and look forward to the upcoming year. The new year is also the time when we make list of good intentions. We want to loose weight, eat healthier, stop smoking and the list goes on. I'm not any different. From here on I want loose at least 10 kilos and pick up running again; a better physical shape will help me when diving as well.
But that's not all. I've been pondering about what I want to get out of diving. And what I want to do with it. And with that 2011 will be a year of change.

Goals
First of all I want expand my knowledge and skills and will start the Rescue Diver course. With that I think I will become a better buddy. Also I want to increase my experience. So I'd like to make at least as much dives as I've made in the last two years. So in my logbook should be at least 90 at the end of the year. Of course I'll aim for 100.
I also want to try a bit more demanding dive sites. I've made some dives in the Oosterschelde at low current sites but I'd like to try some other sites which are more demanding too.
Furthermore I'd like to go diving outside The Netherlands. I've made the first arrangements to go diving during our vacation in Portugal and am aim to go on a dive trip to The Red Sea.

And last, but not least, I'd like to share my knowledge and experiences with others. I'm not an experienced diver (yet), but I've already learned quite a lot by diving with more experienced divers. And I noticed that when diving with less experienced divers I loved to give them some pointers and also felt a responsibility for their safety.
So instead of aiming for the master scuba diver rating I now want to "go pro". So I'd like to become a divemaster. Whether that 'll be this year already or next year is to be seen, but I will go pro!!


List
So to sum up my goals for 2011:

• Pass the rescue diver course
• Aim for 100 total dives
• Dive in more demanding spots
• Dive in Portugal and Egypt
• Become a divemaster

Dive safe and have fun