May 15, 2006 The Ups and Downs of the Diving industry Part II So as you all may or may not know, we have recently acquired the contract to teach all the SCUBA programs at CRD’s Panorama rec. center. This was a responsibility I jumped at thinking of the great marketing advantage it was going to give me over my competitors. But one thing I didn’t think of was how much fun I was going to have there! With all of the “BIG” stuff we’ve been doing lately with our technical program, rebreather training and dive charters, and trying to figure out how to fit my new 25 CFM Eagle compressor through a door that’s only 36” wide, I was thinking perhaps I should be letting Kelly teach this past Sundays PADI SEAL team kids program. I am glad he was busy, I have not laughed that hard under water since watching Tom Dakin try to swim backwards through a hoola hoop. It was just what the doctor ordered to brighten up my dull day. Its no secret that I get along with kids because I am sometimes thought of as a 31 yr old-8 yr old. We played underwater frisby, searched for treasure and learned new skills. The SEAL team is a 5 day program designed to sharpen kids skills and interest and also to prepare them for the PADI junior O/W SCUBA program which they can take at 10 years old now. It was really cool to watch one of my students come out of the water and exclaim "this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!" Her grandmother at pool side erupted in laughter. I couldn’t wait to tell my wife that another girl had called me her best time, hehe. I can’t wait for our next class! As dive instructors we have been known to take ourselves a bit too seriously sometimes. I believe it’s important for us to teach a number of different courses to keep things in perspective. Someone who teaches nothing but tech will soon lose the feeling of what is like to be a complete beginner, or that their students (tec divers or not) are still trying something new. A great way to get that feeling back again is a kids program of some sort. Kids can really remind us of how to have fun again, they have no preconceived fears or notions about how things are supposed to be and everything is new. I think this is why they learn so fast. It’s also why we become better as instructors by teaching them. I can’t wait to blow bubbles underwater with my two kids. “Breathe continuously “ Dan Sidney Dive n Surf |