SCUBA Diving

I learned to SCUBA through The Dive Shop in Tucson - another truly excellent group of people. It took me a bit longer than normal though. Mandi and I went through the class together (Her 14th Birthday present from me). Unfortunately, during our first pool session, the low-pressure inflator hose for her BCD exploded...Three times! That was followed by a series of colds that kept us from finishing for another two months. When we went down to San Carlos to get our PADI Open Water certification we had a MOST excellent time. Here you'll see some photos from that trip: If you haven't learned how to dive yet, I would STRONGLY recommend going down to The Dive Shop in Tucson on Prince at Campbell and check it out. They are the most patient and fun group of people I've ever met. For instance, while we were getting our certification, Mandi had problems getting her ears to equalize (hits everyone at one time or another). One of the instructors (Dan) took extra time working with her one on one over three more dives to get her squared away - Including an extra dive with just us two to help her ears get used to the pressure. On my next trip down, I went with my friend Dave Bradford from MTU (See the Wireless Friends section). We dove on a Ferry/Reef that was mind boggling. Moray Eels, Stingrays, Barracuda (ask Dave why he swam through 12 of the suckers)... You name it! We dove at Catalina Island, and Window Rock. We played with a Sea Lion, saw hundreds of Dolphins, octopi....A fantastic trip. Diving is a wonderful sensation of peace and calm. When you're under the water you're just moving slowly and floating and watching the scenery. You get the occasional moment of excitement when you screw up, but in general it is very relaxing and a lot of fun. Give it a try!
    Just recently I got my Advanced Open Water Certification - another great set of dives. Click Here for more photos
LIVE REEF WEB CAM!

Mandi ready for our second dive - 

Dawn from Loma Bonitas condos in San Carlos: 

Window Rock - an beautiful dive location in the Sea of Cortez. You can swim right through the island. 

Dave Bradford (right)& I (left) in the water by Window Rock getting ready to head down. (Photo courtesy of Julie Xelowski, Instructor at The Dive Shop - She was our Divemaster on this particular dive and took the shot from the Cortez, one of the boats run out of Gary's Dive Shop in San Carlos)  In fact, that was the trip I met Stephanie Flagg on.