A Lifelong Love for Water
I've always loved the water. The blue ocean, the sound of waves, and the mystery of the deep have fascinated me since childhood. Water is my happy place, whether at the beach, pool, or lake. I enjoy playing in the pool with my kids, swimming with my son, and watching my 3-year-old daughter, who swims amazingly well for her age. Despite my love for water, I never thought about trying scuba diving.
An Unexpected Invitation
One day, while chatting with Sam, the owner of Gem Bijou, he casually mentioned that he had signed up for a scuba diving class after receiving many positive comments from his friends and clients. As he spoke about the upcoming adventure, I was captivated by the idea of exploring vibrant coral reefs, encountering playful marine life, and experiencing the sense of weightless freedom that diving offers. Then came the surprise: Sam asked if I would like to be his diving buddy. Without hesitation, I agreed. I needed to understand what I was signing up for entirely, but I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
Embarking on the Adventure
Our first step was to sign up for the Open Water Diver course at the Toronto Scuba Centre.
The center's comprehensive course promised to equip us with all the skills and knowledge needed to explore the underwater world safely. The excitement of this new adventure was palpable, and I couldn't wait to get started.
The practical knowledge
When I signed up for the scuba diving course, I expected it to be easy to manage. The first surprise came when I had to visit the dive shop to pick up the learning manual. I thought it would be a quick read, but it was a thick, detailed book.
As I started reading, I realized how much I had to learn about diving techniques, safety, and underwater navigation. This manual wasn't something I could skim through; it required a lot of time and effort to understand.
This experience showed me how important it is to be dedicated when learning something new, especially scuba diving. Even though it was overwhelming at first, the detailed manual helped me gain a solid understanding of diving, which is crucial for both safety and fun underwater.
Step 1, Theory and Pool Diving Introduction
I won't lie—I was both excited and a little nervous. On the first day of class, we had to be in the classroom from 11 a.m. until almost 3 p.m. Peter, the center's owner, welcomed us. Then, we went down to the classroom, where Sabrina (@Scubasabs), our instructor, was waiting with some paperwork for us to complete.
Our group consisted of about 15 people of all ages, including an 11-year-old girl eager to swim with her dad. During that class, we reviewed the book's first two chapters and had to take a quiz after each one. I was anxious about failing, but since I had studied the manual thoroughly, both quizzes on the first day went well.
Sabrina was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, making the learning process enjoyable and educational. We began with theory lessons, learning about the principles of diving, the equipment, and the safety protocols.
First time in the pool
After an intensive first day in the classroom, it was finally time for our first pool session to test our new knowledge. The group reconvened at the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, buzzing with anticipation. Sabrina, our instructor, and Jung, another instructor, briefed us on safety protocols and the afternoon's planned activities.
Before donning our wetsuits, we were required to complete an initial swimming test, consisting of eight laps, to ensure that everyone could swim in an emergency.
Then, we suited up in our wetsuits and gear, a new experience for many of us. With their guidance, we adjusted to the equipment individually and then performed a "buddy check" to review each other's equipment. Once everything was set, we entered the warm, shallow pool.
We began with essential skills like retrieving our regulators and clearing our masks. On the first day, we all struggled to achieve neutral buoyancy. I remember pretending I was in the ocean, avoiding touching the bottom to protect the imaginary coral, but without success 😊. Learning to hover in the water without floating up or sinking took a lot of practice. However, with our instructors' tips and encouragement, we started to get the hang of it.
The group's camaraderie was strong, with everyone supporting each other.
By the end of the session, we felt more confident and excited about our progress. Sabrina's debrief praised our efforts and reassured us that these skills would become second nature with practice.
Our first pool session transformed classroom concepts into tangible skills, reinforcing the importance of practice and teamwork.
Our instructors, Sabrina (@Scubasabs) & Jung
Day 2 was quite like the previous day. In the morning, we reviewed chapters 3, 4, and 5 together, followed by two quizzes on chapters 3 and 4. After that, we faced a final exam consisting of 50 questions. I felt nervous, mainly because I had rushed through the last chapters and didn't have the opportunity to study Chapter 5 thoroughly. Despite my anxiety, everything went well, and I was excited to return to the pool.
Diving into the Open Water
Of course, the highlight of the course was the open-water dives. Our first dive was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As we descended into the lake's depths, a new world unfolded before my eyes. The silence of the underwater realm, interrupted only by my breathing, was unlike anything I had experienced before.
Falling in Love with Scuba Diving
With each dive, my confidence grew, and my love for scuba diving deepened. The sense of adventure, the connection with nature, and the camaraderie with fellow divers were incredibly fulfilling. I realized that scuba diving was more than just a hobby; it was a passion waiting for the right moment to be discovered.
I've always been intrigued by diving watches. However, I only paid a little attention to their functionality, especially the rotating bezel. Once I geared up with the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1000m, I felt prepared to explore the depths. With its robust build and precise functionality, the watch's design gave me a new appreciation for the engineering behind diving watches, especially how the rotating bezel plays a crucial role in tracking dive times safely and accurately.
Did you know that Seiko is a proud supporter of the PADI AWARE Foundation, a global initiative dedicated to ocean conservation? In addition to this partnership, Seiko offers a renowned diving collection trusted by professionals and enthusiasts. During our recent diving adventure, we were thrilled to distribute a few gifts, including some exclusive items from Seiko's diving range, to our instructors and fellow divers as a token of our appreciation for this fantastic journey.
Our instructor Daina
A Lifelong Adventure
Now, as a certified Open-Water Diver, I look forward to many more underwater adventures. Scuba diving has opened a new world of exploration and wonder. I am grateful to Sam for inviting me to join him on this journey. Whether I'm diving in exotic locations or exploring local dive sites, I am excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Get Started on Your Adventure
Suppose you've been curious about scuba diving or looking for a new adventure. In that case, I recommend taking the Open Water Diver course at the Toronto Scuba Centre. Their expert instructors, comprehensive curriculum, and supportive community make it the perfect place to start your diving journey. Who knows? You might fall in love with the underwater world like I did.
For more information about the Open Water Diver course, visit Toronto Scuba Centre.
Dive into the adventure of a lifetime!
Meet the team
