diver girl

        So, you're ready to take your Open Water Course? Your first taste of the underwater realm, a magical place that has inspired legends and lore for centuries. You will witness, first hand, what it feels like to be weightless and to move through the water effortlessly, hearing only the soothing sound of your bubbles as you swim with the creatures of the deep. Your life will forever be changed...oh, I know you may have already heard this...but it's true. You will not be the same. OK. So there are some things that you should be aware of that will make this exercise as fun as it is rewarding.

1) Chocolate. Face it, we're girls. Between dives, after a pool session...even in the middle of class after we complete a quiz! Chocolate makes the whole thing better. But there's a scientific reason behind it. Dark chocolate has three compounds in it that closely resemble a "messenger molecule" in your brain responsible for calming pain, creating blissful feelings and increasing memory. So, remember to infuse your body with dark chocolate (don't worry...the exercise you'll be feeling in your muscles will burn the calories) and make your course even better!
2) Snot happens. No one told me this. So, when I came up from my first dive, removed my mask and found that my sinuses had filled the nose pocket with enormous amounts of nasal mucus, I was horrified. Embarrassed. Humiliated. Girls, remember, everyone coming up from the dive is experiencing the same thing. As girls, we simply wipe it away, laugh and move on.
3) Warm water. What a treat! No matter where you're getting certified, warm water or cool...dousing your hood, wetsuit and gloves with a splash of warm water will definitely make getting back into your gear after your surface interval more yummy. And if you want to be everyones favorite Girl Diver...offer some to your fellow divers. So simple, yet so marvelous.
4) Be prepared. If you want to look like the star pupil, getting in the water when you're supposed to and not holding the whole class up, then the key is preparedness. Think ahead to what's happening next and be everywhere a bit early. You'll have time to set up your gear at your own pace, and not make any mistakes because you're rushed. Be organized with a checklist of all of the gear that you need (one is provided in your instruction manual) and double check so you don't forget your mask at home. Now, even with all of the preparation and organization, realize, you're only starting. No Girl Diver was ever perfect right from the start. So, relax and allow yourself to learn at your pace.
5) Everyone should see fish. I believe this. Some people should see fish in their natural habitat, joining in the middle of their schools as they give you a guided tour around their reef. Others should see the fish from the surface, snorkeling with inflatables strapped to their body for reassurance. And yet others should see fish in an aquarium, where their fear of the water doesn't distract them from the beauty of these little creatures. If you discover that you may not fit into the first group...that's ok. But, do try.

        You will experience challenges in your Open Water course. There are times when you'll feel like this may be too much work. Give it your all. When you make it through, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that is hard to put into words. And you've gained the key to a kingdom that most will never get to enter.