Scuba Diving as a Family Sport
Growing up I always knew I’d be a diver. My dad has been scuba diving fo 30years and he is the chairman of our dive club at home in Athlone. When I was twelve I did my first dive in the red sea with him. All I can remember from that day is seeing a Lionfish and having my mum snorkelling over us the whole time.
[singlepic id=171 w=320 h=240 float=left]As a teenager diving became the way for me and dad to travel together. We would go for weekends away with the club to Kilkee and other spots on the west coast of Ireland. On a Friday evening, we’d pack up the car to bursting point with all our diving equipment, and head off for our Family Diving Holidays until Sunday evening. They’re some of my memories of summers in Ireland and now my youngest brother David is doing the same thing with dad this summer. When he came out to visit here, our roles were reversed with me leading the dives, and him just relaxing. It was an awesome experience for me to show dad how much my diving had progressed since that first dive back in 1999. [singlepic id=170 w=320 h=240 float=right]Scuba diving opens up a whole new way for families to travel and enjoy each other’s company. Recently I’ve been lucky enough to teach some families with Sairee Cottage Diving and I’ve loved every minute of it. Children learn quickly as they’re used to learning and they have no fear. They have so much energy and diving is an awesome way to channel that energy. In July this year, I did the Open Water Course with the Garner family, two girls aged 10 and 13 and their mum and dad. It was awesome! I had so much fun teaching the diving course and, fingers crossed, they’re coming back next year to do the Advanced Open Water! The girls we amazing divers by the end of the open water diving course and they defiantly slept well every night. So mums, if you’re looking for a way to tire out your kids during the summer holidays, look no further! [singlepic id=169 w=320 h=240 float=left]By having scuba diving as a common interest, myself and dad, can head away on our family diving holidays together. I’ve taken my mum for her first ever dive! She was very proud when she came out and got the photos to prove it! And now I’m looking forward to go diving with my brother soon. Maybe someday soon, I could do the deep diving specialty course with him and get him narked down by 30 meters, or maybe even do his Dive Master Training with him. Scuba diving opens up a whole new world to people, and sharing that experience with your family, is an amazing way to travel and spend your holiday. I love the fact that I’ve gotten to the stage where I can introduce diving to other families and make their future travel plans more exciting!by Sarah Flinn-Campbell
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