“A rolling stone gathers no moss.” This proverb has been around since the 1st century B.C. and as is often the case with proverbs, it’s wide open to interpretation. One way for us as divers to interpret this proverb is from the standpoint of “move it or lose it.”
In order to get the best experiences out of our sport, we must keep rolling along, trying new things as we go.
It’s an exciting time in the sport of scuba diving, with so many new developments in photography and videography, and access to destinations and types of diving that have never been available until now. If you’re brand new to the sport, congratulations and welcome aboard. And keep moving. If it’s been a while since you tried anything new, there’s no time like right now to find out what you might be missing.
Divers that remain active and whose interest in diving is maintained over the years are those that use diving as a vehicle that enables them to participate in another underwater activity. Some of these divers become underwater photographers, moviemakers, spear fishermen, and wreck diving enthusiasts. Others take advanced classes and develop new skills by becoming rescue divers, deep divers and night divers. Over time some become divemasters and instructors. Instead of just blowing bubbles underwater, these divers avidly pursue additional activities that are available because they are certified divers. It is those interests that keep them actively diving for years.
Getting involved in various diving activities not only keeps us active, but it just has a way of opening doors and spurring us on to new adventures.
As a longtime underwater photographer I suppose it is only natural for me to encourage you to pick up a camera and try your hand at underwater imaging and filmmaking. You don’t have to buy an expensive camera system to create great images, or to have a blast. There are plenty of options for a wide variety of budgets. To have a lot of fun all you need is a little education and a positive attitude.
If photography isn’t your thing, consider becoming a Fish Survey Volunteer for REEF (Reef Environmental Educational Foundation for which I serve on the Board of Trustees) or becoming a Reef Check EcoDiver. By helping gather data on various populations of marine organisms you can dive on your own schedule and help scientist involved in a variety of projects conserve and protect the marine kingdom. Talk about diving with a purpose!
Visit your local dive center for a look at what’s new in gear and trips and destinations so you can keep rolling along for years to come.
