Its time to set our New Years Resolutions which as divers are way better resolutions than you non-divers! For example, we don’t set goals like ‘lose weight’ or ‘get married’ or ‘contact the family more” our goals revolve around diving.
My New Years Resolutions are…
1. Clean and service my kit!
Don’t risk a leaky hose and have to cancel your dive, especially if you have not used it in a while. Get it serviced & while you’re about your wetsuit could probably do with a wash!
2. Find a new local dive site!
No matter where you live you will be surprised how close your nearest Dive center is to you even if you live in the middle of the desert! There’s sure to be lakes, coasts, quarries or wrecks somewhere near you so resolve to go check one out this year! Contact your local dive shop for tips on different sites, or join a local dive club!
3. Find yourself an excited newbie diver and show them what goes where and why!
Remember when you passed your Open Water and how excited you were? Then also remember once you’d passed you had no idea what to do next. Where to go? Who to go with? Become their buddy & show them the ropes! You were there once, so check out a local dive club and help reassure a new diver that they made a great decision. Show them what you know!
4. Buddy up with someone who knows more than you and learn from them!
Reach out and find a diver who is more experienced than you, especially in your local area, and invite them on a dive. You won’t believe some of the stories and possibly some of the new knowledge and tips you can learn!
5. Take a new specialty!
Don’t limit what dives you can do because you don’t think you will ever be somewhere that it is necessary. You never know what opportunities will present themselves.
6. Buy a new piece of dive gear, or upgrade something old:
The dive industry is constantly progressing, so there’s always the latest and greatest technology updates to be had. Treat yourself to something new! Or if you are still renting some pieces of equipment, a tank, a BCD, etc., why not get your own?
7. Learn about a new local marine species!
Educate yourself and learn about a new species! Then you can really impress your dive buddies when you complete your dive and you impart them with all of your knowledge.
8. Take a dive trip somewhere new.
If you have the means to travel, by all means, do it! Whether it is a quick 2-hour drive, a 2-hour flight, or even a 20-hour flight, check somewhere off of your bucket list! Have you dived Koh Tao yet for example?
9. Do a beach clean up!
Be an ocean conservation enthusiast. No one likes being in the middle of a beautiful dive, spotting something in the distance, then making your way over only to find out it is just a candy bar wrapper. Keep your eyes out for volunteer programs and scheduled events to help clean your local beach. Every little bit helps!
10. Stop being an air pig! Conserving your air not only helps you become a better diver and longer dives, but it also helps your buddy as well so that they do not have to end their dive early. So practice, be more fit and look after your health so you can better control your breathing rate.
Happy New Year and Happy Diving and hope we’ll be seeing you at some point in the new year with us fun diving on Koh Tao!
