This diving lark is costing me a bomb!
This diving lark is exciting. In fact, the cost so far has upgraded it from being a simple lark to well, a hobby that deserves full-time attention.
Why do I sound less enthusiastic? Well, I don’t. I’m still as enthusiastic as ever to get into the water and do some diving. My wallet’s doing the less enthusiasm part. All in all, I’ve spent about +/- HK$5000 so far on the advance cert. and on equipment.
Yep, that’s painful. Even for me.
The problem with Scuba diving is that the initial investment into your own equipment is expensive. While with other sports that have cheaper equipment you can always economize in the early stages of the game, with Scuba there is very little point. Yes, sure, you can skimp on a few hundred dollars on your wetsuit and end up with one you aren’t happy with but sure you saved a few bucks. The problem comes in the future. When you want to upgrade or when the quality starts to degrade.
Not only do you have the sunk (and do pardon the pun) costs for the original equipment but you have to fork out considerably more than those measely few hundred bucks you saved when you bought it to replace it with new equipment. Hence, investing in the right equipment at the early stages is a wise idea.
The problem is to find the time and opportunity to do it.
I’m actually interested in a lot of things…and the problem is finding the time and the opportunity to do these things. I mean, do some of you know that I even took up horse-riding. I have a riding hat, boots and jophers as well. Don’t get me wrong, it looks funny and a little queer, but I did enjoy riding a horse. Maybe I will take it up again.
Also, my golf game has been sorely lacking in the last 18 months, its alongside my tennis game. Partly, golf is expensive in HK (and Scuba isn’t?!?!) and naturally with tennis, most people I know want to play with reasonably competent players. I, for all my skill and wisdom, don’t qualify.
The scuba diving may just another be in the long line of things that have come and gone, but I really am interested in it. There is a sense of peace and quiet when you are under the water, somewhere that man hasn’t conquered and sullied. There are no people. So if you ask if the money I spent on the equipment is worth it, I would have to say yes.
It’s odd that my two favourite hobbies that I’m laying claim to are at 6’s and 7’s with each other. Paintballing can be accused of being the quintessential human activity - the art of entertainment and mock killing (the real thing is something we humans are very good at) while the Scuba Diving represents are more quiet time, natural hobby.
I guess its part of why my interests seem to reflect a different facet of me…Diving is my need for peace and solitude, Paintballing is my desire to, well, shoot things, and golf is my need to social hierarchy and behaviour.
I just ask you, my audience, to help me with remembering that I need to do my hobbies more. Constantly ask me where i’ve gone diving and how what did i see. That why I’ll either bite your head off (and feel better) or I’ll do more diving (and feel even better).
Ta,
N.
Equipment
ScubaPro SilverSkin Wet Suit (3mm TPF 26) Black
Aqualung SPHERA Black Mask
TUSA Snorkel Adapter (in a fetching silver!)
AUSA Titanium Dive Knife (looks cool but isn’t that sharp - which btw is not what a dive knife needs to be. It isn’t a weapon.)
Underwater Kinetics SL4 High Intensity Dive Light Black
Underwater Kinetics UK2AAA Mini Pocket Light Clear Blue (Back-up Light)
Dry Bag
Well, maybe post some pictures of the stuff up here. Not that most of you will be interested.
