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getting down with diving

    In our focus on water sports this week, EU decided to explore some of the many facets of maritime recreation, so we visited our friends Philip “Tiger” May and Joe Schmitt at Scuba Tiger to learn more about scuba diving in the Jacksonville area.

    Scuba diving is segmented into many specialties, some of which require advanced training to attempt. Basic open-water certification, however, can get you under the water fairly quickly, allowing you to experience the rush without lengthy training. You can even go spearfishing, which will take you 15 – 60 miles offshore to battle whatever prey you choose to take on.

    Getting started is probably easier than you think. In the past, scuba diving certification had a reputation for being lengthy and rigorous, but these days, basic open-water scuba certification is remarkably concise and convenient. Most of the work is home-based, with books and discs to guide you. When you’re finished with the bookwork, you are required to spend two weekends with an instructor. The first weekend will be spent primarily in a pool where you’ll get realistic, practical training. To successfully earn your certification, you must pass a final exam and a medical questionnaire. Don’t worry, even children and seniors are among the countless certified and active scuba divers.

    Once you’ve gotten the diving bug and logged a few dives, you may discover an interest in more advanced experiences. Advanced specialties include drift diving, wreck diving, cavern diving, night diving, search & rescue, nitrox and photography, among others. Once you’ve trained in five or more of these specialties, you can be certified as an advanced open-water diver.

    Scuba diving requires a substantial amount of equipment, and therefore, a solid financial commitment. To gain your open-water certification, you’ll need to purchase your own mask, fins, snorkel, boots, weight belt and weights. Fortunately, the trainers at Scuba Tiger will provide your tank, wetsuit, and buoyancy compensator and regulator for the duration of your training. You’ll have time to learn how seriously you want to pursue scuba diving before you have to buy the really expensive stuff.

    Since you’re essentially putting yourself on life-support when you dive, it is important to have quality equipment that is in perfect working order, so certified scuba divers are required to have their equipment tested and inspected regularly.

    Surprisingly, we learned that North Florida is one of the world’s finest scuba diving destinations. Our Atlantic Coast is one of the best places on earth for spearfishing, and we’re only 90 minutes from a number of amazing and exciting cave diving locations. In fact, Ginnie Springs, Peacock Springs, and Little River are second only to the Yucatan Peninsula for cave diving. In addition, Pompano Beach and Boynton Beach feature conditions that are excellent for drift diving.

    If you don’t have a sea-faring vessel or partner in adventure, then use your personal computer to find one. There are dozens of charter boats out there like those found at offshoredivecharters.com that specifically cater to divers. You can even Google dive clubs or visit singlediver.com to find other lonely divers.

    If you’ve ever wanted to go scuba diving, then you have virtually no reason not to try. To do exactly what we did, contact the experts at Scuba Tiger to learn more. They are located at 112 DeBarry Avenue in Orange Park, on the corner of DeBarry and Wells. You can also check out scubatiger.com or call (904) 264-4744.