Nova Scotia dive

Been in Canada for the last two weeks on a business travel and just had to dive:) It turned out that the most convenient spot was near Halifax and so I rented gear from the Torpedo Rays dive shop and went diving in the Sandy Cove in Terence Bay.

Sandy Cove

Lighthouse near Sandy Cove

Drying gear after the dive

The water was colder than I expected (3 degrees) but the visibility surprised me in a positive way - it was around 10 meters when I was expecting 3. Didn't get to see much except for a huge lobster and hordes of hermit crabs.

Dry suits

Finally did a dry suit course:) We did all three dives in a lake near Warsaw with visibility ranging from 30 to 50 centimetres, and I was diving in an XL suit that was leaking, but we did it:) And another card coming to my deck

Work now, dive later

Winter season variation on the IQ's "Dive now, work later" motto.

Right on time

Just got my Undersea Journal for the fourth quater of 2009. Just in time to learn about the upcoming DEMA Show in November 2009 :/ I wonder if PADI's trying to force everyone into switching to online editions...

On-line magazines

The end of the year... time to pay the yearly PADI tribute (aka The Renewal Fee). The first one I have to pay (last year I finished the AI course in the last two months of the year so the application fee counted as renewal). But this year you can opt in for an online edition of the Undersea Journal to reduce your carbon footprint. Divers Alert Network Alert Diver magazine is available only online.

I don't like it. I mean it's OK the way PADI is doing it (switching to online edition is optional). I like reading these mags on the bus too much to even consider moving to the online version. Another thing is, that when you have the paper version your kind of obliged to read it, whereas when it sits in your email box you're not.

75m Dynamic With Fins - New record

Today I finally (planned this long ago) managed to set a new personal record in breathhold swimming with fins:D It's now 75 meters on one breath. Of course big fins helped a bit:)

It's still way back behind world record (Alexey Molchanov's 250m at the time of writing) and it took me longer, but I'm happy and hope I'll be able to improve this soon.

Living in the city - it ain't easy

Just ended the trip and I already know that living in a city is not for me. Amazing how things change - a year ago I definitely wouldn't suppose that. But I can't go right now:( There are debts to pay off, and I learned that you need an ample supply of money. To cheer myself up I've set a starting date for the next trip - it's for years from now. During these for years I want to save up some money and do the IDC (this is the minimum plan).

BTW notice the donate button - it's for my Instructor Development Course:D