On Saturday I took part in a charity shark dive at the blue planet aquarium. I agreed to do the dive in a fit of madness (I was over excited at the aquarium and just agreed to it on a whim) but turns out it was one of the best things I've ever done.
no one will ever look good in a wetsuit...fact
I got to the aquarium at 2 with my mum and step dad who were there to take photos to preserve the moment and was instantly whisked away to a classroom where I learnt the basic skills of scuba diving. I have done this once before and didn't really enjoy it that much (slight panic over the breathing thing). After the lesson and disclaimer signing to say I couldn't sue if dismembered, we were taken to a training pool to get used to the equipment before getting in with the sharks. I was happily surprised that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all with the equipment, although my mask wasn't too comfy (and it gave me chronic face marks - not a good look) by the point I was more concerned about what I looked like in the wetsuit...green peace weren't quite trying to drag me back into the sea. Myself and a my dive buddy Laura had agreed to be the second pair to dive, so that meant that the other 2 ladies who were doing it were ready for the tank....they looked nervous, I felt nervous for them. Unfortunately one of the ladies didn't feel comfortable in the tank so stopped the dive midway and came out, I felt bad for her but was determined not to bottle it myself.
The Rays are my favourites!
Then it was mine and Laura's turn, 30 minutes in a tank with a load of sharks, rays, eels and other large fish types. When we were at the bottom, it was surprising how calm I felt considering that the largest shark was about 12ft long and had some of the largest sharpest teeth I've ever seen. To be honest the whole thing went too quickly for me, I could have stayed in there much longer but we were on a tight schedule. I was so instantly in love with scuba diving that I have enquirer about joining my towns local diving club, the shark dive also counted towards a bit of the PADI open water course that I've been contemplating for a long time now.
Tooth from a Tiger Shark found at the bottom of the tank
The charity I did the sponsored dive for was the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and I was able to raise £469 which I was pleased with. On the day I met some children who were fighting muscle disease which was heartbreaking, but the money I raised will be put towards providing free practical and emotional support, funding world-class research to find effective treatments and cures ,campaigning to raise awareness and bring about change and
awarding grants towards the cost of specialist equipment, such as powered wheelchairs. * official wording from MD website.
My Certificate, I feel so proud :)
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