Top 5 Diver New Year’s Resolutions (and how to keep them)
It’s that time of year again….time to reflect on another year gone by and prepare to ring in the New Year. The dawning of a new year brings with it both regrets for the things we did not get done, but also hope and promise to make this year better than the last. If you are one who likes to make a New Year’s resolution or two going into the New Year, then here are the top 5 resolutions we offer for you to consider making as a scuba diver.
Resolution #5: Get in Better Shape
Ok, so this is EVERYONE’S New Year’s Resolution, but it has extra significance as a diver. The better physical shape you are in, the more weight you can take off of your weight belt. Also, the better cardiovascular shape you are in, the better your air consumption will be, allowing you to stay underwater longer.
How to keep it:
Start up a simple exercise program. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, you don’t need to join a gym, and you don’t have to do it every day. Start off with 20-30 minutes of cardio just 3 times a week. Add in a couple of days of sit-ups, push-ups, squats and lunges and you will see improvement in no time!
Resolution #4: Learn Something New
It’s nearly impossible to get burnt out on diving, but keep your skills fresh and expand your underwater horizons by learning underwater photography or videography, how to use a dry suit, how to catch lobster or use a spear gun to catch fish for dinner…the possibilities are endless!
How to keep it:
Keeping this resolution is as easy as signing up for a continuing education or specialty diver course at your local dive shop; or, find a friend who already has a passion for what you would like to learn and ask them to teach you.
Resolution #3: Become a Better Diver
No matter how long you have been diving or how often you dive, there is always room for improvement. You may wish to improve your buoyancy, increase your global awareness underwater or just feel more comfortable underwater in general.
How to keep it:
There are two ways to become a better diver so if you commit to either of these, you will accomplish your resolution. The first way is to dive more often with someone who is a more experienced diver than you; sort of like a diver mentor. The second way is to sign up for a continuing education course. It doesn’t really matter what the class is, you will become a better diver after every class you take.
Resolution #2: Travel More!
Every diver wishes they could travel more, even instructors that get to dive locally almost every day. There’s just something we all love about going somewhere new and spending a few days or more focused soley on our passion: diving.
How to keep it:
For many divers, dive travel can seem either overwhelming or too expensive. To keep this resolution from passing you by yet another year you just need to commit! Look into booking a trip now before another year can slip by. If cost is your deterrent, look into closer, less exotic, but still amazing diving destinations such as Cozumel, Honduras, or even the Florida Keys.
Resolution #1: Dive More!
No matter how often you make it underwater, every diver wishes they could dive more.
How to keep it:
If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, take a hard look at your life schedule and see where you can cut some stuff out and carve in more time for a quick dive or two more often. Maybe that’s getting up early before work and having a quick beach dive before heading into the office, or cutting out of work a few minutes early once a month to catch the dive boat for a night dive or two. If you are a land-locked diver, seek out possible local diving locations. Trust us, you will be surprised at some of the local dive spots that are hiding just around the corner if you just do a little research. It could be a reservoir you never thought about diving in, a local quarry, or even river drift diving!
