Cathy and Gary's South East Asia Travel Pages
PHUKET SCUBA CLUB
Finally, after many years of being determined I was not interested in anything to do with diving, mainly due to being scared, I am happy and proud to say I have recently completed my Discover Scuba Diving Program with Phuket Scuba Club.
We did the pool option and our instructor Lauren was fantastic, so patient as it did take a while with me for all the information to sink in. We were on our knees in the pool practicing breathing etc, how to clear our masks and expelling air without the regulator, then finding it and putting it back on under water etc.
We spent about 2.5 hours in the water and I must say at one stage I panicked a little bit and was going to get out the pool. But I knew if I did that would be the end and I would never try again so I stuck with it and it turned out to be so much fun.
We did not want to get out of the water. Now Chantal’s goal is to get me diving out at the Karon Reef. I will have a good think about that one, but you just never know!
One day during October I was going to meet Chantal from Phuket Scuba Club for lunch. A couple of hours before that she rang me to say that she was taking a couple of Chinese people snorkelling to teach them how to dive down when snorkelling etc and did I want to come along. Of course, I said yes!
Now Chantal knows that I am not a confident swimmer. I have been snorkelling quite a few times but am too scared to dive down for a closer look etc. I am more your float on the top of the water type, mainly because I do not know what to do and I get a bit scared.
I met Chantal at their Karon shop which had just opened due to the fantastic October weather we were having. The shop is on the southern end of Karon Beach, the one with the blue roof! It was a beautiful day and the water was so flat (thank god), all our snorkelling equipment was supplied. It was also good that everything was checked to make sure it fit and was on tight enough etc.
Chantal also put a life jacket on me as she knew I was nervous. The other couple did not want one as they were keen to dive down.
We started out where the huge rock is at the southern end of Karon Beach and started going out, I was amazed that I was already seeing beautiful fish, I do not know one fish from the other, except I did know there were Parrot Fish (have seen these before), there were also hundreds of little fish, which Chantal said were Glass fish and I also saw my first ever Lion Fish.
It was fantastic; I never realized you could even go snorkelling here on Karon Beach! The Chinese couple were like experts within a few minutes and me, well I just kept floating around enjoying what I was seeing. Next trip I will do this again with Chantal – without a life jacket, I am determined to conquer this little fear and if anyone can help me then Chantal is the girl to do it. She has so much patience and is full of knowledge re the area, the marine life, safety etc.
Now normally I have a camera with me no matter where I go, but sadly our waterproof camera sprung a leak, so now I must do this again so I can take my own photos, but thankyou to Phuket Scuba Club for allowing me to use their photos.
Phuket Scuba Club have 2 shops, their main shop is opposite the Boathouse at 225 Koktanod Rd Kata Beach. This is where Kevan, Chantal’s husband is based and their second shop is right on the beach at the southern end of Karon Beach.
We have also had many friends go diving with Phuket Scuba Club and they have nothing but praise for their professionalism, knowledge and friendliness. Thank you Chantal and Kevan for a fantastic time!
