Wes - Third Time's the Charm

Third Time's the Charm
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We tried to go scuba-diving. Key word: tried. The weather has
continued to be awful and the resort owners are starting to feel bad that we
haven’t been able to be outside doing the things that we came to do. So today,
they convinced Leif, our dive instructor, to take a group of us out and try to
dive in the rain. Bad idea. The water wasmurky and choppy, the wind cold and
biting. By the time we had finished our 45 minute training exorcises I was
beyond ready to go back to the warm dry cabin. But we didn’t. We tried to dive,
and we failed. I especially failed. The problem was that the water was so murky
that upon submerging we couldn’t see Leif, which is a very uncomfortable
experience for first-time divers. I didn’t even get that far. I couldn’t even
submerge properly. Which sounds like an easy thing to do, but considering the
weather, you’d be surprised. So, alas, we gave up on our 1st attempt
at diving, called it a day, and went back to the cabin. A day or two later the
weather had finally cleared up, and Leif took the four of us that hadn’t gotten
to dive out to try again. I failed again. No one else did, but I found a way
to. This time the weather wasn’t the problem, but submerging continued to be.
Unfortunately for me, as great and helpful as Leif Shaver was, he had neglected
to put enough weight in my belt for me to fully submerge. Upon realizing the
problem he told me to swim back to the boat and his assistant would set me up
with more weight so that I could rejoin my group at the bottom of the sea. By the
time I reached the boat, however, I was tired from the long swim and tired of
not being able to sink (How is that possible!?), so I gave up, climbing into
the boat and hanging out there for the rest of the excursion. Two attempts at
diving and I was 0 for 2. Not fun and a tad bit embarrassing. Before the trip
was over and we were set to leave Honduras, Leif approached Davis, Professor
Hilgartner and I (all who hadn’t gotten to dive successfully), and offered to
take us out one more time. He said that diving was such an amazing experience
and that he hated the idea that we would leave Roatan with a bad impression of
it. Hesitantly I agreed to go, and I am so thankful I did. Finally everything
was right. The weather, the weight, everything. The dive went off without a
hitch and it was absolutely one of the most awe inspiring experiences of my
life. Leif was so helpful and patient with me and after diving successfully I
can’t imagine a trip to Roatan without doing so! Not only do I plan to dive
again, but I’d love to get certified! I guess it’s true what they say; the
third time is the charm!