Dear New Divers,

The surface of the ocean has always been a magic mirror to me; hints of mist swirling in vast impenetrable silver, obscuring another world. Growing up, I wished for x-ray water glasses so—standing on the shore—I could see fish suspended motionless, gulping invisible water, and watch beds of seaweed swaying hypnotically. Being on a boat wasn’t better, the underwater world remained hidden. Then I discovered SCUBA diving. X-ray glasses do exist, in the form of a dive mask! With a duffel bag of equipment, the training to use it safely, and a buddy, I can dive in and explore the ocean realm.

If you are certified to dive—or would like to learn—you have your own story of how the ocean calls to you. In a few weeks, a dive class will teach you the basics of breathing underwater, but to get truly comfortable in the water, you have to practice the things you learn. My friends and I were lucky enough to learn to dive from Lloyd Austin. Lloyd spent 30 years training Scientific Divers at UC Berkeley, leaving a legacy of more than 800 influential divers, some of whom have gone on to do underwater research, write ocean legislature, make films, and explore the world. Lloyd is in his 80’s and still diving, but he retired a few years ago, leaving us without an organizing body. So, inspired by his enthusiasm and generosity, and honored to have learned from him, a few of us have created Diving 201 as a way to pay our training forward by practicing dive skills with new divers.

Diving 201 is an intermediate diving skills club. We welcome certified SCUBA divers who want to practice skills they’ve already learned to become more comfortable and confident in the water. We do not teach beginners to dive, that’s the job of a SCUBA Instructor. (We will help you find one of those, if you like.)

The Diving 201 Exercise Checklist (attached) is a list of skills and information that new divers (who already hold a basic SCUBA certification) should practice. By carefully practicing your dive skills, we think you will be safer, more relaxed, and have more fun when you go into the ocean.

The California coast is wild and beautiful, with diving opportunities that rival those found anywhere in the world. People should—and do—come from around the world to explore our underwater parks. But it is difficult to learn the cold-water skills necessary to dive in California anywhere but IN California. You live here, with access to the training necessary to safely explore your own coast. What are you waiting for? Incredible wonders await those who can navigate its challenges.

Diving 201 is our offer to practice cold water diving techniques with you. We think these skills are critical for diving safely here, though they will serve you well anywhere in the world. We won't have the benefit of a semester schedule or a classroom. In order to keep moving forward, we are counting on your desire to dive, as we explore discussion topics over dinner, and practice exercises in the ocean.

Undertaking The Diving 201 Exercise Checklist is challenge by choice. You are responsible for your own safety. We encourage you to reach and grow, but you are the best judge of what you are capable of doing. A vital skill for any diver is the ability to constantly assess the situation, and to recognize when it is time to cancel the day’s activities because the situation has changed. Just as critical is your ability to pay attention to your dive buddy. Developing good buddy skills is at the core of many diving exercises, because in an ocean as unforgiving as the California coast, a buddy you can trust with your life is your most important piece of dive equipment. Diving 201 is an excellent place to find a buddy and develop the buddy skills necessary to dive safely.

When every box on your list is checked off, we sincerely believe you will be a better SCUBA diver, and you will have made some new dive buddies and friends along the way. When you’re done, stick around! Practicing good diving skills helps others, and is a fun way to dive together!

Will you take the Diving 201 challenge?