This is Ryan and Felicia Vandrey. The other day I come into work and learn I was finishing up these two on their open water certifications. No problem, I said! We got out on the boat that day and tore it up. Oh my gosh...it was crazy! They had paid attention during their confined water training so the open water stuff just fell into place. Talking about diving and other sports, it wasn't long and we're BS'ing about fresh tracks at Mt. Baker up in Washington, skydiving (something I've always wanted to do), music, food...yeah no doubt, these kids rock! Some seeds were planted too. They told me about so many other places they had been to that it sounds like I have a lot of miles to catch up on. That aside, I should have some bomb-diggity sushi dialed in by the next time you guys are in town so give me a shout when it goes down!
Oh yeah - and they finished their course with flying colors! Had a great time out on the reef doing it too...
Nice spot on Molasses Reef, eh? This was after they wrapped up their skills on Open Water Dive #4 on our tour. Elk horn coral is one of my favorites and what better way to congratulate them than to show them some of our better specimens! We also had the opportunity to hit the Winch Hole on one of the dives as well so nothing was left out. A class act all the way, they treated me to a fabulous dinner afterwards at Snook's Bayside Grill back in Key Largo. Here's one thing - I can't wait to make some more dive memories with these kats...hell, maybe I'll wax up the ol' Lib and we'll meet up in the Canyon sometime. Rock steady you guys - I'll see ya around!
They had pretty decent conditions down here too. Visibility on the reef that day was at about 80 feet and we didn't have much wave action. Last week it was pretty nasty though. I had a couple students, Lisa and Jacob Buohler come down from Lehigh Acres, Florida to do their open water course. 
Great folks they are. Once we had the classroom portion out of the way, these guys really took off.
Wouldn't you know it, we go out on the ocean for their dives and Mother Nature throws us a curve ball. We had some wind come through and build up the waves. Pretty good size ones too. My hats off to these guys however, because despite the conditions, they hung in there like champions. Sea-sickness was the order of the day that day...none of our passengers were left out. I felt so bad - even gave them the option of postponing for another day but they wouldn't have it. Damn the torpedos - we're going diving! Back in the water and we finished up dive #2 beautifully. Lisa and Jacob's efforts were rewarded the next day though. While not the best, the waves laid down some and the visibility got better. Their skill work seemed effortless...they hover beautifully and the reef is now theirs to explore. I have a feeling a career in or around the ocean is in store for Jacob too, because he's young and is already thinking like a fish. No worries, I've got a spot in line for gills right here for ya, bud. Just keep learning and keep diving. Books will get you far, but experience speaks volumes as well. All the best you guys and let me know when you start thinking of furthering your education. We have some wrecks down here I'd love to share with you when you're ready!
