More Than Halfway Through

The first week of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) is completed, and I'm starting to feel pretty good about my progress in it. In the interest of creating a reference point to look back on someday, I have the following comments to make about the prospect of me being an instructor:

-I have a bad habit of not showing enough outward excitement following dives. By myself, this is of course not a problem, but when I'm teaching (or guiding), it's important to be a role model in terms of enthusiasm. If I come across as being merely content following an awesome dive, those divers under my watch my rethink their excitement and downgrade based upon how I behave.

-I think I'll be a good instructor. I've worked with lots of people in short periods of time, and had almost all good responses (both personally and professionally). The real challenge for me though is figuring out how to tailor my "message" to young divers. I haven't really worked with kids very much, and so this will be a great opportunity to change that. I worry that I won't be able to connect with them as well as others do.

-In addition to working with the kids, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to learn new, practical skills such as scuba regulator repair, tank maintenance, and hopefully more boat driving and diving. I'm fairly handy with tools and such, but I haven't really had the chance to take apart and rebuilt regulators, in particular. I'm especially looking forward to learning this stuff from Andrew, who was one of my classmates when I began diving at Humboldt State University, and who is now the go-to equipment guy here. It's really awesome seeing him find such a perfect niche for himself, where he can be who he is and is totally appreciated for it.

I think that's about it for now. The dinner bell ringeth. Oh, speaking of ringing: cell phones don't get reception in this cove on the island, and so I'm thinking of kayaking a mile straight out to sea in order to make phone calls to friends, family and, of course, Jennifer :) Bobbing out on a kayak a mile from shore, talking on a cell phone. That will be a first...