With the New Year finally underway, it’s the perfect time to be setting your diving goals and ambitions for the upcoming year. The most common diving-related New Year’s resolution we see is of course learning to dive, but if you've already ticked off this milestone and obtained your PADI Open Water certification then one key question might be playing on your mind: what next?
Whether you only took up diving last year or have been exploring the ocean for some time, there’s no limit to the ways that you can level up your diving experience in 2024. You could set a resolution to focus on your skills and performance, or simply make a conscious effort to spend more time in the water seeing new things. No matter which camp you fall into, or what your current diving level is, we’ve compiled a list of our top five ways to hit the ground running and really get more from your diving experience this year.
Advance Your Skills
The PADI Open Water course simply scratches the surface when it comes to the skills you can develop as a diver. With this certification under your belt, you could level up your scuba diving this year by setting the goal of completing additional training.
It’s always wise to set clear New Year’s resolutions if you want to make sure they’ll stick, so think about exactly what type of skills you want to develop or pick a specific number of courses you’d like to complete. Is it all-round advancement that appeals to you most? Sign up for the PADI Advanced Open Water course. Does the thought of finding your own niche as a diver appeal to you more? Check out the different PADI speciality courses available. At Aquanauts, we offer a wide range of PADI diving courses so don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team if you’d like some more information.
Upgrade Your Gear
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the right time to invest in new diving equipment, there’s certainly no time like the present. Whether you are due a regulator upgrade, a new BCD or even a new dive computer, the energy that the New Year brings is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some new equipment and start fresh with gear that will really enhance your underwater adventures. So, take the time to think about any pain points you may have had with your kit from last year’s dives and work out how to address them! This investment in quality scuba diving equipment will make your experience safer and more fulfilling, not just in 2024 but also in the years beyond.
Discover New Sites Close To Home...
Undoubtedly, one of the best parts of being a diver is being able to see amazing things. From wrecks to reefs, there’s really no limit to the fantastic marine life and history on offer beneath the surface, yet getting out there and actually visiting new places can be easier said than done.
Don’t overcomplicate it; start by visiting new dive sites that are close to home. Perhaps there is somewhere nearby that you’ve never been but know you should have visited, or perhaps you just want to make a conscious effort to see more and be more adventurous. If this applies to you and you are based in Plymouth and the surrounding area, join us on one of our boat or shore diving trips and discover some of the most amazing dive sites not far from your doorstep.
...Or Dive Somewhere Further Afield
But if the allure of somewhere warmer or totally different really won’t go away, stop dreaming and start planning! After all, diving abroad is one of the most significant ways that you can level up your scuba diving in 2024 as it’s a surefire way to have a diving experience unlike anything you’ve experienced before. You could see some of the best dive sites in the entire world via a liveaboard, or explore the possibility of completing additional PADI training while you’re away and tick off multiple New Year’s resolutions at once! Speak to your diver friends or a member of our team to work your way through location recommendations and find the perfect trip for you.
Embrace The Diving Community
No matter where you travel, what you see, and even what equipment you are using, it’s always the people around that make the diving experience truly special. It’s hard to put into words exactly what makes the diving community just so unique, but in our experience, diving always brings together passionate, kind and interesting people. This incredible community of explorers is the real gateway to new experiences so embrace it and make a conscious effort to spend more time with your diving buddies this year!
If you don’t have that network of fellow divers in place, or you want to be part of something even more special, get involved with the Aquanauts dive club. Our diving community is unlike any other, filled with divers of all ages and from all walks of life who meet regularly to dive, socialise, and get involved in community initiatives. You can sign up online today and make sure to download the Aquanauts app to be the first to find out about our latest club dives.