I don’t even know where to start with this blog after looking at the screen for about 15 minutes, I’m just going to dive in. It all started in June, where I was asked to try out a Discover Scuba Diving session. Of course, I didn’t turn THAT down, so I went, and it was the best couple of hours ever. From the first breath under water to the fun people I got to meet, it was amazing. A couple weeks later, I got a call saying that I would be sent to Mozambique to be a part of a PADI project to document my experience. So, on the 23 on November, we hit the road for a day long road trip to Mozambique.

Each second I spent with the crew that I was with was extraordinary. From the horrible dad jokes they shared, the lessons that were shared and insane dives in the deep blue…. I don’t know which part to tell you about because I just want to talk about it all. Basically, I was there to film my journey as a disabled person, acquiring my scuba qualification. As I am visually impaired it means I can’t qualify as an instructor and all that jazz because it would clash with safety reasons but I’m pretty happy with what I can get. I tried to see if there was any chance for me to go past just a scuba qualification but no luck.  You see, there are certain criteria that you must meet in order to qualify in certain areas of scuba. The adaptive dive techniques course gives an opportunity to qualify as someone with a disability to a specific level that is permitted by said disability.

I would have to say that my experience under the water is quite different from others. As someone with a visual impairment, it’s often asked why I dive if I can’t see the beauty of the under-water world. There are many reasons that I have discovered on why I love diving, but the main aspect would be the sound. I’m so used to a life where I rely on my other senses to help me navigate the world around me and being under water it is so quiet and so loud at the same time. It’s a calming feeling when I can just listen to the reef, so alive. I’m not listening for a purpose under there but for the pleasure of knowing there is so much life and beauty in front of me. The most thrilling part of a dive for me, is the decent. I guess its because everything around me is just blue. Iven learned to do a free descend on my own and each time I go down, there is a thrill of excitement. When we reach the reefs, my buddy and I communicate with tactile hand signals. This way, I can feel the signals as to know what’s around me. We have signals for the important purposes of communication and then own conversational signals for the representation of coral and fish. I must say, each dive brought newer and more creative signals that I will definitely never forget.

I got to work with some pretty amazing people. Fraser, the coordinator of the adaptive diving course, who is in a wheelchair himself and is a qualified instructor. Big B, who was my crazy scuba instructor/buddy.  Then the awesome camera crew, Gordon and Jordon. Without these two, the project would not have been as big a success as it was. Each one of these people had an impact on the week I spent with them. Frazer was the Ironman of inspiration that I will always look up to. Big B, would do anything to make sure everything worked out. Making hand signals that we would laugh about once we returned to the boat or parking the bus basically in the restaurants, so it wasn’t a mission for Frazer to get back in there. Our two camera men were always amazing me with their talent. The first day I had no idea what they were talking about as I wasn’t clued up in the “film lingo”, but I paid attention and got it eventually. Gordon constantly sharing insane stories of his experiences around the world, made my life sound pretty boring. Jordon was the guy I knew I could count on to eat the food I would never finish or save me some of my snacks when the others got their hands on it…. He would take the best videos and let me watch them on his fancy laptop, letting me see what I missed while we were down there.

Lastly, my aunt, who came with us on the trip to ensure the others didn’t ACTUALLY feed me to the sharks. She withstood all our nonsense and was always helpful. She was kind of the mum in our little crew, since all the rest of us were a BIT off our rockers…. Just a bit….

There were many other people that I got the opportunity to meet. The other divers from the dive centre, Blowing Bubbles, and a bunch of other friends of theirs and Big B. THE community of divers is one like non other. I have never laughed so much in my life. I have never experienced the kind of adventure that I did above the reefs of Mozambique. All in all, I have never felt as such an equal to every other person. Joking around with everyone, helping where I could and having a chance to be so independent in a world so unknown.

This week really had an impact on me and I’m never going to forget each moment. I will remember each time I kitted up and helped B with his kit. I’ll remember each lesson and global issue that Fraser brought to our attention. I’ll remember the kinds of adventures that Gordon has me dreaming about. I will remember Jordon’s willingness to assist wherever he could. Most importantly, I will NEVER forget our beer fine moments that we were fined due to our stupidity and embarrassing moments.

Just a final shout out and thank you to the following people. To Reef Divers, for the training and support during this process. To Aqualung for the sponsorship of my scuba wear. To PADI, for allowing me to be apart of the PADI aware program. Documenting a story that proves that ANY person can dive. To Gala Gala Eco Resort in Ponta do Ouro, for the fantastic accommodation. Making it feel as if we were on a tropical island and having the best service and coffee. Thanks again to the Blowing Bubble dive centre, with the great service and forever friendly people. Lastly, HUDGE thank you to the little Mozambique family that helped make this possible and entertaining. Oh,  and thanks to my family for not flying down to Mozambique to fetch me out of panic, after hearing about the shark that appeared on one of the dives.

I can only hope that in the future I will have another trip that will live up to the one I had with these amazing people. Some reason however, I don’t think it’ll be the same. Each person had their role either in the project or the punch line of a joke…. I wish to see these people again and keep in touch with them all. I will forever appreciate the opportunity I was given to be part of a project to allow disabilities to be represented in a more powerful light. Scuba gave me an opportunity to add a new adventure to my list. It gave the opportunity to gain another form of independence. It gave a chance to form new relationships that I never want to let go. It gave me a six pack just from laughing so much whilst having a genuinely great time until the last hug goodbye. Alas, this is not goodbye for me, I will see these people again and I will return for many more incredible adventures in the deep blue. My scuba journey has only started and I can’t wait for the next blissful moment over a new reef as PADI’S first South African adaptive scuba diver.

P.S. to the crazy crew, if you read this, there will be SERIOUS beer fines if we don’t see each other again…. Love you guys XXX

P.P.S. shout out to Big B’s dog Snuffel, for entertaining Fudge while we did our final shoot.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”