My Near-Death Underwater Experience: What I Do For Love

by Berry

Well last week I went away to Alicante with my boyfriend and his parents to visit my mum and dad who live over there. I should’ve known it would’ve been stressful because I can usually only spend a day with my parents before I’m suicidal. Let me just say that going away on holiday with two sets of parents is not relaxing and should not be classified as a holiday. I would’ve been more relaxed staying at work and doing mind-numbing reports.

My partner’s parents don’t sit still when they’re abroad and like to cram in as much sight-seeing as they possibly can. My parents on the other hand couldn’t really give a toss about the history and architecture of the town they’ve lived in for about 10 years, which is fair enough, but it didn’t exactly make me feel at ease. In order to get away and relax we both tried a bit of scuba diving one day. I was actually looking forward to it until they told me what skills I’d be learning underwater – and by underwater I don’t mean in a pool because that would’ve been too slow and comfortable. So there I was in the sea struggling to stay underwater because they hadn’t put enough weights on me, and trying to get near the instructor so our class could begin. I was knackered before I even got down there. Swapping mouth pieces wasn’t that bad but clearing your mask of water whilst underwater was f***ing awful. You had to let a tiny bit of water get in and then tilt your head back, open the mask slightly and breathe out through your nose. I was terrified. I managed to do it but in the process I managed to swallow some sea water which made me feel sick so I decided to go back and sit on the beach – I was feeling dodgy and petrified so the rest came in handy. I didn’t get out of it that easily though because the €100 Discover Scuba Diving day included a second dive. I tried to get over my fear so I kitted up and swam out to sea with the gang. It didn’t start off well because my left flipper fell off twice and because it was windy the waves were making me feel seasick. My boyfriend gave me the underwater ‘are you ok?’ hand sign to which I wanted to signal back the international finger sign for f*** off, but I restrained myself because one of the Scuba assistants was nearby. I was starting to panic again so I told the assistant to get me back to the shore. On the swim back I could barely stay afloat because of the heavier weights they’d put on me, I almost through up in the sea, my goggles misted up so I couldn’t see where I was bloody going, and I was close to tears. I can kiss the Scuba Photographer course goodbye.

The things I do for love! Last year I got persuaded to go on a snowboarding holiday on the first day of which I injured my ankle. Within 5 days I had cried like never before, lost the feeling in my backside and purchased 2 ankle supports and a knee strap – I was practically on first name terms with the pharmacist.

For those of you out there who aren’t fond of adrenaline sports but are considering giving it a go to make your partner happy, tell them to piss off and stick to your spa holidays.

Article submitted Monday, September 28, 2009 & read 31 times.

Leave your comments through Ice Pop:

No comments yet.
We appreciate your comments!

9-0-0-0-2-ADSO

Most Recent