Diving lessons: a journey into the weightlessness of the sky’s colour

The sea is a mighty force that leaves no one indifferent: some marvel at it, composing poetry; others fear it, gazing with trepidation at the blue expanse through an aeroplane window; whilst still others love it tenderly and selflessly, merging with it completely… The sea is capable of love, embracing one tenderly, stroking one’s head with its foamy crest; it is capable of welcoming a person, revealing the mysterious treasures and unseen beauties of its depths.

Strange people in bizarre costumes, wearing equipment that looked complex and expensive, always aroused a sense of curiosity and a touch of sadness in me. ‘It’s far too complicated and, no doubt, ridiculously expensive,’ I thought, as I drove past the divers’ meeting point near the old harbour in Paphos.

But, as is often the case, what looks complicated turns out to be simpler than simple; you just need to really want something, and by chance meet a new friend who will open up a whole new world for you. That’s exactly what happened to me when I met Georgios – a certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) instructor. All my doubts vanished, and within a couple of weeks I was the proud owner of a bespoke wetsuit (€300) and the essential basic set of personal kit: snorkel, mask, fins and weights (€200). Yes, everything else can easily be hired from local dive clubs.

The rest was straightforward: four 45-minute video lessons, self-study using a textbook downloaded from the internet, and five one-to-one theory sessions with my instructor, Zhora. It’s worth noting that Georgy doesn’t cut corners just because we’re friends, which is understandable – diving, like many serious pursuits, can lead to trouble if taken lightly.

The theory and tests are behind us and…

The first dive… in the pool! Yes, our beloved pool – if it were alive, it would have burst out laughing and splashed water everywhere when two rather imposing blokes in full gear plonked themselves into the chlorinated water. However, it was amazing! The first breaths from the scuba tank, that first sensation of independence in the aquatic environment. But that was nothing compared to the first dive in the sea that followed shortly afterwards!

We didn’t go very deep – about four metres. Sound… It’s dissolved in the water and surrounds you on all sides – muffled, subdued, like a faint hum, the heartbeat of a new, great friend!

And another indescribable sensation! Weightlessness! Yes, indeed! My heavy kit—10 kilograms of lead on my belt—as well as my own rather imposing body, suddenly felt weightless. I froze in the transparent blue substance—gentle, soft, supporting me perfectly. Every movement came easily, and the slightest flutter of my fins set me in motion. No need to surface for another breath of air: you can breathe down here!

And one more thing that struck me. To the inhabitants of the deep sea, I had become ONE OF THEM! The fish didn’t scatter away from a swimmer who’d dived in with wide eyes; they looked intently into my eyes, allowing me to bring my finger within a few centimetres of them. The sea! You’ve welcomed me into your embrace, and I promise to be a worthy friend! Yes, I realise there’s no escaping this experience now; it’s a new passion, a wonderful new part of life, a life by the sea – the greatest of nature’s elements. Another joy is that diving is a hobby for the whole family. My wife and daughters have also got themselves wetsuits, so the sea will be accessible to them all year round. They’re discovering the beauty of the ocean depths with great enthusiasm.

For Georgy, teaching diving isn’t a profession. It isn’t a profession in the sense that he doesn’t earn a living from it. It’s far more interesting to set up a diving club. Not clients of a commercial enterprise, but a group of like-minded people for whom diving is an essential part of their lifestyle. These are special people who have plenty to talk about, and there are more than enough places in Cyprus to do just that.

I invite anyone interested to join us. Drop me a line, and perhaps we’ll soon be taking part in your first dive together, and after that… You can read all about it in other sections of our website!

Maxim Okulov