The months ahead

I'm in gainful employment again – yipee!
I am Dm'ing for a dive centre along with my man – well once his hand and knee heal after he fell over a few days back. You see it's not only me!

We have a few weeks scuby-doing, then I am back to Freedive Dahab to do Leif's old job as the Slave – god help me! Leif meanwhile will be preparing for his Instructor course and can expect the same support he afforded me during mine. He was fabulous and I couldn't have done it without him.

Leif's ticket is booked for the 17th of December, and I guess mine will be around the same time. Back to Blighty, back to the Christmas lights and a mad dash to get presents bought, wrapped and sent to Santa in time for the 25th! More importantly back to family and friends who I have missed dreadfully and can't wait to see – get the wine in the fridge ;)

Plans are in place for 2010, but I'll fill you all in once they are finalised. For now I intend to live life here in Dahab to the full. There's plenty of scuba and freediving to be done yet. There will be BBQ's to have, quiz nights to attend, and suntans to work on.

We've had a few visitors including parents on both sides, all very welcome, but a few that had planned to come and play have been unable.

We have the whole house now and are making the most of it. But if you're over this way, pop in for a dive or a steak. You'll be made welcome; even more so if you're carrying a bottle of decent wine or Bombay Sapphire Gin. Coleman's English mustard and Sarson's vinegar are also welcomed with a smile :))) Given enough notice we might even find you a bed. It's still early to mid 30's (that's the temp not my age, we all know I am only in my 20's) and the water is 26 degrees – just right for you pale Brits (and the German contingency) I have plenty of suncream in various factors.

AIDA Freediving Instructor Course

What they told us was expected of us:

AIDA 2,3 and 4 star exams, at least a 90% pass rate in each exam.
Final Exam Part 1 and part 2at least 75% pass rate on each part.

Performance requirements
1 dive to minimum 40m maximum 50m
1 dive to 30m lasting for a minimum of 1.30 minutes
1 minute breath-up, diver descends to 15m and hang for an unknown time (45 sec-1 min, which is determined by the IT), then they have to rescue a freediver from BO from that depth
Stamina test- max 1 min preparation, 5 dives to 20m with 1 min surface interval.
Rescue from 25m followed by recovery at surface and 50m tow
Static breath hold – minimum 4 minutes
Demonstration of other disciplines; DNF- no minimum requirement
Demonstration of other disciplines; CNF- no minimum requirement

Practical Teaching Exams :
Classroom
Confined and Open Water
Breathing
Stretching
Set-up and Knots

20min Oral Presentation plus 1500-3000 word handout

They didn't warn us that during the 3 weeks there would be times we wanted to quit, lots of tears, moments of confidence that could be squashed in the blink of an eye and despite it all, a lot of laughs!

We're through the other side now, I got here with 2 lots of tears, a middle ear barotrauma and a crushed thumb nail. Others had blackouts and LMC's so I think I did quite well considering.

I passed everything except 2 of the water performances, but now I can get back in the water I will train for those and get the full qualification very soon. For now I am known as a Pool Freediving Instructor, amongst other things :)

Triple Depth 2009

Each year Freedive Dahab holds a competition covering the 3 main deep freediving competitive disciplines; Constant Weight, Free Immersion and Constant No Fins. This year was no different and I was lucky enough to be involved.

Whilst I finished my last couple of days at Dive Urge in the office, Leif was official camera for the Static competition (i) (stationary breath hold in water) that also took place in the run up to the main comp.

One of my fellow instructor candidates, Josie, had her first coaching experience here too. Shall we just say that she now knows the signs of a static Loss of Motor Control (LMC which can indicate an impending Blackout B/O) much better – never mind John, no brain cells damaged!

The only floating pyramid in Dahab took it's journey from next door to our house to the Blue Hole – Dahab's infamous dive site; a 90m plus hole in the reef table with an arch way at 57m in the reef wall that leads to the open sea (check out Will Trubridge on you-tube for a spectacular freedive through it without fins!)

With the platform in place we had 3 wonderful days of competition. Dean, Katia, Leif and myself took turns safety diving (ii) for the competitors and on the platform taking official video or adjusting the depths.

In between times we enjoyed many a “Disco Break” with the Israeli competitors – see the film Don't Mess With the Zohan and you'll understand. These were mainly led by the saintly and satanic duo, Lotta and Linda, who's official job along with running the show....

(who am I kidding, it was really run by Mr Peter, long suffering husband of Lotta, who kept everyone in line, shepherded all the competitors and made sure it all ran like clockwork!)

…. was Judging (along with Katia) and deep water safety for those lunatics who insisted on diving between -60m and -90m. They also managed to include a acrobatic display (iii), much to the confusion of the scubies passing by!

We had many national records smashed and only a handful of B/O's – 2 of which were divers that Leif and I did safety for. My first ever B/O recovery left me shaken; I had hesitated before grabbing her and knew I shouldn't have, but she was fine and very thankful to us for the assistance to the surface.

The days were long and hot, but totally worth the sun burnt neck and the crispy salt filled hair.

What really topped it all off was the after comp party where the satanic one eventually got married to one of the competitors! We think John may have been a bit oxygen deprived during the static incident from before, but seemed quite up for the whole thing.

Despite all the energy expended during the comp there was no rest for the wicked, Josie and I had the impending instructor course to prepare for........

Ouch!

The bicycle and I have had a strained relationship - partially because I have seen too many of them dismanteled and "improved" in my dining room or kitchen!!

I could never get comfortable on one, shoulder ache, wrist ache but mainly bottom ache! Tried all the fancy gel saddles, the ones with strategically placed holes cut out in them to relieve pressure - all the tricks.

But out here in Dahab you need the independance a bike can give you. I bought over my trusty Specialized Rock Hopper and was really starting to appreciate it......you can hear the BUT can't you.

BUT....then I took tumble. Not a bone breaking one. Not a bike crunching one. But a confidence knocking, ankle wrenching, I can go in the water with these holes in my toe (flip flops - I know!) one.

I took my concentration off the pot hole riddled roads of Dahab for a second and down I went. It didn't help that I had my poorly protected feet in toe clips, that held my foot in place as I fell and did most of the damage.

But the real bugger of it is I can't dive! I am off the crutches now and get about without a support bandage most of the time, but if I do too much -which apparently going into work for 2 hours is - my foot swells up too much to get my shoe back on.

So, patience and planning is the name of the game. I am relegated to the boat again for Sara's record attempt, but at least I will be there. And I am being looked after well - although I am sure Leif will get bored with that soon (x)

So here's to a pain free foot, a bruise free bottom and knee and a less stroppy Nikki who can dive again.

Competition

The weeks move so swiftly over here. I go from one event to the next in a haze of blistering sun, cool waters and quiz nights.

Bizzy Blue Hole competition came and went. Dahab was injected with freediving champions, yoga sessions, strings of buoys across the Blue Hole and “The Duck” took to the water again to keep them all safe.

Next came the Mini Comp, with national record attempts and even more freedivers, local celebs and newbees all on the same lines diving into the deep blue.
I was official video for the surface protocol on the first day – perched in a blow up boat in a tan through bikini and my cowgirl hat!
On the second day I swapped with Leif; he got a blocked ear on day one while safetyingon the warm-up lines. So I got to safety dive and chat to Sara Campbell – the GB champ – while she warmed up for her 75m dive.

At the end of this month Sara is going for the Women's World Record in CW (Constant Weight.) She announced 100m, and it's a race between her and Russia's Natalia Molchanova to see who makes it first. And I will be there, actually in the water with her when she makes her dive. I estimate she will be down for 3 ½ to 4 minutes; 75m takes her just under 3minutes.

She assured me that she isn't interested in the variable weight record (there isn't a GB depth set for women), sooo I intend going for it in September in the Triple Depth Comp. Training for my instructor depth in CW of 40m will get me part way then it's a mind and equalisation game to any deeper, but if it was easy............well you know the drill.

The UK and back

The flight back to the UK gave me mixed feelings, it was going to be wonderful to see everyone again, especially as little sis was back too. But I had left people back in Dahab that had become unexpectedly special.

The Ladies Night at Lodge was everything we hoped it would be. Everyone pulled out the stops and looked wonderful, Mum's speech went especially well and we were all very proud of her and Dad. Far too much wine (and tia maria Tracey) was consumed leading to a rather expressive dance session - too funny.

I managed to catch up with as many friends as possible, but the fact that I don't know when I will return to the UK made the goodbyes harder than ever. I can only hope that people can make it out to the sunshine soon.

Back in Dahab everything feels right and the smile on my face is huge when I see all that I missed.

I had an impromptu day at work as soon as I got back, a mix up meant that I was needed to take 3 guys to Canyon and Ricks Reef. Without boring you with all the details it was a day of fun with everything a DM has been trained to deal with thrown in – wrong tanks for regs, spare kit needed but doesn't fit, personal equipment failure, missing the exit on the second dive! But we all came back laughing and had a thoroughly great day.

I did suffer a reverse block though on the second dive and have to stay dry now for 3 days – just as well I haven't got any dives planned til the 24th.

I bought the Red Rock Hopper with me out here. It's amazing the difference a decent bike makes. Suddenly I have 21 gears and handling for the sand and rocks that has resulted in me throwing the bike around even more than I did before – very skiddy this sandy stuff!

I have established that my mobile phone doesn't love the water as much as its owner though – it's in Salem's shop being looked at, but it doesn't look good, think I may have an expensive bill for a new phone coming up, so if you are trying to call me, that's why you can't get through.

On the plus side it means that the incredibly stupid and annoying man from Cairo/Hurgarda or what ever place he chooses to make up, can't wake me at 3am as he has been for the last 3 days. I will get his number blocked.

So now I look forward to each new day, I am a great believer of living for the moment. I don't have a master plan and have no idea where I will be in six months never mind this time next year.

Work - the inevitable

It's been said that you don't visit Dahab only once in your life. It's also true that few people stay for their intended duration. They get sucked into the relaxed, bohemian lifestyle and miss their flights home - you know who you are!!!

But eventually reality has too take hold and either you go back to normal life, or you get a job and stay in the crazy alternative reality that is living here. There are sacrifices; friends and family are missed, earnings are low, the locals can drive you crazy! So it means less meals out at the lovely indian and thai and more creative cooking nights in. Thank god for hard drives full of films and a wonderful stream of friends, old and new, to keep us amused and entertained.

So now I freelance as a Dive Master and EFR Instructor, giving me the independent life to work as much as I need to and freedive when I can make the time my own. With plans in the pipeline to build Aquaphobia holiday courses and swim coaching into the equation, playing to my strengths.

Nothing worth having is ever easy to achieve...

With the delightful Hannah and the ever patient Simon I began my AIDA **** course.

The 4 star theory came naturally with my diving background, as did the technical sections of the diving; 4 x 20m on 2min recovery, just a matter of letting buoyancy do it's work on the ascent and stave off the lactic acid. The rescue from 20m was a challenge but do-able, and the 20m return with one fin just a scream - literally a scream! 20m no mask return was, in contrast, bliss and I really feel it's the way I want to dive - nose clip out I think from now on. 15m rescue with 1 fin was a serious technique challenge but I got through it........... but then comes the depth, distance and time and the battle against myself begins.

Discipline Current PB's AIDA ****

Constant Weight 28.7m 32m

Dynamic 55m 70m

Static 3 min 12 sec 3 min 30 sec

They look close don't they, and as Simon (my fabulous instructor) will tell you, they are! The only thing in the way is my ability to convince my body to ignore the carbon dioxide alarm that gives me contractions in my diaphragm and throat and remember that there's plenty of oxygen in my system and I don't need to breathe.

We are in the water again tomorrow, so I'm on best behavior tonight, no cocktails in Yalla bar – might save me from bashing my head like last week too – that's another story though. A good nights sleep and some yoga in preparation for the new PB's I know I can make mine. Keep you posted.

Into the sun

Life is pretty damn good over here in the sun!

Back in Andy's house and it's feeling like home. People are beginning to return from their travels, there are definite gaps, but they are on their way.

Work is a little harder to come by, people are not booking holidays right now, but I wont let that stop me. CV's go out next week to all the dive centres and Easter is on it's way.

Training for Freediving is about to start proper - dry tables, statics, dynamics and line work, along with running, cycling and pilates. All in preparation for my AIDA **** course which starts soon.

The decision to go

There's a small part of me that thinks I'm crazy, at my age I should have a "proper" job, a house, a husband and even a family. There are probably more people that are thinking the same!

But the rest of me, the part in charge, the part that realises there is no "normal life" these days is ready to take the plunge and do what's right for me.

So, on the 8th of February 2009, I fly back to Dahab, Egypt. I move back in with the beautiful Sarah and the Wonky one.

Address:

Andy's House, Third palm tree on the right, Past the building sites, Back of Asala, Dahab, S. Sinai, Egypt

The idea is to get a job as Dive Master and earn my living showing people the beautiful underwater world of the Red Sea.

In the mean time I aim to train my little heart out so I am fit enough to compete in the Buzzy Blue Freediving competition at the end of April.