MFDT member introduction

I'd like to introduce the newest member of the MFDT (Mexican Freedive Team)...my pride and joy, 6 year old Omar.



I haven't come up with a screen name for him yet, maybe RockBottom, DeepTerror, or Thermocline...I have to put some thought into it

He's been swimming since before he was a year old and while he's always liked being in the water this summer he really took a lot more of a likeing to it than what I was expecting. 

At the beginning of the summer I bought him his mask and snorkel but no fins.  He would go into the pool and dunk his head underwater and then come up, later he progressed to actually touching the bottom with his hands in the three foot section.  Soon he was taking quick underwater swims in the shallow end.  All the while you could see his comfort level expand and his confidence become more pronounced.

After a few weeks he was looking through the paper and pointed out that the fins were on sale at Sports Authority so we went and bought him a pair. He quickly realized how much easier it was to take his quick swims with the fins on and became even more confident.

A couple more weeks and he was asking me to take him down on my back.  So he jumped on my back and wrapped his arms around my neck accidentaly (out of nervousness) choking me. We dove down about 4 feet but then he swam back up.  Later he felt a bit more comfortable and would hang on a bit longer.

He kept wanting to push himself and a few weeks later asked if he could try to make a dive in the deeper (8 feet) end of the pool.  I asked him if he felt comfortable and really thought he was ready.  Of course he said he was so I very nervously told him he could.  That first dive kind of freaked him out, as it did me, and he only made it about half way down but he didn't give up.  He made a few more dives and got pretty close to the bottom. Eventually he made it and we high-fived each other.  The look of pride/astonishment on his face when he came back up is something I'll never forget.  I didn't get a picture of it, but that image is ingrained in my memories forever.

Now he's pretty confortable and hangs out at the bottom for a few seconds.  He's been practicing picking up some water toys off the bottom.  At first he would come up, take a quick breath of air and then try to go back down again.  I didn't want to freak him out but I explained in basic terms the importance of allowing himself to breath for a few minutes after a dive no matter how short it was.  Those of you that know him know that that triggered off a slew of questions which I tried to answer for him as best I could.

He says he's ready to do some diving with me in the ocean, but I think I'll hold off on that until at least next summer.  Maybe, if I can find him a wetsuit, I'll do a bit of diving with him at Lake McSwain in one of the coves.  He also says he wants to learn how to surf, unfortunately I don't surf so I'm going to have to try to find a place that gives surf lessons...any suggestions?  Most likely this will also wait until next summer though unless I can get a really good vibe from the instructor.

Here are a couple more pics of him...



















So for those of you with young kids that enjoy water sports what sport is it that they like the most and how did you introduce them to it?

  Right on , I remember those days of learing free diving techniques. Thanks for bringing back those great childhood memories.

Good job primo  Let's get him on a SUP soon!!!!

How about DiveMaster or DiveBomber for a name?!

What....Dive Master O is taken?   

LOL, the Garcia family just added to the dive squad depth charts.....we roll two deep now.  My kid splashed the salt a couple weeks back in the shallows at Reef.  Took her all of 30 seconds to start pulling away to pick snails and hermit crabs off the rocks in 2 feet of water. We drifted around for almost an hour, highlight of the trip was pointing out a perch that was hangin out a couple feet from us and hearing her scream through her snorkel.  We got out of the water and she instantly started asking about ab diving. I was stoked that she was stoked.  My nephew was with us also, he was less than enthusiastic when we told him he's next, lets just say he salted up his eyes without getting in the water. When we got home from the camping trip we hit Barnes and Noble cause she wanted books about fish....my nephew got "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".......the box set, he's gonna need some work 

O'neil Parking Lot Sale is this weekend Bro, do not miss it if you want to get him a wetsuit.  I'm down to carpool on friday if you wanna go, my daughter needs a 4/3.  Also, our schedule doesn't open up till the 20th next month and I want to plan a kid dive.....maybe a camping trip.  LMK if you guys are down.



One last note...Omar asked to learn how to SURF not how to SUP.  Don't handicap the boy, its like promising him a corvette then giving him a Geo Metro. If you want we can rent some 12 foot softops from linda mar and get the kids into some waves, I'll show you both how to surf, I will even give him one of my old blades....just say no to SUP   



 

So for those of you with young kids that enjoy water sports what sport is it that they like the most and how did you introduce them to it?

you got a real fish there!  My kids have surfed, boogie boarded, snorkeled, kayaked and fished since pretty young.  The older one can take it or leave it.  The younger one loves it all.  I found that starting them semi slow is important, keeps the tentative ones from freaking themselves out, and the brash ones from getting into trouble.

You sure his name isn't spelled OMER?

http://www.omerdiving.com/

What....Dive Master O is taken?   

I figured you would suggest lil' Pacco or something 

One last note...Omar asked to learn how to SURF not how to SUP.  Don't handicap the boy, its like promising him a corvette then giving him a Geo Metro. If you want we can rent some 12 foot softops from linda mar and get the kids into some waves, I'll show you both how to surf, I will even give him one of my old blades....just say no to SUP   

I tried the SUP the other day and it takes some getting used to but it's actually pretty cool.  I definetely felt it in the legs the day after though.

You sure his name isn't spelled OMER?

If they would provide some free gear I might consider changing it 

I tried the SUP the other day and it takes some getting used to but it's actually pretty cool.  I definetely felt it in the legs the day after though.

I would also try the SUP if one was ever offered..... .  I'm just saying its not the best intro to surfing.   

I drove many miles in search of the SUP only to find it was out for the day.

-Brian G

I tried the SUP the other day and it takes some getting used to but it's actually pretty cool.  I definetely felt it in the legs the day after though.

I would also try the SUP if one was ever offered..... .  I'm just saying its not the best intro to surfing.   

maybe if you were nicer, you'd get an invite....

I drove many miles in search of the SUP only to find it was out for the day.

-Brian G

we got 5 demo boards now