Date with Mantas - Mantojen kotona visiitillä

- Suomeksi enkkuversion jälkeen -

Tuesday we had an appointment or a date with Manta Rays on Koh Bon. It seems that they didn't get the time right and had been there an hour earlier to meet some Live-a-board divers but then left... It seems also that we have been unbelievably happy to have seen them last year on our 24th dive ever. We'll keep on trying and diving. Next Koh Bon trip is on Saturday. Needless to say, we are getting on the boat no matter what.

Koh Bon - home of Mantas?

Our divemaster was Kipp, a fun British guy who guided only us two. Luxury! He hasn't seen Mantas ever, even though he has 3000+ dives. Sorry, but our karma couldn't produce a win for him this time either. My ears tried to co-operate and allow maximum divetimes, but only the second dive allowed me to sink down in reasonable 5minutes, instead of 12min... I'm still so sorry for Matt, our divebuddy from Sunday who patiently waited for me to get down with the rest of the crew.

Today I tried to interview the staff on how they became divemasters or instructors. Most common answer was, that they just ended up where they are. Some knew one or two people who became diving instructors because they had always had a dream about that, but most just wondered to this profession. This doesn't mean that anyone would be bored or not motivated to be exactly where they are now. This only shows that diving people are relaxed and laid back individuals.

On the divedeck

When asked about how many dives they had logged before going on to divemaster and further diving instructor courses, many reported numbers under hundred. Amazing, but I think this is best explained by the fact that these people are natural divers. They had it from the first moment onwards. And it is a fact that more dives dont make one more experienced, it just means they have dived more times. Therefore it is irrelevant, to some extent, how many dives did they have before continuing studying.

Kipp

To work as a divemaster or instructor seems like a free profession. Almost like me being my own boss at my own MoveMe company. If I don't like how things are done, I may fix it or "leave the company". Good people always get a job elsewhere. Same freedom have professional divers. If they don't like the way things are done, they may take it up with management or leave to a better company. Freedom, top-10 job of the world, Thailand warmth and so on... A bit jealous? Maybe yes :)

-- Suomiversio alkaa --

Tänään oli tarkoitus moikata Mantoja (=paholaisrausku) Koh Bonin vesillä. Kun päästiin pelipaikoille, tuli paikanpäältä poistuvilta live-a-board aluksilta tieto, että Mantoja oli aamutuimaan nähty. Odotusarvot kohosivat katon läpi, vaikka järjellä ajatellen olemme olleet satumaisen onnellisia kun olemme törmänneet Mantaan jo 24. sukelluksen kohdalla. Divemasterillamme on 3000+ sukellusta, ja nolla manta-havaintoa.

Kävi kuitenkin niin, että aamulla nähdyt Mantat eivät olleet jääneet hengaamaan, vaikka syötävillä höystetyn veden koostumus olisi lähes taannut Mantoja nähtävän. Ei pihaustakaan mantoista, mutta hillittömän kokoisia meriahvenia ja kalaparvia. Kun sanon hillittömän, tarkoitan pariakin yli puolimetristä yksilöä. Mahtaisi mato-ongella onkiessa leuka loksahtaa kun tällainen kävisi pyydykseen...

Haastattelin reissulla muutamaa divemasteria ja kyselin miten ja millä lähtötiedoilla heistä oli tullut sukelluksen ammattilaisia. Ajautuminen tuntui olevan päivän paras vastaus. Pojat muistelivat tuntevansa 1-2 henkilöä, joiden pyhä tarkoitus oli alunperin hommautua sukellusalan töihin. Loput muutama sata ammattilaista, oma oppaamme mukaanlukien, olivat ajautuneet hommiin sen kummemmin asiaa ajattelematta. Ja mikäs sen parempi kuin antaa elämän kuljettaa?

BIG seabass, at least 50cm in width

Asia joka yllätti oli sukellusten määrä ennen divemasterin tai opettajan opintoja. Moni laski alle 100 logattua sukellusta ennen opintoja. Toisaalta, totta on myös se että kokemus kasvaa sukeltamalla, mutta taidot eivät välttämättä muutu miksikään. Sukellusopet ja divemasterit taitavat olla niitä luontaisia sukeltelijoita, joilla tuntuu olevan kidukset heti meriveteen tiputettaessa.