After successfully completing his Open Water course with Paradise Diving in Malta, Sam Stimpson A.K.A The Diabetic Diver is continuing his scuba education in Greece with Waterhoppers. His journey began in London with Dive Force and his Discover Scuba Session and has escalated as his passion and drive to pursue training has continued.
Waterhoppers is a PADI 5 star IDC Center that was established in 1978. It has gone from strength to strength since its birth and is now host to a selection of elite professionals with absolutely standard setting feedback…
’15 Jul 2024 – Professional, very well organized and helpful with equipment. Also appreciated they adjusted dives based on dive experience.’
’13 Jul 2024Great service, professional in the water and it felt safe taking our kids, for their first time with their on scuba gear on.’
Waterhoppers was an obvious choice after reading so many super reviews and the reality of spending time with them did not disappoint.
Special considerations always have to be taken seriously with diving but medical conditions add extra concerns that need to be planned for and managed. Necessary precautions were taken at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Portsmouth where a thorough medical was conducted to check management of Sams condition, levels, bloods etc. This medical is not only a pre requisite but also entirely essential for diving safely when dealing with any condition that may have an impact of safely underwater. To find out more about his pre dive medical experience see here for Sams account of the process of getting the ok to dive…
The biggest concerns for Sam were at the start of his dive training because it was all a new experience. The advanced course offers opportunities to fine tune those already learned skills and to dive at a much more comfortable and confident level but managing Type 1 in a hot climate where at times you are over exerting yourself is tricky and takes a lot of management and support from the dive professionals you dive with and by yourself. Ultimately you are the one monitoring your own condition and medication so have to be in tune with what your body is asking and telling you.
Moving into advanced training is another stepping stone into a career of underwater exploration and it is a journey that should be enjoyed by everyone. Sadly certain conditions make certain activities more tricky or complex but they are by no means un achievable. Sam is keen to get to Rescue level to not only prove to himself that it can be done but to support other Type 1’s who want to dive and centres who are nervous of taking Diabetics diving.
Waterhoppers were easy to book, work and train with. They made fantastic considerations for Sam’s training dives, taking into consideration dive times, the heat in Greece, his daily levels and readings and his over all enjoyment of the course. They were flexible with taking breaks between dives and offered days off if and where needed. A centre that was a pleasure to work with.
Sams Instructor, Michael Wright (Lefty) was not only a really incredible Instructor but showed genuine interest in what Type 1’s dealt with. He wanted to know how Sam managed things like eating habits and medication admission and how sports like diving could support level readings. He was thorough with his dive briefs, patient with Sam needing to check his levels regularly and supportive about how he was feeling pre and post dive. Lefty was an extremely theatrical character which made him really fun to be with and likeable but most of all, memorable. Those early diving days are what inspire you to want to learn more and the people you learn with are the biggest part of that. A bad experience can really put you off especially when you don’t feel safe or trained by someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. No chance of that here. Lefty was a joy to be around and clearly knowledgable and experienced. A very clever and inviting chap.
One thing that struck me about this company was the utter flow of its dive boat days. Sitting on the deck taking it all in was spectacular. The boat was full of happy divers and snorkelers, all buzzing around with their own plans for the day but totally in sync and not getting in each others way. The organisation was spectacular and completely down to the way all of the staff ran it. Instructors and Divemasters were mindful of each other, taking into consideration space, equipment sharing and time.
Sharon, a marvellously vibrant Welsh member of the team was running the platform area and ensuring that everyone was safe, kitted up, had clear entrance and exits and more importantly enjoying themselves. Her good mood was infectious and watching her was inspiring. Listening to her speak Greek was even cooler, its not everyday you hear a Welsh sounding greek accent. She was a pleasure to be around.
As often the way dive boats also provide a good meeting ground for like minded folk to come together. Paul Noakes, an Instructor and professional photographer was on board. We got the opportunity to hear some of his dive stories and to look at his underwater photography, really incredible shots. As a diver capturing the moment when submerged is a joy to share what you have seen or to identify something unknown. He was a really kind and bubbly guy with an obvious talent who was willing to share.
The diving World is like space, it is full of crazy creatures, unexplored areas, unknowns, wonders and creatures and life that your mind could never comprehend. Accessing it with the burden of a medical condition is at times frustrating but every moment of it is worth it. Our aim with sharing Sams story is to support people who may feel like it’s something unavailable to them. It is absolutely not. There are always barriers to the best things but the barriers only make the achievement of getting there more spectacular.
The biggest thank you to Waterhoppers for supporting this stage of Sams journey.
