Comments on The Right Blue: Learning to dive, 1970 style

Wow! I bumped into this site by accident and the p...

2009-09-09T03:36:29.118-10:00

Wow! I bumped into this site by accident and the pictures just blew me away. Went to American Academy 60-62, spent all my free time between Yanni's and the AYA (American Youth Ass'n) and was a life guard at the pool. We use to rent BSA's for aboout $5 a day and race up and down the mountain behind the club too! So many memories.

I've looked for the American Club on Google Earth but it seems to be facing the wrong way (too many trips to Yanni's I suppose Hah!). Does anyone remember the Greek name for the Club or the address?

Enjoyed reading about your entry into the world of...

2008-09-10T18:58:00.000-10:00

Enjoyed reading about your entry into the world of diving! It was at that pool at the American Club where this, then 6 year old, learned to swim.

Thank you for your story-- and for the lovely photos! If you have more pics of the American Club (also the AYA (a.k.a. AYC), my family and I would love to see them.

Cheers!

P.S. My sister, Julie, was a lifeguard at the Ame...

2008-09-10T18:22:00.000-10:00

P.S. My sister, Julie, was a lifeguard at the American Club pool!

Hi Lisa - Thanks very much for adding your own pe...

2008-09-10T16:51:00.000-10:00

Hi Lisa - Thanks very much for adding your own personal story about the American Club pool. I think it's safe to say that the American Club, the pool, and the little theater behind it all figure prominently in the memories of the ex-pat families who lived in the northern suburbs of Athens during that period.

Bobbie

Hi Bobbie,
I too learned to dive at the America...

2008-09-10T15:39:00.000-10:00

Hi Bobbie,
I too learned to dive at the American Club, probably in 1968 or 69. But it was a simple dive from the side of the pool. The lifeguard picked my feet up, and there I went diving into the pool!
I loved your photo as I spent many days of my childhood swimming in that pool. This brought back some fond memories! Thanks!
Lisa Kelly
www.youdontneedadiamond.com

Hi Kathy -

Yes, I do feel fortunate to have...

2008-03-12T15:10:00.000-10:00

Hi Kathy -

Yes, I do feel fortunate to have had the ocean and diving as a big part of my life. I can't imagine not having had all these underwater experiences. And yes, the instruction we received through that club was superb. They really were the best instructors we ever could have hoped for.

Bobbie

Hi Bobbie - How lucky you are to have this love al...

2008-03-12T08:42:00.000-10:00

Hi Bobbie - How lucky you are to have this love all through your life! Can't wait to hear more - sounds like you learned from the best - can't get any better than that!

Kathy

Hi Bernie -

Nah, not brutal. Let's leave ...

2008-03-11T17:40:00.000-10:00

Hi Bernie -

Nah, not brutal. Let's leave it at "rigorous." The training served me well over the years, and I've never regretted having learned to dive that way.

Bobbie

That sounds brutal Bobbie, if I was only 10 years ...

2008-03-11T15:32:00.000-10:00

That sounds brutal Bobbie, if I was only 10 years younger I might be able to do half that, this is great info I really enjoy your story !!

@ Mon@rch - It really was fun -- and challenging -...

2008-03-09T09:06:00.000-10:00

@ Mon@rch - It really was fun -- and challenging -- but in the best possible ways.

@ Sally - I forgot that your class had used the pool at the U.S. Navy station. I think that was because a certain high-ranking Naval officer had joined the Marathon Diving Club by then, and he arranged it.

Like you, I had just assumed that all beginning divers were trained like we were. What a surprise to learn otherwise later on.

Keep reading, Sally. Some of the pictures you unearthed for me have been scanned, and will be used in forthcoming stories.

@ Pua - I do need to comment that when we did things like free dive to 30 ft, we were all young and frisky. I don't know if I could do it today, especially with no fins on my feet! I did write a new guest post for your Best Hawaii Vacation Blog, and as soon as I find the right two photos to go with it, I will email the works to you.

Bobbie

Now, you got me hooked to your diver's stories!
2008-03-09T08:33:00.000-10:00
Now, you got me hooked to your diver's stories!

When I did my license as a swimming instructor on the Big Island, I was several times gasping for air. Can't imagine what you and all your student friends felt like when doing the 30ft free dive, not to mention the 'harassment' exercises with your diving teachers.

Those would have scared me but as you say, it was probably a perfect practice for being prepared for the unexpected emergencies.

Looking forward to your new exciting guest post on our 'Best Hawaii Vacation Blog'. Mahalo and aloha, Pua

Great story, Bobbie.
I can confirm what Bobbi...

2008-03-09T04:48:00.000-10:00

Great story, Bobbie.
I can confirm what Bobbie says. I was in the diving class of 1971. By then it had moved to the US Navy Base on Nea Makri, Greece. That is located over the mountain from Kifissia and right on the water. We used the Base swimming pool for our training. The training hadn't changed. I just assumed everyone who was a diver had the same type of training...including the harrasment. That early training served me well when I continued PADI training when I returned to the US.
When I went for my 'deep diver' training I realized I had already done all of what was required. 'Big Jer' had taken me on a dive to 110 feet on my second dive. I was tagging along while he went spear fishing.
I do miss those days of diving in the Aegean.
Keep up the good work, Bobbie.

This looks like so much fun and thanks for sharing...

2008-03-09T04:34:00.000-10:00

This looks like so much fun and thanks for sharing your info on learning how to dive!