Philippa Rouse – Diving Story
Philippa Rouse’s personal account, first published in December 2021.
So, Steve has asked me to write my story about how I got into scuba, in the hope that it can encourage others to get into the sport.
I have not been diving that long and started in 2017. I went on holiday with my partner at the time, and he used to scuba dive. To be honest, I was not that interested, but he did not stop bugging me to try it. I eventually gave in, and I really enjoyed it. I only did a try dive, and the first time was in a pool at the hotel. It seemed easy, and it immediately made me want to try it in the sea. In the next couple of days, we booked to go on a boat. I met my instructor, and he talked me through things.
The first dive did not impress me. There were many other people doing the same thing that day, and I only had about ten minutes in the water. We only went to one or two metres, and I felt it was too short. I felt I was just dunked under and dragged around. The second dive was not much better, but I did enjoy it.
It was when I got back home to France that I decided to find a good instructor and do my PADI course. I enrolled on the course and immediately felt like I had made the right choice because I found that my local centre cared about what they were doing. On reflection, the boat on holiday just wanted to give everybody a try, and I felt they were not very professional. I completed my Open Water over three weekends, just in time for our trip to Egypt.
When we got to Egypt, I went with a boat that a friend had used, and we could see the same problems again. Our first dive was in a group of nine divers. This was not what I wanted. We changed the following day, but again had the same experience. I didn’t like it and started to regret it. We were parked next to another boat, and I was sitting on the side, looking at how things were, when I saw Steve. I had never met him before, but saw that he only went with two people. I took a picture of him and his T-shirt, which had his website on it, and contacted him that night. We went with him the next day, and this is where I fell in love with scuba. He made me fall in love with scuba.
I think you really have to find what is best for you. I don’t like lots of people, and it suited us fine that Steve only had a few people. On the last two days, it was just us. He was a bit more expensive, but totally worth it. We completed five days with Steve and will never look back or use anybody else. If you want to dive in Hurghada, go and see Steve. A really good guy. The reefs he took us to are fantastic, and we loved the diving.
Don’t be shy about trying diving. My best advice would be to find a centre that cares and wants to teach people. Go and speak to them. Ask how many divers there will be and how they work. It’s the best feeling to be underwater and see all the fish. To float along with little noise and just hear your bubbles is the best feeling ever. Try scuba, because you won’t regret it.
A reply from Dive UK Hurghada
Thanks so much, Philippa. I know it was not a great start for you, but it was great to dive with you. Unfortunately, some operators focus on taking as many divers as possible. As you know, we offer a more personal service, and that is why we charge a little more. We have a maximum of four guided divers to an instructor and pride ourselves on giving a great service. I’m so glad you found comfort in diving with us. Perhaps it was fate that you took that picture of my T-shirt! I never realised that was how you got my details. Hahaha!
