My names Adam, one of the many things I’m asked is “how did you start diving?”

It was September of 2009 when I did my discover scuba dive with Will at Bouley Bay. My parents dived during the 80’s and I’d snorkelled since I was young, but somehow I’d reached 16 without going full immersion. That would change shortly! Kitted up with Will on the slipway I submerged myself and for the first time took a breath below the surface. It felt natural, like the familiar embrace of a favourite coat. Suddenly, I could see rest of the submerged world laid bare before me ready to explore, and afterwards, I thought “I’m going to this again”.

I did my open water diver course in November that year and bought my first of many sets of kit. I went on my first dive holiday in Lanzarote, then braved the cold March water in my wetsuit back home. Later in the year, I did my advanced open water diver course, I remember descending to the wreck on my deep dive, preserved like a secrete museum and clouded by a school of fish. I remember my first night dive, torch cutting through the gloom to illuminate a hidden sole. The very next weekend, I did the rescue diver course! I was a rewarding course, learning to start looking out for other divers and being able to assist. That summer I did boat dives every weekend, took speciality courses, and rescue dived on courses. I dived almost every day. The next summer I started my Divemaster course, I spent hours perfecting briefings, demonstration quality skills, dive theory, and guiding. The change from being a passenger on a dive to being in the driving seat was profound and took some getting used to. I became an instructor that April while I was finishing my school exams.

Since then I’ve worked at the bay in the summer at first while I studied marine science in Ireland, then in the spring and autumn too. In the winter I travel the world and dive! I’ve managed to tick some of the list in Malaysia, the Philippines, Malta, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand; but every time I mark some off another load get added! But I always like going back into the bay where it all started.