"In a world where we no longer know why we do things and what prompts their genesis, scuba diving is that one pure thing that I hold on to for dear life. It came to me so naturally and organically, I began the journey for myself. Not for content, not for any sort of race, but just from the sweet spot within me that leapt out and latched on to a symphony I saw playing out in front of my eyes, one windy day in Iceland"
This is how Sharanya Iyer describes the discovery of her love for diving.
Who is Sharanya?
If you're someone who uses social media to get inspiration on traveling, you surely know Sharanya as Truly Nomadly. She's been travelling the world, one place at a time, one experience at a time. From a caravan journey through the landscapes of Sikkim, to backpacking solo in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, she has been adding some really moving experiences to her travel diary.
She found her love for the ocean in 2015 during her trip to Iceland where she first experienced the wonders that snorkelling offer. She hasn't looked back since. She has experienced Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef to and has done free-diving in Indonesia's Pink Komodo island. There's no doubt that she is the best guide who will help you curate the most surreal experiences in the water for you.
I recently got an opportunity to learn more about her experiences and explore the vast world of water sports and the experiences it can offer. If you're someone who has no idea about this world or you're someone who's trying to learn or flourish in these sports, this article is just for you!
What are these sports?
Scuba diving
An underwater diving sport where the diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) to breathe, allowing them independence to stay under water for a longer time, usually 45 mins-1 hour. As a beginner scuba diver, you can go up to 18 meters into the water to explore the marine life while advanced recreational divers can go as low as even 40 meters.
Free diving
Similar to scuba diving, but in this sport you do not get any breathing apparatus. You need to hold your breath until you resurface. This is trickier and more complex as compared to scuba diving. In terms of equipment, you get a Mask to protect your eyes and fins to help you swim better.
Snorkeling
A relatively easier water sport, it allows you to explore the marine environment while staying closer to the surface of water. You're provided a diving mask and a shaped breathing tube (called snorkel) which opens outside the water and allows for an easy flow of air.
Surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual uses a board to ride on the face or the forward section of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore.
How it all started
In 2015, Sharanya experienced the magical experience that the oceans can offer while snorkeling at the Silfra Fissure, Iceland (It's known to have one of the most clear underwater visibility in the whole world). These clear waters allowed her to see as deep as 40 ft where she saw divers floating in the eerie silence creating a meditative picture of calm and peace in her mind. That’s when she realized that she wanted to be a diver too.
She has been swimming since she was 6 years old, so she’s always been a water baby. So when she had his dream of diving, nothing was going to stop her. She started by getting her Beginner’s open water certification which can be achieved easily through different PADI/SSI certified schools all over the country.
They mostly offer a 4 day course wherein 2 days are spent in a closed swimming pool-like environment along with some theoretical sessions which can be done online, followed by 2 day training in open waters which would require you to visit a city with oceans.
She did her 2 day training in Mumbai and went for her open water certification to Bali, Indonesia. This was her first international solo trip too!
Although, if you’re not sure if you’ll enjoy the experience of being underwater (which you most certainly will), you can go for a program called “Discover Scuba”, which intends to provide you a feel of scuba diving and help you decide if you’d want that certification or not.
If you don’t want to travel internationally, you can do your first 2 days in any major city and the open water training in cities like Goa, Puducherry, Tarkarli, Netrani, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Busting myths related to these water sports
Having experienced these water sports in different parts of the world, Sharanya knows very well all the myths and facts related to them. Here’s a few that might interest you.
• Swimming is absolutely necessary for Diving
While some schools do not need swimming as a pre-requisite, it’s advised that you learn basic swimming techniques to help enhance your experience more.
• There’s an age limit to who can go for scuba-diving
Not at all! Sharanya has seen divers of a wide range of age groups who’ve pursued diving as a hobby and a passion.
• Marine animals like sharks and whales can attack you while you’re underwater
Thanks to a lot of movies, this fear is instilled in the minds of many but in reality these animals do not feed on human meat. Although, one must always remember that while underwater, we’re the intruders and we must not succumb to our urge of touching these animals or getting in their way because they could attack in defense.
• You cannot dive while you’re on your periods
If you use menstrual cups, you can absolutely dive while you’re on your periods. But, if you’re someone who uses tampons/pads, you might want to plan your itinerary accordingly.
A lot of myths can add to the fear and make you wary of experiencing the magic of the ocean, but you shouldn’t let your fear drive you.
When Sharanya started her journey, she was aware of a lot of statistics on the incidents that could happen, but she did not let the fear take precedence over her passion and she’s always respected the ocean which has ensured a positive experience for her over the years.
It’s not just about the thrill!
While diving through some magnificent underwater ecosystems she’s realized the importance of protecting our ecology to sustain the habitat of marine organisms. It’s not just about the thrill of being underwater, the experience does teach you a lot about the climate change and its impact making you more aware and coherent of your surroundings.
Where to do it?
Surfing:
Mangalore, Mulki, Udupi, Karnataka
Kallialay Surf School, Pondicherry
Mahabalipuram
Covelong, Kovalam
Vaayu Surf Club, Ashvem, Goa
Varkala, Kerala
Diving:
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep offer great underwater visibility for a magical experience
• Puducherry
• Goa
• Netrani, Karnataka
• Tarkarli, Maharashtra
Where is she headed next?
Sharanya will be hosting a diving group in Andaman soon for their open water certification, which is going to be her first experience in the islands and she’s really excited for this opportunity.
Red sea in Egypt is also on her list, provided the Covid restrictions allow her to plan this trip.
Scuba diving and other water sports can change your life in so many beautiful ways and teach you some really important lessons of meditation, discipline and disconnect.
Sharanya’s journey is a perfect example of how one can pursue their passion if they strive, because what we have is an ocean of opportunities and all you need to do is take a leap, well in this case, literally.
So what are you waiting for? Go for your first water experience today!