As a 30-something-year-old woman, I’m not overly fond of swimwear. It’s not terribly forgiving, let’s just leave it at that.

While I may not love the wardrobe required, I do love the water. From the local swimming pool to Zeke’s parents’ hot tub to the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean, it’s my favorite element.

So it should come as no surprise that when we arrived at the Travel and Adventure Show in Washington, DC (March 17, 2012), we headed right for the pool. Beadiver.com had the four-foot-deep dive pool warmed to about 80 degrees, pretty much perfect in my book. I changed into my swimsuit in the changing tent, and then the helpful experts with beadiver.com got me ready for my first scuba experience. With fins, mask and dive tank in tow, I backed down the ladder into the warm water.

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. I thought I might be claustrophobic or uncomfortable with the whole idea of breathing while under water. The guys with beadiver.com were excellent guides without making me feel like an idiot. They explained the basics of the equipment and the right way to use it, taught me a couple of hand signals, and told me to kneel or stand up if I had any trouble. Having that option was comforting and eased some of my nerves.

I took a deep breath through the regulator and eased down into the water. I was a little surprised how easy it was, how effortless. I don’t know why I would have expected it to be daunting or challenging, but now I know better.

I’ve been snorkeling before and thoroughly enjoyed it, but after experiencing how easy scuba diving can be (even under very controlled and simplified circumstances), I’m looking forward to looking into certification and a dive in my near future (look out, Frederick’s Brass Anchor Scuba Center)! If you are in Northern Virginia we sugget checking out Sterling Silver Scuba.