Old Man and The Sea

[Hyscore]

Hi Guys - I used to SCUBA dive mainly around the Scottish coast - initially with my school club (unusual even at the time) and then with a couple of SSAC branches... until I was diagnosed with epilepsy (now totally controlled) since when I have turned to surfing and occasional snorkelling. (Even in my younger days I thought I had made a deep breath-hold dive if I managed a quick trip to 10 metres (or 33 feets as we called them in the old days).)

Well two things happened. I got a cheap housing for my cheap camera on eBay, and I found my old Nemrod Gaucho III lurking at the back of a cupboard.

And then I discovered you guys! So I am going to watch and learn and maybe I'll get a pair of these funny-looking long fins and start working on depth and duration. :crutch

Interested to hear of anyone in their late 50s or older who is still comfortably diving to 50 feet or more; and in any advice they can give to a fellow old timer!

Thanks,

Bill

 

[devondave]

50ft? Are you kidding?
We got guys on here 70+ doing over 70 meters.

Hello and welcome to db by the way.

What's a Nimrod Gaucho III?

 

[Hyscore]

50ft? Are you kidding?
We got guys on here 70+ doing over 70 meters.

Hello and welcome to db by the way.

What's a Nimrod Gaucho III?

Wow! That's amazing and definitely the way I would like to become old(er)! The Gaucho is a 3-band gun with a central grip. It probably ought to be in a museum now along with my Spiro ABLJ.

Thanks for the welcome... And I'll be more than happy if I can get some quality bottom time at a mere 50 feets!

Bill

 

[devondave]

The guy that did that is called Bill too, dived to 70m for his 70th birthday.
If you want to post a picture of your gun, we have people on here who are nuts about old guns.

 

[saltfreemermaid]

hey Bill....

Where in Cheshire are you??? We've got a freedive pool session in Crewe !! And a group diving / spearing regularly in North West, and North Wales....

drop me an email... (mandymermaid@yahoo.co.uk), or check out our website (freedivers.co.uk)

 

[Bill]

Welcome aboard William. They call me Bill 'cuz that's what my parrot uses for toilet paper. When I retired, fifty years of diving had never produced a 100 footer. Fixed that but I got a little carried away. Age is just a state of mind. New equipment and techniques will make it fun. Slow down and enjoy the ride.

 

[Hyscore]

Welcome aboard William. They call me Bill 'cuz that's what my parrot uses for toilet paper. When I retired, fifty years of diving had never produced a 100 footer. Fixed that but I got a little carried away. Age is just a state of mind. New equipment and techniques will make it fun. Slow down and enjoy the ride.

I am simply not worthy. That is an awesome achievement.

Young Bill

 

[Hyscore]

hey Bill....

Where in Cheshire are you??? We've got a freedive pool session in Crewe !! And a group diving / spearing regularly in North West, and North Wales....

drop me an email... (mandymermaid@yahoo.co.uk), or check out our website (freedivers.co.uk)

I have looked at your crazy website and sent you a private email! :blackeye

Thanks,

Young(ish) Bill

 

[Simos]

Welcome to DB Bill! It's a fascinating place - you came obviously feeling like an old man and switched to feeling like a young Bill already.

As for your question, I have no doubt you can do it. Take things easy and find a friendly bunch to train with (ie Mandy and co) and you'll be there before you know it.

 

[Hyscore]

Welcome to DB Bill! It's a fascinating place - you came obviously feeling like an old man and switched to feeling like a young Bill already.

As for your question, I have no doubt you can do it. Take things easy and find a friendly bunch to train with (ie Mandy and co) and you'll be there before you know it.

Thanks Simos! I certainly intend to give it a go!

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello buddy and welcome on DB

All best

 

[Simos]

Great thread name by the way ;-)

 

[cdavis]

Hi youngish Bill, Welcome to DB.

As you can see, there are lots of us old guys who are diving long and deep,even if we are not all in "old Bill's" class. I'm 61, and am certainly nothing special, but regularly do over two minute dives in over 50 ft with half a lungful of air. Believe me, there is absolutely no reason you can't do better than that.

Definitely get yourself some longfins, makes it much easier.

Connor

 

[Hyscore]

Hi youngish Bill, Welcome to DB.

As you can see, there are lots of us old guys who are diving long and deep,even if we are not all in "old Bill's" class. I'm 61, and am certainly nothing special, but regularly do over two minute dives in over 50 ft with half a lungful of air. Believe me, there is absolutely no reason you can't do better than that.

Definitely get yourself some longfins, makes it much easier.

Connor

Thanks Connor! (I think a degree of fitness is probably required ahead of the fins!

 

[Mr. X]

Welcome Hyscore. Probably worth getting a check-up with your GP, if you haven't done so already (my thought even before noticing your comment about epilepsy) - a sensible precaution for anybody over 50 taking up a new physically taxing activity.

Nemrod Gaucho 3 eh? Looks interesting - very James Bond:

I guess there is no reason why it shouldn't still work. I see they have one in the wonderful, on-line virtual speargun museum : Skin Diving History