Yes, it's true, we never get out of school for long, especially if we have an interest in technical activities such as scuba diving. The learning never stops. The main certifying agencies recognized this desire for further training long ago and devised a wide range of advanced and specialty programs. These are offered by most dive shops and scuba instructors but is there anything else for a certified diver to learn?

Again, the answer is yes. Even the fresh water diver has a myriad of choices available to them. The last time you dove off Lighthouse Point in Tobermory, did you know what created the "popcorn" rock you swam over? Did you have an appreciation for the remaining limestone "flowerpot" formations off the island named for them? If not, it's time to look up your local nature club, friends of the environment, or continuing adult education geology course.

Not your area of interest? Then how about underwater marine archaeology, the study of man's exploration of the new world? Recreational divers have been instrumental in the discovery and preservation of Canada's marine heritage. Invaluable details of ship design, construction techniques, time period, cargo, and trade routes have all been gained through carefully conducted underwater surveys. Weekend workshops are presently conducted by the members of Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS). Check with your local chapter of SOS for details, or better yet, create your own group of dive buddies, dive club members or interested family and schedule your own session. Then the next time you dive the Sweepstakes in Big Tub Harbour, you'd be able to discuss specific ship's details like the position of the rudder post, the presence of Roman numeral draft markings on the bow stem, the crew's limited quarters in the forecastle or her trade routes in the northern Ontario wilderness. More interesting than just another shallow water dive, isn't it?

Of course, following an outdoor photography program, you would be able to create your own catalogue of favourite under water sites including shipwrecks, interesting geological formations, local fish species and more. Compact underwater video systems can also be used more effectively after a basic "how to" course at the local community college. The rules of lighting, composition, colour and movement apply to all mediums.

For those groups of divers on the ocean coasts of Canada, local underwater naturalists offer identification courses specializing in marine invertebrates throughout the year. These often provide divers with an increased sense of conservation by focusing attention on entire lifecycles and interactions of species underwater. In recognizing some of the life you see underwater, you tend to see more and dive more. Good combination.

And what about boat handling, navigation, first aid, CPR, map making, historic research, electronic drafting, sketching, ... the list goes on and on. It is only limited by your imagination. What challenge will you give yourself this year to enhance your future diving?