Summer holiday 2003
le Cap D´Agde − France
Tuesday, 8th July
Saint Loup holliday park.
Yesterday at the reception desk we learned that some activities are being organised this week, and that one could sign up for these. One of these activities will be scuba diving in the medeterranium sea, which will cost me € 25,00. This is suitable even for children as of 8 years. A couple of years ago I participated in scuba diving in a swimming pool in the Netherlands. First we learned to use a snorkel, then we learned to trim the diving gear, followed by buddy-to-buddy diving using only one cylinder of compressed air between the two us. Finally every one was allowed to swim 2 or 3 laps around the pool by him self with all the equipment on. Really cool!
I report at the pool just before 20:00 hr. where about twelve others are already waiting and talking with the diving instructors. Two guys from a local diving shop are preparing to give a crash course of scuba diving. I observe how the others take their turn. They put on the flippers and jump into the pool. Each person is hoisted into the diving gear, after which the diving goggles are fitted on. The diver pushes them underwater, and swims over them while pulling and pushing them across the pool bottom.
No diving gear is trimmed, this is why the diver swims over you and pushes you down! If he would let go, one would shoot upwards to the surface like a cork. Al together this preparation for sea diving consists out of one lap around the pool using compressed air, and all of this does not last much longer then 3 to 4 minutes.
Then I am up. At first instance I feel some panic when being pushed under water. I then quickly realize that this is nonsense. I have plenty of air to breath. Through the mouth, that is. Then everything goes fine, it is like wearing an old slipper. To bad though, I had hoped for some more independent swimming. We will see what happens tomorrow.
A section of the swimming pool.
A children´s disco! This is what the animation team has lined up for tonight. At the swimming pool that is! A whole mass of children has gathered at the entrance of the pool waiting for the clock to strike 20:00 hr.. The gate promptly opens and everyone looks for a spot at the side of the pool. When the captain of the animation team gives the signal, all of the children jump into the water loudly screaming and splashing.
The childrens pool disco.
The disco opens with an even louder song "Ooooooooooooh Chiuahua". The children obviously love this. An enthusiastic animation team then joins the kids in the pool, dancing and splashing in the water.
When this water spectacle has finely finished, we return to the apartment and have some coffee before going to bed.
