Check it out scuba girls! Manufacturers have broken the trend of aqua blue masks being the norm. Pink. Not 80’s pink, or even bubblegum pink. Tusa has designed one somewhere in between, just for us dive girls, and it is the perfect dive accessory to make you stand out underwater. In a world where everyone has the same black diving hood, revealing divers as a unisex being, a pink mask can mean only one thing. A Dive Girl.

More importantly, it doesn’t fog! The whole duration of my dive and not one frosted panel crept in from the outside, not one blurring of my vision. Years of using, (and cursing!) the same mask, and finally I discover the ‘Tusa – Imprex Serene’. Although my spit probably had something to do with it, I still stand by the idea that cheap masks fog up instantly, spit or no spit. And that is annoying to say the least.

Many have said that the most important piece of gear a dive girl will own is her mask. It stands to reason. With no other gear, a mask still allows you to see and enjoy the underwater world that draws us female divers in. With every bit of gear, bar the mask, all you see is a hazy blur. It’s hardly worth it. It’s even a little freaky.

So to finally find the perfect fit is lovely. Owing to the smooth, comfortable silicon skirt that snugly fit’s the smaller female face. It’s true, a slender face and cheekbones make a perfect fit mask hard to come by. So this means no leaks.

A disturbing sense of tunnel vision prevailed when I first used a mask featuring a black skirt. The Tusa model is clear all the way around, so although it’s not quite the full circle of vision we all wish for, you do get a tiny glimpse out the side.

And scubagirls, let’s not forget the mask’s side-kick, the snorkel. One way valve, special tapered top so that splashing wave crests cannot enter without a fight, smooth contours for easy surface breathing, and yes, the same pearly-musk colour. Did I mention it’s pink…?

Don’t call me mismatched! Mares Plana Avanti Fins. And Mares Plana Avanti X-3 Fins. I have one of each, and they serve me well. Look for me, there I am, the female divemaster with the mismatched fins. But yellow, reliable, a respected brand. They are not just fins.

Visually, the fins are barely recognisable as not being a pair. Consecutive models, both are coloured bright, rubber ducky yellow, with smooth black lines (for aesthetics as well as ease of movement) flowing from a vented, comfortable foot pocket. As a girl diver, or any diver for that matter, the longer you dive the more you will crave perfection in your dive gear. The ramblings below are things a female divemaster will come to rely on.

The clips are such that disconnect to loosen for easy removal. The main benefit of the inability to fully unbuckle them, can be verified by difficult exits; getting into boats where no one is assisting you, or even after night dives, where gear may easily go astray in the dark. It is a simple matter of slipping the straps over your arm, without the hassle of re-clipping the buckles for the process. The adjustable rubber straps sit comfortably, and are easy to tighten/loosen in air or sea. Once adjusted to suit your foot, they stay that way though, with no annoying slipping that you find with cheaper plastics. The standard style of the strap means replacements are easy to come by, or even alternatives if you prefer the older slip in clip. But they are damn hard to come apart from the main boot, so replacements probably won’t be necessary.

Differences? They newer model is slightly stiffer, due to the slight change in webbing design. This can mean two good things. Muscle building! Toned legs, that’s always a plus for us scuba girls. And greater power per stroke. Both blades are made from strong plastic though, which salt water will find difficult to perish. And the foot pocket a soft pliable plastic that moulds to your foot, reducing cramping.

The only downfall? Being an odd pair, and having to alternate my feet per fin, to avoid getting one freakish muscular leg. But that’s my problem! You scuba girls only have to pick one model. I notice no ones asked me how I came to have an odd pair? Well, that’s another story…

Divemaster! It may not be the exotic dream job you’ve read about. Then again it may be much more. But can you take it?

1. Are you in peak physical condition? I won’t lie. Tanks are heavy. As is a bag full of gear. And if you expect to be waited on by other divers just ‘coz you are a girl? Reality check. As a divemaster, a lot of the time is taken up by loading and unloading tanks, and you need to be physically strong. As well as this, what is your diving limit? If you are unfit, by the third dive you will be about ready for a good sleep. Keeping in shape will be a massive benefit. Customers will appreciate a female divemaster who is still on the go after diving all day!
2. Are you prepared for people to not take a female divemaster seriously? Especially some guys? Although ladies getting qualified as divemasters are on the increase, the previously considered ‘guys sport’ will bring forth a few skeptics, who won’t want to hear a dive site briefing from a chick divemaster. Don’t take this personally though. You scubagirls know what you are doing.
3. Are you girls ready to get messed up? Your hair! Your makeup! It all goes to hell. I have nothing more to say about it.
4. Are you brave? Just as physical strength is important as a female divemaster, mental strength must be in top notch too. You must have a mental capacity enough to handle anything and everything that may or may not happen as a divemaster. Good or bad. Bravery is perhaps not the right word choice. Because I don’t consider myself to be a very brave woman. But ‘in control’, that’s more accurate. The knowledge and ability to get in control of an out of control situation. Feeling brave at the time is not a necessity. To show bravery is the challenge.
5. Do you love the ocean? Ladies, I know that sounds corny. But if you can’t be encouraging about the element that is your job, customers won’t come back. You need to make people feel like ‘that was the best dive of my life!’ Every time. And also that ‘this female divemaster knows her stuff.’ You must be passionate about the ocean and everything in it.

          Now go. Get qualified.

Hi guys, I’m soooo excited this is my first post! Yeah! Whether you are new to diving or not, I hope this site gives you something to go on. And gives new insight to all scuba girls! Know that diving is my passion too!