Diving sees a fresh following

Once considered a sport for only certain people, over the past five years diving has become the preferred leisure activity of many Indonesians. An increasing number of people, especially youngsters in urban areas, have been caught in the craze to get underwater and explore the natural beauty of Indonesia’s seas.

Some of them may have a genuine interest in learning about marine life, while others may be keen just because it is a growing trend.

“I have noticed growing numbers of people interested in diving at least since 2005. More diving clubs have been established and trips organized, which is exciting because divers now have more choices of playgrounds,” said Firman Adiyaksa, a diving instructor from the Sea Pearl Diving Center based in Grogol, West Jakarta.

Firman said at least 50 people take diving courses every month in Jakarta with around a third of these at Sea Pearl.

Thanks to the government’s promotion of marine tourism and extensive media campaigns, Indonesia’s beautiful diving sites are no longer the domain of foreigners alone. Indonesians have also been attracted to plunge into the deep water to see the beauty beneath.

“It is exciting [to see the trend] and it should be this way. Compared to other countries, we have the largest number of diving spots and the best diving sites in the world. We should do more to explore and enjoy our seas,” Firman said.

Thousands of people flocked to the “Deep Indonesia 2010” exhibition, the fourth such exhibition, held earlier this week in Jakarta. The event attracted a wide range of people including many interested in checking out the latest in water sports and adventures, including equipment and trips.

Women have made a substantial contribution to this trend. Five years ago, not many women were interested in getting wet and going underwater, because it seemed dangerous and could make the skin darker, going against the predominant Asian idea of beauty.

Ria Qorina Lubis said there were probably only two women for every ten divers back then, but now more women seem to be going on diving trips. Sometimes there are even women-only trips,
she said.

Ria, who along with 11 female divers, has established a Facebook group called “Female Divers Indonesia” to promote diving among women, said through the group people can get an increased awareness of the sport and women no longer need to feel afraid about jumping into the water and exploring its beauty.

The Facebook group currently has more than 500 members. It serves as a forum for discussion and general information about diving, safety and specific issue related to women such as diving and menstruation.

Ria has been interested in diving since early 2000, but only took a diving course in 2004. “I have watched too many TV programs showing off the wonder of underwater. Eventually, I get tempted and begin learning how to dive,” said Ria.

When she first set out to learn how to dive, Ria was unable to swim, so she took a swimming course before taking a diving certification program. Now she is an advanced diver and has a certificate to prove it.

JP/Arief Suhardiman

“I have dived in several places in Indonesia including Bunaken and Tulamben. My favorite diving experiences were in Ambon and Banda Neira,” Ria said.
Diving also allowed Ria to explore underwater photography, who became interested in it shortly after learning how to dive.

“In the water, I see so many amazing things and feel I need to do something else other than just admire them. So I started taking pictures,” says Ria, adding that her pictures also serve as “evidence” for when she is discussing underwater discoveries with friends.

The photos she took have been published in several diving publications and displayed at SeaWorld in Ancol Dreamland park, North Jakarta.

“I am a regular contributor for a magazine. Some people also wanted to use my photos after they saw them on my Flickr account,” she said, adding that she had been employed to write a book on marine tourism.

People like diving for various reasons. For 46- year-old mum Anita Kolopaking, diving was a nature-related activity that she and her family wanted to try. Anita and her husband had introduced their children to adventure activities from a young age.

“I took my son on a rafting trip when he was three years old. My kids have also tried hang gliding,” Anita said, adding that she had wanted to go diving for a long time before she finally took the plunge.

“After postponing the trip because of busy schedules, we finally [took a diving course] last year. Since then we have gone on diving trips whenever possible,” she said, adding that whenever she goes diving she takes the whole family.

Bad weather and conflicting schedules often get in the way of family trips,

Anita said, adding that her family had already made plans for this year’s school holidays.

“We will go to Raja Ampat in Papua this July,” she said, referring to a site regarded as the best diving location in Indonesia.

Marissa Tiashanty is another nature lover who has become interested in diving over the past few years. Thanks to her husband’s job as an instructor, she goes diving at least once in a month.

“As an instructor, my husband often takes students to the Thousand Islands for their examinations. I usually help him with the administration and organizing of these trips so I can join the dives,” said

Marissa, who is also a committee member of the Indonesian Diving Association (POSSI) Jakarta chapter.

Aside from promoting diving as a sport, POSSI serves as a network for those interested in underwater sports, and often organizes programs with other organizations including the Maritime Affairs and

Fisheries Ministry and Culture and Tourism Ministry, to promote sustainable marine tourism.

Recreational diving has become a growing trend among Jakartans, she said. There is also a growing awareness that affordable trips are possible, which is encouraging for those who want to just give it a try, Marissa said.

“It can be expensive if we go on long trips, for example to Bunaken or Raja Ampat, but one can still enjoy a dive for Rp 500,000 [US$50] for a one-day trip to the Thousand Islands,” she said.

Source : The Jakarta Post