Recreation
I am interested in wide range of activities. Below is a list of some of the more interesting ones.
Scuba Diving. I am PADI certified and have additional training in the following diving specialties deep, wreck, night, search and recovery and underwater navigation. I completed four dives off Point Pleasant in New Jersey. Two dives were made to explore a wrecked 99 foot Navy tugboat, the GA Ventura. The first Ventura dive was for 60 feet at a water temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The second Ventura dive was for 70 feet at a water temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Other dives included a wrecked vessel, the USS Algol, where we saw lots of starfish and mussels clinging to the ship. This dive was for 100 feet at a water temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon our ascent we encountered a friendly Sunfish who watched as we boarded the 35 foot boat, Blue Fathoms. Another dive to the wrecked Delaware where we saw flounder, stingray, crabs and lobsters. This dive was for 70 feet at a water temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I also completed four training dives in an artifical lake at Dutch Springs, Pennsylvania. My first diving vacation was in Utila Island, Honduras where I completed 14 dives including two night dives. My second dive vacation was to Blackbird Caye, Belize where I completed a total of 15 dives including another night dive and two deep dives at 130 and 140 feet.
Windsurfing. I started windsurfing in the summer of 1997 and so far I have windsurfed at two places in New Jersey. The first time was on the calm waters of Spruce Run State Park. Then I tried it on the bay side of Normandy Beach. I currently practice on a Bic Veloce 328 board (10'10", 26 lbs, 185L) with a FreeStyle 35cm fin. I use a Neil Pryde sail with an area of 5.9 square meters. I usually windsurf from June through September at an average outing of twice a month. Achieving motion by catching the wind with the sail is an exhilarating experience and so windsurfing has become one of my two favorite hobbies. The other being motorcycling which also tends to give the rider a "rush" at high speeds on smooth pavement.
Sailing. I first learned to sail on a Sunfish sailboat at Spruce Run State Park in New Jersey. I capsized twice on my first day and learned quickly enough to let go of the mainsheet on tacks or jibes. After that I hardly ever capsized, though I came close several times. I enjoy it most when the boat is going fast and when it starts to heel. I continued my sailing instruction on a 30 foot sailboat at Sandy Hook in New Jersey. I eventually ventured out to sail on the Rio de la Plata in Argentina and at Blackbird Caye, Belize. Quick! Duck your head as the boom swings across and don't let the tiller extension slip away as you come about!
Whitewater Rafting and Canoeing. I have gone rafting on class 2 and 3 rapids, with water temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and in pouring rain on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania at a place called Whitewater Challengers. I have also gone white-water canoeing on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania at a place called Kittatinny Canoes. When I feel like taking it easy for a while I just go on slow canoe rides on the Delaware & Raritan Canal.
Swimming. I swim mostly in indoor pools. I swim for 30 to 60 minutes and anywhere from 1 to 2 times a week. I usually go swimming in the morning before work or on weekends.
Jet-skiing. I operated a jet-ski on the Raritan River in New Jersey and saw how easy it was to learn how to maneuver it. I also discovered how unbelievably fast these vehicles can glide over the water.
Parasailing. I parasailed for the first time in Point Pleasant, NJ. The sport caught my attention because it combines several of my favorite recreational activities all the while exploring new ones. Parasailing combines the rush of power boating with sailing and adds to it the sensation of parachuting.
Jogging. I like to jog mostly in the summertime when the long days give me lots of extra time. I have jogged up to 5 miles a day at a nearby high school track for 1 to 2 times a week. I have found that the best time for me to jog is early in the morning before eating breakfast and before the daily routine has had a chance to take its toll on my mind and body. I jog from June through November, weather permitting.
Dancing. I go dancing whenever I am invited to a wedding, birthday, graduation or any other cause for celebration. Most of the occasions last until very late into the night and dancing goes nonstop. That is why sometimes I consider dancing a form of exercise. I can dance Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia. My favorite is Salsa and someday I really want to learn how to dance the Tango and the Samba.
Bowling. I never really went to bowling alleys until a colleague invited me to try it. I liked it so much that I play from time to time.
Jeet Kune Do. I trained in Level 1 Jun Fan Gung Fu at the Princeton Academy of Martial Arts for over a year. I practiced martial arts to help me keep fit during the winter season when I don't get to jog or swim as often as I do during the summer season. I am currently trying Cardio-Kickboxing.
Ice Skating. I am a beginner skater. I hope to make it a more routine winter activity.
Flying. On special occasions I go for airplane rides over central NJ departing from Kupper Airport in Manville, NJ. I have also flown out of Morristown and Caldwell Airports with New York City and New Jersey shoreline destinations. I would like to someday take a helicopter tour of Manhattan, NY with an operation called Liberty Helicopter Tours. I am looking into flying in a Stearman PT17 open cockpit biplane.
High Ropes and Rapeling. I did these things back when I was in high school. It was scary at times but almost everybody that accomplishes these sports walks away with a great sense of satisfaction and awareness, not to mention a tremendous adrenalin rush.
These are some of the things I would really like to learn how to do someday. I'll keep you posted if it happens.