If you’ve ever thought, “Scuba looks amazing, but I don’t even know where to start,” you’re exactly who this project is for.
50dives is my attempt to make scuba feel closer, clearer, and more doable—by shining a light on the people and places that make diving happen locally. The hook is simple: 50 states in 50 days. The point is bigger: help more people discover the sport, find a reputable local shop, and take the next step with real-world guidance.
Why I’m doing this (and why it matters locally)
Diving is one of those rare activities that can change how you see the world in a single day. But getting into it can feel oddly complicated from the outside: unfamiliar gear, confusing jargon, mixed opinions online, and a thousand “best” options that don’t apply to your situation.
So I built 50dives around a mission that’s straightforward:
Promote the sport of diving locally by connecting curious new divers with local dive shops, instructors, and communities.
Local matters because that’s where diving becomes real. A good shop helps you:
- figure out what training path fits your goals
- learn in a safe, structured way (instead of piecing together advice from the internet)
- get introduced to local dive sites and local conditions
- meet dive buddies and a community that keeps you active after certification
This project isn’t here to replace that. It’s here to lead you to it.
What “50 states in 50 days” is really about
Yes, it’s a big, ambitious attempt—and that’s part of the fun. But the challenge isn’t the whole story.
The concept gives me a reason to show up, state after state, and highlight diving where people might not expect it. Not every great dive story is tropical. Not every new diver starts on a postcard reef. And not every “dive destination” is a destination at all—it’s just the local lake, quarry, spring, shoreline, or charter that a community has built around.
Along the way, I’m sharing what I’m seeing and learning in a way that’s useful to you if you’re considering scuba:
- what it actually feels like to get into the water in different conditions
- what kinds of training and support new divers typically need
- how dive communities operate in the real world (not just in marketing)
- why the best next step is usually talking to a shop near you
If you’re cheering from the sidelines, sharing posts, or sending this to a friend who “always wanted to try diving,” you’re part of the mission.
Who’s behind 50dives
It’s me—one person—building, filming, writing, editing, and publishing as I go.
I’m a diver who takes the craft seriously, with experience across different styles of diving (including technical-focused paths). I’m not here to posture or drown you in credentials. I’m here to document the journey honestly, keep the story grounded in real diving, and use the platform to amplify the people who make the sport accessible: instructors, shop owners, charter crews, and local communities.
A few things you should know about how I approach this:
I keep it practical. If you’re new, you don’t need gatekeeping—you need clarity.
I keep it respectful. Dive pros and local communities deserve to be represented accurately, not treated like a backdrop.
I keep it human. The goal is to make diving feel less intimidating and more inviting, without pretending it’s effortless.
How this helps you take your next step
If you’re reading this because you’re curious about learning to dive, your next move doesn’t have to be a huge leap. The easiest wins are:
- Find a local dive shop you can talk to and visit.
- Ask a few basic questions (training timelines, what the first class looks like, typical local diving, and what gear you actually need at the beginning).
- Take an intro step—whether that’s a discovery-style experience or signing up for entry-level training.
The internet can’t watch your buoyancy, answer your questions in real time, or introduce you to the people you’ll dive with next month. A good local shop can.
50dives exists to make that first connection feel easier—and to remind you that scuba isn’t some far-off dream reserved for “real divers.” It’s a learnable skill, and you can start where you are.
What makes this attempt notable (without the hype)
A project like this stands out because it’s both simple and hard: showing up consistently, in public, across the map—then doing the work to turn that travel into something that actually helps people.
The “notable” part isn’t just the mileage or the pace. It’s the commitment to:
- represent diving as a nationwide sport, not only a vacation activity
- spotlight local shops and instructors as the on-ramp for new divers
- keep the story accessible to beginners while still respecting the realities of the water
If you’re following along, you’re not just watching a personal challenge—you’re helping widen the doorway into scuba.
Come along (and use this as your map)
If you want to support the mission, the best thing you can do is simple:
- follow the journey
- share it with someone who’s curious about diving
- and when you’re ready, reach out to a local dive shop and start a conversation
That’s how this project does what it’s meant to do: turn inspiration into a real first step—right where you live.