 People:
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2 Face: Life
starts @ 50 |
One of the wonderful things about diving is that
it is a sport for all ages and all the family.
Taking this one step further, Mrs. Margaret Guenena,
a British resident of Hurghada who has recently
turned fifty, has made diving her new career.
H2O had an eye opening conversation with her:
H2O: Please introduce yourself, (name, age, education,
background, …etc)
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My
name is Margaret and I have now passed the landmark
half-century! I came to Egypt in 1965 at the age
of 14 when my father came to work for the Egyptian
Government in Alexandria (my parents initially
came out for 3 years but stayed for 20!).
My schooling continued at the English Girls College
in Alexandria, later taking my (what was then
GCEs) at the Embassy in Cairo in 1967.
My first job was as a kindergarten teacher (where
I really started to learn Arabic apart from teaching
the little ones English!). I then took a secretarial
course and worked at the World Health Organization
for several years.
During that period I married and my daughter was
born in the early 70s. We regularly came down
to Hurghada for holidays starting in 1980 and
fell in love with the Red Sea area, so much so
that around 10 years ago we moved down from Alexandria
to live here permanently.
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H2O:
When did you start diving and who introduced
you to the sport?
MG: After my husband died in spring 1997,
my family and friends encouraged me to learn
to dive.
I wasn't particularly in favour of the idea
feeling I'd seen everything to be seen in
the sea from years of snorkelling and on
top of the sea from years of windsurfing
and sailing! Needless to say I did give
it a try after my daughter said, "Just
try it for the experience" and, of
course, I found it absolutely fascinating.
I stayed an OWD for a while, then moved
on to AOWD and Rescue all at a very leisurely
pace not at all thinking about "going
professional" just finding the whole
process extremely interesting and rewarding.
H2O: When did you decide to make diving
a profession and why?
MG: Again, it was my daughter who encouraged
me further by giving me for my 49th birthday
the Divemaster Crew Pack.
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I
thought, oh well, why not give it a try! As I
am a resident here and not in any particular hurry,
I did a long internship for my Divemaster - again
finding it very rewarding especially being able
to help and encourage new divers.
I became a certified Divemaster in March 2000
and have not regretted one minute of it - even
the physics part which I found a bit daunting
not having taken it at school!! I did continue
and take the AI course but unfortunately did not
complete it due to a family crisis on the last
day, and to be honest, I was not very convinced
I wanted to be an Instructor, being more than
happy in my role as Dive Guide.
H2O: When you applied for your first job as a
dive professional did your employer have any concern
about your age?
MG:
Not as far as I know! I think perhaps having a
more "mature" professional around encourages
the older generation of diver, i.e. "If she
can do it, so can I", and I also believe
it gives the younger novice divers a sense of
"safety" ...
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What do you think are the most important characteristics
of a dive professional?
MG: To be a role model, i.e. behave and act
in a safe and responsible way. Always being
clear and precise as well as making the dives
an enjoyable / fun experience! I always put
myself in the position of the guests and think
how I'd like to be treated, they are after
all on holiday whether they are taking a course
or just fun diving!
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H2O:
What is the most interesting situation you
encountered during your career in the Red
Sea?
MG: I find this a bit difficult to answer,
I have encountered so many different interesting
situations over the last few years. For me
every dive is interesting in many ways whether
its the fish you encounter (both large and
small), coral formations, shallow and deep
sites, the divers themselves in the water,
sea conditions, etc etc...!
H2O: What are your hobbies other than diving?
MG:
I enjoy time in my home and garden and when
I have the time like to play the odd round
of golf! Also keeping in touch with many people
I have met during my diving career and hearing
their news!
H2O:
What does diving mean to you?
MG:
At my age and being a widow I find my diving
gives a rather special meaning to life and
I find myself becoming more passionate about
diving especially with regard to showing newcomers
to the Red Sea underwater world all the wonders
there are in life!
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