I Asked Divers Over 50 How They Plan to Keep Diving. Here's What You Told Me.

Not long ago I shared a video about why I stay active at 60: "I'm taking care of my body for the adventures I'm not finished having." It struck a nerve. Then I asked a simple question of divers over 50: What do you do to make sure you can keep diving for years to come?

The replies are the reason I'm writing this. They were specific, funny, and a little humbling. Here's what you told me.

Some of You Have Been at This a Long Time

Glen is 72 and marking his 55th year of diving. He logged 65 dives this year. Jan is 77, has been diving for 40 years, and is working on staying fit enough to keep going. Jamie is 74 and plans to dive at least ten more years.

Nobody in this group is coasting on past experience. They're still booking the next dive.

Fitness Looks Different for Everyone

Jamie's routine is the longest I've seen: weightlifting, water aerobics, 5K on the elliptical, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving. Eliza's approach is simple: stay fit, lift weights, eat well, and book dive trips whenever possible. Tracy stays on top of water and electrolytes, plus cardio and strength training. Trevor swims regularly. Brenda walks 10,000 steps a day, doesn't smoke, and barely drinks except on vacation. There's also money going into savings, which I'm calling the dive fund.

There's no single formula here, and I love that. The common thread is that everyone has something they do on purpose.

Adapting Instead of Stopping

Genita is a 71-year-old grandma who still dives regularly. She says it's the same thing she's always done, just a little slower. She takes her gear off in the water and has the boat captain pull it up for her. That's not giving up. That's knowing exactly how to keep going.

Brenda adds another kind of care: keeping equipment clean and inspected. Looking after the gear is part of looking after the dive.

It's Never Too Late to Start

Lavinia started at 54. That one line says a lot about what's possible when you decide you're ready. (If that's you, you might like 5 Signs You're Ready to Try Scuba Diving After 50.)

The Common Thread

Kelly's reply was the simplest: keep diving as often as possible. Richard's was close behind: just keep on keeping on.

What stands out to me is what's missing. In all of these replies, nobody said they were stopping. People talked about slowing down, adjusting, training harder, or taking better care of their gear. They never talked about quitting. The story I keep hearing is that diving is worth working for, and that the work is something they've built into their lives.

That's exactly how I think about it, too.

Keep the Conversation Going

If you're a diver over 50, I'd love to hear what you do to keep diving. Tell me in the comments. Your answer might be the one that helps someone else decide to start.

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