I wrote this today on the plane but got interrupted by take-off. So sending now from Abu Dhabi: I am sitting at O.R. Tambo International airport, about to leave SA for Greece, to begin the next chapter of my Diving career as a member of the DEEPMASTER SPEAR FISHING TEAM. I am very excited, while at the same time there is a little sadness as I leave a great team behind. There are many very special people in my life and when the time is right I will have a big job to thank them all appropriately. Today, at this important junction in my diving I feel there are 5 people in particular who I would like to thank for the influence they have had in my life for more than 15 years, in some instances way longer. These are all people who have had a crucial and lasting impact, each without whom I doubt I would ever have achieved a single thing in my diving career. These people are: My first Diving Inspiration, Tommy Botha, 15x captain of the Springbok Spearfishing Team, a true diving legend. Tommy set a very high bar to follow. Respected by Spear fishermen and divers all over the world. My first Diving Buddy, Colin J. Hutton, my elder brother, he was my dive buddy, mentor and best friend all wrapped into one. Still today my best dive buddy and friend ever, also instilled my fighting spirit as a kid. My first Professional Diving Instructor, David Cohen. He taught me a system of diving superior to anything I have encountered anywhere else on my travels. Without a doubt the very best diving instructor I have ever had the privilege to be taught by. My first serious Coach, Jimmy Herbert. The toughest task master I have ever had, he developed me as an athlete and introduced me to training methodologies that I follow to this day. Jimmy helped me to discover a whole extra gearbox! My first equipment sponsor, Shane Breedt of Freedivers, Durban. Here is a man I can rely on, a true and loyal friend who has supported me since before he started his freediving business, one of my best friends. It feels really tough to move away from a partnership that has been so effective and good. Each and every one of these people have been heroes in my life for totally different reasons and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for bringing me to this point in my life. And then finally, I wish to thank my daily support, the people who give of themselves every day to keep me operating in a happy way, Craig Milner, my sisters, Lilian Kershaw, Crystal Barnard and Adet Hutton, my mum,Jeannette Hutton and my partner and best friend Lesley Rochat.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:06:40 +0000
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