Do you sing when you go diving?

My daughter gets mad with me at times when I sing especially in the car. Now it has to be said she has a beautiful singing voice whereas I sing because I love to, so at times I am sure it isn't that sweet to listen.


Sometimes I sing after an evening in the pool but I sing most when I am away on a diving holiday, on a boat or especially on a rib bouncing over the waves. The choice of song can vary but in a rib I often find myself singing "Beautiful Briny" from Bednobs and Broomsticks.

I would also go so far as saying that some holidays I can remember simply by reference to the songs I happened to be singing at the time. The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" brings back memories of a brilliant Red Sea trip special for the diving and the people, and I know a few of the people on the trip will have memories stirred by that same track.

I am not the only one who sings either, often it seems that when I start others join in and that always makes for more fun. An old friend of mine Steve used to sing "We hope it's chips, it's chips" whenever we where on a rib. Sadly I have not seen Steve for a long while but I always remember him and the good times we had whenever I hear that crazy song.

Well all this ribbing from my daughter got me to thinking about why I sing and why I seem to do it when diving.

First stop in the research was why birds do it. I know you may say it's obvious, because they can't talk. Actually they do it first thing in the morning as a warning, a this is my patch announcement or they do it to attract a mate. I am quite sure I do it for neither of those reasons.

So I got to thinking about when else I find myself singing apart from on diving trips. Some obvious places such as rugby matches and the rare church attendance came to mind. In church I always belt it out because it feels good to sing but it's pretty rare I go. At rugby matches it is about support for the team, but it is also both social and inclusive. It helps get that feeling of involvement and it is also a time when the event itself is running your emotions high (or low too).

I also play a fairly bad blues guitar so there is an emotional attachment there somewhere. In fact minor keys are sad for some strange reason and it is known that music can express sad and sorrowful feelings. That's not right for diving though!

Actually the answer is plain we can all sing and soar with it when are emotions are high and we are happy. I realised I can't stop singing when I am truly happy. When the children were born I just wanted to sing, whenever you are in love we talk of our heart singing and all I do is bring that out because I want to express it. Maybe there is a similarity to the birds then because I am saying this is my space, my happy territory look and see.

The plain truth is that I always want to sing when I am out diving because diving brings me joy. I love being in the water and seeing life. I love the company of other dives and so it is I sing.

The singing always enhances the emotion too, and why shouldn't it because it reverberates through your entire body.

It reminded me of something I had learnt from a trip to Fiji several years ago. It was an enormous privilege to visit Fiji not only is it beautiful with stunning dives, Fiji is also home to some of the most wonderful people I have ever met.

Most are poor by Western standards but they have an immeasurable richness in their souls. Many told me they lived in paradise. So often you are greeted by a hug not a handshake and you are always treated like a long lost friend re-found. The Fijian for hello is "Bula" which also means I love you and people say "Bula" in the warmest greeting. If you ever get the chance get to Fiji, meet the people and see for yourself, but be prepared it may change your whole outlook.

The thing I really want to point out is that they all sing, some of them told me that is what you are supposed to do. We are all supposed to, because it is a way of saying thanks and it brings immeasurable joy and closeness. Check out Fijians in their churches on a Sunday. No inhibitions just singing with all their might making glorious sounds and saying thankyou.

I sing when I am out diving for the same reason, so rather than look oddly if you see me on a boat belting out a Robbie Williams tune, why not just join in I guarantee it will make you feel good. Just in case you are wondering I also sing in the shower for similar reasons.

Love Life and Dive (and sing!)