I did my first PADI Bubblemaker program in Bali, at Tulamben. My mum was there doing her fun dives, and she always looked so excited when she came back from the ocean. I wanted to know what it felt like to breathe underwater too, so I asked if I could try the Bubblemaker.

At first, I felt really happy and a bit nervous. The instructor helped me put on the gear. The tank felt heavy on my back, but I tried to stay brave. Then it was time to put the regulator in my mouth.

The moment I bit down on the mouthpiece, I knew something wasn’t right. The mouthpiece felt too big, and the regulator felt really heavy in my mouth. When I tried to breathe through it, it didn’t feel natural at all. It felt strange, and I didn’t like the feeling.

I tried a couple of breaths, but my chest felt tight and my brain said, “Nope, this is not fun!” I started panicking a bit, and I told the instructor I couldn’t do it. She was very nice and helped me stop the dive right away.

So I didn’t make it that time. I didn’t go underwater like I wanted to. I felt disappointed because I really wanted to experience diving like my mum. But the truth is — the first time I had a regulator in my mouth was not fun at all. It was uncomfortable, and I wasn’t ready yet.

But that’s okay. It was just my first try. I know I can try again when I feel more comfortable and stronger. And even though I didn’t finish the Bubblemaker program, it was still my first diving experience, and it taught me what to expect next time.