Written by Sophie Kalkowski-Pope
Note to self: When it’s your first time driving in Sydney, don’t take a hire car into peak hour traffic going across the Sydney Harbour Bridge… I survived! Despite the chaos, I must admit it was quite a unique experience getting to drive across the Sydney Harbour bridge at sunset with all the twinkling lights.
After returning from the OWUSS scholarship ceremony in New York, I travelled down to Sydney to connect with my sponsors for the coming year…
First stop was the Tabata Warehouse where I had the chance to connect with the legendary sales manager David Balsom. This day for an Australasian Scholar feels a bit like a kid in a candy shop. Walking through the warehouse surrounded by mountains of stock, you’re told to take your pick of masks, fins, wetsuits, and more along with your new BCD and regs.
Throughout the day, your pile gradually accumulates, spreading further and further across the room. After using second hand gear my whole life, it was surreal to be getting fully kitted out from head to toe in brand new diving equipment. Thank you TUSA and Waterproof!
A highlight of the day for me was getting fitted for my new Waterproof DX7 Drysuit! I’ve never dived in a drysuit before, so getting familiar with all the zips and seals was a totally new experience for me. I can’t wait to experience the sensation of being warm and dry in frigid waters!
David patiently guided me through the whole process, and I can’t thank him enough for his company and professionalism throughout the day.
Later in the day, I headed across town to Mako eyewear, where friendly owner Gail and brand manager Lloyd met me.
Here they explained the different lens shapes, frames and polarisation technologies Mako utilises in their lenses! I was excited to receive multiple pairs of sunnies and know my eyes will be well protected while working out on the water during my scholarship year.
After an absolute whirlwind of a trip, I travelled up to Cairns to have a bit of family time. While I was here though, I put together my new camera rig from Reef Photo and Video.
While it was my first time setting up my Nauticam housing, we eventually figured out the different seals and strobes and vacuum pump and had a fully functioning camera!
Excited to get into the water and test out the new equipment, we actually did the first two dives of my scholarship year in the freshwater creek in my mum’s property in Far North Queensland. Travelling to the vast depth of 3-5m, we explored around the reeds, spotting a variety of freshwater fish, turtles and eels!
Despite a myriad of dud shots, I was pretty happy to come away with a few photos I was happy with after my first session!
I even had the chance out to try out my new 7mm wetsuit from Waterproof while on a nightdive in our creek! You southerners may laugh at the Queenslander wearing a 7mm in the tropics, but it was a brisk 19°C in our rainforest creek.
A big shoutout to close family friend Phill Woodhead for coming down for the day and coaching me through the equipment setup for the first time.
Next stop for me is Walindi Plantation Resort for two weeks to experience the underwater magic of the Kimbe Province!
I am so grateful to OWUSS for making opportunities I would not have dreamed of before and broadening my horizons to a global scale. A special thank you to the countless volunteers behind OWUSS, and the sponsors that make this scholarship possible at ROLEX. I would also like to thank my equipment sponsors at TUSA, Waterproof International, Reef Photo & Video, Mako Eyewear, my camera gear sponsors at Reef Photo & Video, Nauticam, and long time scholarship supporters DAN, and PADI.
To follow along on my adventures, I highly recommend you follow me on social media!
My Instagram @sophie_dives is where I post most regularly.
You can also contact me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Tiktok, and the Australasian Scholar Facebook Page.
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