Julian Loh and photographer Chong Wei Hong slip into the warm tropical waters of Pulau Tioman for a few hours and come away with something unexpected: an experience of a lifetime.

Upon arrival at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort in the late afternoon, it is hard not to be taken by what is offer: spectacular sun, sea and sand in a laidback atmosphere. I am so enthralled by my surroundings that I almost forget the task at hand, which is to experience the resort's Discover Scuba programme.
I meet up with my designated instructor, Richard Ng Khim Sung, who has 18 years of teaching scuba under his belt. He advises me to take it easy for the rest of the day that he will be waiting for me at the Berjaya Tioman Dive Centre bright and early the next morning. With nothing else planned, I hit the beach to catch a few rays.

CLASS IN SESSION

The following morning, Wei Hong and I commence our course with a 20- minute video on basic precautions and practices. The utmost attention is required as a great deal of information is covered, such as the technique of equalising (the practice of holding your nose and blowing through your mouth to pop your ears which should be done every few feet to counter the effects of air pressure). Other procedures illustrated include the clearing of water from inside masks, proper operation of equipment and basic hand signals for underwater communication.

SUITED AND BOOTED

After filling up the relevant medical forms, Ng explains the equipment to us. He is quite stern but thorough as he knows the dangers of what can happen underwater and makes sure his students understand them as well.
Since both Wei Hong and I wear glasses, we are extremely lucky that two masks with corrective lenses are suitable for us. Upon wiggling into a diving suit, we are briefed on the correct usage of the regulator- the device that provides oxygen underwater- and the Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)- which controls underwater stability and is used ascend and descend.
Ng tests us on what we have learned so far, going through everything for a second time to ensure we are well versed on what to do. After 30mins, we are fully kitted out and ready to proceed to the next lesson.

SO SHALLOW YET SO DEEP

We walk to the beach for a familiarisation dive to get used to the breathing technique, the feeling of being underwater and basic procedures. The area itself is shallow and if we stand upright, our heads are above the water. With regulators firmly in mouth, we take the plunge upon Ng's command and drop to our knees- we are now completely submerged.

The sensation of breathing underwater for the first time is something that has to be experienced to be believed. As I look around in amazement for a few short seconds, Ng promptly pulls me close. There is always a risk of injury even shallow water and he does not want to take any chances.

He uses hand signals to ask if we are okay. We both reply in the affirmative and he proceeds to run through the standard procedures. During this time, we give him the unsure hand gesture when he asks how we feel about attempting certain tasks. His reply is to push both hands in a downward pressing motion, telling us to relax.
One procedure is learning how to react if the regulator falls out. This involves removing it from the mouth with the right hand, dropping it to the side and using the right arm in a smooth backstroke-like sweeping motion to bring it to the front whilst the left hand is ready to grab it back into place-everything should be done in less than 15 seconds whilst gently exhaling.
This task seems daunting at first. While watching Ng perform it, I cannot help but think of the consequences of not finding the regulator in time. This basic safety procedure is of paramount importance and Ng makes us repeat it twice.
"I won't teach fancy stuff, only the essentials to dive safely- not just for the few days with me, but for life" -Richard Ng Khim Sung.

A LAND DOWN UNDER

The final part of the programme is Discover Scuba experience, a guided dive at the nearby Renggis Island. Although it is considered shallow at a depth of about 16 m, the hard coral located around the island attracts a wealth of marine life.
Ng explains that more experienced divers often think they are being misled when informed that they will be diving in a shallow location so close to land. He says a common misconception is the deeper you dive, the more you will see. This is completely debunked by Renggis Island.

We are brought by speedboat to the relatively small island. With my back towards the sea and palm on regulator, I fall backwards into the water upon Ng's command. We swim to a guide rope that leads downwards and are given the all-clear to deflate the BCD, which makes us sink gradually.

Underwater, Ng quickly motions for me to equalise. Since we were not able to practice this procedure during the beach dive due to shallow depth, I fail to do so properly. The further I descend, the more pain I develop in my left eardrum. A panic attack hits and acting out of supervision ( a huge mistake), I press the inflate button of the BCD and quickly move up the rope.

As I reach the surface and gasp for air, my regulator flies about like an unmanned hose set on full blast. Ng shakes his head and tells me to put it back into my mouth, relax and go back down. When done properly, there is no discomfort. The experience also highlights the importance of remaining calm.

Ng hands us a rope to hold onto as he brings us on the guided tour. This time round, I notice lots of aquatic life about us as we descend, including jackfish, cuttlefish, hard coral, sea cucumbers and giant clams. One particular batfish seems intent on following us around like a scene out of a Disney animation.

Ng motions to his right and the sight that greets us is astounding: a whole school of regal barracudas as far as the eye can see. I am momentarily frozen in awe by flurry of wide eyes, gaping mouths and shimmering bodies. I snap back to attention as Ng tugs the rope to remind me to stay within arm's reach.

Another astounding sight is that of a large turtle gliding elegantly through the water. The 40-minute tour seems to last an eternity, which we relish every second of.

SCHOOL'S OUT

The best thing about the Discover Scuba programme is the lack of commitment required. It is designed as a light-hearted introduction to the world of scuba-diving and is ideal for those who are unsure if the recreational sport is their thing.

For those who would like to take their interest further, Berjaya Tioman Dive Centre is fully PADI certified and offers various courses to fulfil most requirements. I have a brief chat with Grace Tan and her brother, Andrew Tan, from Bentong, who have signed up for the three-day PADI Open Water Diver Course. She comments that the most difficult aspect of the course is maintaining buoyancy whilst the most enjoyable is getting up close with the aquatic life.

Ng, who runs the centre with two additional instructors, his wife, Dorothy Lim Foong and Wan Ahmad Nazri, explains people come to them for the personalised service that they offer. Classes and dives are limited to groups of four, as anything larger would hinder and instructor's ability to focus equally on everyone. In addition, large groups tend to disturb the aquatic life.

The centre has a number of return customers such as Chikako Takagi from Japan, who first came to the resort two years ago and proudly claims to have returned over 10 times since, citing the friendly staff of Berjaya Tioman and the easy dives filled with aquatic life as the main draws.

Information: Visit www.berjayahotels-resorts.com or contact BERJAYA TIOMAN BEACH, GOLF & SPA RESORT Tioman, Pahang, KL RESERVATIONS OFFICE at + 603 2141 0088 / 2145 4107