The CCR's are actually pretty light, only about 42 pounds fully loaded. Compared to the doubles I'm diving which are about 100 pounds fully loaded they are very light
It's a great sport. The best advice I can give over the internet is remember that it is a sport, not a hobby. The only way you can ever be good at a sport is to practice as much as possible, read up on the technical aspects as much as you can, and learn as much as you can about the science behind it. Take advice from your instructors, but make sure you do your own research and back up what they have told you with info from other sources. Just because someone told you something doesn't mean its correct, a lot of instructors don't have a lot of years/experience behind them and they don't always know what they are talking about.
What part of the country are you from? I'm up in New Hampshire but travel up and down the east coast for diving.
Figured I would pull the diving talk out of the forums... I've been diving for about 3 and a half years now but I've been in the water 'bout once a week minimum, actually about 100 dives a year. I never took any of the random little courses like nav and wreck, a lot of that stuff is better learned as you go (in my opinion.) Which training agency are you going through? I'm certified through PADI, NAUI, TDI/SDI, NSS-CDS and IANTD. My full training record is OW, AOW, Rescue, Nitrox, Intro to Tech, Adv. EANx, Heliotrox, Deco Procedures, and Full Cave. Up next is CCR and eventually CCR Trimix.
(theres another paragraph but it said its too long so I'll have to send it as two... FYI the second paragraph is a little preachy -)
