Another course was held at the end of April at Vobster Quay, Somerset.

Pictured are from left, Clare, Fin, Mark, Fiona and Mal - who helped out on video during the course. 

Mark, who succesfully completed the course gaining a Technical Pass had some thoughts after the course.

I’ve never been too sure about writing glowing reports about a product or a service before, as I often read them with much scepticism and doubt their credibility. However, doing my recent diving qualification has quite literally changed my diving path for good. DIR-F taught me the perfect technique for skills that I thought I had already mastered, how wrong I was. It introduced me to GUE’s holistic approach to diving, which has consequently made me a safer diver and unfortunately for my bank balance has meant that I’ll be signing up for the following GUE courses in the imminent future.

As for Clare’s tuition skills? And having been taught by a girl! Well, after this course I would have it no other way. She has so much enthusiasm for diving that you can see it bubbling out of her constantly and the only time she stops imparting knowledge and experience onto you is when she’s underwater, where her skills and talents as a diver can be seen first hand.

Thanks Clare

It was a pleasure Mark.   If you are interested in GUE training at any level - let me know.

Dir X 2007 - Plans for DIR X 2007 are underway.x

Where: Stoney Cove again as, whilst it would be nice to go somewhere else, it is central for everyone.

When: 13th and 14th October. Dive Show weekend as the Cove is quietest then and those who want to combine both the dive show and the gig can do so.

What: Usual mix of workshops, socialising, talking rubbish about diving and a bit of diving too - hopefully with new people. Kit demos, scooter races - whatever takes your fancy. Meal on Saturday night with old and new friends - time to kick back relax and have a beer or two.

Who: Anyone who is interested in DIR of course but we already have some special friends who have agreed to join us as well - more details in due course.

From 1st April 2007 students applying for courses will be required to register directly with GUE.

This post is to reassure students who are concerned that they have recieved an email asking them to follow a link to the GUE site.

This will provide you with the relevant course material (student workbook pages, copy of the presentation, supplemental reading, and quizzes) to prepare for your class. There is an administrative fee of $50 for this service which covers the provision of the materials (electronic copies) together with the registration process itself.  

In order to help smooth the tranistion to the new system, GUE are directly contacting students already registered for classes with a start date after April 1 but before 1 May. For classes which start after 1st May please visit https://secure.gue.com/catalog/order/course-registration-fee.shtm and register.

If you are unsure about the process, or need any clarification, please get in touch with me.

I was invited to speak to Ocean View's dive club about GUE diving and training.  

Poor Gavin was sitting closest to me and so got picked on to act as model to help demonstrate how the kit is worn and the prinicple of donation from the mouth.    He did a great job!  

This is what Gavin had to say.... "The audience was composed of recreational divers whom Clare quickly established had little or no experience or knowledge of the subject. (Probably why they went along!)  Clare went on to give an extremely informative and interesting talk around the principles of GUE and DIR and illustrated the talk with practical use of equipment and the use of an appropriate model (me!)  The talk also used videos of various techniques, such as fining, buoyancy control and trim.

Having done some research into the whole DIR thing myself, culminating in signing up for a Fundamentals course with John Kendall later this year, I had more awareness than the rest of the audience, but it was easy to appreciate the logical and well thought out approach that was offered as the reason for the DIR system. Clare also made the point that the DIR system didn’t just apply to twin set technical divers (in fact the equipment she had me modelling was a single cylinder and wing – just as well because I doubt I could have remained standing that long with twin 12’s!)

In my opinion this sort of talk, bringing as it does, GUE and DIR out to a wider audience can only be good and it was spooky to hear Clare echoing my own private thoughts as to why I am taking Fundamentals “because when I know that I can dive in the best way that I can then I’ll start to enjoy the diving for what there is to see whilst I’m down there”.

That for me is the motivation for taking Fundamentals, I want to end up in a position where I can hold position, in total control of trim and buoyancy and be confident in the knowledge that I have the skills to deal with that and any issues that may arise. This talk was an excellent introduction into the world of GUE and DIR and gives a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more if they’re interested, so I would urge you all to contact Clare or John and get them along for a chat."

If you are involved in a club that would like a presentation on GUE training, do let me know.