For you who are PADI and GUE experienced, especially instructors who are dual certified, I am a new diver who has passed my PADI eLearning on-line course, but am a bit confused about where to go from here. I was planning on going to get my PADI Open Water certification this summer, but then I discovered GUE after taking my test. To be honest, because of my temperament, type of job (airline pilot) and past service with the Navy, I thought the GUE approach might fit my desire for a "perceived" more disciplined way of diving and putting fitness as a high priority. (Many of the divers, instructors and DM's at my LSD are not only over weight, but obese, and it's disconcerting). Of the GUE divers I've conversed with so far, they are all very fit.
My question is this: Should I finish my PADI Open Water Cert and then decide which way to go, or just go straight to Rec 1 in GUE. My concern is that it would be much easier to stay with PADI because there are many more PADI divers at my LSD and in my area PNW than GUE divers and would be easier to find a permanent dive buddy. I'm not looking for easy though, I'm looking to explore the world and be the best diver I can be (perhaps a bit romantic, but that's my goal).
In the end, from what I see they're both great organizations and I'm sure there would be room in both for someone wanting to improve, advance and become the best diver s/he can be.
I really would appreciate guidance and your comments will be respected, no matter what your position on either agency or style of diving.
I'm very interested in not wasting time, money or people's time, but just want to find the best direction for me from those who've gone down the both paths before me.
My question is this: Should I finish my PADI Open Water Cert and then decide which way to go, or just go straight to Rec 1 in GUE. My concern is that it would be much easier to stay with PADI because there are many more PADI divers at my LSD and in my area PNW than GUE divers and would be easier to find a permanent dive buddy. I'm not looking for easy though, I'm looking to explore the world and be the best diver I can be (perhaps a bit romantic, but that's my goal).
In the end, from what I see they're both great organizations and I'm sure there would be room in both for someone wanting to improve, advance and become the best diver s/he can be.
I really would appreciate guidance and your comments will be respected, no matter what your position on either agency or style of diving.
I'm very interested in not wasting time, money or people's time, but just want to find the best direction for me from those who've gone down the both paths before me.