H2Andy
Contributor
a quick report of my DIR-F class this weekend, in High Springs, Florida.
the class itself was taught by three instructors in training, and they would be
evaluated at the end of the class to obtain their instructor certificate. they
were Garth McMurdie, Mark Messersmith, and Bob Bourke, and three more
professional instructors are hard to imagine. they knew their stuff, were awesome
instructors, and had a lot of fun too.
Jarrod Jablonski and David Rhea were evaluating Garth, Mark, and Bob, so basically
Jarrod and David watched everything we did...which was... somewhat... oh well :11:
also, there were three interns watching the class so they could meet their
observation requirements, and a few other guys as well. All were awesome,
and the epitome of friendly and professional.
at the beginning of the class, Jarrod said a few words. i asked him about the DIR
Open Water class, and he said that they're implementing it right now and should be
ready to go this year.
after that, it was all Garth, Mark, and Bob. there were two students, Levavie
and myself. so... never in the history of DIR-F have so few been instructed by
so many. we definetely lucked out!
After a morning of lectures and equipment test, off to Ginnie to complete the swim test. in reverse order, the 50-foot breath hold was easy, just a head game. on the other hand, the 300 yard swim was really tough for me. i fractured my L1 vertebrae and my right shoulder in October, and they are both mostly healed, but still sore at times.
well... wouldn't you know it... about fifty yards into the swim, my right shoulder
is killing me on every stroke, and getting worse. i even swallowed a little bit of
water. so... i figured, i would get on my back and finish the swim that way (the
shoulder was able to handle the paddling once i got on my back).
with a lot of help from Garth, who stayed with me and steered me with his voice,
i was able to finish the 300 yard swim in 11:30 minutes. i don't think i've ever been
more relieved than when i fnished that swim. i really thought i was not going to be
able to make it.
the next two days of diving were very tiring, very demanding. at 38, i guess i'm
just not a spring chicken anymore to be learning these sort of things. our first
air share drill was a total cluster fudge, but we got it to where it was recognizable
(if not pretty), and the timed ascents, first without and then with an air share,
were truly challenging. the task-loading was significant.
watching the videos of Lebovin and I dive was very educational, and they have
given me a very good idea of my true abilities as a diver, with lots lots lots lots
of stuff to work on.
overall, i found the class to be an extremely fun and challenging time. above all,
i just loved Mark, Bob, and Garth, who were just phenomenally helpful and willing
to share their knowledge and experience. that goes for all the guys there. it was
just humbling to see what awesome divers these guys were.
in fact, i don't think i've ever been around better divers than these guys. and yet,
what came across from them was their desire to share what they know and help
us become better divers. it was just an amazing experience.
oh... on the third day, before our first dive, Jarrod and i happened to be in the
bathroom and Blue Grotto together, so he asked me how my shoulder was
doing. i said, "It's ok when it doesn't hurt."
those must be the dumbest words that have ever been uttered in that bathroom.
the class itself was taught by three instructors in training, and they would be
evaluated at the end of the class to obtain their instructor certificate. they
were Garth McMurdie, Mark Messersmith, and Bob Bourke, and three more
professional instructors are hard to imagine. they knew their stuff, were awesome
instructors, and had a lot of fun too.
Jarrod Jablonski and David Rhea were evaluating Garth, Mark, and Bob, so basically
Jarrod and David watched everything we did...which was... somewhat... oh well :11:
also, there were three interns watching the class so they could meet their
observation requirements, and a few other guys as well. All were awesome,
and the epitome of friendly and professional.
at the beginning of the class, Jarrod said a few words. i asked him about the DIR
Open Water class, and he said that they're implementing it right now and should be
ready to go this year.
after that, it was all Garth, Mark, and Bob. there were two students, Levavie
and myself. so... never in the history of DIR-F have so few been instructed by
so many. we definetely lucked out!
After a morning of lectures and equipment test, off to Ginnie to complete the swim test. in reverse order, the 50-foot breath hold was easy, just a head game. on the other hand, the 300 yard swim was really tough for me. i fractured my L1 vertebrae and my right shoulder in October, and they are both mostly healed, but still sore at times.
well... wouldn't you know it... about fifty yards into the swim, my right shoulder
is killing me on every stroke, and getting worse. i even swallowed a little bit of
water. so... i figured, i would get on my back and finish the swim that way (the
shoulder was able to handle the paddling once i got on my back).
with a lot of help from Garth, who stayed with me and steered me with his voice,
i was able to finish the 300 yard swim in 11:30 minutes. i don't think i've ever been
more relieved than when i fnished that swim. i really thought i was not going to be
able to make it.
the next two days of diving were very tiring, very demanding. at 38, i guess i'm
just not a spring chicken anymore to be learning these sort of things. our first
air share drill was a total cluster fudge, but we got it to where it was recognizable
(if not pretty), and the timed ascents, first without and then with an air share,
were truly challenging. the task-loading was significant.
watching the videos of Lebovin and I dive was very educational, and they have
given me a very good idea of my true abilities as a diver, with lots lots lots lots
of stuff to work on.
overall, i found the class to be an extremely fun and challenging time. above all,
i just loved Mark, Bob, and Garth, who were just phenomenally helpful and willing
to share their knowledge and experience. that goes for all the guys there. it was
just humbling to see what awesome divers these guys were.
in fact, i don't think i've ever been around better divers than these guys. and yet,
what came across from them was their desire to share what they know and help
us become better divers. it was just an amazing experience.
oh... on the third day, before our first dive, Jarrod and i happened to be in the
bathroom and Blue Grotto together, so he asked me how my shoulder was
doing. i said, "It's ok when it doesn't hurt."
those must be the dumbest words that have ever been uttered in that bathroom.
