DIR vs Hogarthian

[elan]

If you want GUE training that would be your best bet. Steve trains out of ottawa.
Bob Sherwood also does training in Torono but he is not local to here so they bring him in.
If you have a group of 3 you can brin the instructor in I know Steve travels

 

[elmer fudd]

One thing I keep reading is that Bill Hogarth Main is still alive and kicking and that he continues to refine his diving gear to this day. I'm unable to find any references to what those changes have been though. It seems like the definition of Hogarthian is frozen in time somewhere around 1990. Does anyone happen to know what the guy who came up with this configuration is diving today? Another relevant question would be why is he using his current set up? Does it have to do with injuries and age or has he come up with something he feels is better in the last couple decades. Also, is it significantly different than what we think of as Hogarthian?

 

[fnfalman]

What reason could you have for advising a new diver against further training? It is his money to spend, and he won't be instructing or guiding others.

Is it so bad to learn the correct way of doing things before you spend 200 dives practising? (I'm talking about training in general, not just DIR)

Because good buddies/mentors are more than worthwhile over mediocre instructors.

 

[Griffo]

Because good buddies/mentors are more than worthwhile over mediocre instructors.

While that may be true, I did fundies with less than 50 dives and the wife with about 30. It improved our diving out of sight. Buoyancy control, propulsion, trim, gear setup, dive planning, gas management etc etc

I'd recommend it to everyone - just don't do it thinking that you will come out the other end a fully certified tech diver.

I learnt more in 6 dives and 2 classroom sessions with an instructor that I would have on 500 dives relying on buddies. I actually originally sought out GUE-F after my frustrations in not being able to improve my diving despite continually asking for tips from the local instructors and dive club.

 

[Ayisha]

MKrauter, Steve Lewis (Doppler) is a very respected instructor and has invited you to contact him.

Bob Sherwood is also very respected and was just in Toronto doing Fundies last weekend. He has a group in Brockville, Ontario this coming long weekend. It's possibly a Fundies course, but I'm not sure. You could contact him if you're interested in joining them on that date or another.

Steve Blanchard is based in Ottawa, but that seems pretty far for you.

I'm not sure what happened to Dan Mackay that used to teach in Kingston sometimes. I think he's just in the States now.

There are LOTS of GUE mentors available in Ontario. If you post in the Ontario Diving Forum at http://www.OntarioDiving.com you will have no shortage of GUE divers to dive with and help you in all aspects of diving. Divers, many of them GUE, post frequently on OD looking for buddies and love to help new divers.

On Facebook, there is a group called Toronto Area Underwater Explorers at http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/TAUEGUE/?bookmark_t=group, which is a group that was created for people in the Toronto-ish area who are GUE or who are interested in GUE. Many of the same people are in the TAUE group and post their upcoming dives often. You can join and post looking for buddies/mentors as well.

I'm not GUE and can't help you, but I know MANY GUE divers and a few GUE instructors in Ontario, and it's a huge community. Once you find them, and probably not at the dive shop you're currently with, you'll see that it's actually a pretty mainstream community around here.

 

[TSandM]

Dan Mackay had some non-diving issues that have caused him to quit diving and teaching. To my knowledge, he is still in Canada.

 

[MKrauter]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

@Ayisha, I have replied to a PM Doppler sent me, as well as sent him an email. I will also think about sending Bob Sherwood and email as well. Thank you for opening my eyes to how prevalent GUE is in Ontario.

 

[elan]

I'm not GUE and can't help you, but I know MANY GUE divers and a few GUE instructors in Ontario,

do we already have a few ? Who besides Steve?

 

[Ayisha]

I didn't say they live in Ontario. I know Bob Sherwood and he's already been to Ontario 3 times this year with the fourth time being next weekend. I also know Steve Blanchard, who of course lives in Ontario. I used to see Dan MacKay sometimes in Kingston until a couple of years ago, but as TS&M said, he's not teaching now. So I know 2 current GUE instructors who teach in Ontario.

 

[elan]

@ Ayisha
Alright, then I have not missed anything, ugh. I thought someone else has got their instructor's cert. Is Bob teaching the fundies on our side next weekend?

too bad Toronto does not have good venue, Humber is good depth wise but unpredictable vis wise. Otherwise we would have more classes here. Ottawa and even Kingston are much better for that.
Yes Dan had some things going not favorable way and he is not even listed on the site as an instructor now.

@OP I would look at Ottawa option. Although its a bit of a hike but its almost as far as Brockville. The limestone quarry where Steve teaches is the best training location I have ever seen, 40m deep the vis is usually at least 50-60 ft.
The lady that owns the quarry keeps the place clean and nice she also allows divers to camp on the property so you can take a tent and save on hotel. There is a grocery store nearby.
Steve is a great instructor and goes an extra mile to help the students.

I didn't say they live in Ontario. I know Bob Sherwood and he's already been to Ontario 3 times this year with the fourth time being next weekend. I also know Steve Blanchard, who of course lives in Ontario. I used to see Dan MacKay sometimes in Kingston until a couple of years ago, but as TS&M said, he's not teaching now. So I know 2 current GUE instructors who teach in Ontario.