DIR-F @ Casino Point -v- Redondo

[MHK]

I get asked frequently why we don't run our classes at Redondo, as opposed to Casino Point, which is where we normally run the classes. Obviously from an economic standpoint it is much more economically feasible to use Redondo. Please understand that I'm very sensitive to the students cost concerns, but also realize that I also care deeply about making sure the students receive value for their tuition dollars.

Simply put, the vast majority of the class takes place in the 20' range +/- a few feet. With that said, using Redondo more often then not puts us in the surge zone and makes preforming the skills significantly more difficult given the conditions. Trust me, we've tried to use Redondo but our experiences have proven that when the conditions don't allow for diving it is next to impossible to get everyone's schedule coordinated for subsequent weekends. Casino Point, while more costly, generally allows for more likeliehood of proper conditions.

Hope that clarifies why we use Casino Point in lieu of Redondo, but I would certainly love to hear from former students and prospective students to get your thoughts from your vantage point.

Thanks

 

[Mo2vation]

Hope that clarifies why we use Casino Point in lieu of Redondo, but I would certainly love to hear from former students and prospective students to get your thoughts from your vantage point.

Thanks

I think our class back in 2003 was one of the first ones at Casino Point.

At that time, I wasn't diving Vets as frequently as I am now. With what I know about Vets now, its very, very often hit-or-miss at those shallow depths. Of course, there are those days when its just perfect. But very often, because of the exposure of the shelf and that sand plateau you'd be drilling over all day, the particulates in the water make viz poorer, the surge is often pushing and pulling and the surface is always choppy (making the frequent "pop-up and correct the team" chats even tougher...)

Casino Point, on the other hand is more protected (save the occasional super duper Santa Ana conditions), the water nearly always clearer, the entries and exits after a long day always easier (stairs v. sand), your gear is closer (not a schlep across the sand, up the steps, through the parking lot, etc.) if you need something, there is shade if its blistering (there is none at Vets) the video will be clearer and you'll get to see more / learn more as the water has better viz and is usually surge-free, etc, etc...

There is also the hang. When you're taking the class at Casion Point, there is an element of emersion. You're eating with the other candidates, hanging out with the other candidates, up early, to bed late, etc. Also, you get much more of the instructor's time because, frankly, dude is on an island and isn't going anyplace. What I'm saying is this: On Catalina, DIR/F class doesn't end each afternoon when you pack your gear. It continues, non-stop from landing to departure (even on the ride back to the mainland if you're all on the same boat...) You'd never get that experience at Vets when everyone rolls in each morning then simply goes home to their own place each evening.

I could go on and on. My DIR/F at Catalina was one of the best investments in my diving. The incremental costs of getting there and staying there when weighed against the better teaching environment and the sheer volume of the instructor's time you get make Catalina a no brainer in my book.

---
Ken

 

[headhunter]

I agree that I probably got a lot more out of my weekend at Casino Point with you than I would have at Vet's in Redondo Beach.

We were even having one of those Santa Ana wind conditions that make the Casino Point Dive Park look like Victory at Sea. We still had great vis and minor surge when we dropped down to the spot where we were going to watch your skills demonstrations and then repeat them for the camera.

The video feedback is one of the most helpful parts of this class and with poor vis and surgy conditions at Vet's this value would be greatly diminished.

I believe you get far more for your money by going to Casino Point and the camaraderie that you build with the group by spending the weekend is priceless.

Christian

 

[CompuDude]

While I appreciate the savings involved for Redondo, I fully agree with the choice of Catalina for the courses. Clearer water, calmer conditions, more immersive (har-har). A night or two in a hotel isn't THAT much money, and you get considerable benefits in return for the extra money.

 

[Kevrumbo]

I thought holding the Tech 1 Class last year at Vet's Park Redondo Beach was an insane decision. Even on the calmest day out there, I usually get wiped-out anyway in the surf zone by a six-footer rogue wave.

The only diver I know who regularly braves & has mastered those treacherous conditions, who frequently dives there in doubles day or night (2 or 3 times a week year 'round?), and who knows every square inch of Vet's Park Redondo down thru the Canyon is Rayna from Pacific Wilderness (Congrats btw on earning your Trimix Cert with Andy Huber!). . .

 

[MHK]

While I appreciate the savings involved for Redondo, I fully agree with the choice of Catalina for the courses. Clearer water, calmer conditions, more immersive (har-har). A night or two in a hotel isn't THAT much money, and you get considerable benefits in return for the extra money.

We've actually begun pooling the resources of the class and using a certain hotel ( who's name I'll omit since I don't want everyone learning about it ;-) ) but in actuality by pooling the team's resources it works out cheaper and we get too stay in a nicer hotel with added room for conferences and debriefs. Credit for this goes to Karim from Hollywood Divers since he is the one that usually does the organizing. Thanks Karim..

 

[TSandM]

I would have loved to have done Fundies at Casino Point. We had a half hour drive between the classroom and the dive site, and a 45 minute drive from the classroom to my house. It made the days painfully longer, and we didn't have any gorgeous kelp or Garibaldis to look at while we were waiting for our turn at things, either.

 

[David Watson]

Mike,

I agree that Casino Point is a good place for this class due to all the above mentioned. The team aspect it develops is very important. I also agree that the conditions can be a bit more accomodating.

My question more is about checkout dives. I heard that you will be doing checkout dives at Casino Point next month. I personally cannot afford a trip out to catalina solely for this. Are you going to be doing any days for checkout dives at Vet's Park or maybe up in Malibu at Pt. Dume? Conditions in Pt. Dume are usually more predictable.

David

 

[HBDiveGirl]

I would have loved to have done Fundies at Casino Point. We had a half hour drive between the classroom and the dive site, and a 45 minute drive from the classroom to my house. It made the days painfully longer, and we didn't have any gorgeous kelp or Garibaldis to look at while we were waiting for our turn at things, either.

hee hee.... I remember that kelp.

I remember how it pursued me throughout class, wrapping itself around me and my team in ways that almost seemed intentional. :scared:

That's another benefit to doing Fundies at Casino Point: Many more props for the instructors to use as they, uh.... "enhance" the experience.

Even the garibaldis participate, nipping belligerently at any stray hand placed in their personal territories.
"That'll teach ya to hover correctly without touching structure on the bottom."

(Lynne, I'm sooo glad you enjoyed the Little-Orange-New-Yorkers-with-Fins-and-Scales. Aren't they the best?? )


Casino Point was a GREAT place to take fundamentals with Michael. The visibility was wonderful. There's nothing like a crystal-clear video tape evidence on the big screen at Antonios to pound new awareness into one's task-loaded skull.

Fundies turned my diving around... my underwater fun escalated 10 fold!

~~~~~~
Claudette

 

[MHK]

My question more is about checkout dives. I heard that you will be doing checkout dives at Casino Point next month. I personally cannot afford a trip out to catalina solely for this. Are you going to be doing any days for checkout dives at Vet's Park or maybe up in Malibu at Pt. Dume? Conditions in Pt. Dume are usually more predictable.

David

Dave,

Call me next week after I get back from beating on Karim and we'll work out something ;-)

As an FYI to all that are asking about re-eval's give me another week, or so, and I'll be posting dates for re-evaluations so if you haven't been practising now is the time..

Thanks