DIR-F report: This ain’t no Clown College

[Lexy]

Good job Christian! Thanks for sharing your experience with us...

I have a question - would you have done anything differently in order to prepare for the course? If so, what?

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Nice report Christian. Sounds like a class I could take. Yikes! That's what happens when you switch to jet fins, the dark side starts calling!

 

[headhunter]

Good job Christian! Thanks for sharing your experience with us...

I have a question - would you have done anything differently in order to prepare for the course? If so, what?

Lexy,

I would not have done anything different.

I purposely did not prepare in any way to take the class. I wanted to make sure that I went into the class as a blank canvas ready to get shot with a paintball gun.

It was really a lot of fun!

Christian

 

[WaterDawg]

After this class, I have come to the conclusion that PADI is to GUE as Lower Alabama Community College is to USC, Both can get you a degree and you get what you pay for.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Nice report Christian. Sounds like a class I could take. Yikes! That's what happens when you switch to jet fins, the dark side starts calling!

You have tasted the Kool-Aid ... and the more you sip, the more it starts to taste like champagne ... :browsmile

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[piikki]

Lexy,

I would not have done anything different.

I purposely did not prepare in any way to take the class. I wanted to make sure that I went into the class as a blank canvas ready to get shot with a paintball gun.

It was really a lot of fun!

Christian

I like your approach Christian. It won’t be hard for me mimic either because I do not honestly think I can practice too many things right on my own (yes, I tried the backwards kick and it put me off). However, I have a serious question – how wrong can you go with assuming the knees up attitude? Like this is no joke! In the last ten dives of the season, I slung my legs up, and tried that and didn’t find it difficult – but maybe it has a trick to it too? Should I safely continue practicing/diving in this position before Fundies without having anyone show me how it really is supposed to be done? … Talking about fundamentals…

 

[Rick Inman]

I purposely did not prepare in any way to take the class. I wanted to make sure that I went into the class as a blank canvas ready to get shot with a paintball gun.

You are wise.

My canvas was randomly splashed with paint, mud, motor oil, and sewage. Any real art was buried under the sludge.

 

[headhunter]

However, I have a serious question – how wrong can you go with assuming the knees up attitude?

<snip>

Should I safely continue practicing/diving in this position before Fundies without having anyone show me how it really is supposed to be done?

Actually, I didn't have a problem with the knees up attitude. This is how I usuallly dive anyway. I've had "my own version" of a modified flutter for quite a while. I look forward to doing a more efficient version of that now. Although it was funny to see that my trim started out pretty good at the beginning of the class and got worse as I tried to incorporate the new things I was trying to learn.

I dont think that continuing to try using good trim will negatively affect you.

Christian

 

[dbush]

After this class, I have come to the conclusion that PADI is to GUE as Lower Alabama Community College is to USC, Both can get you a degree and you get what you pay for.

Too funny, but so true! I was a fairly experienced diver (adv., Nitrox, rescue) going into DIR-F, but it was like learing to swim all over again. Very frustrating to begin with but once I started to catch on it was great. Keep working on that Backwards kick. All of a sudden, you'll just "get it". It comes in very handy. And hey, if you enjoyed feeling like and incompetant clown that has never swam before, you ought to try Tech 1 (I bet Cave 1 is even worse but I haven't been through that trauma yet). The classes are tough and the standards are high, but once you make it through, you really feel like you've acomplished something. :luxhello:

Dave Bush
Titusville, FL

 

[radinator]

Hey Christian! I just got back from Cabo (where I received the coveted Mexican Mystery Malady award, from which I am still recovering) and saw your report. Congrats on your experience!