Bas Tol(B.A.S.Diving)
Registered
Yes, I will take people diving in swim shorts and shorty's. But for some sites I would recommend a full suit. Just so you don't scratch yourself with the entry and exit (Boka Spelonk comes to mind) or while moving through tight spaces like going through the "fun park" at Washikemba. Took a guy in shorts to Washikemba yesterday and had no problems.
As fas as groups.... that's a bit more complicated. As a standard I would say no groups larger than 4 divers.
But much depends on the composition of the group (experience/skill levels, their abilities, age... are they fit?) And also weather/sea conditions play a role. When conditions are rougher and diving conditions more serious I might turn down a dive with 4 where I would be OK when it were only two divers. Other limiting factors could be the thickness of the dive booties, big rig camera's, side mounts and rebreathers. And before I get jumped on by the sidemounters and rebreathers... it may require different entry/exit strategies/logistics that I am not familiar with. I want you to get a good experience and not get you or your equipment beat up. I need to be able to control/oversee what is going to happen upon entry/exit... how it will play out... and tell you in detail how to do it. So I am sure all with be fine. And if I am not sure about it I will not do it. It's very different, a coventional kit VS a large backpack, lots of hoses and a tank strapped on your belly...
I do not make groups. If I get booked by a buddy pair or 3,4 divers, it will remain a buddy pair or 3,4 divers. I can do more with smaller groups... better, longer dives and more site choices. To each their own dive!! (I sometimes make combinations if I have two single divers with matching experience/skill levels and abilities) When I used to work for dive shops they always wanted me to make groups. And many times it made me feel bad. Looking at a great dive... one half would be fine with it, the other half of the group....uhhh, not a good idea!! Or one buddy pair done at 45 minutes while the other could have gone for another 45 minutes. I hate it, not doing it! Better make two different dives that match the wishes and abilities of those divers.
I find 4 already quite a lot sometimes. It's nice to also be able to show some of the cool small stuff that can be found on the east side. That's more difficult and time consuming with larger groups.
Basically I want people to experience the dive just like I do, up front, with an unobstructed view and see everything just like I see it. The more divers you add the more difficult this becomes. To the point where I say "it will not be the experience I would like it to be for you"
I take pride in my dives, it's not all about the money. I care more about delivering an awesome experience. But when the weather is nice and the sea is calm it is possible to dive with more than 4. But I will tell you upfront it will not be what it could be... But with a nice discount everyone can still be happy (and safe!) But when it becomes more than 6 I will just say no regardless of discounts and experience levels.
On my night dives which I prefer to do at Cai, I will take no more than 2. There is just too much to show to take any more. We would lose too much time on me showing things. Some things will be gone before I get to show the 3rd diver. At night it's mostly about small stuff, 3 - 4 divers close together... cluster f***! I have done it a few times, go with 3, because they were together... but always regretted it. People loved it (all though some said it was quite 'busy' down there) But only I know what they missed....
As fas as groups.... that's a bit more complicated. As a standard I would say no groups larger than 4 divers.
But much depends on the composition of the group (experience/skill levels, their abilities, age... are they fit?) And also weather/sea conditions play a role. When conditions are rougher and diving conditions more serious I might turn down a dive with 4 where I would be OK when it were only two divers. Other limiting factors could be the thickness of the dive booties, big rig camera's, side mounts and rebreathers. And before I get jumped on by the sidemounters and rebreathers... it may require different entry/exit strategies/logistics that I am not familiar with. I want you to get a good experience and not get you or your equipment beat up. I need to be able to control/oversee what is going to happen upon entry/exit... how it will play out... and tell you in detail how to do it. So I am sure all with be fine. And if I am not sure about it I will not do it. It's very different, a coventional kit VS a large backpack, lots of hoses and a tank strapped on your belly...
I do not make groups. If I get booked by a buddy pair or 3,4 divers, it will remain a buddy pair or 3,4 divers. I can do more with smaller groups... better, longer dives and more site choices. To each their own dive!! (I sometimes make combinations if I have two single divers with matching experience/skill levels and abilities) When I used to work for dive shops they always wanted me to make groups. And many times it made me feel bad. Looking at a great dive... one half would be fine with it, the other half of the group....uhhh, not a good idea!! Or one buddy pair done at 45 minutes while the other could have gone for another 45 minutes. I hate it, not doing it! Better make two different dives that match the wishes and abilities of those divers.
I find 4 already quite a lot sometimes. It's nice to also be able to show some of the cool small stuff that can be found on the east side. That's more difficult and time consuming with larger groups.
Basically I want people to experience the dive just like I do, up front, with an unobstructed view and see everything just like I see it. The more divers you add the more difficult this becomes. To the point where I say "it will not be the experience I would like it to be for you"
I take pride in my dives, it's not all about the money. I care more about delivering an awesome experience. But when the weather is nice and the sea is calm it is possible to dive with more than 4. But I will tell you upfront it will not be what it could be... But with a nice discount everyone can still be happy (and safe!) But when it becomes more than 6 I will just say no regardless of discounts and experience levels.
On my night dives which I prefer to do at Cai, I will take no more than 2. There is just too much to show to take any more. We would lose too much time on me showing things. Some things will be gone before I get to show the 3rd diver. At night it's mostly about small stuff, 3 - 4 divers close together... cluster f***! I have done it a few times, go with 3, because they were together... but always regretted it. People loved it (all though some said it was quite 'busy' down there) But only I know what they missed....
