Instructor Gender

[divebunnie]

I was taught by two guys who were great, and with whom I had not only great fun but felt totally safe. I was learning in Egypt, and must admit that one thing that did make me feel comfortable was the fact that they were English. I think when you are close to the edge of your comfort zone, excellent communication is essential, and had there been a language barrier, I may not have felt quite so secure. We were also made to feel that no question was too simple or daft, all in all a great experience.
I think it is probably the person that makes the difference and not the sex. Having said that, as a woman who is gently inching towards the Instructor route, if anyone feels that they would prefer a female instructor, who am I to disagree!!

 

[annie]

I had a male OW instructor who was great, and a female AOW instructor who wasn't so great, but gender makes no difference to me whatsoever. I can understand many girls feeling more at ease with a female instructor if she happened to be there. However I can only partly understand why a woman would specify that they want a female instructor unless they had real issues with men. Most guy instructors, to give them credit are very professional and do not intimidate people. To say you don't want a male instructor seems to me to be a statement against men, as if they're all untrustworthy or macho or something. Do many women think of men like this? Is it a fear thing? Why?

To answer my own question I think Dive_Girl PNW has made a good point:

>>Sometimes when learning a physical sport that makes one step out of their "comfort zone" people will seek what they believe they will feel comfortable with.<<

I'm probably talking complete rubbish and don't mean to offend anyone. I feel comfortable around men in general anyway so never was an issue for me.