New Diver Considering DIR

[TSandM]

Ah, yes, I forgot Ray! (I've never met him, so I guess maybe that's why.) Canada has been doing well in collecting GUE instructors the last couple of years.

 

[nadwidny]

Ray LeFrense is also a Canadian GUE instructor, based in Edmonton. He teaches in Calgary as well and claims he can be convinced without much effort to go to BC.

It doesn't take much convincing for any of us in Edmonton to go anywhere for any reason at any time.

Getting back on topic, as others have said the absolute best way to learn the system is hooking up with local DIR divers and diving with them in tandem with taking the courses.

 

[matt88]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I currently live just north of Toronto (for the next year or so, then mebey to vancouver island). I am looking to dive on the Bruce peninsula around Tobermory. I know the water is quite cold and understand that will affect my equipment choices. If someone can point to an instructor or people to dive with that would be amazing. I’m looking to do the research on gear and instructors so that come spring I will be ready to start diving.

 

[kathydee]

Just shared this thread with a few divers in your area .

 

[gitterdun]

Hey Matt!

Our group is one of the GUE groups in Ontario, and we dive across Southern Ontario. We have founded, "DIR Ontario," and if you would like more information, please feel free to message me. We often mentor newer divers, and do have a GUE Instructor in our group (Steve Blanchard). Feel free to contact him, too... steveb@gue.com.

We are constantly organizing events across Ontario, and new divers are always welcome!

Please message me, and we can get together!

 

[Warren_L]

Hello

I have a few questions about DIR diving and Is DIR right for me? As well as where I should go in my diving career and how I get there. Do I continue doing my padi courses and gain more experience and start taking DIR courses later or start
First off about me: I’m 23 years old and very fit. I’m a very new diver I have only done 12 dives (padi AOW). The reason in looking at DIR diving is because I rock climb in a DIR style. I will explain: when I climb I do so by two basic philosophies, Keep It Simple Stupid and prior planning prevents piss pour performance. When racking up my gear or climbing, I do it the same way every time so that if the SHTF I know what to do. I do the same thing every time I don’t care if I’m climbing a 100 foot fun climb or pushing my limits on a 500 foot epic. I also believe that it is all about the basics, people can’t expect to climb large objectives without a very good grasp on basic skills. I feel the same way about diving. After taking my PADI AOW I realized I really know nothing about how to dive. I feel it was not instructors but how the course is designed. By no means am I bashing the instructors or dive masters they were great but after the course I wanted more.

As for gear I don’t have much. Fins mask wetsuit weight belt and that is kind of it. The gear aspect of DIR also has me thinking about how I climb and the gear I use. I like simple gear that works well. I was looking at a dive rite single wing package Backplates & Harnesses by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express and the hog single tank set up Hogarthian Configuration Regulator Packages - Dive Gear Express. As for bottom timer if have no idea.

The course I was looking at was taking first is the GUE fundamental but then after that I not sure where to go. I kind of want to do the double’s course but should I take the rec 1 first? Any advice or info I’m all ears.
Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post

Hi Matt, there's a whole group of GUE divers in the Toronto Area. Fire me a message and we'll get you set up with dives, training, etc.