Recommendations for GUE tech 1 instructor anywhere in the world

[DivingEnthusiast1]

Hi everyone,

I have a Fundies tech pass and am looking to progress into tech 1 in GUE. I am aware that there are so many incredible instructors: Guy Shockey, Mario Arena, Gideon Liew, Richard Walker, Bob Sherwood, John Kendall and many, many others. Wanted to tap into this community to get recommendations from people who've actually taken a class with some of them.

One thing is that they are legendary divers and quality instructors, but would love to know things that are not readily apparent in their CVs such as how patient/ supportive they are, do they go the extra mile to help students get it or follow a more sink or swim approach, do they keep a positive vibe or easily show frustration/ anger. I am flexible to travel anywhere in the world, and may even prefer it for a "full immersion" diving experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[john120283]

I took Tech1 from Guy this past summer and he was great. The logistics at his place on Vancouver island were very convenient for the class.

Feel free to DM me if you’d like more details.

 

[johnkendall]

I'm a bit biased,,,,,,, But also happy to answer any direct questions you have if you want to DM me.

Thanks
John

 

[Rich1280]

I've done courses with John above, and Rich Walker and others not on the list, and I think a good starting point is how you get on with someone. I've found the process always to be education not training as a principle, and dialogue based not monologue delivery, but personality can work better or worse for some people. I've had no concerns myself, but after a course one colleague said he wouldn't return to that instructor even though he learned a lot and passed the course well, but he has stayed within GUE and had excellent subsequent courses with other instructors.

I'd suggest looking at a package set up where the logistics, classroom and diving are all set up close by so you can have as efficient days as possible, there will be some long hours. John did our CCR1 in Malta and the set up was superb. I did Rec3 and T1 in Krnica and that was very well set up too, accommodation slightly further away though. There's also the option to stay on for a few more days after to do a little more fun diving after too in all depths, and travelling and an "immersive" course works well for this I think rather than setting it up over a series of weekends or broken where real life gets in the way.

I'll be looking at more courses with John definitely as we get to CCR2 / Photogrammetry.

Rich

 

[BoltSnap]

Can one go to Tech 1 directly from fundies (with tech. Pass) without requiring a number of dives in between?

 

[Rich1280]

Yes, I believe so. If memory serves its the only point you can do a jump without experience dives.

 

[PfcAJ]

I took t2 with Gideon and he’s fantastic. John K is of course great, as well.

 

[Imla]

Would recommend T1/T2/CCR/CCR2 with Gunnar Midtgaard in Norway. T2/CCR instructor and super patient. Solution oriented. Extremely skilled in keeping the balance between taskloading and "exhaustion control". Never seen him stressed out. Doing a T1 in Ålesund in Norway will give you superb wreckdiving.

 

[tbone1004]

Hi everyone,

I have a Fundies tech pass and am looking to progress into tech 1 in GUE. I am aware that there are so many incredible instructors: Guy Shockey, Mario Arena, Gideon Liew, Richard Walker, Bob Sherwood, John Kendall and many, many others. Wanted to tap into this community to get recommendations from people who've actually taken a class with some of them.

One thing is that they are legendary divers and quality instructors, but would love to know things that are not readily apparent in their CVs such as how patient/ supportive they are, do they go the extra mile to help students get it or follow a more sink or swim approach, do they keep a positive vibe or easily show frustration/ anger. I am flexible to travel anywhere in the world, and may even prefer it for a "full immersion" diving experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

You won't find anyone that fits that better than @mer

 

[digitalMechanic]

Can one go to Tech 1 directly from fundies (with tech. Pass) without requiring a number of dives in between?

Yes, provided that you have 100+ non-training dives logged.

GUE has a general rule of 25 dives between courses (at the level of the previous course), with the only exception being between fundies and tech1 (or cave1)