I feel compelled to speak anecdotally in defense of Superlyte's comments (only one of the above which needs actual defending): In 2003 I had a GUE Instructor and his students aboard my boat for two days of training dives. On the first day we were headed to Jupiter's Hole in the Wall. I agreed to personally lead this dive, as it -- more than the wreck dive on the following day -- required navigational knowledge of the reef. My tech gear is set up Hogarthian style, albeit with a Dive Rite plate and wing in lieu of Halcyon. I add a Palm Beach affectation, however: my long-blade freediving fins instead of my Jet Fins, in the event I need to swim against typical Palm Beach currents. A young, still-in-the-process-of-being-minted DIR diver felt compelled to tell me, with a sneer on his face, "those fins are going to get someone killed."
Any number of replies flashed before me, including, "Son, I was wearing diapers under a drysuit while you were just wearing diapers, who are you to lecture me?" as well as other less diplomatic yet eminently more colorful and satisfying responses, but I took the high road and said nothing. Even when the Instructor himself said nothing, but gave me a smirk that spoke volumes.
As much as I might respect the philosophy behind the teaching, I can't abide any instructor who condones such a phenomenal lack of class, by allowing (dare I say encouraging) a student to publicly insult the owner and master of a vessel, because his equipment choice falls outside the purview of the zealot.
