Very disappointing first London dive, not sure what to do next

[shamufish]

Lucky to have received my OW from the amazing DevonDiver (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/devondiver-82070.html) in the Philippines around 4 years ago.
Andy gave me an instruction that lasted and had me wanting to slowly get into 'proper'/tec diving, to this date!

Recently, I got a great opportunity to free up all my weekends and some weekdays, so I thought why not rekindle my love for diving and called my Local Dive School (LSD, London for those wondering). Didn't start well as they had forgotten to send me the confirmation email, then sent me the wrong one, so I arrived without kit and had to purchase boots (as they didn't rent them).

I was sold on the idea of doing a PADI PPB to get back to the thick of things, but ended up with 3 others finishing their OW. I got buddied up with someone who on her last day of OW didn't know what a buddy check was (no, really, seriously, she didn't know). She kicked silt everywhere and clearly had no clue, making the experience very uncomfortable for me.

I spent 95% of the time following the 3 OW around. In short, I learned next to nothing, paid 169 GBP for a course, and got to buy an ill-fitting pair of 37 GBP boots I now have to put on Ebay.

No wait, I did learn something. I learned that I still want to dive in the UK. I want to learn how to use a dry suit, and I want to dive 'properly' and skillfully, see some wrecks & caves and even DIR or similar as it really appeals to my obsessive compulsive personae

I'm lucky to be able to go diving during the week, or weekends, and ideally I'd like to go diving on a weekly basis at most and bi-weekly basis at worst.

Question: how do I get started buddying up with like minded people, yet still improve my skills as part of a course that actually teaches skills, not hand out a piece of paper in exchange of money? Can you recommend particular schools/people/clubs? I really want to get into Tec long term, and I really want to dive very regularly in the UK, starting this weekend.

 

[johnkendall]

Lucky to have received my OW from the amazing DevonDiver (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/devondiver-82070.html) in the Philippines around 4 years ago.
Andy gave me an instruction that lasted and had me wanting to slowly get into 'proper'/tec diving, to this date!

Recently, I got a great opportunity to free up all my weekends and some weekdays, so I thought why not rekindle my love for diving and called my Local Dive School (LSD, London for those wondering). Didn't start well as they had forgotten to send me the confirmation email, then sent me the wrong one, so I arrived without kit and had to purchase boots (as they didn't rent them).

I was sold on the idea of doing a PADI PPB to get back to the thick of things, but ended up with 3 others finishing their OW. I got buddied up with someone who on her last day of OW didn't know what a buddy check was (no, really, seriously, she didn't know). She kicked silt everywhere and clearly had no clue, making the experience very uncomfortable for me.

I spent 95% of the time following the 3 OW around. In short, I learned next to nothing, paid 169 GBP for a course, and got to buy an ill-fitting pair of 37 GBP boots I now have to put on Ebay.

No wait, I did learn something. I learned that I still want to dive in the UK. I want to learn how to use a dry suit, and I want to dive 'properly' and skillfully, see some wrecks & caves and even DIR or similar as it really appeals to my obsessive compulsive personae

I'm lucky to be able to go diving during the week, or weekends, and ideally I'd like to go diving on a weekly basis at most and bi-weekly basis at worst.

Question: how do I get started buddying up with like minded people, yet still improve my skills as part of a course that actually teaches skills, not hand out a piece of paper in exchange of money? Can you recommend particular schools/people/clubs? I really want to get into Tec long term, and I really want to dive very regularly in the UK, starting this weekend.

Hiya,

You've mentioned DIR, which is always a good start Drop me a message and I'm sure I can help, there are many GUE trained divers in the UK and we have a number of active instructors too (Myself included). It's worth looking up the GUE-UK group on facebook too.

HTH
John

 

[Edward3c]

Lucky to have received my OW from the amazing DevonDiver (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/devondiver-82070.html) in the Philippines around 4 years ago.
Andy gave me an instruction that lasted and had me wanting to slowly get into 'proper'/tec diving, to this date!

Recently, I got a great opportunity to free up all my weekends and some weekdays, so I thought why not rekindle my love for diving and called my Local Dive School (LSD, London for those wondering). Didn't start well as they had forgotten to send me the confirmation email, then sent me the wrong one, so I arrived without kit and had to purchase boots (as they didn't rent them).

I was sold on the idea of doing a PADI PPB to get back to the thick of things, but ended up with 3 others finishing their OW. I got buddied up with someone who on her last day of OW didn't know what a buddy check was (no, really, seriously, she didn't know). She kicked silt everywhere and clearly had no clue, making the experience very uncomfortable for me.

I spent 95% of the time following the 3 OW around. In short, I learned next to nothing, paid 169 GBP for a course, and got to buy an ill-fitting pair of 37 GBP boots I now have to put on Ebay.

No wait, I did learn something. I learned that I still want to dive in the UK. I want to learn how to use a dry suit, and I want to dive 'properly' and skillfully, see some wrecks & caves and even DIR or similar as it really appeals to my obsessive compulsive personae

I'm lucky to be able to go diving during the week, or weekends, and ideally I'd like to go diving on a weekly basis at most and bi-weekly basis at worst.

Question: how do I get started buddying up with like minded people, yet still improve my skills as part of a course that actually teaches skills, not hand out a piece of paper in exchange of money? Can you recommend particular schools/people/clubs? I really want to get into Tec long term, and I really want to dive very regularly in the UK, starting this weekend.

Have a look at BSAC clubs in London, see here. Not all clubs are the same so speak to a few, particularly Hellfins SAC.

 

[rivers]

Hiya,

You've mentioned DIR, which is always a good start Drop me a message and I'm sure I can help, there are many GUE trained divers in the UK and we have a number of active instructors too (Myself included). It's worth looking up the GUE-UK group on facebook too.

HTH
John

This. There is a decent amount of the GUE-UK crowd in London. Although, not many of us head to Wraysbury (which I'm guessing is where LSD took you guys). If the sea isn't playing nice, you'll find most of the southern lot at Vobster, although a few head to NDAC, the Midlands crowd tend to venture more towards Stoney, and i think the northern lot go to Capernwray. But the sea has been playing nice this year, and contrary to popular opinion, most of us have been in the sea and not quarries as of late.

 

[Rusty Roo]

i did my drysuit course with newhaven scuba guy with a guy called glenn. brilliant, one 2 one tuition. the club has its own rib which goes out in the channel most weekends and friendly bunch. if you wanna dive this weekend tag along with me come down to plymouth - with aquanauts. hms sycella and jel. i wouldn't say i'm 100% dir but aquanauts do offer a gue fundie and tech 1 course.

 

[drmwc]

To second what Edward has said, it's well worth looking at BSAC clubs. I'm a member of Hellfins, which I wholeheartedly recommend. It's worth contacting a few to see which ones gel with you.

DIR-style diving and being in a BSAC club are not inconsistent - for example, there are a few GUE divers in Hellfins.

 

[PfcAJ]

Hiya,

You've mentioned DIR, which is always a good start Drop me a message and I'm sure I can help, there are many GUE trained divers in the UK and we have a number of active instructors too (Myself included). It's worth looking up the GUE-UK group on facebook too.

HTH
John

+1 for John Kendall. Great guy and a great diver!

 

[dbulmer]

Shamufish,
I've got some time on my hands at the moment - maybe we could meet up at Wraysbury ?

I might be able to give you the odd tip or two.

 

[scoobydrew]

When I was still diving in the uk I joined a club for the same reasons. I got to meet quite a few divers through it and got introduced to a good deal of dive sites and operators. Dive clubs don't necessarily mean BSAC but no harm in checking them out.