Where can I take DIR classes in North Central?? Texas

[TRUETEXAN]

I am currently workingon finishing my divemaster cert. and when I get finished with it I am wanting to switch over to a BP/Wings and take at least a DIR intro class and I don't know who to call or where to go, I live about 140 miles north of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and about 140 miles south of Oklahoma City. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[TexasMike]

Last weekend, they had a DIRF (DIR Fundamentals) class in Houston.

I too want to take this class and I bet we can find some other North Texans who want to. From what I hear, if we can show enough divers want to take the class, they will get an instructor scheduled our way.

Let me talk it up with my local tekkie shop and see what support I can get from them. I am headed there latter part of the week to get take receipt of my drysuit (yea!!!!) and I'll try to remember to ask.

 

[TRUETEXAN]

Thanks TexasMike, and youcan count me in on the DIR class if you can get a group together!

 

[Campana]

Which shop do you use? The only real Teckie shop I know of is Tucker's in Grand Prarie.

I MIGHT be interested in taking the fundamentals of DIR diving class too, but I've got a nasty habit that they don't allow. (smoke cigarettes) Thinking about quitting, though.

I believe the GUE website has a schedule of classes that are already planned. I know they have the fitness criteria there; want to make sure you can hack the swims cause they'll fire you on the first day if you can't.

 

[TexasMike]

I was talking about Southern Scuba, aka Alec Ranc (pronounced like "tank") in the southern side of Ft. Worth (across from the Miller Brewery). To be honest, I didn't know about Tucker's. But, then again, I don't know half the shops in the area.

Alec is also the regional (as in several states) TDI rep so he does put a preference on that cirriculum. But he's not anti-DIR and when you express a preference toward that, will make sure to include the proper principle. I'll be seeing him Saturday/Sunday when my DM class get's going.

That makes 3 folks that are interested....any others?

(thanks for the heads up on the swim stuff....I'll go check out GUE's sight to see what other pre-requisites there are).

 

[Campana]

is in Grand Prarie on Main Street. Taking I30 from Ft. Worth, exit on MacArthur and go south to Main. Turn right on Main and go a few blocks. Look for a big dive flag on top, it's in among some junk yards, a marine shop, and some other stuff.

I don't think they're strict DIR either, but they've got some Halcyon, Scubapro, Dive Rite, etc, and they have a better stock of tech stuff than any other shop I've been to. They also have cave trips 2x/year, haven't gone on any, but my buddy has.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Hey Mike are you sure they would let you use your bungied wings of death in the class?

Tom

 

[TexasMike]

If they gripe about the bungies, I can always untie them. Then they'll be like any other back inflate wing.

 

[OKDIR]

Before you take the class, pick up the GUE book online and read, read, read...

Then when you take the class you will get more bang for your buck!!!!

Joe

Remember-- It is not the agency that you need to trust but the INSTRUCTOR! He is the one in the water next to you...

 

[Campana]

I don't know of any other N. Texas divers who might be interested, but I know plenty of Oklahoma divers and possibly Arkansas divers who would take it. Mike Ridgway, an IANTD instructor in OKC, might be interested in sponsoring it; I'll help organize, we could easily get 20 or so divers interested.

We could have the course in Southern Oklahoma or North Texas, we could scout out some locations, and put it together.

Do you all want me to start rounding up potential students?

By the way, quit smoking this morning at 11 AM. Using Nicotine Gum, which now costs about the same as a carton of cigarettes.
I feel that I'll be able to do it.

Thanks for the inspiration.