ScubaJackie
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Fred Riger, Grand Bahama Scuba.
Your Best Instructor and Why:
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Oh no, those were definately a necessary part of training -- tho I admit maybe using the recycled ones was a bit much...SFLDiver:
SFLDiver
Contributor
Hmmm, I'd better tell Mardie to stop running drills then.
DennisS
Contributor
Rick Frehsee, he had a laid back attitude when a lot of the instructors back then had a drill instructor mentality.
Having now seen Joe Talavera in action, I can see why Tim started the thread. Joe's gifted -- he's a chameleon, with the ability to be dead serious when that's appropriate, and hysterically funny when humor is the best approach. I've had some extremely good instruction and am continuing to enjoy it, but I seriously hope I can make an opportunity at some point to take a class from Joe.
I'll revive this thread, because I think good instructors should get the recognition they deserve, and this can be a useful resource for anyone trying to find a good instructor.
Mine is Al Catalfumo, from the Black Durgon Inn in Bonaire. I have also just discovered he is a SSI Platinum Pro 5000 diver, and has been diving since 1962! See http://www.divessi.com/platinumpro/pp5000_individual.cfm?primary=591
My wife and I took our OW course with him in April 2006. We were the only students, and he seems to prefer teaching that way, in an informal atmosphere, not because he needs to do it, but because he enjoys it. Here's what I consider are the good points of his teaching:
* respect of the underwater environment, with emphasis on good trim and buyancy control, plus special finning techniques in fragile environments, and diving techniques for observation/photography
* proper weighing: we learned to dive with our BC empty, and therefore with the minimum amount of weights.
* how to remain calm in emergency situation: through well rehearsed emergency skills, and numerous real life examples
* equipment knowledge: no nonsense approach, with complete disregard for pushy marketing ploys
eg: what type of fins are efficient (no holes, not split, firm), what to look for in mask (black skirt for better vision, no special features), why simple snorkels with no valve and splash guard are better, etc...
* relaxed atmosphere following the student needs rather than trying to impose a rigid framework
* non commercial attitude with accurate and critical evaluation of the various course programs
All in all, we feel privileged to have had the benefits of his tuitions, and the only thing we would change is stay for longer than we did (we did all the theorical study at home with book and dvd, prior to taking the OW course for 6 or 7 days with Al).
Mine is Al Catalfumo, from the Black Durgon Inn in Bonaire. I have also just discovered he is a SSI Platinum Pro 5000 diver, and has been diving since 1962! See http://www.divessi.com/platinumpro/pp5000_individual.cfm?primary=591
My wife and I took our OW course with him in April 2006. We were the only students, and he seems to prefer teaching that way, in an informal atmosphere, not because he needs to do it, but because he enjoys it. Here's what I consider are the good points of his teaching:
* respect of the underwater environment, with emphasis on good trim and buyancy control, plus special finning techniques in fragile environments, and diving techniques for observation/photography
* proper weighing: we learned to dive with our BC empty, and therefore with the minimum amount of weights.
* how to remain calm in emergency situation: through well rehearsed emergency skills, and numerous real life examples
* equipment knowledge: no nonsense approach, with complete disregard for pushy marketing ploys
eg: what type of fins are efficient (no holes, not split, firm), what to look for in mask (black skirt for better vision, no special features), why simple snorkels with no valve and splash guard are better, etc...* relaxed atmosphere following the student needs rather than trying to impose a rigid framework
* non commercial attitude with accurate and critical evaluation of the various course programs
All in all, we feel privileged to have had the benefits of his tuitions, and the only thing we would change is stay for longer than we did (we did all the theorical study at home with book and dvd, prior to taking the OW course for 6 or 7 days with Al).
jpsexton
Contributor
Jim Doyle (jbd here on the board) who was my AOW instructor. He customized an AOW course to include all the things that I wanted to learn. I learned all of that and then some.
I also learned tons from Chris Schrotke (LandLocked) and Kenny Robinson (KROBI). They weren't my instructors, but took me in as a newbie dive buddy and set a prime example of what a good diver should be.
I also learned tons from Chris Schrotke (LandLocked) and Kenny Robinson (KROBI). They weren't my instructors, but took me in as a newbie dive buddy and set a prime example of what a good diver should be.
Steve Matheny, because he was very passionate about diving and loved to pass that passion on. As far as instructing capabilities, he focused on what was a neccesity for diving, but even though he might have skipped over a couple things, i still learned them in his class. He was just a fun, out going, caring guy, who has unfortunately passed away (not diving related).RIP Steve
OceanSailor
Registered
Experience has been my best instructor. The lessons it has taught I have never forgotten. As for human instructors, what are their names again?
Cap'n Ed
Cap'n Ed
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