[And]

Hi

Thanks for the positive responses.

I definitely got my moneysworth Dave and I would be happy to do the course again. Day two was difficult but if you can do the skills in those conditions then you can do them anywhere. Doing this in shallow water just proves how bad most people, including myself, were before the course. You definitely need to do DIRF before any of the other GUE courses and they are making it compulsory as from June. Also DIR approved kit is mandatory after June as GUE feel that you will get more out of the course with the right configuration.

Tips on backwards kick. The backwards kick is really just a reverse frog. Keep your head looking forward as that will prevent you becoming inverted which is common. Also take your time. The more thrashing about you do the more forward motion you create. Stretch your legs out with soles of feet together and then spread your legs wide when bringing them back. Its worth pausing slightly, and then slowly bring your feet together before stretching your legs again ensuring you get the soles together again. Practicing in the pool with a wetsuit is better because you'll have less drag to overcome. Also biggest tip is scubapro jets or equivalent. Any other fin is pretty much useless as they are too long and floppy. And yes I have tried other fins. Once you've cracked it its unbelievable the difference it makes to your diving. Imagine driving around town without a reverse gear !

I wish the general attitude would change Heads Up, but until the majority of the so-called DIR people sort out their unfounded superiority complex, they'll just keep creating enemies. Luckily, the British DIR advocates aren't as bad and Yorkshire Diver has Mark Emery, Bob Cooper and myself who don't have that kind of attitude which I think is typified by the friendliness of the site.

Kindest Regards

WL

PS perhaps if we ask nicely Mark will tell us about Tech1 !