Sunny Day Up North With Rich

[TAZA]

Well finaly met the man himself,Richie Walker at Capernwray.
Rich showed us how to set up our kit correctly then of we went for a couple of dives,showing us S-Drills & V-Drills also different fin kicks.
After Rich had finished with me I could reach my valves and almost have perfect trim.
So a big thanks to Rich also some bloke called Andy from Ellsmere Port who must be the youngest retired bloke I know.

Thanks

[aquayle]

Ta for the 'young' bit.
Not sure what the title of this thread should be - maybe try dive DIR style? I had arranged with RichW to try out some kit at Capers, he said that Taza was coming along for a 'play'. SO we get there & after a load of traffic problems RIchie turns up blood pressure through the roof I guess! So over a chill-out coffe he asks - what do you want to get out of the day? I just knew I wanted to play with some Halcyon kit - wing(s) & plate, Taza wanted to go play in the water & do some skills. So in the boiling hot sunshine in the carpark, in dry suit & thermals, setting up a plate & harness. After about half an hour the sweat was dripping from everywhere - so much so, taht on the surface interval I thought I had a suit leak there was so much water in my undersuit! Anyway Richie says - you won't need any weight (I KNOW I do!) so I took 5Kgs and left it on the side, gets in the water float like a beached whale - go back for the lead and eventaully sort of sink. We both go to the training area at 5m and *play* with DIR shutdown drills - I felt like an absolute beginner - new kit & still not enough weight.
ANyway, I abandoned attempts at reaching valves, Taza managed it fine! So w didi some DSMB deployement DIR style, air share & boyancy drills, fining techniques & come out. Half-time I thought about runing away absoulte Numpty! Gets back in with 7kgs - much better, can actually get to the bootm this time! Air -share drills, reached valves, more reel/DSMB play & boyancy drills.
At the end Richie asked - 'what did you think of the day'. I found it difficult to summarise - I was a bit like 1to1 instruction (I know there were 2 of us) with good learning points & chance to discuss in a non-threatening way all things DIR. I did say that we should pay for this sort of advice/tuition, but RIchie said its for free WOW
So if anyone is thinking of doing DIR - or just wants to try out DIR gear then RichW is your man - thanks very much for your time

[RichW]

Thanks guys,

It was good to meet up and go for a dive with the weather like that. I'm glad you got something out of the day, over and above some new dive gear (which is always nice, of course )

I like the idea of being shown how to use something before committing to buying it - you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive after all!

Rich

[TAZA]

Andy, great report.
Did not have time to write a book on our sunny day at the cape, as some of us have to keep British industry going & pay for all the retired folk.
Give us a shout if you are planning any boat dives.
Got back home 10.30pm then up for early shift 5am
Four Dives.

[aquayle]

That's probably what Richie felt (ciggie break) whilst sharing my air
Reason 1 why I can't do DIR F - not given up the weed

[CALLISTO]

Hi guys ,saw you there didn't know who you were!!!Sorry..Would have introduced myself

Just went up to get some Mix for Friday and have a dive with the wife she hasn't been in the water for a couple of months

Andy

[aquayle]

Originally Posted by CALLISTO

Hi guys ,saw you there didn't know who you were!!!Sorry..Would have introduced myself

Just went up to get some Mix for Friday and have a dive with the wife she hasn't been in the water for a couple of months

Andy

Saw your dive waggon, came to see u , but u had dissapeared!

[Justin Owen]

a dir dive day sounds like a good idea, i'd certainly be up for it - i'd like to learn the additional skills and improve my trim and finning etc... i'm not sure i'll ever get as far as fundies for a number of reasons (i dive mainly off rhibs for example and that break on one side of my harness is staying goddammit!)