19 replies to this topic

[konascubagirl]

so...after a good nights sleep, here it is... anyone who doesnt care to dive more than once or twice a year, the clinic probably wouldnt be interesting. anyone who really is into diving HAS to do one of these clinics. like i have said, because of the ginnie springs trip, i have decided where i want to go with my gear, and many of my immediate goals have changed. my opinion is...dont spend another dime on gear until you do one of these clinics!
norm is very reserved, but i believe(if forced) his recommedations would be pretty much the same. like i have said before, trace did an excellent job and i wouldnt hesitate to ask norm advice either.........

I totally agree with you Captain! The Rec to Tech aspect of the clinic, ESPECIALLY gear config, was truly an eye-opener for me. I can't afford to toss out the jacket BCD for a backplate/wing yet, but I will be spending some serious time in the near future making adjustments to it.

ps...........RABBIT.......................

HA! HA! HA! PURPLE!

Stef

[odiecho]

After reading this thread I'm very happy I decided to buy a BP/W instead of a traditional BC.

[normblitch]

I think I can say unequivically that you will NOT regret the choice...

Mind you, there almost certainly be a short recursion into the WTF mode as you get used to the idea of hanging from your Gear instead of being smothered by it; the Take Home Concept here is that (as we saw in many at the Clinic) at most, maybe 4-5 dives are required to re-program muscle memory...

Better news, as you progress as a Diver and gear changes occur, you can mix & match components as needed without junking what you stay with... 2" webbing & bolt spacing/cam slots are Universal between manufacturers & Vendors...resale of used components is EASY; most tech venues have Swap meets annually, so if you have REALLY out-grown something, you can recoup $$$...

Norm

After reading this thread I'm very happy I decided to buy a BP/W instead of a traditional BC.

[normblitch]

Not to mention the revelation of why Chicks prefer men who use p-valves when diving dry....



nhb

it was terrific fun - lots of 'brokeback mountain' and 'banana' jokes, great food, good dives, i got to try doubles & didn't plant to the bottom (thanks, perrone!), WONDERFUL meeting everyone new. saw manatees, the north american man-man love association (JOKE!), tattoos, undies, depends...we became very close...

Perrone,

Hopefully, you have now seen that your Learning Curve is not only MOST adequate, but in fact Extraordinary given the rate at which you pile on new skill sets...KUDOS!!

Don't tell a SOUL, but between you and me, when I loaded my new dub 85's into the van after breaking Camp Monday afternoon, I picked them up bolt-side INWARDS, and yeah, I now have the "Dub newbie" scar on my Belly...

Norm

i got to try doubles & didn't plant to the bottom (thanks, perrone!)

BabyD, it was my pleasure to let you try the doubles. I only wish I could have seen you in the water with them. For a "newish" diver, you are one of the "cleanest" diver's I've ever seen. Excellent trim and buoyancy control, great awareness in the water, and propulsion that was the envy of everyone there. I can only hope that I get close to that in the coming months... some 50 dives from now.

I wish I could have done the Manatee thing, but there was just NO WAY. Maybe another time.

They aren't really THAT hard to find...in fact, given that you use a good Dive Op, and get out early, the Gentle Giants find YOU...

IMHO, the constraints on interaction are so strict (and strictly ENFORCED), that they are EAGER for humans to come in and Play!

http://www.pbase.com/eanx/crst_02_05
http://www.pbase.com..._12_05&page=all

Norm

I'd like to hear more about the manatees. How hard are they to find, etc.?

[normblitch]

...and I am already in severe Withdrawal from hearing that accent!



nhb

hey there!

so what are your impressions of the rec-to-tech clinic, norm? oh, and i ended up with that bolt snap. pm me your addy & i'll send it back. i know they're speonce. (that's 'expensive' with a severe accent, btw.)