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Scuba Forum / General / November 2003Request help from Atl area divers
Hi - first of all, I am a newbie to newsgroups so I hope I don't mess up too bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' deep pool, u/w windows, 25m on lake lanier -usuable but still under construction) What I need are some pro's to run meetings, teach, organize and party. I have been diving for quite some time but never took it as seriously as most people here. I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge here, a real eyeopener. The pool was built for competitive swim training but would be great for scuba too. I attended a dive club meeting in Atlanta and it took place at a bar. People ordered food and drinks, a short presentation was put on and then the "club" signed up people for travel. Maybe this was just one lousy meeting of a great club I don't know, I do know that you need water for many aspects of scuba training and activities that you would expect at a scuba club. Alcohol and a noisy bar are not conducive to learning about anything except nightlife. No real training or education took place at this one meeting and I may not have given the club a chance, and they may have great training that I just didn't run into. But anyway, I will supply the pool if someone can supply the expertise, enthusiasim, organization and structure that would go into organizing a dive club that actually focused on diving. Although lake Lanier is a lousy dive destination there are possibilities for some advanced activities (rescue, search etc.) and from the pool it is a short walk to the lake. Club members can have access to confined and open water from this location. I did get a business license so that I could teach aquatics so scuba club activities would be legal here. One thing that might be fun would be a webcam that could be put against one of the underwater windows so that people who can't attend training could see it going on along with other club activities. I don't usually get on the computer very often so I probably won't be a regular here but please email me with your comments. My email is agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net New divers may have more enthusiasim for this then the old salts so don't let your lack of training or experience stand in the way of helping out. Thanks Alan > bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' > deep pool, u/w windows, 25m on lake lanier -usuable but still under > construction) What I need are some pro's to run meetings, teach, organize > and party. > > Thanks Alan Sounds great, I'd love to help, but 1) I'm not in the Atl area, 2) I'm not in the USA, 3) I'm to broke to get over there. but keep at it and some of the guys on here could possibly be bribed to come along.... (Think free kegs of booze) rhys Well.... You say "free kegs of booze", so I guess most of the people I see living under bridges are probably avid divers (specialty - dumpster divers) as they would fit the profile of someone who would show up. The booze idea is actually a very relevant comment. Sure there has to be some socializing going on, but when adults arrive for a scuba activity where they will not be in class or in the water but people around them are, should there be someone acting like big bro and telling them not to drink until after the training is completed even if they are not a part of it? Rules for a club usually suck and the fewer the better. You have been dubbed the second member, (so you have 50% of the vote). Should there just be a simple rule for everyone such as no drinking till after all scuba activities cease? Alan > > bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' > > deep pool, u/w windows, 25m on lake lanier -usuable but still under [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > rhys > The booze idea is actually a very relevant comment. Sure there has to be > some socializing going on, but when adults arrive for a scuba activity where > they will not be in class or in the water but people around them are, should > there be someone acting like big bro and telling them not to drink until > after the training is completed even if they are not a part of it? Rules > for a club usually suck and the fewer the better. Your last statement is probably your best. The fewer the rules, the better the results. Your idea of a scuba club seems to be modeled after the BSAC concept in the UK. In my experience, U.S. scuba clubs tend to be social in nature. They often have presentations, discussions, even visiting teachers to bring information to the group, but the central focus has always been social. They're a place for divers to get together to discuss diving and to set up future dive trips/events. As such, drinking is a common activity. Along these lines, I suggest the following: 1. The club should seek a beer, wine and liquor license. Armed with one, the club has control over the extent of drinking at club events. This also gives the club a source of revenue while keeping the price of drinks lower than would be the case if drinks were purchased elsewhere. 2. If there is to be diving going on, either in the pool or the lake, the rule should be no drinking before diving. Individual members should be responsible for complying and enforcement should be limited to obvious problems. Good luck with your ideas. I'm not in Atlanta either, but I'm a lot closer than rhys. Lee Hi Lee thanks for your ideas. I was thinking that as far as control over drinking goes, since I own the property I should just be able to boot out offenders. Your idea about making money from alcohol is tempting. I work as a paramedic and we are not known for being overpaid. I also do stroke analysis for competitive swimmers and for this reason I would not want to be a "professional alcohol retailer", or have other retail sales (includes scuba gear) here. Its a conflict of interest. Unlike divers, the question of whether or not there is going to be any drinking at their swim workouts or training sessions, never comes up. So thanks for your input Lee, I am still tempted about the idea of making money from booze but I hope that goes away. - or do I. Alan > > The booze idea is actually a very relevant comment. Sure there has to be > > some socializing going on, but when adults arrive for a scuba activity [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Lee > Hi Lee thanks for your ideas. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > is going to be any drinking at their swim workouts or training sessions, > never comes up. I was not suggesting that you become a liquor sales person, but that the club should. I am, of course, assuming that what you are talking about really is a club and not a personal business disguised as one. My boat club leases property from Broward County. We do our own work, build our own docks, built our own clubhouse, bar, etc. We have happy hours pretty much every Friday and tons of social events including cruises, two fishing tournaments and a bunch of pot luck and other type dinners. The bar makes money, a lot of it, as do most of your events. The money goes to the club's expenses and to the events that we don't make money from, like our club worker appreciation night, kid's Christmas Party and tonight's Charity event, with proceeds going for Cancer research. Last year we bought medical equipment for a local children's hospital. We reduce the cost of boating, do a lot of good for others, and have a truly wonderful time doing it. That's a club. Lee Hi Lee Well that is a completely different slant on it. I was thinking along the lines of what I had seen for the existing dive meetings and not wanting to repeat that. I will have to look into it, but with all of the problems I had just licensing lake front prorperty for business I think getting an alcohol license is something I would ease into some time in the future. Yes that really does sound like a club with some great activities. I would be completely surprised if I ever had more than 100 people here at any one time and wouldn't ever expect to be a very large club simply due to location and building size, so fundraisers would be small also. But you have got me thinking in a new direction. Thanks Alan > > Hi Lee thanks for your ideas. > > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Lee > Well.... > You say "free kegs of booze", so I guess most of the people I see living [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Alan No drinking before diving would be my vote. if you're not diving, drink all you want, but N2 Nark is enough to deal with without DUI problems. have a look at the UK British Sub Aqua Club system. or BSAC, maybe get a compressor and do your own club fills, charging only the cost rate, not an inflated profit rate like the commercial fill stations. rhys Hey rhys I am looking at getting a compressor and I will start looking at clubs abroad. I used to hear about them when I worked in Cayman and Bonaire from tourists who had exposure to ongoing scuba training that allowed them to develop as an all around diver and not one who breezed by in a quick course. Don't get me wrong, if you already have strong aquatic skills a quick course might be all you need. But if you are not being charged an arm and a leg for training, you might just get involved a bit more. I wanted to try to find some way to make sure that if someone taught a course that money would be set aside for assistants. Too often they are taken for granted. I also was looking at trying to develop a formulae so that each course consisted of fixed costs that were divided by the number of students. pool rental + instructor hours + assistant hours + course materials divided by # of students. This is similar to alot of courses but I think it may bring the price down because more students would'nt mean more profits and the instructors time would be the same whether it was for two students or 8 students. Unlike the methods of dive retailors the simple finances of courses and club expenses would be open to inspection by anyone. Hopefully this would also help control costs as their would be more input for cost control ideas. I also have a philosphy that the least experienced instructor should teach and the most experienced should be a very quiet assistant. (impossible I know). What do ya'll think of that kind of format? Alan > > Well.... > > You say "free kegs of booze", so I guess most of the people I see living [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > rhys > But if you are not being charged an arm and a leg > for training, you might just get involved a bit more. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Alan That sounds like a good cluub to join. As to training, you'd get a lot of experienced trainers fast that way. From What i gather from uk.rec.scuba the BSAC have a diving officer who orgainses training and lecture/classroom theory teaching then the more experienced members train the students in a one teacher two students situation. close personal care leads quickly to confident divers, and they're far more open to asking questions when they're not worried about looking stupid in front of a larger class, and asking leads to answering then to knowledge. rhys Hey rnf2 Something that seems to happen when different people teach is that you learn from both the good things they do and the bad things. They say that good teachers never teach the same way twice. The theory being that they will learn from their mistakes when methods fail and will also develop new methods. New instructors usually want to prove themselves and go to great lengths in preparing for their first few classes they teach. As the students move to a leadership role they also have to "relearn" the material well enough to teach it. They usually start to analyze the skills and material so that they can figure out how to teach it. The benefit to the experienced instructor being the assistant is that he gets to observe someone else teach. The benefit to the student is that hopefully a dominate personality will be supressed and a "king" of teaching will not develop. Usually with 2 instructors and others waiting in the wings, you don't get a new instructor coming up with a long set of rules. I think finally you do not get specific on "which method is best". The more brains working on anything the more input and hopefully better decisions. I have been rethinking the "no drinking" rule. I would not make a rule. People should know already how to behave, if they didn't then I would tell them after they drank (by mistake). I guess I would allow a few slip ups here and there. Rules seem to ruin things and people pick up on protocol anyway. An obnoxious drunk would come along now and then but I could deal with it. This would be the price to pay for not having rules and I think it would be worth it. > That sounds like a good cluub to join. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > rhys You still sound like you intend a somewhat higher level of control than is normal to a club. Lee > Hey rnf2 > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > > > rhys Hi Lee Ok, I can I agree that I want to have control over my property, investment and liability for my family from problems that could arise in what probably is a high risk activity. And yes, I even want to have control over the general running of the club so that what "I" see as mistakes don't happen. And yes I do want to control it so that it is something I can be proud of. And yes I do want to even control the "theme" so that it dosn't fall into a "social club" only event, or a dictatorship, or a "this is the only way to do things", or a cover for a retail sales scheme, or an exclusive cliche of divers who think only they know everything and what everyone else is doing is wrong or stupid. Now if somebody else wants to pony up a few bucks so that they can have a financial stake in this and share in what will probably be more risk than reward, well I am open to that. And there is another way that I would be willing to let go of control aspects that wouldn't represent a liability for me, its with hearing your opinions. So far I have been helped by all of this groups opinions. Your opinion about me sounding like I wanted to control the club is probably about the most helpful so far since thats what I want to avoid. Do I want just anybody coming onto my property and doing anything they want? Of course not. I would welcome more comments from you especially on how I can overcome obstacles on control. Any suggestions? What seemed to controlling and how can I change that? Alan > You still sound like you intend a somewhat higher level of control than is > normal to a club. [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > > > > > rhys "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:qGhtb.10431 > would be great for scuba too. I attended a dive club meeting in Atlanta and > it took place at a bar. People ordered food and drinks, a short [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > education took place at this one meeting and I may not have given the club a > chance, and they may have great training that I just didn't run into. I only know of two dive clubs in ATL and they both meet at the same place. It is in a restaurant that also has a bar -- and a private room so it is not a "noisy bar." I think I know which club you attended by the way you describe it. If you want info on the other cluse, let me know. Hi Kimber, The night I attended the room was being used and we met in the outdoor patio. I don't know how the other room is but the format of the club was more social than training. If there are other clubs who provide training for their members (as a club activitiy and not as a "paid for" course at a diveshop) then I would be interested in hearing about them. Thanks > "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:qGhtb.10431 > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > a "noisy bar." I think I know which club you attended by the way you > describe it. If you want info on the other cluse, let me know. >Hi - first of all, I am a newbie to newsgroups so I hope I don't mess up too >bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > >Thanks Alan Your idea is not a bad one, but it requires a lot of work. The best way is to look for some independent instructors in your area. Then interview them and be very picky. Agencies can give a list of instructors in your area. Or an ad in the local paper. Now the down side. Be prepared for the nut bars to come out of the wood work. Don't be shy about showing trouble makers the door, they can kill a club very quickly. Check all references and certifications. Then there's Insurance Insurance Insurance As for booze, keep it away from all activities involving actual diving or on your property. (liability) If divers want to drink, they can do so on non club dives, on their own time. I enjoy a cold beer after a dive, but never around my students, diving with a sport diver or on club dives. I don't abuse alcohol and act appropriately when drinking, too bad not all divers can say the same thing. Good luck and wear fire proof underwear while carrying a big bat. Toto Hi Toto I have been looking for instructors to help. I have talked to two instructors so far and neither one seemed to be suitable. I don't have high standards but there are some things I don't comprimise on. Both these instructors had very weak aquatic rescue skills and fitness levels. I know that nowadays anyone can teach or supervise scuba with minimal emphasis on safety and fitness (at least in my perspective as a paramedic and swim coach) but not here. I need to feel that I can trust them to save my loved ones as not just a scuba rescuer but anytime they are supervising aquatic activities. For example, during the initial swim evaluation, that is a swimming rescue not a scuba rescue. I will take your suggestion and look to the scuba agencies for lists. As long as the nuts weren't unsafe, distracting or inappropriate I wouldn't have a problem with them. Oh, wait thats what nuts do. Yea, you are right I do need to make sure that I am fearless in getting rid of undesireables. Your idea of checking references and certifications is an important one that I forgot all about. Thanks, that might just save my butt. I have the insurance worked out but I guess looking at more would be the right thing to do. I am glad I got another opinion about limiting alcohol. Thanks Alan > >Hi - first of all, I am a newbie to newsgroups so I hope I don't mess up too > >bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' [quoted text clipped - 62 lines] > > Toto "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :Hi - first of all, I am a newbie to newsgroups so I hope I don't mess up too :bad. Welcome to rec.scuba, ..., skipper. Has anyone insulted you yet? Dan Bracuk If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure. The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/ Thanks for the welcome Dan No insults to my face yet, how long would I have to go before I held the record for not being insulted? Are there any guidelines I should follow while I am here? Alan > "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> pounded away at his keyboard > resulting in: [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- > Thanks for the welcome Dan > > No insults to my face yet, how long would I have to go before I held the > record for not being insulted? You're already there. Lee > > Thanks for the welcome Dan > > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Lee Well he came in alll polite and lookign for help, not crying his head off about a joke at the expense of his camo suit... rhys I am getting the feeling that this is a tough crowd but that everyone has some pretty thick skins, oh wait, thats neoprene. Alan > > > Thanks for the welcome Dan > > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > rhys You might want to look at it this way. The way students are taught and the way they preceive the "leaders of the club" behavior will set the tone for the club. Any one outside this behavior model will feel uncomfortable, that and a good dose of peer pressure should smooth out a few of the bumps. The ones that don't fit in should move on of their own accord. Unless they are "farm animal stupid" T Thats actually quite an accurate observation. I guess the trick is making sure that the group is not elite or driven by inflexible and unsociable hosts. I know that I would want to make fitness and safety more available to members as is done in other clubs around the world but without making it a demand or intimidating for those who don't have the time or inclination. Being a swim coach and working as a paramedic makes me gravitate towards those areas and if the club ended up with a bunch of "jock medics" then it would be out of touch with the mainstream of divers. I think my sailing buddies would keep the club "alcohol and party" friendly as they plan to meet here as well. Your previous post mentioned checking certifications. I think that this is a good idea. This may be going a little overboard but what about letting members voluntarily post a diving resume in a club scrapbook or database or website or something so that other people can look at them. Would this lead to back biting, gossip and other attacks on credibility or be a good way to get to know your buddies. Would new divers feel too intimidated by the pros or be encouraged? I know you can't please everyone and there will definitly be a downside to everything but I like the idea of checking credentials by having them openly and voluntarily displayed. What problems does anyone see with this? Alan > You might want to look at it this way. > The way students are taught and the way they preceive the "leaders of [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > T I haven't quite figured out how to move the post over to the left margin yet (sorry) to indicate a new topic. Retail dive equipment salesman. Should there be any controls on somebody representing their store or products at club meetings? My gut feeling is yes, there should be no retail sales associated with training. That it is a conflict of interest. I know this flies in the face of every dive shop out there. I also see this as putting a condition on club activities or membership, which I don't want. Is this a problem at other dive clubs and how do they deal with it? Any suggestions? "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :I haven't quite figured out how to move the post over to the left margin yet :(sorry) to indicate a new topic. Edit the subject line. Dan Bracuk If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure. The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/ Hi Dan Dang it, I just know this won't move to the left and I will probably be burned for obvious lack of computer skills. But let me start from scratch here, I am using outlook express, is this the program everyone else uses here or does it matter. Thanks Alan > "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> pounded away at his keyboard > resulting in: [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- >Hi Dan > >Dang it, I just know this won't move to the left and I will probably be >burned for obvious lack of computer skills. But let me start from scratch >here, I am using outlook express, is this the program everyone else uses >here or does it matter. Thanks Alan No, it's not. And yes, it does. Alan >> "skipper" <agreatbigshark@bellsouth.net> pounded away at his keyboard >> resulting in: [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- Ok then, what would you reccomend as a newsreader? Thanks > ?Hi Dan > ? [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > ?> resulting in: > ?> :I haven't quite figured out how to move the post over to the left margin > ?yet > ?> :(sorry) to indicate a new topic. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ? > ? >Ok then, what would you reccomend as a newsreader? > >Thanks For windows, Free Agent (if you want free) or Forte Agent (if you want killfiles and don't mind spending a few bucks for shareware). http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php While you're at it, you might want to read this: http://www.html-faq.com/etiquette/?toppost or this http://www.caliburn.nl/topposting.html hth Alan Thanks Alan I will get a copy and read the links. I appreciate the help. Alan > ?Ok then, what would you reccomend as a newsreader? > ? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Alan > Thanks Alan I will get a copy and read the links. I appreciate the help. Obviously haven't done it yet since you're still top posting. I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking longer. rhys >> Thanks Alan I will get a copy and read the links. I appreciate the help. > >Obviously haven't done it yet since you're still top posting. > >I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking longer. Different people respond to different styles. I've only made two posts to the guy, but even so, I could never be as brutally effective as Hog. Alan > ?> Thanks Alan I will get a copy and read the links. I appreciate the help. > ? > ?Obviously haven't done it yet since you're still top posting. > ? > ?I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking longer. > ? > ? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Alan Brutally being the key word. ;) rhys > I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking longer. I miss him too... >>I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking > > longer. > > I miss him too... He had you trained in less than a week too!? ;-)  SignatureMichael Wolf ----- Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil? remove stopspam to reply > >>I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > -- > Michael Wolf That begs the question... what did he train her to do? given his professed tastes, and they toys shown... the mind boggles! ;) rhys > > > I miss him too... > > > > > He had you trained in less than a week too!? ;-) > That begs the question... what did he train her to do? > > given his professed tastes, and they toys shown... the mind boggles! > ;) So -- you sure do seem to have taken an interest in my items on the headboard... Don't be so sure about who was using them on who and who wore the collar.... Kimber > >>I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking > > > > longer. > > > > I miss him too... > He had you trained in less than a week too!? ;-) Heh --- nope it went the other way round. Gotta remember -- as a horse trainer I am used to training big dumb animals -- Hog wasn't dumb so he was easy! (-: Kimber >>>>I miss hog, he had me trained in less than a week.... you're taking >>> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Kimber Yeah...and you know how to use a whip... SignatureMichael Wolf ----- Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil? remove stopspam to reply > > Heh --- nope it went the other way round. Gotta remember -- as a horse > > trainer I am used to training big dumb animals -- Hog wasn't dumb so he was > > easy! (-: > Yeah...and you know how to use a whip... Absolutely! (-; Kimber Signature"Most people work around their psychological demons, we harness ours up and take them out for a ride." Bob H. > Ok then, what would you reccomend as a newsreader? Xnews http://xnews.newsguy.com It's free (but you can send Luu Tran a gift voucher if you want) Easy to use, with killfile and a good filter. SignatureMichael Wolf ----- Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil? remove stopspam to reply > Hi Dan > > Dang it, I just know this won't move to the left and I will probably be > burned for obvious lack of computer skills. But let me start from scratch > here, I am using outlook express, is this the program everyone else uses > here or does it matter. Thanks Alan That's bcause of the 'threading'. A thread starts with a message, and consists of all the replies to that message (and replies to those messages, etc). Even oif you change the topic, it'll still be shown in the context of the original thread. "Request help from ATL area divers". You may want to simply start a new one by creating a new post with new subject, as opposed to replying to an existing message. Dennis > Your previous post mentioned checking certifications. I think that this is > a good idea. This may be going a little overboard but what about letting [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Alan I'm a PADI DM-in-Training and the view of some members on this NG is that DMs are good for making coffee and not much else. So what? I bet they wouldn't know a good cup of Java if it bit them on the a.s... As to posting Cert on a borad etc... I don't see any problems if it is strictly voluntary with no pressure to do so, those who want a buddy of a certain level, would now know who to approach to discuss buddying up for a dive somewhere, and the newbies would know who to approach to ask to shepard them through a first few dives in a spot a bit more difficult than their usual haunts until they know the area and dangers of the site. rhys >I'm a PADI DM-in-Training and the view of some members on this NG is that >DMs are good for making coffee and not much else. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >rhys I smell something and it ain't fresh coffee. Maybe a dirty nappy? Ok a while back in another thread you posted that new fins where out of your budget. Then your looking at a used 15 year old reg if the price is right. You have claimed poverty around here a few times. Now your a DM PADI in training? Let's get this strait your looking at a leadership role plus laid out big bucks (Padi being the most expensive). Then there's the yearly fee's to keep the DM rating plus yearly insurance. Ok, let me wrap my simple mind around this. A diver without his own gear pursuing a leadership role. So what did you use for: Basic? Advance? Rescue? Where did the money come from? For the dive courses? O2 & first aid? Hot peanut stand at the local dive site? How many dives do you have? Right... Right.. And I'm the stupid one, so you have pointed out in other threads. Well I got news for you, I'm not that stupid. You are an insult to stupid people every where. Before becoming a dive god (in your own mind) you might want to buy some gear. Oh right your the guy who stands in front of my gear on dive charters pretending it is his. Bragging about his experience and fearlessness in the face of adversity. Then slinks over to a loaner / rental rig from the dollar store, when he see’s me coming. Right, I’ll give you a hint. Serous divers have their own gear and serous divers interested in leadership roles have more than a dozen or so dives in their log book regardless of the lower standards offered today. WARNING! WARNING! NUT BAR! NUT BAR! Toto checks wind, lifts leg, and it's good. Next time use water proof ink in the log book. Don’t worry it won’t take long to rewrite 20 dives. > Ok, let me wrap my simple mind around this. Jeez - I dunno steve. Don't over-do it. > I'm the stupid one Well, we've been trying to put it nicely... > WARNING! WARNING! NUT BAR! NUT BAR! So was that a moment of self-introspective clarity or did the typewriting monkeys in your basement finally hit on something meaningful? Cheers David M > Ok a while back in another thread you posted that new fins where out > of your budget. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Then there's the yearly fee's to keep the DM rating plus yearly > insurance. I'm doing a Government funded course. Through a NZQA provider who uses PADI as the teaching organisation. As to the gear. I got basic gear (wetsuit, fins, mask, gloves, snorkel, booties.) as part of the course. A while ago my car got stolen with my dive bag full of gear in the boot. (trunk to americans). Due to something called "Insurance" which you may or may not be familiar with, I now have the money to buy gear to replace what was stolen. and while my gear was worth about NZ$1050 the lowest insurance package for possessions lost was more than that, so now I have new gear and some left over to get other stuff. I now have a BCD as well as the wetsuit et al. Now looking for a Reg for about US$80 all up. and a friend who services regs will service it for me. rhys >I'm doing a Government funded course. Through a NZQA provider who uses PADI >as the teaching organisation. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >rhys Ok, place your left hand on the key board and raise your right hand. Say after me... Oh never mind, you can slide. Just because your from NZ. Nearly immigrated there, but SARS (NZ close to Can at that time)and your income tax rates (one of the highest in the world), plus native people seem to have all the rights. Then the cost of living. Not exactly attracting my investment dollar. Nice location thou. I decided to stay in Canada. T > >I'm doing a Government funded course. Through a NZQA provider who uses PADI > >as the teaching organisation. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > T To have taken a Open Water or Advanced OW course just to be certed able to dive would have cost me money. To take a full NZQA accredited proffessionals course that actually means I would be able to be employed on the basis of the qualification meant that the Department of Education paid for it. Before the try dive and enrollment I had never dived before, and at the end of the course I will be an Instructor. I'm not thinking of teaching for a few years and a shitload of experience gained, but I will be able to do it when the time comes. God save the Taxpayers! rhys >Hi - first of all, I am a newbie to newsgroups so I hope I don't mess up too >bad. I think I have a cool place for an Atlanta scuba club to meet. (12' [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >enthusiasim, organization and structure that would go into organizing a dive >club that actually focused on diving. Skipper, I live in Buford so put me down for a member. I've dove Lanier boocoo times and can show you some neat places. moyo >Although lake Lanier is a lousy dive destination there are possibilities for >some advanced activities (rescue, search etc.) and from the pool it is a [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Thanks Alan Hi Moyo Sounds great. I would like to actually see something in Lanier. My dives there have just been to pick up things that people drop. Pretty boring stuff. Could I interest you in coming by sometime to see the pool and the construction mess? I would like to have as much input as possible and another opinion is more than welcome. I live just off of hwy 400 exit 16. I will try your email address and if it works I will email my exact address and phone number. And by the way, the invitation to vist this ongoing mess is open to anyone. Email me for info. Alan |
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