The
Balance workshop is designed to improve all divers' comfort and confidence, regardless of skill level, in a safe and fun learning environment by focusing on proper weighting, precise buoyancy control, trim and propulsion (frog kick, helicopter kick and back kick) in a relaxed, non-evaluation setting.
Having a balanced rig and an understanding of how each spoke in the balance wheel effects each other is critical to achieving proper balance. This in turn frees up the diver's bandwidth, allowing him/her to get that perfect picture, broaden their awareness, or simply enjoy the dive more by not constantly futzing with that inflator/deflator or fighting that annoying hand sculling.
This is not a team-diving oriented workshop. This workshop simply focuses on improving the individual diver's buoyancy control, trim and propulsion. It's a non-evaluation workshop, allowing the student to learn new knowledge and skills without the pressure of passing or failing. Additionally, there are no equipment requirements for this workshop. However, backplate & wing systems and jet fins are available for students to try if they desire.
This is not a critical skills class. No failures will be introduced by the instructor in this workshop.
The Balance workshop is designed for any diver wanting to improve his/her overall comfort in the water. Balance is the foundation of attaining comfort in the water. Having a balanced rig and precise buoyancy control, proper trim and good propulsion techniques makes diving more enjoyable. It allows the diver to focus on other areas of the dive, instead of constantly focusing on their own comfort and buoyancy control. It dramatically improves air consumption, allowing for longer bottom times and photographers will benefit by being able to position themselves for the perfect shot.
Regardless of experience level, this workshop will improve your comfort in the water. Newer divers will appreciate how much this workshop decreases the learning curve of gaining precise buoyancy control, improving their trim and learning more efficient propulsion techniques, including the mythical and elusive back kick.
Simply put, this doesn't just teach buoyancy control, trim and kicks. It gains the student an understanding of how balance, buoyancy, trim and kicks work, allowing them to stop accepting their current state of imbalance or lack of comfort, but instead be able to achieve comfort, efficiency and confidence by using their new-found knowledge and skills.
The Balance Workshop is a one-day workshop, including academic discussions, dry-runs and 2 dives.
Typically the workshop begins with a 3 - 4 hour initial
session consisting of introductions and a power point presentation including
video presentation of the skills to be introduced and practiced in the class along with a discussion
of the mechanics behind balance, buoyancy, trim and kicks, along with dry runs of the skills and kicks to be practiced. Dry runs allow the student to practice the skills on land under the watchful eye of the instructor(s). Skills include improving diver trim, proficiency in precision buoyancy control, perfecting propulsion techniques (including the back kick) and fine-tuning equipment configurations.
Students will then conduct 2 dives putting the skills and concepts learned in the morning session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review after lunch. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review.
This workshop will be video'd for educational and review purposes only. We believe it is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills. Learning to self evaluate is an important aspect of the workshop. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in-water practice.
- Minimum 16 years of age
- Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency
- Maximum depth is 60’/18m
- All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4
- Standard gas is air or 32%
- No stage decompression
- No overhead environments
- The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician
- Average depth during class of 20ft (6m) - 30ft (9m).
- Maximum depth is 60'/18m
- Standard gases are Air or Nitrox
- Single tank or double tank configuration
- No overhead environments
- No stage decompression
- Instructor to student ratio maximum 6:1 in open water, adjusting downward for environmental conditions.
- Exposure suit appropriate for the environment - Drysuit is strongly recommended as class dives are typically 1 hour in duration.
- Backplate BC System, SS or aluminum backplate w/ web harness and hardware
- Non-split fins
Cylinders
- Single tank configuration (2 per day of diving) or double tank configuration (1 per day of diving)
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