It was finally here, have I done the right thing in 4 days I would know the answer. I have been repeatedly told it’s only a diving course but I couldn’t help been very stressed about potentially failing. I have been very lucky over the last few months to dive with quite a few DIR trained divers and they all looked very much at ease in the water - then there is me I arranged a dive with Gareth (Gloc) the day before as I hadn’t been to Vobster before and just wanted a little orientation around to familiarize myself with the location and where things were. I had arranged to meet Gareth about 11am and at 10.45 pulled in to the car park, into the shop and signed up for membership as I would be able to take advantage of the privileged parking and reduced daily rate.
While I was completing the paper work Gareth arrived and we went back to the cars to kit up and chat, after about 2 hours we were ready to get in the water, Gareth took me through the DIR pre-dive checks and in the water we did a bubble check, at this point Gareth pointed out I had a problem with one of my first stages so we get back out and he retrieves Howard’s set from the car. Thanks Howard but I don’t like your mouthpiece.
Kit sorted and we set off to the right and follow the wall along to one of the platforms, we had already had a walk round earlier. Apart from seeing where things were I really wanted to deploy the smb with a spool, I have only used one once before so we tried that out. I was hoping to use a small Frog 3’ one and once Gareth had shown me his way by dropping the double ender through the ring (never seen that before) I gave it a go, doesn’t seem to be working as well as it had done at home we ascended to retrieve them and went back down for another go, this time Gareth got me to do both for a bit more practice we went back down and returned to the entry point where I did a couple more bags. Then it was out for a chat, the obligatory hot chocolate. Back in the water we went for a “fun dive” apparently Gareth doesn’t have many of these at the moment his team is also training for something, hopefully he wasn’t too embarrassed to be seen in the water with me and at the end of the dive I do a couple more deployments. We sort our kit out and I wait for my set to be filled and Gareth has to get off home, so we say goodbye and I head off to find the B & B Clare has been us all in to.
After a couple of satnav moments I finally arrive and pointed in the direction of my room. I settle in with a cuppa and since I left home at 6.15am I have a bit of a rest. Later there is a tentative knock on the door and it is Mark one of the other course candidates, so we do the intro bit and we have a chat about the course exam. We don’t know what time Fin is arriving but Mark is hungry and we go and find the pub for a drink and some food, the pub is busy for a Thursday night so we have a bit of a wait but get some in the end. An early night is required so we head off back to EdenVale and say goodnight.
Breakfast is arranged for 8am and there is still no sign of Fin, during a rather splendid breakfast Clare, Mal and Fin all arrive at the same time. We finish breakfast and the table is cleared, I go and get my course work and make sure I have the first of Clare’s chocolate supplies, you really need to get in with the instructor early.
Clare goes through the course timetable and we do some introductions about our diving history and why we are here it was at this point I was asked to recall the last dive I had enjoyed and frankly I can’t remember when that was, maybe that’s why I am here, Clare quickly moves on.
We have a full day of lectures, which are only split by sandwiches appearing and then being demolished. The afternoon passes all too quickly and at about 5pm we are heading off to the swimming pool for our swim tests and fining techniques. I think the swim test is the only part I am not too worried about as I have timed myself a couple of times, I was however a little concerned over the breathe hold swim as I am not the most streamlined and when I have tried it I seem to have bobbed up about half way down. Mark goes first he swims like a fish, then Fin goes and that leaves me, I take a few breaths and just go for it, Mal is in the water as a waypoint and I was relieved to see his legs get nearer, I surface at just the right place.
We retire to the pub for something to eat and I think the 3 of us are pleased Clare has a proper drink because we certainly need one. The karaoke gets underway and we leave soon afterwards. It isn’t that late but I think everyone retires to their rooms. Today wasn’t too bad, tomorrow will be quite different.
fiona