The last time we tried to arrange this it didn't come off due to lack of numbers.

It looks like there's the possibliliy of a class being run during this coming October. I know that a few people from YD have already booked on it.

I'm going to try and get on this course myself and have emailed Andy Kerslake for a confirmation and further details.

I know that Martin wants to do it as well, dependant on other commitments.

If anyone else is interested let me know.

Regards, Ian

Ian, do you know what the fee for the course is?

I am interested in doing it at some point, though probably not as soon as this autumn.

I think that it's about £250 plus whatever the books cost (These are available directly from GUE)

http://www.gue.com/classroom/dirfund.shtml

the manuals are at http://www.gue.com/catalog/order

The 'Student Package' gives you electrionic membership to GUE and access to the quest list.

The list isn't as good as it used to be but it's worth it just so you can access the archives which contain lots of useful information.

You're expected to have read the material before the course starts. You bring all your own equipment as well as an open mind.

I've got the manual and workbook if ever you want to have a look at them.

Accomodation fee's and boat fee's (if there are any) are also additional.

Apparently the course is very intense. Starts on the Friday evening and finishes on the Sunday afternoon / evening. Runs into the evenings on the Saturday as well. As far as I'm aware they're usually based in Portland.

This course is a pre-requisit for any further GUE courses.

The reason that I want to do the course is that I think that it's a good benchmark to see exactly where you're at, dive skill wise. I want to progress to other diving which is a bit more challenging and rather than just do a course and someone give you a card. I think that I really need a proper assesment and a bit of guidance.

There's a couple of projects which I have in mind (purely in the mind at the moment though) which would require additional training. I'm basing the decision on pursuing this training on the results of the Fundamental course.

Regards, Ian.

I would definitely consider doing the course but the October date is completely out of the question. Also, it's whether they'd accept me or not. From what I've read I would want to do some serious preparation and get a lot fitter to ensure that I got the best out of it.

Maybe the next time round

I've been doing a bit of thinking about what you guys have been saying above and thought I'd mention this.

For the Fundamentals course I think the minimum number of Students required is 4 (max 6). If you are interested then I don't mind putting it off a bit until you think you might be ready. Then with me and Martin this will make a foursome.

I could give Andy Kerslake a call and see if he'd be interested in doing an 'Ocean Odyssey' class sometime in the future. Obviously we'd need to sort out dates and make sure that it's all applicable to everyone.

What do people think?

Ian.

I would really like to have a stab at this if for no other reason that to refresh skills and get another viewpoint.

If you don't mind waiting then I think it would be good to do it as a group. I know none of us are badge collectors and are only interested in doing it for the right reasons so hopefully should get a lot out of it.

Kim