[jome]

There is some weird transformation from "anti competition" to competition.

I remember when I first started diving, I absolutely swore I would never start competing. The idea of competition that I then had in my head was that it's all about pushing yourself to the edge, and often over it.

I don't recall exactly how, but somehow someone got me to participate anyway. My results were of course awful and I did every mistake possible, but somehow I came out enjoying the experience.

I realized that it was not at all about pushing, but more like a structured gathering of divers, where you can go in to absorb knowledge and meet new people. Of course since then, some competitive aspect creeped in as well and especially big international competitions are becoming more like "real" competitions.

But the point is - taking that first step can be a big one for a beginner, but in the end, many that "don't like the idea of competitions", would actually like it, if they just tried it. So encouragement, sometimes lots of it, may be needed, but in a a lot of cases, it pays off.

As for having 2 different series and how to select who's a beginner and who's not...Basically I'd just give people the freedom to choose. Do you want to be in the "advanced" group or the "beginner group". I think any self repsecting diver would realize after beating the easy group hands down, that it's probably time to step up...Also the prises in the advanced group would be more appealing etc etc...