Hello from Michigan

[Mikesab]

Just checking in and saying hello from Michigan.
Boater, fisherman, kayaker, pilot, scuba certified, boater, surfer, hunter, and long time dabbler freediving and spearfishing around Lake Michigan.

Finally committed to some official training this spring.
(I am bringing in Mark Lozano for a class, May 10-11 up in Grand Haven, MI.)

Mike

 

[WillUnderwater]

Welcome aboard! Mark is a great guy - you will learn a lot!

 

[Hydro-Mike]

Welcome good to see a fellow Michigan diver. Sent you a PM

 

[Mikesab]

Thanks for the welcome, the course is official and posted in the "Courses" sub forum. http://forums.deeperblue.com/courses/96876-fii-level-1-class-grand-rapids-mi-may-10-11-2013-a.html

 

[cdavis]

How far are you from Traverse Bay? If close, PM Fondueset, very active diver.

 

[Mikesab]

We are a few hours away, I have been in touch with him.
Sounds like the instructor will be willing to do a level 2 on the same session, but you'd have to talk with him directly for that.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Welcome to the community Mike!

 

[Triton1715]

You know, it just figures that I would find this out right now. After a 10 year hiatus from freediving (marriage, kids, life in general), I decided I wanted to get back into the sport. Turns out A LOT has changed since I got an IAFD Advanced Freediver rating back in 2000. So, I thought I'd look around for some classes to learn the new techniques. It just figures that after 10 years, when I would begin searching it would turn out that someone is hosting a class in my own small town, but I'm neither prepared nor have the cold water gear and the class is already full. Unbelievable.

Are there any existing freedivers in the Grand Haven area or is everyone just starting to get into it?

Thanks!

 

[Mikesab]

Hi,
Well, actually been scuba certified since I was 12, and have been breathhold spearfishing for several years, just didn't know what I was doing was called "freediving"
I decided to attend a class for safety reasons, as our bottom times were increasing, and stumbled across a video about SWB.

I ended up getting enough interested to bring the class to us. I actually have an opening, but you'd have to get geared up and pay in full on Friday if you wanted to get in on it. (one person dropped due to medical issues)

Probably better for your timeframe though, I would look at Whopperhead's class in the not too far away land of Wisconsin in July. http://forums.deeperblue.com/wisconsin-freedivers-spearos/97261-freedive-palooza-2013-a.html

 

[Triton1715]

That sounds a lot like myself. I wanted scuba lessons for my 10th birthday and when I discovered I would have to wait 2 more years, I was crushed! I eventually got them for my 12th and took the class with my dad. He got a bad case of ear squeeze and had to quit and I didn't want to finish it without him. However, after a few years it became apparent that he wasn't going to dive again, so I got certified at 15 instead. All the while my friends and I were snorkeling and freediving as well, but had no idea what we were doing. I eventually got into a little bit of spearfishing myself, but I haven't done that now in probably 14+ years. I still have my Riffe though. . .someday I'll take it back out again.

Thanks for the letting me know about the opening. If I had some cold weather gear and (didn't already have a prior commitment on Saturday), I would be ALL over that! I really need to get back up to speed with the new techniques. Also, thanks for the head's up about the Wisconsin class. I'm thinking that if I need to travel for the class though, I might as well head to Florida or the Caribbean and get some sun and play in the warm, clear waters there.

Out of curiosity, what and where do you spear around here? (I'm originally from Traverse City, so I actually haven't been in the waters around here at all. . .heck, I haven't even been swimming here!). Yes, I'm a disgrace. I know.