Need! DIR-F in Europe (Italy)...in English

WhatAKeepah · August 1st, 2006, 08:02 PM

All, I live in Sardinia, Italy and am looking for a DIR-F class in the near future (end of August or anytime in September). I am willing to travel around Europe for it...as long as the instructor is well-known/can be vouched for and speaks English. I speak plenty of Italian, but I definately don't want a language barrier to pop up while covering this stuff! I MAY have one other friend I can convince to take this class, but it'll probably be just me. I'm definately willing to join another scheduled class...I'm not shy...

As for my experience, it's very limited: qualified Jr. OW in '95, dove just a few times then was out of the game until this April. Qualified AOW and have 10 dives under my belt...I typically dive once or twice each week. I'm also going to be doing the Rescue Diver and Nitrox courses during the summer...but those starting dates are on hold pending my instructor here getting a bit more interest.

If I can't find a class in Europe, I'll be looking for a course in Florida (either near Sarasota/North Port or in the Keys) sometime in December since I'll be there on leave for the holidays. Please post here or PM me with suggestions/details.

Thanks
Alex

GLOC · August 1st, 2006, 08:20 PM

http://www.gue.com/student/courses/index.html loads in Europe although none in the UK. There is an opening in Italy at the end of the month though.

Happy course hunting....

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 23rd 2006 Stockholm, Stockholm SE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 23rd 2006 Dresden, Sachsen DE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 24th 2006 Kon-Tiki, Smögen SE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 30th 2006 Oslo, Oslo NO

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 31st 2006 Hausvik, Oceanic Tech Norway NO

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info August 31st 2006 Oceanic Tech/Mölle, Kullaberg SE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 4th 2006 Kiel, Schleswig Holstein DE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 7th 2006 Oslo, Oceanic Tech Norway NO

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 7th 2006 Blausteinsee, NRW DE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 14th 2006 Hemmoor, Niedersachsen DE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 19th 2006 Neufeld an der Leita, Burgenland AT

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 25th 2006 Santa Margherita Ligure, GENOVA IT

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 29th 2006 Hemmoor, Niedersachsen DE

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 30th 2006 Hilterfingen, Bern CH

Regards

Maren · August 1st, 2006, 11:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

Fundamentals of DIR Diving
Register/Info September 25th 2006 Santa Margherita Ligure, GENOVA IT

Hi Alex,

get in touch with Bruno Borelli. He is the Owner of Portofino Divers at Santa Magherita Ligure next to Genova. Bruno is teaching GUE Fundamentals Classes as mentioned above. We had a great weekend diving with him for a weekend last november and I'm sure he's capable to do Fundies in english. Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino Divers are also a really nice place to be.

Greetings,
Maren

Rubis · August 2nd, 2006, 10:22 AM

I am sure Bruno can handle Italian ...

MonkSeal · August 2nd, 2006, 04:16 PM

You can contact any of Italians from http://www.gue.com/Training/Instructors/index.html (Mario, Bruno, Andrea, Francesco) and try to set-up a class.

WhatAKeepah · August 2nd, 2006, 05:48 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mariiie)

Hi Alex,

get in touch with Bruno Borelli. He is the Owner of Portofino Divers at Santa Magherita Ligure next to Genova. Bruno is teaching GUE Fundamentals Classes as mentioned above. We had a great weekend diving with him for a weekend last november and I'm sure he's capable to do Fundies in english. Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino Divers are also a really nice place to be.

Greetings,
Maren

Maren, thanks. I looked at their website and the price seems a bit high for DIR-F. 500 Euro for the course and another 200 Euro for shop fees. That's around $900...

I have no problem paying for quality training, but I'm not willing to pay double what most other places charge. If I'm missing something, definately let me know as this might be one of the best options for me.

Cheers
Alex

Maren · August 2nd, 2006, 08:07 PM

Hi Alex,

as far as I know, the usual price for taking a fundamentals is around 450 to 500 euros for a four-days-class. In addition you have to pay for the instructors expenses, boat rental, entrance fees, gas fills or whatever there is. Seems as if all of this is included in the 200€ shop fees, that is mentioned.

Check out the other classes from GUE's website GLOC already pointed out: http://www.gue.com/student/courses/index.html
Maybe there are other classes for a lower price. I don't know. We gained some good experience with Bruno and his Portofino Divers and as they are really near to you, I expected them to be a good idea for you.

Regards,
Maren

P.S. 500€ plus 200€ is 700€, isn't it...

WhatAKeepah · August 2nd, 2006, 08:53 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mariiie)

Hi Alex,

P.S. 500€ plus 200€ is 700€, isn't it...

Yes well done...and at today's current rate (.78) that equals $895 US.

So that just seems like a butt ton of money when I can pay less for equal training elsewhere. I plan on doing more research on pricing and will go from there. Maybe all the other places just don't advertise the dive shop fees...like I said...research.

Thanks again for the advice!

Alex

Moz · August 2nd, 2006, 09:21 PM

Hi Alex,

There is one 5 Oct-8 Oct in the Uk with Rich Walker (spaces available)

I know it's outside of the dates you mentioned, but not much.

Now how do I know that?

David

Maren · August 2nd, 2006, 10:25 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by WhatAKeepah)

Yes well done...and at today's current rate (.78) that equals $895 US.

Ups, sorry. To fast reading without noticing you meant dollars instead of euros...

So, good luck with your research. Let us know, how you get on with it.

August 1st, 2006, 08:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
WhatAKeepah(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Maddalena, Italy Posts: 26	Need! DIR-F in Europe (Italy)...in English All, I live in Sardinia, Italy and am looking for a DIR-F class in the near future (end of August or anytime in September). I am willing to travel around Europe for it...as long as the instructor is well-known/can be vouched for and speaks English. I speak plenty of Italian, but I definately don't want a language barrier to pop up while covering this stuff! I MAY have one other friend I can convince to take this class, but it'll probably be just me. I'm definately willing to join another scheduled class...I'm not shy... As for my experience, it's very limited: qualified Jr. OW in '95, dove just a few times then was out of the game until this April. Qualified AOW and have 10 dives under my belt...I typically dive once or twice each week. I'm also going to be doing the Rescue Diver and Nitrox courses during the summer...but those starting dates are on hold pending my instructor here getting a bit more interest. If I can't find a class in Europe, I'll be looking for a course in Florida (either near Sarasota/North Port or in the Keys) sometime in December since I'll be there on leave for the holidays. Please post here or PM me with suggestions/details. Thanks Alex

August 1st, 2006, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	http://www.gue.com/student/courses/index.html loads in Europe although none in the UK. There is an opening in Italy at the end of the month though. Happy course hunting.... Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 23rd 2006 Stockholm, Stockholm SE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 23rd 2006 Dresden, Sachsen DE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 24th 2006 Kon-Tiki, Smögen SE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 30th 2006 Oslo, Oslo NO Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 31st 2006 Hausvik, Oceanic Tech Norway NO Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info August 31st 2006 Oceanic Tech/Mölle, Kullaberg SE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 4th 2006 Kiel, Schleswig Holstein DE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 7th 2006 Oslo, Oceanic Tech Norway NO Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 7th 2006 Blausteinsee, NRW DE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 14th 2006 Hemmoor, Niedersachsen DE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 19th 2006 Neufeld an der Leita, Burgenland AT Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 25th 2006 Santa Margherita Ligure, GENOVA IT Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 29th 2006 Hemmoor, Niedersachsen DE Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 30th 2006 Hilterfingen, Bern CH Regards __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King

August 2nd, 2006, 09:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Moz(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gateshead Posts: 205	DIR-F in the UK Hi Alex, There is one 5 Oct-8 Oct in the Uk with Rich Walker (spaces available) I know it's outside of the dates you mentioned, but not much. Now how do I know that? David

August 1st, 2006, 11:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Maren(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North of Germany Posts: 80	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) Fundamentals of DIR Diving Register/Info September 25th 2006 Santa Margherita Ligure, GENOVA IT Hi Alex, get in touch with Bruno Borelli. He is the Owner of Portofino Divers at Santa Magherita Ligure next to Genova. Bruno is teaching GUE Fundamentals Classes as mentioned above. We had a great weekend diving with him for a weekend last november and I'm sure he's capable to do Fundies in english. Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino Divers are also a really nice place to be. Greetings, Maren

August 2nd, 2006, 10:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rubis(Offline) cave deprived and Kissed Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Broadway, (lost in Central NC, USA far far way from Caves SIGH !!!) Posts: 275	I am sure Bruno can handle Italian ...

August 2nd, 2006, 04:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) Old Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 475	You can contact any of Italians from http://www.gue.com/Training/Instructors/index.html (Mario, Bruno, Andrea, Francesco) and try to set-up a class.

August 2nd, 2006, 05:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
WhatAKeepah(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Maddalena, Italy Posts: 26	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mariiie) Hi Alex, get in touch with Bruno Borelli. He is the Owner of Portofino Divers at Santa Magherita Ligure next to Genova. Bruno is teaching GUE Fundamentals Classes as mentioned above. We had a great weekend diving with him for a weekend last november and I'm sure he's capable to do Fundies in english. Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino Divers are also a really nice place to be. Greetings, Maren Maren, thanks. I looked at their website and the price seems a bit high for DIR-F. 500 Euro for the course and another 200 Euro for shop fees. That's around $900... I have no problem paying for quality training, but I'm not willing to pay double what most other places charge. If I'm missing something, definately let me know as this might be one of the best options for me. Cheers Alex

August 2nd, 2006, 08:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Maren(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North of Germany Posts: 80	Hi Alex, as far as I know, the usual price for taking a fundamentals is around 450 to 500 euros for a four-days-class. In addition you have to pay for the instructors expenses, boat rental, entrance fees, gas fills or whatever there is. Seems as if all of this is included in the 200€ shop fees, that is mentioned. Check out the other classes from GUE's website GLOC already pointed out: http://www.gue.com/student/courses/index.html Maybe there are other classes for a lower price. I don't know. We gained some good experience with Bruno and his Portofino Divers and as they are really near to you, I expected them to be a good idea for you. Regards, Maren P.S. 500€ plus 200€ is 700€, isn't it...

August 2nd, 2006, 08:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
WhatAKeepah(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Maddalena, Italy Posts: 26	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mariiie) Hi Alex, P.S. 500€ plus 200€ is 700€, isn't it... Yes well done...and at today's current rate (.78) that equals $895 US. So that just seems like a butt ton of money when I can pay less for equal training elsewhere. I plan on doing more research on pricing and will go from there. Maybe all the other places just don't advertise the dive shop fees...like I said...research. Thanks again for the advice! Alex

August 2nd, 2006, 10:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Maren(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North of Germany Posts: 80	Quote: (Originally Posted by WhatAKeepah) Yes well done...and at today's current rate (.78) that equals $895 US. Ups, sorry. To fast reading without noticing you meant dollars instead of euros... So, good luck with your research. Let us know, how you get on with it.