Jonny's LMC gets out of control....

DSCN0223
Originally uploaded by Larsz.

Thursday 21st July 2005

Mark will be teaching students tonight, so if anyone can supervise, please mail him. Anyone wishing to come, please post a comment. Next newcomer induction evening planned for Thursday 4th August.

Thursday 14th July 2005

Whew, what a scorcher of a day, and what a pleasant way to cool down in the evening. Jonny and Nick combined a spot of statics with dynamics, Lars was on paparazzi duty with his snazzy new u/w camera, and Mark was back on statics again, spotted by Laura.

As well as seeing the Elk and snapping great Dane, we also saw Lars put in a static PB at the end of the session.

Last but not least, congratulations to Lars on his recent engagement, and Jonny on his recent marriage. And to Nick for not losing his locker key.

Thursday 7th July 2005

Because of today's disruption in central London, unfortunately tonight's training session will be cancelled.

Thursday 30th June 2005

Everyone has their post-session wind-down. For most it's a warm shower and a chat about things freediving related. Not so for Nick. He has now come up with a new activity - running around the whole pool complex in his trunks, frantically looking for a lost locker key. I've maintained for some time now, that apnea has no detrimental effect whatsoever on memory.

Earlier in the evening, while I was training Rurik for his AIDA **, Nick, Irvine, James and Robin all busied themselves with dynamics. Rurik's dynamic rescue demonstration ( by me ) was a perfect example of how *not* to do it, and something I may well incorporate into future courses. Cramp-locked calf muscles do not contribute to successful rescue scenarios....

Well done to Rurik for completing his AIDA ** Freediver pool modules, and good luck for the NDAC open-water session.

Thursday 23rd June 2005

Statics all-round it was. Robin and Neale returned after their diving sabattical, with Steve and Mark managing a couple of breath holds between phone calls.

Numbers down a bit, but I suppose everyone was out celebrating seeing Stepanek getting beaten by a Brit. Sorry, I couldn't resist that one!

Thursday 16th June 2005

With James supervising, Paula and Mark finished the pool modules for Paula's AIDA ** Freediver course. Good Luck to Paula for the remainder at the NDC.

Thursday 9th June 2005

I'm looking for a volunteer to supervise this session. I will be at the pool, but busy running an AIDA training course with 2 students. If you don't mind collecting money and just keeping an eye on things, please drop me a mail.

...post session...
Welcome to Paula, Jonathan and Rurik, who all underwent the first part of their AIDA ** Freediver training courses. Thanks to Sam for helping out with the training, and to Theo for keeping an eye out for all of us. Last but not least, good to see Anne-Marie again after her successes in Nice.

And Good Wishes to Theo for his wedding this weekend.

Thursday 2nd June 2005

Steve Gardiner will be supervising this session. Steve already has a full complement of newcomers for induction, so if you want to come along for the first time, July 7th will be the next opportunity.

Experienced freedivers attending, please post a comment so that Steve knows numbers.

Last but not least - congratulations to Theo Ivanovic for his PB in Constant Weight at the CIPA Open in Nice last weekend. 64 metres in a first competition may even be a record in its own right!

Thursday 26th May 2005

There will bo no pool training tonight - next session on Thursday 2nd June.

Thursday 19th May 2005

Mark will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment.

Thursday 12th May 2005

Steve G will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment.

Thursday 5th May 2005

Steve G and Theo will supervise. Anyone wishing to come, please post a comment. There will be a limited number of places available for newcomers - if you are interested, please mail Steve sooner rather than later.

Thursday 28th April 2005

Mark will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment.

Thursday 21st April 2005

Just six of us tonight patrolling the lanes. Lucia and Theo on static duty, James and Mark DNF'ing, and Jonny and Miles going 50/50. Theo must have enjoyed his stag night the weekend before - he said he'd pulled a hamster, apparently, which seemed to make him limp a bit. Didn't affect his statics though, as he pulled off another respectable PB...

Thursday 14th April 2005

Richmond Pool may have contained the hapneist group of freedivers in the country last night. Who was there? Lucia, Jonny, Theo, Irvine, Mark, Leon, Robin, Nick and Mark H. Mark H was happy, as *nearly* everyone brought the right money. Lucia was happy, as she had made a good recovery from her illness and was back on form with statics. Robin was happy, as he made a 5 minute PB static. Theo was happy, as he made a 4-length PB dynamic ( I believe that's somewhere between 124-132 metres ). Blinding. ( Theo is anticipating a weekend of debauchery with his forthcoming stag night, so I don't know if that had anything to do with his success! ) Jonny was happy, as he's just successfully completed his AIDA ** Freediver. Nick was happy, as he's about to go away on hols to the Med. Leon and Mark were happy, as they nearly managed PB's in emptying the pool contents. Irvine was happy because Irvine's always happy. Hapnea all round.

Thursday 7th April 2005

Mark will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment.

Newcomers are welcome tonight, as long as you can let me know beforehand by email .

I need to know what swimming / diving experience you have, and any health / fitness issues that might be relevant. I can then mail you back with what to expect and what you need to bring.

Pool briefings for newcomers will start at 8pm. Meet at The Old Deer Park swimming pool; directions on the link.

Events of the evening:

Newbie night with a good showing from the regulars. We welcomed Mattej for his induction with Steve ( statics only - Mattej and Steve will go over dynamics in 2 week's time ). A bit of a late start, with most people intending to do statics and dynamics, but only having time for the statics. Lars, Jonny, Lucia, Theo, Robin and Mark H all hovering in the shallows, with James, Leon and Mark, up and down the lanes. PB's ( that I'm aware of ) for Lars and Robin in statics.

Thursday 31st March 2005

Isn't everyone well-behaved? 75% of last night's attendees posted to say they were coming - pats on backs all-round. As you all know, with only 2 lanes available, things can get a bit crowded if we have a full showing. Whenever you post to say you will be there, it gives everyone an idea beforehand how busy it's going to be.

It also turned out well with the pairing - everyone had a buddy who wanted to do the same thing. James & Irvine plus Neale and Nick on Dynamics, Mark & Theo statics, and Jonny & Miles mixing both disciplines.

A very pleasant evening to round off the end of March.

Thursday 24th March 2005

Quiet evening at the pool - everyone migrating out of London for Easter. An early demonstration of abdominal breathing was followed in the water with dynamics from James and Irvine, and statics from Lucia and Mark. Jonny did a bit of both.

Thursday 17th March 2005

Good to round off a warm spring day in the cool waters of the Old Deer Park swimming pool. Joining in the wallow, were Zoe and Irvine ( monofinning ); Lucia and Theo ( statics ); and Robin, Nick, Miles and Mark H ( statics / dynamics ).

Miles looked smart in his new Cressi wetsuit, and was most grateful to find out how to remove it. Theo on the other hand, seemed intent on converting his nice Elios suit into a piece of Swiss cheese. The glue, please, matron.