Thursday 2nd March 2006

Tonight we welcomed back one of our old freedivers, Simon Reid. For those of you that don't know Simon, he has an encyclopeadic knowledge of freediving, so it's well worth coming along early for a chat with him whenever he's coming along.

Also, welcome to Virginia, who is an AIDA qualified freediver, but new to Richmond. The remaining attendees were Lucia, Laura, Irvine, Theo, Ben, Alex, Marc, Justin, Gary, Toby and Mark. If I've missed anyone, I do apologise, but with 13 attendees, four of who I hadn't met before, it's sometimes a little difficult to keep track! Anyway, I think everyone was able to do the training they wanted, and most importantly trained safely.

Last but not least, congratulations to Lucia for winning her Deeper Blue award, and getting a weekend's training at HMS Dolphin.

Thursday 23rd February 2006

Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. ( This includes those who haven't been for a while - you don't need to ask, just put up a posting and come along. ) Steve G and Theo will be supervising. Anyone who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications is welcome next on 2nd March, but please mail Steve G beforehand.

Thursday 16th February 2006

Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. ( This includes those who haven't been for a while - you don't need to ask, just put up a posting and come along. ) Livvy and Nick will be supervising. Anyone who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications is welcome next on 2nd March, but please mail Steve G beforehand.

Thursday 9th February 2006

Apologies to everyone that had grief posting comments. Not my fault, honest Guv. Anyway, it should all be fixed now.

Tonight's 'regulars' were Persy, Lucia, Irvine, Ben and Mark. A big welcome to Marc, and a big welcome back to Alex, after a wee 6 year break (!)

Lucia and Marc busied themselves with a full session of statics; Persy, Alex and Mark partook of some leisurely dynamics; and Ben and Irvine went 50/50.

Pool a bit on the chilly side tonight.

Thursday 2nd February 2006

Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. ( This includes those who haven't been for a while - you don't need to ask, just put up a posting and come along. ) Mark H and Steve G will be supervising. Anyone who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications is welcome also, but please mail Steve G beforehand.

Thursday 26th January 2006

Livvy, Persy, Lucia, Irvive, James, Jody and Mark were all up for a full-on 90 minute training session. I don't know if the dry statics helped or not, but I think we'll try them a few more times - maybe every other week.

James and Jody were Dyn NF, Livvy and Irvine mainly statics, while Persy, Lucia and Mark all practised their dynamic rescues. I would ask all of you to consider your training and rescue abilities when you are in the pool ( especially dynamics ). How far away is your partner....would they be able to lift you effectively if you were sunken in the deep end....when did you last practise a rescue? Personally, I wouldn't want to be training alongside someone if I wasn't confident that I could effect an immediate rescue of them should they get into difficulty. Why not build in a practise rescue into your training schedule? They are fun, and serve a very worthwhile purpose.

Thursday 19th January 2006

Diver Magazine's 'Buddy of the Year' Laura Storm was with us tonight, to help Lucia and Persy with their Dynamic training assessment. I understand they are both ready now to move on to rescue training. Well done, and thanks Laura Storm!

Meanwhile, Steve and Livvy busied themselves with statics, while Irvine and Mark did a mix of statics and timed dynamic sprints.

Thursday 12th January 2006

After a short break, welcome back to Lucia, Persy, Irvine, Ben and James. Congratulations to Steve Tucker for completing his AIDA ** Freediver course with flying colours. And best of luck to Ben, who is travelling to Germany to represent The Richmond Freediving club in the AIDA competition there. Ben - remember to post the website details on the 19th Jan entry, so we can chart your progress.

For everyone else who comes along regularly - there will be a few changes this year, if there is the demand for them. Mainly pre-pool session discussions and workshops, but there may be some other suprises in store as well. Keep an eye on the blog for more details.

Thursday 5th January 2006

No Pool training tonight. Next meet on the 12th January 2006.

Thursday 29th December 2005

Whadya wannna go pool training for? Have another Turkey sandwich! Next meet on 12th January 2006.

Thursday 22nd December 2005

Our four apnea-teers tonight were Grace, Lucia, Irvine and Mark. A PB for Mark using monofin, and a notable PB for Grace in static. ( That's Grace getting a PB, not Mark getting a PB for a graceful static....)

Thursday 15th December 2005

Attendees tonight were Lucia, James, Theo and Ben. Not sure how everyone fared, as I was in a tired ( aka hungover ) state, and slipped away early for some slumber therapy. Setting a good example as always.

Thursday 8th December 2005

After we'd cracked the ice off the pool surface, our cool attendees were Lucia, Ben, Steve G, Jonty, Jody, James and Mark.

I can't quite believe how many of you didn't have wetsuits on a night like last night. But respect to those of you that didn't and stayed the full hour.

Thursday 1st December 2005

Welcome to Jonty, who came along for his first session with Steve G. Also showing faces were Lucia, Liv, Nick, James, Jody and Mark. Congratulations to Lucia on a new static PB - 4m45s - and a very clean performance.

Thursday 24th November 2005

Lucia, Andy, James, Jody, Ben and Sam all present for training. Mark was nursing a wheezing chest and stayed out of the water.

Thursday 17th November 2005

Mark will be not now be at the pool tonight, due to chest infection. Don't think its Avian Flu, but still don't want to spread it around. Hoping that Steve G will be able to hold the reins tonight. Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. The next night for anyone who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications, will be on Thursday 1st December. Please mail Steve G to arrange.

Thursday 10th November 2005

Steve will be supervising. Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. Those of you wanting to do specific training, please arrive before 8:30 pm, so that we can work the pairing out. Anyone wishing to come along tonight who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications, please mail Steve G

Thursday 3rd November 2005

There will be no pool training tonight.

Thursday 27th October 2005

Nick will be supervising. Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. Those of you wanting to do specific training, please arrive before 8:30 pm, so that we can work the pairing out. Anyone wishing to come along who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications, please mail Steve G - the next session for newcomers will be on 10th November.

Thursday 20th October 2005

Attendees tonight were Persy, Lucia, Livvy, Irvine, Nick, Fred, Andy and Mark. Two notable PB's - Persy with a 5 minute breathold, and Fred with a 99 metre dynamic. Well done both of you!