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!

Thursday 13th October 2005

Attendees tonight were Lucia, Persy, Liv, Nick, Fred, Irvine and Mark. We all seemed to have a go at everything tonight, and thanks to Fred and Irvine for lending out their monofins.

Those of you there may have noticed a group of people watching us at the pool edge. They were Michaela, Tess and Orion from The Surrey Institute of Art and Design, and are looking into making a documentary on freediving.

Thursday 6th October 2005

Andy and Irvine were on-board for a mix of statics and dynamics; Steve G, Lucia, and Persy mainly static, and Fred and Mark mainly dynamic.

Fred was a clear winner in the bubble ring competition, with Mark and Irvine clearly needing to practise more.

As for Persy, and her latest static PB....I won't say what it was, in case she doesn't want it broadcast, but it was impressive. Watch out, female freedivers. There's a new girl on the block.

Thursday 29th September 2005

A quiet night, with Lucia, Irvine, Andy, Fred and Mark all doing their thing. For Lucia and Mark this was statics only, and for the other boys a mix of dynamics / statics.

The main performance of the evening was Irvine's tremendous bubble-ring, the likes of which have never before been seen. Unfortunately I missed the event, but others didn't, and waxed lyrical on its production for many seconds.

Thursday 22nd September 2005

Welcome back to Theo, after his excellent performance in Nice, and a big welcome to Grace and Fred, who did their induction with us. Also bobbing and sculling, were Persy, Lucia, Irvine and Andy. Good Luck to Grace with her next induction, at Cambridge University, and hope to see you again around Christmas time. Fred we hope to see back a little sooner :-)

Thursday 15th September 2005

Ann-Marie, Matt, Lucia, Persy, Irvive, Andy, Darren and Mark all doing a mixture of dynamic and static in buddy pairs. ( Most of us starting out with the intention of just static, end changing our minds toward the end. ) Pool nice and warm again for the second week running. Will it last?

Thursday 8th September 2005

Pool nice and warm tonight, with a good mix of numbers and disciplines. Persy and Lucia worked on their statics, and Liz, Mark, Irvive, Matt and Darren all mixed statics and dynamics. Lucia was rightly pleased with her static PB, and Liz made a double PB in both disciplines!

Thursday 1st September 2005

Steve will be supervising / doing pool inductions ( at least 3 newcomers expected ). Anyone wishing to come along, please post a comment. Anyone wishing to come along who hasn't been before, and doesn't have AIDA qualifications, please mail Steve G beforehand.

Thursday 25th August 2005

Persy, Nick, Paula and Irvine mixed statics and dynamics, with Lucia, Livvy and Mark doing statics only. I know some of you didn't get to do exactly what you had wanted initially, so I have a few suggestions for the future:

1. The earlier you arrive, the easier it is to get the right buddy ( as long as everyone else does, of course! )
2. If you are doing statics, then wear a wetsuit so that you don't have to abandon your buddy to warm up.
3. Consider doing just one discipline per session ( or make sure your buddy wants to do exactly the same mix of statics and dynamics that you do ).

Just a few suggestions really. Congratulations to Persy for getting her 2nd PB in 2 weeks, and being patient about the pairing situation.

Thursday 18th August 2005

Well, the girls are doing something right! Persy and Anne-Marie both put in blistering performances with their statics, and made PB's. Lucia was close to hers. Andy made a good PB this week ( as in wobble-free ). Steve and Mario were quietly doing their statics, and I didn't hear how they got on, but as for Nick, Irvine and Mark, we all need to give our backsides a bit of a kick. No-one seemed to be up for dynamics, other than Irvine who had a quick splash at the end.

Thursday 11th August 2005

Attending tonight were Lucia, Irvine, Andy, Mark, Anne-Marie and Matt. No takers for dynamics; everyone was face down and bobbing. Another PB for AM, who is looking on-form for her forthcoming International in Renens.

Thursday 4th August 2005

A big welcome to Persimone, Liv and Ben, and also my student Steve Tucker. Steve G busied himself with pool inductions for the newbies, while I did Steve T's AIDA instruction.

Irvine and Liv paired up for a mixed session, while Lars and Anne-Marie worked with their respective coaches in statics. This serious coaching stuff must pay dividends, as I gather they both came away with PB's.

Thursday 28th July 2005

A quieter evening than anticipated, with Dynamic training the order of the evening. Paula and Nick paired up, with Paula doing a PB in DNF. Well done Paula! Mark busied himself with getting Nicky, Lisa and Nick through the final pool modules of their AIDA ** course. All did extremely well, especially with the rescue scenarios. As a reward, they now get to spend the weekend in a flooded quarry in Wales....

Thursday 21st July 2005

A slight change of plan for tonight. I have only just found out that Steve G is planning on doing pool inductions for a group of five. Added to the three students I am instructing, this will make things a little congested in the shallow end. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but it may make dynamic training a little difficult just for tonight.

Apologies in advance for this - I will make sure that we avoid double training sessions on the same night in future.

*** Latest News 14:50 21/07/2005 ***

Bombs have disrupted London's transport system again. I am currently confined to my place of work until further notice, and may not be able to make it to the pool tonight. However I shall be attempting to get there, and have checked with the swimming pool, who tell me that they expect to remain open this evening.

I suggest that you only attempt to come along tonight if you are prepared to take a chance with being able to dive or not.

Any of my students who are unable to attend will have their pool modules rescheduled for a later date. In a worst case, it will be acceptable to do your pool modules after your open water.

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.

Thursday 10th March 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. See previous messages for directions.

Post Meeting:
A welcome for Miles Woolgar, who came along for his pool induction with Steve G. Nick and Neale went for their regular static / dynamic combination, while James went for DNF. Lucia, Theo and Mark H had a tri-static session. Steve presided over one of Mark H's attempts and awarded him with a virtual red card for his thousand-yard stare at the end. On occasion, it's good experience to observe a borderline LMC, so that you know what to look for in future. Obviously, Mark H simulated this for training purposes....

Thursday 3rd March 2005

No training session tonight due to swimming gala.

Thursday 24th February 2005

Irvine, Theo, Mark H2, Neale, Nick, Steve, Nick, James and Mark H all made appearances. Some of us were recovering from colds, so not the best of performances tonight. Probably didn't help with the blizzard conditions outside! Laura Storm kept a watchful eye on us from the other side of the lane divider. Steve was shooting u/w stills with his housed C4040. Thanks to all of you for returning Steve's fins.

Thursday 17th February 2005

Irvine, James, Simon, Nick, Big Mark and Mark H all went dynamic last night, with Nick and Big Mark warming up with a spot of statics. Nick now past the 4m barrier and another PB. There's no stopping this boy! Irvine enthusiastic as ever, and showing a good improvement in his monofin style and flexibility.

A note to all about Scuba divers. Despite best intentions, they do drift into our lanes. It's something we have to manage as best as possible under the circumstances ( i.e. us being the guests of the Scuba club ), so we do need to keep an eye out for them.

Also another reminder about coughing up your BFA subs, if you haven't yet done so.

Thursday 10th February 2005

Mark will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment. ( Note this session will be for previous attendees only - newcomers are next welcome on 3rd March. ) If we can all try and get there by 8:45 pm, that gives us just enough time to collect monies, arrange buddy pairs and do some stretching :-)

More information about the Old Deer Park pool can be found here.

Post Meeting: Quite a few people along - Nick, Neale, Robin, Irvine, Simon, Paul and myself. A welcome appearance too from one of our top UK ladies team members - Zoe Hall. Not forgetting as well, Laura Storm, our No.1 saltFree angel :-).

A bit tight on space, but everyone managed. Well done to Robin with his static PB. Nice to see that Cressi are being well-supported - I've never seen so many pairs of Gara 3000's in one go.

Thursday 3rd February 2005

Nick, Neale, Mark and Robin all did statics followed by dynamics. Theo and James worked on their Dynamics. Welcome to Simon, an AIDA qualified freediver, who concentrated on equalization.

Thursday 27 January 2005

Mark will supervise. Anyone planning to come, please post a comment. ( Note this session will be for previous attendees only - newcomers are next welcome on 3rd February. )

I'm also aiming to run a discussion group on the pro's and cons of lung packing. This will include a session on how to do it. Please note that I do not promote packing as a good freediving methodology, but if anyone is going to try it, it's better to consider why you are doing it, and be able to do it correctly. This will start at 8pm.

At this time of year, BFA subscriptions are due for renewal. We ask that people who have come to Richmond to freedive on more than 2 occasions, become BFA members. It's good for freediving, keeps you insured, and there are other benefits that you can read about on the BFA website. Follow this link for subscription payment details as well.

( Post meeting: Sorry to hear you're unwell Nick - so was the whole of Frank and Cindi's Scuba group, so we had the entire pool to ourselves!. Neale and Irvine practised statics and dynamics, with both achieving PB's in statics, while Mark and James did dynamics and DNF respectively. Hopefully Irvine and Neale are now better informed about whether they should consider lung packing in future, and if they do, how to go about it. )

Thursday 20th January 2005

Neale, Nick, Theo, James, Irvine and Mark H all made appearances. Dynamics for Irvine and James, Statics for Mark and Theo, and mixed disciplines for Nick and Neale. We had a welcome
surprise guest appearance from Laura Storm, the effervescent angel who heads up UK freediving Scuba support. Nice to see you again Laura. ( Any one interested in Scuba physiology, especially those who have experienced DCI hits, please visit Laura's website. )

Thursday 13th January 2005

Irvine, James, Brian, Robin, Neale, Nick and Mark H all in the chlorine.

Nick, Neale, Robin and Mark started off doing statics and finished off with a few lengths dynamic, while the other three concentrated on their dynamics.

At least 2 x PB's in the statics ( that I'm aware of ) for both Robin and Nick. Don't forget guys, work forward in gradual stages.