Rec 2, Success is Worth the Struggle
I was trying to find a quote that could sum up what we all just went through during my last UTD Recreational 2 class. I had two guys who were very enthusiastic, great spirits, strongly committed but just needed a little more work.
The last Recreational 2 class started off with a lot of issues that needed attention. The UTD program demands the best from our students, granted it is specific to their level… but we still expect a student to perform to a certain ability in or order to achieve a certification. We don’t expect a Recreational 2 student to deal with the same level of awareness that a Technical 2 would, but we are going to test their ability and comfort for what we are certifying that student to do, out on their own.
My two recent students had some basic buoyancy issues. Both had the typical AOW, Nitrox certified status but lacked in the ability to multitask in the way we want our divers to do. This is the hardest part of being a UTD instructor. To look at two excited divers who could easily have the cards from any other agency, and tell them, “You are not ready,” is a difficult task.
Class ended on a high note Sunday afternoon. We had tremendous improvement, a great video debrief and two divers who were steadfast in their training. Monday afternoon I had the pleasure to find out these two guys sneaked out of work, to get right back out there and work on the things they needed to. That’s what makes you feel good as an instructor, to see your students really take what you say to heart, and do it on their own accord, without you there watching! Congratulations guys.
“Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal.” Mike Ditka said that once, I don’t know where, or why, or about what… but I can imagine. Most important to me is that it fit these two guys well. Just passing isn’t the end, and needing a little more work to earn success isn’t the end either. Earning a card and getting a card are two very different things, and only those who have earned it can tell you why.
James Mott
The last Recreational 2 class started off with a lot of issues that needed attention. The UTD program demands the best from our students, granted it is specific to their level… but we still expect a student to perform to a certain ability in or order to achieve a certification. We don’t expect a Recreational 2 student to deal with the same level of awareness that a Technical 2 would, but we are going to test their ability and comfort for what we are certifying that student to do, out on their own.
My two recent students had some basic buoyancy issues. Both had the typical AOW, Nitrox certified status but lacked in the ability to multitask in the way we want our divers to do. This is the hardest part of being a UTD instructor. To look at two excited divers who could easily have the cards from any other agency, and tell them, “You are not ready,” is a difficult task.
Class ended on a high note Sunday afternoon. We had tremendous improvement, a great video debrief and two divers who were steadfast in their training. Monday afternoon I had the pleasure to find out these two guys sneaked out of work, to get right back out there and work on the things they needed to. That’s what makes you feel good as an instructor, to see your students really take what you say to heart, and do it on their own accord, without you there watching! Congratulations guys.
“Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal.” Mike Ditka said that once, I don’t know where, or why, or about what… but I can imagine. Most important to me is that it fit these two guys well. Just passing isn’t the end, and needing a little more work to earn success isn’t the end either. Earning a card and getting a card are two very different things, and only those who have earned it can tell you why.
James Mott
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Mills on -
I'm one of the lucky students that was told I wasn't ready yet. Actually, I didn't need to be told. Throughout the progress of the class I could feel (and see, thanks to the video - truly invaluable) how much I was changing as a diver and being able to compare that to the diver I *want* to be - and expect (hope) UTD will help me be, I knew I wasn't ready. I think this self awareness of your personal diving capabilities is remarkable. I'm relatively certain I would have met - likely exceeded - the bar to get the certification of other agencies. But to me, at the end of the day the certification card is the last thing I care about; I want to be a diver, not have a wallet full of cards.
As James mentioned, my buddy and I were back training the next day, and then again that weekend. Him and I feel so much better about every one of the drills and really as a confident, thinking diver than I ever thought I would be. Even with the few dives we've done with Rec 2, I've never felt as comfortable in the water as I do now. I really hope that feeling of confidence only grows throughout my career with UTD. I can't wait to get back in the water..
-John
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Permalink Reply by Lynne Flaherty on -
John, welcome to the club! I think all of us who are ahead of you in the training sequence have had the experience of not meeting our own expectations in one class or another. The work you do to sort it out just makes your general diving better and better, and the longer you're at this, the more that is true. It's worth the effort!
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Permalink Reply by Chew Poh Chang on -
John you had a great instructor. James is always full of jokes and a very fine Instructor.
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Permalink Reply by Scot Morrison on -
i'm the other sudent that was not ready at the end of the class. Believe me, we were not ready. I'm glad that James and UTD did not just give us a card. Otherwise it would be just another 'padi'. I am happy that John and I will EARN it as a team. We have been out 3 times since the weekend of Rec 2. The differnce is remarkable - James we will make you proud. the achievement of the completion of Rec 2 will be quite satisfying and will definately have been earned. james, it must been hard to say no card guys - but it was the right decision - keep your standards high - you are a great instructor and i am proud to say i have learned from you. But don't let it go to your head.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Wiederspan on -
Good work, guys.
This is a great illustration of the difference between becoming a better diver and dimply getting a card. Anyone can get a card...being the diver you want to be, and meeting the bar that has been set takes work, some frustration and persistence. However, in the end you'll have a much stronger sense of accomplishment and confidence.
I tell all my students, it doesn't matter where you're at going in. It's where you're at coming out that counts.
Good job
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