Diver Coaching
Getting certified is just the start. Many divers find themselves struggling with buoyancy control, dynamic horizontal trim, or inefficient kick cycles that stir up silt. Diver coaching is not about ticking off boxes for a card; it is dedicated time focusing entirely on making you a cleaner, calmer, and more efficient diver.
Why Focus on Fundamentals?
Excellent fundamentals are the foundation of all safe, advanced diving. Sticking to a flat horizontal trim reduces water resistance, cuts gas consumption, and prevents your fins from disturbing delicate silt or lake bottom ecology (like the local burbots!).
My coaching sessions are open to divers of any certification level—from open water divers looking to build solid habits to technical divers preparing for decompression programs.
Demonstrating perfect horizontal trim and buoyancy control in a sidemount configuration.
Coaching Focus Areas
Buoyancy Control
Learn to use your lungs as your primary buoyancy adjustment tool. Stay stable within inches at any depth, execute steady safety stops, and glide effortlessly over the bottom.
Horizontal Trim
Adjust weight distribution, cylinder positioning, and harness settings. We work to align your body perfectly flat in the water, stopping you from swimming "head-up" and fighting your own gravity.
Propulsion Techniques
Master clean kick cycles to avoid stirring up the bottom. We practice the frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, back kick (for reversing out of spots), and helicopter turns.
Gear Configuration
Optimize your setup for streamlining and accessibility. Fine-tune backplate/wing systems, dry suit hose routings, twinset valve reachability, or sidemount harness adjustments.
How a Coaching Session Works
Land Briefing & Dry Runs
We review your current diving problems and goals. On land, we practice body positioning, leg angles for the back kick, and evaluate your harness fit before stepping into the water.
In-Water Video Analysis
During a dedicated lake session, we run skills while recording video footage of your trim, buoyancy, and kick cycles. Seeing yourself in the water is the fastest way to learn.
Debrief & Feedback
Post-dive, we slow down the video footage together frame-by-frame. You'll receive specific adjustments, weight redistribution suggestions, and targeted drills to practice on subsequent dives.