We're returning for our 4th trip to Bonaire this summer. Although I'm quite comfortable underwater, I think that my bouyancy control could still be improved and maybe I could shed a couple of pounds of lead. Can anyone recommend an instructor or diveshop in Bonaire who runs an exceptionally good peak performance bouyancy class that I could schedule to attend while on the island? Thanks.

John,

I would guess every dive shop on Bonaire offers a bouyancy control course as it is a speciality course with most of the certifying agencies (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.). I suggest you visit the shop where you are staying/diving and talk with the Instructors. Find one that you establish a rapport with and go with that instructor.

when we were diving there last summer we saw the floating hoops, triangles, etc. that we use up here in the north for our buoyancy training. i believe we saw them while diving off plaza so i would check with them.

John,

I recall reading something on BT about the buoyancy course offered at Carib Inn. You might want to check out their site at www.caribinn.com
I have heard many positive things about their shop there.

Hi John,

Buoyancy and trim are something I am very particular about and it's something I constantly try to improve on. I just spent 3 hrs at the pool today working on buoyancy and trim with one of my dive buddies. While a good instructor can help, in the end it's up to you. The basics are fairly easy, do a GOOD buoyancy check, get your weights correct and then adjust your trim. Add proper air dumping techniques and breath control and your buoyancy will improve. After you get weights and trim close go somewhere and practice, practice and practice some more. By practice I don't mean just swimming around but rather concentrate on your buoyancy and trim. I took a tech type course (DIR-F) last year and the instructor had us do "nothing" on our first dive. We went to a wreck in a quarry, found a spot on the hull and hovered watching that spot and trying to remain still while not getting any farther than a few inches from that spot for the entire dive. As we found out, doing "nothing " is very difficult. Rather than spending money on a course, find a local dive site and dive. Any place is fine, a pool, a quarry or some of the springs in Northern Fla, any place that has 10- 15 ft of still water. A like minded buddy is also a big help. Unless you are interested in improving and "doing nothing" a buoyancy drill dive can get pretty boring.

Bruce Bowker of Carib Inn offers an excellent buoyancy course, much of it on land even! We had him over on our patio teaching a class of 20 folks as part of an Earth Day event at our house here on Bonaire a few years back, and everyone was in shock at how much sense his presentation made and how much we all learned (many of those present were quite experienced divers too).

Jake

Here's the reader's Digest Condensed version link on Bruce's site:

http://www.caribinn.com/Balance.html

The other short stories are also both informative and enjoyable reading!

Bob