Frequently Asked Questions

This list covers some of the most common questions we receive but likely not every question you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, we want you to feel informed and prepared when making any training or travel decisions.

GUE is a non-profit organization focused on improving the aquatic realm in three areas – Education, Conservation and Exploration.

GUE’s standard equipment configuration includes a backplate, wing, primary regulator with seven-foot hose, and back-up regulator on a bungee necklace.

Being familiar with personal equipment is beneficial for class and will allow you to build a solid platform for continued practice after class. It is strongly encouraged that each student come to class with their own equipment.

The class requires each student to complete a 300 yard swim in 14 minutes and complete an underwater breath hold swim for 50 feet. You do not have to be a fast swimmer, as long as you can complete the swim within the timeframe. The swim test is conducted in a swimsuit, goggles may be worn. 

Excellent. I appreciate your commitment to becoming a better and safer diver and look forward to working with you. Let’s get started:

 

  1. Create an account or login to GUE.com
  2. Complete your student profile 
  3. Apply for class and make payment for your course registration on GUE.com
  4. When the course registration is paid, you’ll find your course materials as a downloadable ZIP archive from the “Download Files” option on your “My Account” menu   
  5. I will then get an email that you have applied for the class and mark you registered for the class. I will reach out to you to confirm that I received your registration.
  6. Please pay your tuition deposit to me when you register.

Extreme Exposure (EE) is a dive center in High Springs, FL and will serve as our homebase. If you need to rent anything, please make arrangements with them ahead of time. If you would like to purchase anything prior to our course, please call them and tell them you are taking a Fundamentals class with me and they will have everything ready when you arrive. EE can be reached at: (386)-454-8154.

Blue Grotto is an ideal training location in Williston, FL and the dive site where your course will be conducted. The dive site offers 72° water all year round. Although sometimes busy, the visibility is usually fairly good. Blue Grotto has nice bathrooms facilities with hot water, indoor showers, and covered pavilions. 

Ginnie Springs is another site we may visit. Ginnie is close to Extreme Exposure and offers a good training location for our first day of in-water skills and the swim test. The site also offers 72° water all year round, covered pavilions, and indoor bathroom facilities.

Every dive site has their own entrance fee. If you are taking a five or six day class, please budget up to $200 for entrance fees. We may use other training sites depending on conditions, time, and availability. 

We will be using Nitrox 32 for the Fundamentals class. Expect to use one set of doubles or two single tanks each day. Please budget up to $100 for breathing gas for the class. 

High Springs is a quiet town and offers two economy motels: the High Springs Country Inn and BlueGem Motel. Both are near a Winn-Dixie grocery store. There are a handful of restaurants within a few minutes of Extreme Exposure.

About a 10 minute drive from High Springs is the town of Alachua. They offer two more comfortable housing options, Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn, both near a Publix grocery store. Alachua also has several casual restaurants and fast food options. About a half an hour away from Extreme Exposure is the city of Gainesville. Gainesville has many options for both lodging and dinings as well as most retail chains to meet your needs. Both Marriott and Hilton have hotels in the city. Gainesville is a convenient location to get to Blue Grotto.

All three towns also offer many convenient Airbnb’s  and VRBO’s. 

I do not recommend staying in Williston near Blue Grotto. Although it will be convenient in the morning, lodging and dining options are very limited. 

The Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is the closest and most convenient airport to High Springs. However, flights are often limited and are more expensive than other options. Other options include:

Jacksonville International Airport ( JAX ) is about a 1.5 hour drive. 

Orlando International Airport  (MCO) is a 2 hour drive.  

Tampa International Airport  (TPA) is a 2.25 hour drive. 

You can read more about Stretch’s adventures on his official GUE resume. 

Staying properly fueled and hydrated will help you during class. You should plan to bring food and water each day. A cooler that can withstand the Florida heat works best but shelf-stable snacks work too. Hedgie has been known to send surprise baked goods to class to offer an extra boost of energy. 

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