GUE Doubles Primer

I pulled into Gilboa the evening before class, just in time to catch the sun dipping behind the tree line. Camp was quiet—just the sound of water lapping at the edge and a few birds wrapping up their day. I sat by the water for a while, looking out over the quarry, letting things slow down.

Sitting at Gilboa Quarry enjoying the sunset

This was my first GUE course—the Doubles Primer—and I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew the reputation. I knew the standards were high. What I didn’t expect was how clean and focused everything would be. The training was incredibly concise, but nothing felt rushed or glossed over. Every minute of instruction had a purpose. Every skill had weight behind it.

We spent the day working through buoyancy and trim, refining propulsion techniques, and digging into valve drills and failure responses. All of it built toward diving doubles like a system—not just wearing the gear, but understanding it, managing it, and working as part of a team.

It was humbling in the best way. I came away with a solid grasp on where I’m at and a clear idea of where I need to go next. The bar is higher now—but I’m better for it.

I’m already planning to take GUE Fundamentals next. If the Doubles Primer was the introduction, Fundies will be the real deep dive. I’m looking forward to it.

Left the quarry that night with sore shoulders, a full head, and a quiet kind of fire lit under me.