#mixadventure

[kwentongmiko]

On Teaching and Coaching

I’ve been teaching for more than half a decade (I know, I’m ancient) but last weekend, it affirmed in me the crucial difference between Teaching and Coaching.

Both teaching and coaching are of course helping someone learn a particular skill or sharing a certain piece of knowledge, and both of them are gifts that are given to a student. Teaching however, seems primarily a one way interaction. A person that knows something shows you how to do something or tells you some piece of information that they know.

Coaching on the other had requires a cyclical, ongoing interaction. In order to coach someone, you need to first “teach” them something, then observe the student, and then provide feedback again. Unless all three of these interactions are taking place, it cannot be considered coaching.

Last Saturday, I taught a small group who are interested in freediving. I discuss the terms, demonstrated to them the proper procedures. Tells appropriate, and sometime inappropriate humour (#verywrong haha). Then we tried to apply that in the open water.

The next day, the Lead Coach reassigned me to one student. And it became quite clear that it is more than teaching that is required of me. We can barely go to neck-deep water before student starts to panic. I came to realise that before we drill on the skills of freediving, i must first address his anxiety.

So we got back to the shore - and like a doctor - diagnose the causes of his fear of deep water. From there, I designed techniques on how to increase his tolerance of seawater entering in his mouth, nose, eyes, etc. Concentrate on skills like blasting, displacing water in the masks, finning short distances, simulating small waves, every thing i can think of.

And small success leads to limited competence, which leads confidence, that will give way to more advance competencies. Before lunch time, my student is threading on 8 meters deep seawater, able to down-the-line underwater, around 2 meters deep breath hold lasting for 30 secs.

It might be simple for others to do. But the student affirmed to me that it was the best learning experience he had for swimming, making all his effort and expenses worth it.

I agree. As a coach, the student’s success is my success. And yes, it is worth it.

[kwentongmiko]

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First #mixadventure of the year. Sakit sa katawan beh pag matagal kang nahinto haha. Thanks #TEAZone for fun, friends, and fitness. Haha

[kwentongmiko]

Achieving for the second time my #DiveNClimb challenge to #mtgulugodbaboy We had around 6 hours of #freediving then night trek starting 7 pm. Descend by 7am to dive again after. Hahaha. My joiners said i was a masochist, but sure heck they enjoyed the fullpacked #mixadventures hahaha #moldiv #snapseed #iphonephotography #morefunph

[kwentongmiko]

After more than half year without a mountain climb, i did one beginner hike. The first two take-5 rests reminded why i stopped doing hikes. Then i got accustomed with the pacing, challenged myself against the assaults. And when i reached the summit, it reminded me why i loved hiking in the first place. #mixadventures during One Climb after four day #freediving. 📸 Mark, thanks for nice pic. I’m proud I was one of your advisers in the camera club hahaha #morefunph #iphonephotography #snapseed #moldiv

[kwentongmiko]

Live a life in one gulp of air in a world of people carrying breathing apparatus. #mixtravels in Verde Island for our post Halloween dive. #mixadventures #VerticalFreedivers #NeverDiveAlone #SafeFunLearning #onebreathonedive #snapseed #goprophotography #goprohero5 #moldiv

[kwentongmiko]

Tribute to our soldiers who bravely fought and won the war in Marawi. Purge terrorism. Support the armed forces. #mixtravels in Isla Verde (Green Island) for our post Halloween dive. #mixadventures #SafeFunLearning #onebreathonedive #VerticalFreeDivers #morefunph #neverdivealone #moldiv (at Verde Island)

[kwentongmiko]

Look for people you enjoy having breakfast with. Their companionship is food for your soul. #mixtravels in Isla Verde (Green Island) for our post Halloween dive. #mixadventures #SafeFunLearning #onebreathonedive #VerticalFreeDivers #morefunph #neverdivealone #moldiv (at Verde Island)

[kwentongmiko]

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One of the clearest beaches I've been to, and one of the most irresistible to swim in. #mixtravels at Cagbalete Island #mixadventures #morefunph (at Cagbalete Island Resort)

[kwentongmiko]

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Clear beach, good weather. One less lonely person in the world. #mixtravels at Cagbalete Island. #mixadventures #morefunph

[kwentongmiko]

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Mangrove walk in the very pristine island of Cagbalete at this #mixtravels #mixadventures #morefunph

[kwentongmiko]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_oN4GyNjE)

Vine swinging, Fish biting, and Losing my GoPro

[kwentongmiko]

There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more. . #mixadventures seeing Tamaraw falls unexpectedly during #mixtravels in Mindoro. (at Tamaraw Falls Puerto Galera)

[kwentongmiko]

Will be off the grid again from tonight till 26th bound to mindoro to stay on that little heart of paradise called apo reef. No text, call or internet (heck, even electricity haha) for this last #mixadventure of the year. Photos not mine btw.

[kwentongmiko]

Long weekend calls for a massive dose of vitamin sea :(. #mixtravels #mixadventure

[kwentongmiko]

#mixtravels #mixadventure

[kwentongmiko]

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. #mixadventure #mixtravels