Local suggestions for Diving classes

[ducklabdad]

OK my wife and I have been talking and have decided that we would both like to try and take Diving classes,

I know there are several around this area but am not one to jump in without recommendations.

Has anyone in our group used any one locally and do you have any suggestions.

If you would rather keep your suggestions (or aversions) private, pleae PM me.

This is one of the things that we have decided to put on our "short list" of things to try and do not want to waste a lot of money on trial and error.

I have done enough of that on my "reef Hobby" Ha:lol: :lol: :lol:

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Reefdiver77]

My husband and I have been certified since 1977, when we had only been married for less than 2 years. Here we are still diving together after 31 years! I highly recommend the Dive Shop in Memphis. That is where we trained and where I still go to have our gear tuned up. They are very professional and the owner went to HS with my husband and I. He now lives in Boulder Co. We absolutely love diving (me moreso than him!!). They have been in Memphis since the 60's and are still owned by the McNeese family.

 

[neuroslicer]

I think we need to plan a reef trip for all the divers in the club! (All except for Kevin!).... good luck with your classes Bill!


just joking Kevin!


Neuro

 

[alkamar]

I have my advanced cert and was thinking about diving Bonne Terre Mines and getting my Nitrox cert later in the year. It is underground and the same temp year round if anyone is interested.

 

[scarson61]

It would be neat to go on a diving/collection trip to the keys, I don't know if it is still true but all one needs is a fishing license (they have weekend ones) and a boat that would take us out (also need to study up on what is collectable and what needs to be left behind). I have always wanted to collect my own, it all goes back to keeping native freshwater tanks and all the beautiful native species we have out there (got to love the darter)!

 

[Cabin3tGuy]

Ive been diving since 95' and if I can ever find the time and money to knock out two more specialty diving certifications Ill move up from rescue to master diver ... unless you plan on being a professional diver or master instructor that as high go

You can goto the dive shop on Yates just south of Poplar Ave. .. they are very professional but kinda pricey from what Ive heard ... or if the Germantown Community Center still does it you can sign up for lessons there ... I used teach diving for special olympics and was also an asst. scuba instructor up at the GCC

They used to charge 325$ for an 8 week course that also paid for your open water dive .. I think they goto Martha's Quarry up in Lebanon not 100% sure though ... you can probably figure it costs more than that now as a reg. membership price has gone up a few times since I left

 

[ducklabdad]

went by the Dive shop this evening and talked to them some and looked over the place, seemed to be a good place, seemed very helpfull.

 

[Banks]

I have going to the dive shop for years they are great

 

[Reefdiver77]

Sanford, I have information I have had for a while on a tropical fish/coral collector in the Keys who will take up to 6 Certified Divers out on his boat for collecting their own fish/corals. They will keep them in their holding tanks for you until you are ready to go home. Perhaps, since there are so many divers in the club, we could get a group together and go down for a long weekend sometime. Is anyone up for it??

 

[Cabin3tGuy]

they are really strict on limits and sizes down there ... especially on ricordea and stuff like that if you plan on doing more than fishing ... where exactly does your charter go out to Vicki? ... last time I drove down to Key West from Memphis it took 19 hours just in case anyone was wondering how long it takes...

 

[alkamar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12390999#post12390999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefdiver77
Sanford, I have information I have had for a while on a tropical fish/coral collector in the Keys who will take up to 6 Certified Divers out on his boat for collecting their own fish/corals. They will keep them in their holding tanks for you until you are ready to go home. Perhaps, since there are so many divers in the club, we could get a group together and go down for a long weekend sometime. Is anyone up for it??

I am interested if I have enough time to save up for the trip. I have seen one device they use which is called a slurp gun. That would be a fun trip.

 

[neuroslicer]

I am definitely up for it!

 

[scarson61]

19 hour drive! maybe we should be on the lookout for cheap flights to Miami and rent a van (for all that want to go) then plan a nice weekend dive trip. I would be up for it and I bet Amy would be too. Do you remember how much the charter cost Vicki?

 

[neuroslicer]

can we get a head count of certified divers who are strongly interested?

 

[alkamar]

Are you guys thinking about going this summer or later on?

 

[neuroslicer]

if you're interested, then give a time of year as well. i'm up for any time

 

[Cabin3tGuy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12393386#post12393386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarson61
19 hour drive! maybe we should be on the lookout for cheap flights to Miami and rent a van (for all that want to go) then plan a nice weekend dive trip. I would be up for it and I bet Amy would be too. Do you remember how much the charter cost Vicki?

If Airtran has any direct flights that would be a way to go ... I want to say that I remember that Orlando was the cheaper alternative .. driving from Orlando is still a 5 hour drive .. and Miami is 2-3 depending on traffic ... speed limit on the scenic hwy is slow so it adds time

 

[Reefdiver77]

I am thinking maybe this winter. That would give us plenty of time to make plans, find cheap airfare(my specialty), a place to stay, etc. I believe this guy is located at Little Torch Key. I am in favor of flying into Miami and getting a rental vehicle. I am flying into Orlando in June. My company paid for the airfare. I can usually get cheap flights out of Nashville on Southwest. Also, going in the winter would be a really good break from the Tennessee weather. We would also avoid hurricane season and the broiling summer months. I am going to post a link on the charter I mentioned. However, I was mistaken. They only take 4 divers at a time out. I guess we would have to split up.
Sealective.com. Check it out and tell me what you think!!

 

[alkamar]

This winter would be better for me. We should schedule a dive venture each year. I wish my wife would get certified, but she is scared of going under. It makes it difficult for me to log some dives.