Off topic a little but any local dive sites in North Alabama?

[wfrost]

Looking for local places to get wet, I hear they may be reopening the Madison quarry outside of Huntsville.

 

[j1b1e1]

I've heard that as well, but I'm not too sure if they will or not. As far as dive sites, I'd be interested to hear of any also. I'm not familiar of any around Huntsville though aside from the quarry off of 565 you mentioned that might open back up.

 

[ssdalton]

I doubt that we'll be able to dive Madison this year although they are still trying to decide what they are going to do for sure.

Moulton Quarry will be open but it is really cold right now, it will start warming in the next month or so but it is a cold quarry anyways. If you need directions let me know.

I talked to Phil in Decatur (Dive Sports) he said they have been going to Blue Water.

I like to dive the Rivers, not sure how you feel about that tho'


Shaun

 

[6Speed]

I have been wanting to get certified to scuba for a few months now. I had the chance to take a class my final semester at school, but for some reason didn't. How much does it cost to get certified?

 

[ssdalton]

Been a long time since I got my open water, but i think now days it's running between $250-$350 for classes and usually you have to purchase the basic mask,fins,snorkle and weight belt.That stuff is about like reef equipment - depends on quality and where you buy.

Shaun

 

[hsvtoolfool]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7283410#post7283410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 6Speed
How much does it cost to get certified?

I was PADI certified last Fall at the Madison quarry. In fact, I was
in the very last class that SDI held at the quarry. I'm still just a
beginner, and there are several other dive training programs
besides PADI, but here are my still-recent impressions on the
subject.

SCUBA is an expensive hobby. The guys at Pixar were right
to make P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney a dentist.

PADI dive training fees are indeed $250, but by the time you
add in extras, the total cost is closer to $500 if you have a local
quarry and more like $600 if the final dives are in Pelham or at
Vortex Springs near the coast.

Mask, fins, snorkel, weight belt, and weights are about $150
to $200. Misc hidden costs include 1) $50 for the PADI class
materials kit 2) $40 for 2 days of dive-park fees and 3) $100+
for hotel and transportation costs if a nearby quarry isn't
available for your final open water dives.

I highly recommend to anyone serious about PADI dive training
to first buy the $30 PADI Open Water Diver DVD. The DVD
demonstrates all the concepts you must learn plus all the
tasks you must perform. If you see anything in the video that
REALLY freaks you out (like clausterphobia, sharing a regulator,
or removing your mask under water), then save your money
and don't dive. But if you're like me, the DVD will ease your
fears and make you even more excited about diving.

The $30 for the DVD is also money well-spent simply as a study
aid. You must still read the entire PADI manual, complete the
homework, and pass the tests to get certified. But the DVD
puts you way ahead of the learning curve. I plan to go back
and watch the DVD again before taking my advanced training
this Summer.

Getting certified is easy. Honestly, the hardest part is the initial
swimming ability test. You must swim 4 laps in an olympic pool.
Backstroke, sidestroke, freestyle, whatever. No time limit. Oh,
that sounds easy, but almost every guy in the class was
wheezing and sidestroking by the 3rd lap. I'm a fat computer
nerd who never excercises, and I nearly had a heart attack,
but I didn't finish last dagnabit.

All the basic dive-knowledge and safety drills quicky becomes
habit. After that, SCUBA turns out to be just lots and lots of
underwater swimming. It's a mode of transportation. SCUBA is to
reef-keepers what mountain climbing is to bald eagle watchers.
If you loved spending hours in the pool or lake as a kid, and
swimming underwater is like flying Superman-style to you, then
you'll absolutely love SCUBA. Highly recommended. If you just
want to see corals and fish up close, and despise the idea of
swallowing a bit of seawater or having bits of seaweed in your
hair, then stick with aquariums.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7281970#post7281970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ssdalton
I doubt that we'll be able to dive Madison this year although they are still trying to decide what they are going to do for sure.

The Madison quarry will re-open soon as a some red tape
happens and a new tenant is found.

The City Council is turning the quarry management over to the
Madison Waterworks Dept. which will use to the water as a
limited alternate source in periods of drought. The Waterworks
Dept. will then lease the quarry to a yet-to-be-determined third
party for recreational use (diving and swimming).

But unless a miracle happens, I agree that the quarry won't
re-open this year. Everything is moving at a glacial pace. Studies
and proposals must be funded and completed. Just finding
someone to lease the cite may prove tough. The previous tenant
was allegedly a crook and really angered many folks in the
Madison city government. The next tenant may not get a very
attractive lease or friendly landlord.

We were all extremely disappointed over the quarry closing. I had
planned to practice all Summer before getting my Advanced Open
Water certification in the Fall. Now I must go to the Pelham quarry
for practice soon as it warms up enough. Oh well.

 

[ssdalton]

Since we are on one of my favorite topics I'll post a link to Scubaboard which has a Deep Dixie Diver Forum that covers most of the South. A lot of good people on there...

I am FloDiver on there so say HI!!!

http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

[miami13]

further off topic and just in case anyone is interested in equipment, feel free to send me a pm. I literally have around (6) dives on the following:

2005 SeaQuest Balance BC (ML)
Suunto Cobra dive computer with compass
Aqua Lung Legend regulator with a low profile Aqua Lung octo

I was certified (2) summers ago - came home bought the gear local and last summer dove with it down in the Keys.

Purchased everything in Oct of 04 - I have all receipts and boxes and gear has been stored inside our house. Needless to say it's practically new. I guess in the back of my mind I've been thinking of selling it because of non-use and when I saw this thread I thought I'd just throw this out there...

tks

 

[ssdalton]

How much for computer and regulator?