OT: Open Water Scuba Diving class

radiolunatic

radiolunatic

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My wife and I are planning to go to Indonesia in December, visiting my hometown. Since we gonna be there, we would like to get a scuba diving license. There is a scuba trip available for $50 and we will get a license for 6 months only, but we are thinking to get the permanent license. We are thinking to get the theory & pool training done here and just do the ocean dive there. We are not looking forward to dive the icy cold Monterey Bay water at this time. :)

Anyway, I am in Richmond/Berkeley area .... anybody happen to know a good school nearby my area?

From surfing the internet, I found out about Marin Dive Center in San Rafael. Anywhere else?

Now, maybe if I get the license, I can pick my own SPS in Indonesia ..... :) I am kidding on this one. The target location is Lombok Island, which is an island beside Bali.
 
I'm no hardcore diver. I don't like the cold water around the area either but I like to be able to go diving when I'm on vacation.

There's a dive shop in Oakland. The Original Steele's , Inc. or Steele Discount Scuba. I just call them Steele. It's a small family business that's been there forever. Very helpful people. They have classes at the Berkley YMCA, I think. I think they cert on NAUI and maybe PADI. Their number is 510-665-4344.

I got my PADI Open Water Cert through my park and rec last year in Alameda though. IDT were the guys that ran the program. They also have classes in San Ramon. Pretty cool guys and always send me email on dives they are having. I think you do need to go to Monterey to get your certification though.
http://www.divewithidt.com/

HTH.
 
Try (510) 655-4344. Jim Steele is the owner and his son Jimmy is usually there. Great bunch of guys. Tell them I said hi. They are on Telegraph in Oakland. They use to run a bunch of stores but pretty much shut most of them down except for the one location they owned. This shop is the lowest price shop you'll find anywhere including the net.
 
Roy:

Great idea. Someday I would like to do the same; most likely when my Boys are older and they can do it with me.

Although, I have not taken any classes there, I have spent quite a bit of time talking to the Marin Dive Center. They have a pool in front to practice in, and they were very supportive of my idea of doing part of the training with them and the open water in Mexico. They said many people do this. They will also train you according to the certificate you need where you plan to dive (PADI, etc).

On top of that, they have a large FOWLR in the store you can check out.

If you don't get the chance to take the classes before you go, try a resort course. In Mexico, we went down to 40 feet. It was a blast. Fortunately, we were with a reputable company and we felt very safe.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your trip.

Roy
 
Roy,

Thanks. I did call them and unfortunately their schedule is not working. I just talked to Andreas Auatics and their schedule work the best. The pool is also in Novato, which is not that far away from my home. The pricing is $199 plus the $79 study material that we can share.
I might go with this direction.
 
Did you try the Cal School of Diving? It has nothing to do with UC Berkeley, but they have been around for along time. (510) 524-3248.

It's been a decade since I got my cert, so I can't tell you if these guys are still the same guys. But it's close to where you live, and easy access from I-80.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8593802#post8593802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sid700
Did you try the Cal School of Diving? It has nothing to do with UC Berkeley, but they have been around for along time. (510) 524-3248.
Click to expand...

I saw the name on my surf in the net, but I have not contacted them. Thanks for the lead.
 
Roy:

Are you sure their pool is in Novato? I know there is another dive shop in Novato; but, that would be a little farther away for you.

Here is a link to their site and you can see the pool. It was working the last time I was there. http://www.marindivecenter.com/about1.html

Here is a dive shop in Novato that I have been to. I just haven't spent as much time there and they are farther away from me.

http://www.pinnaclesdive.com/

I have also been to this place in Sausalito. Again, not so close to the bridge for you. http://www.harbordive.com/

Best of luck,

Roy
 
My dad dove for many years. You'll be glad that you learn in the Bay Area as he use to always say, "if you can dive in the Bay Area, you can dive anywhere". It is pretty strenuous diving in coldwater. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8593601#post8593601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by racrumrine


Although, I have not taken any classes there, I have spent quite a bit of time talking to the Marin Dive Center. They have a pool in front to practice in, and they were very supportive of my idea of doing part of the training with them and the open water in Mexico. They said many people do this. They will also train you according to the certificate you need where you plan to dive (PADI, etc).
Click to expand...

A lot of people do do this, however, IME it often leads to gaps in experience that I tend to think are important. :D Its a bit like learning to drive on country roads.

People who get certified in 'great conditions' tend to only feel comfortable diving in 'great conditions'. I have been on boats where people think that a 2 foot swell is dangerous because they were never exposed to more in their training. I have also been on dives with 10 foot visibility where people freaked out because they had only been in 100 foot vis. Every time we dive I am thankful I did my open water cirt dives and skill dives in Monterey because I feel prepared for pretty much anything.

The Monterey training is a bit more of a pain because its colder and harder, but it is your life you are training to save. Its also very cool to be used to surf entries in cold water and then go to boat entries in warm water.

I would also suggest doing a bunch of dives on your own after you get certified before you go on your trip. It takes about 10-20 dives for most people to really get comfortable underwater, and the more comfy you are the more you will enjoy the scenery.

Oh - its nice to not be doing classes or training on your vacation. We did a course on vacation once and we really would have rather just been diving.

That said, 'resort training' can be just fine, just know that you might run into stuff you haven't trained for.

Either way, you will be so happy you learned to dive!

PS
The best dive shop I have been to in the Bay Area is Bamboo Reef in SF, a bit of a drive, but worth it IMO.

:D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8605271#post8605271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
..... Either way, you will be so happy you learned to dive!

PS
The best dive shop I have been to in the Bay Area is Bamboo Reef in SF, a bit of a drive, but worth it IMO.

:D
Click to expand...

I asked my Dad where he got certified and he said Bamboo Reef, Advanced Open Water... whatever that means. :D He also does not recommend finishing your certification at a resort and just finish it locally, then enjoy how easy it is to dive safely anywhere. Something about your life depends on it.
 
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