Greetings from Virginia

[reefmontalvo]

Hi,

My name is Chris Montalvo I live in Centreville, Va. I'm abotu 20 minutes or so from DC. I just recently got in to the Scuba hobby after many years of watching others enjoy swimming with the fishes and enjoying the freedom of underwater movement. I'm also into marine life and currently run a 75 gallon saltwater reef tank in my house. I enjoy growing corals and watching all the animals interact in there eco system. To get back on subject I'm new to this and will be taking classes in the next month so any advice will be truly appreciated.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Welcome to the board!

Be sure to check out our regional forum http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mid-atlantic-bottom-feeders/

Which shop are you getting certified through? Do you know where you will be doing your check out dives?

Good luck with the course and feel free to PM me if you ever have any questions.

 

[reefmontalvo]

Well I'm going thru Adventure Scuba Company. I will be taking the NAUI program. I was there is weeekend got fitted for my boots and weight belt. I wish I could have purchased more but the budget I set low for today, but I get paid this week. LOL And as far check out dive I will have t ogo to Haymarket in the quarry. It seems to be the standard I noticed around here. And thank you for the support. I noticed you live in Sterling, on of my buddies from work lives near you, he is a pilot and often talks of flying to Florida to do coral diving.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Don't worry about not buying gear yet. You really shouldn't buy any gear (other than mask, snorkel, fins, and boots) until AFTER you are certified and know you like it.

Millbrook (in Haymarket) is the closest quarry, but a lot of shops prefer to do their OW classes in Dutch Springs or Lake Rawlings (both are three hours away) because the conditions are much better than millbrook. I'm pretty glad I didn't get certified in Millbrook...the visibility is awful and facilities are poor.

I'm lucky enough to travel to Florida monthly now, and plan to move down there in 2009...so I don't mess around with quarries too much anymore. When I got certified last summer though I was in one of the quarries every other weekend. It's a GREAT place to practice the skills you learn and become more comfortable with the equipment and diving in general.

 

[reefmontalvo]

I will also check out the regional forum.

 

[reefmontalvo]

Don't worry about not buying gear yet. You really shouldn't buy any gear (other than mask, snorkel, fins, and boots) until AFTER you are certified and know you like it.

Millbrook (in Haymarket) is the closest quarry, but a lot of shops prefer to do their OW classes in Dutch Springs or Lake Rawlings (both are three hours away) because the conditions are much better than millbrook. I'm pretty glad I didn't get certified in Millbrook...the visibility is awful and facilities are poor.

I'm lucky enough to travel to Florida monthly now, and plan to move down there in 2009...so I don't mess around with quarries too much anymore. When I got certified last summer though I was in one of the quarries every other weekend. It's a GREAT place to practice the skills you learn and become more comfortable with the equipment and diving in general.

I'm planning on moving to Fort Lauderdale or Tampa depending on the job. LOL Eitehr way it will be good diving. As far as enjoyment. I know I will not have a problem, I enjoy getting in the water being out exploring and just tinkering around underwater. At this moment I have only purchased my boots and weight belt, but this weekend I will get the fins, mask and snorkel. I was talking to guys here and they agree on the you get what you buy attitude. But in any case I will get my suit and regulator from the LDS. But in quarry diving I was told that is the best if you can learn to navigate in dark water your pretty much in your way to dive in deep and at night. But being new I don't want ot sound like I do this often. LOL

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I'm planning on moving to Fort Lauderdale or Tampa depending on the job. LOL Eitehr way it will be good diving.

Shoot for Fort Lauderdale...much better diving.

(That's where I will be moving, 1/2 the family is already there)

 

[reefmontalvo]

Yeah same here. I love that state. I love it so much I was born there. LOL Eglin AFB just out side of Fort. Walton Beach.

 

[Aokiji]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Dzscubie]

Hi Chris,

I have several spare snorkels and if you would like one your welcome to have it and put the money towards another higher priced piece of gear. There is also a DC/VA/MD SCUBA meetup group that meets once a month to socialize and set up dives. Give it a google for the specifics. IF you want the snorkel just let me know.