Fairfax dive shops?

[momliz]

Hi, all, I'm new here, and I apologize if this has been posted before - maybe recommended dive shops should be a sticky? Anyway, can anyone recommend an LDS in the Fairfax area? The Dive Shop on Nutley is close to me, and SeaVentures isn't far, either - both look pretty good. I got my snorkeling gear at The Dive Shop, and they have a good web site. I am looking for a shop that will certify my 12 year old son also. I am starting from scratch in certification, so I'd like a shop that has good training as well as good trips, as I'd like to get to know folks that love to dive.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Well it's not in Fairfax, but my shop -NOVA Dive Center- isn't too far away (Sterling, VA) and they are great! If you don't mind driving a bit further I'm sure you won't regret it. If you go, ask to speak with one of the owners (Mike or Jeff) about getting certified.

NDC Home

 

[Ice9]

Also, you might want to give Adventure Scuba a try. The staff there is awesome and will go out of their way to help you any way they can. They also carry a wide range of goodies! Definitely my favorite shop!

SCUBA, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland, SCUBA diving lessons, NAUI, PADI, YMCA, certification ;Adventure Scuba Company: Scuba Equipment Sales, Service, Travel and Training for Fairfax, Northern Virginia and the DC Metro Area

 

[Hoyden]

You might also consider Virginia Scuba. It's located in Manassas, but is worth the extra drive.

Jackie

Disclaimer: I teach at VA Scuba and service regulators there, but I also drove there for 4 years from Rockville, MD when it was just my LDS.

 

[divengolf]

All of the above are good shops, but I've found that American Water Sports in Falls Church has the best pricing on dive gear. Virtually everything is less than MSRP and on packages, they'll work with you. They may not match internet pricing, but they'll do a lot better that most LDS in the area.

 

[momliz]

thanks for all the replies!

One thing that I noticed is that both Splash and Adventure support at least one ocean conservation organization (or at least link to Conserve our Ocean Legacy). That's important to me. Do most dive shops ad organizations try to help ocean and reef conservation efforts?

 

[MtnPlayVA]

I recommend Sterling Silver Scuba in Sterling - fantastic customer service. I did my open water and advanced open water training with them.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I recommend Sterling Silver Scuba in Sterling - fantastic customer service. I did my open water and advanced open water training with them.

They are under new management so this MAY be true. Last year (under Dan) though, they were one of the worst and most unsafe shops in the area. I've talked to several people who now use NDC as their LDS and they all have similar horror stories about SSS. I did my AOW with SSS and it was a joke. I am lucky I got mentorship after the fact or I would be in very serious trouble.

 

[MtnPlayVA]

They are under new management so this MAY be true. Last year (under Dan) though, they were one of the worst and most unsafe shops in the area. I've talked to several people who now use NDC as their LDS and they all have similar horror stories about SSS. I did my AOW with SSS and it was a joke. I am lucky I got mentorship after the fact or I would be in very serious trouble.

I only met Dan once so I don't know about the previous ownership or how the shop was run but I've been extremely impressed since I started in June. I got my OW in July and AOW in August. Going up to Dutch Springs this weekend to test my new gear

Out of curiosity, what made it the worst and most unsafe shop prior to the new owners?

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I only met Dan once so I don't know about the previous ownership or how the shop was run but I've been extremely impressed since I started in June. I got my OW in July and AOW in August. Going up to Dutch Springs this weekend to test my new gear

Out of curiosity, what made it the worst and most unsafe shop prior to the new owners?

Besides the fact that they never serviced their gear (neither my buddy nor my depth gauge worked during the AOW class and another date my reg completely free flowed...luckily Mark from VA Scuba people was there to fix it) they also cut corners during classes. Our "deep dive" was going to 65 feet in the quarry, looking at Dan's gauge (since none of ours were working) and going up. No red card, no untying a knot, nothing...just down and up. Our "navigation" dive was 5 kick cycles North, 5 East, 5 South, 5 West. That was "navigation". They also had me underweighted despite my objections. He had to pull me down by my leg and have me hold the line. During the safety stop I held the line and floated feet up. If it was an ascent without a line I would have popped to the surface once I reached 20 feet. AND as if that isn't enough I've never seen a shop nickel and dime people more in my life. I will send you (and anyone else who is interested) the two part PM with more details.

Like I said, this was all done by Dan...so maybe (hopefully) the new owners don't suck at life, but regardless I will never step foot in that shop again.