The Scuba Club, West Palm Beach

[grouchyturtle]

Anyone have any experience with these guys, good, bad, indifferent?

I'm primarily interested in how they are as a shop, service/fills, but feedback on diving with them wouldn't be bad either. I just moved VERY close to them, but after a bad experience with another shop that I used based solely on distance, I'd like to get a little feedback.

Feel free to PM me, if you don't feel comfortable posting here.

 

[deepstops]

Anyone have any experience with these guys, good, bad, indifferent?

I'm primarily interested in how they are as a shop, service/fills, but feedback on diving with them wouldn't be bad either. I just moved VERY close to them, but after a bad experience with another shop that I used based solely on distance, I'd like to get a little feedback.

Feel free to PM me, if you don't feel comfortable posting here.

They've been around forever (at least 17 years) and I've never heard anything bad about them. That's saying something right there.

 

[sportxlh]

They are a safety conscious organization. Good DM's, captains, behind-the-counter people, dive instructors, etc. I used to dive with them often, but they do a lot of single tank dives which I don't really enjoy. If I can get off during the week, I still will do their Friday two tank dive once in a while: I've been out with them 4 or 5 times this year. I really like the people.

I always bring my tanks already filled since they are not O2 cleaned so I get the nitrox fills at Divers Direct. SC does not use a membrane system for nitrox fills. I've never heard anything bad about their servicing of ScubaPro products (which is the only brand they carry).

If they did 2 tank dives on Saturday, I'd dive with them more often

 

[grouchyturtle]

Yeah, they seemed really cool when I was in there.

So, SC does blending? Nice!

 

[Jupiter31]

They have one of the most beautiful facilities anywhere, and as others have mentioned, you almost never hear anything negative about them.

They do seem to cater to the newer, less experienced diver, but not exclusivly so - also offer 1 tank dives. They would not be my #1 choice, but would not hesitate to recommend, especially to newer divers.

Other Op's in the area include "Jim Abernethy" and "The Wetter the Better" - have experience w/ both and can recommend.

 

[Splitlip]

Actually they were in business as far back as 1973 when it was owned by Norine Rouse. (google her) She is gone now, but JD Duff, general manager of the facility was hired by her in 1977.

Great op. They certified my daughter. I dive with them pretty often when the seas are rough; I appreciate those one tank dives.

They are on the water and have an 8 ft deep pool and 16 ft deep tank as well as hot showers, lol.

They are very good for new divers in that they put 3 or 4 DM's/guides in the water to watch over them.

Their boat does not have a ladder. It's got a platform that is lowered to the water line. You shimmy up like a beached whale, other wise the crew will be happy to take your gear and/or pull you up.

They carry Scubapro and USD. Their inventory in stock is kind of small. I never used them for service. I live in Jupiter and Jupiter Dive Center is my LDS. I purchase almost exclusively from them and they do my service. (They are also on the water with two boats. Only wish they had a pool)

One of the draws for a lot of people for the Scuba Club, is they are still a country club for divers. As a member, you get discounts on trips, gear etc as well as a locker. And you can use the pool and their deep tank. (funny to watch a diver show up for a trip with nothing but a towel around his neck)

Welcome to The Scuba Club, America's Only Country Club For Scuba Divers in West Palm Beach, FL

Here's a link to JD's site. Says he was hired in '80. What do I know, it was a blur for me back then.

http://www.jdduff.com/Site/Welcome.html

If you watch the history channel, it was JD who took the Monster Quest crew out in search of Singer Island's elusive "muck monster". (you can google "muck monster" as well, but I personally think the muck monster is one of the Blue Heron Bridge trolls.)

 

[DebbyDiver]

Norine Rouse was so awesome. She staffed a couple of days of my NAUI ITC back in 1982 and gave me a lot of encouragement.

 

[RayBull]

Great company to dive with. I dove with them about three years ago per a recommendation from a good friend. I was down there for a week visiting some family and all the research I did led me to Scuba Club and the recommendation solidified my decision to dive with them. They keep an excellent diver/DM ratio. We did a realitvely challenging drift dive and the professionalism and experience of the DM I had was great. From what I can remember the facility was one the coolest I had been to in Florida. I can only imagine what they have done since my visit. Best of luck.

 

[Splitlip]

Norine Rouse was so awesome. She staffed a couple of days of my NAUI ITC back in 1982 and gave me a lot of encouragement.

She was a special human being. When I got certed the two main shops were Scuba Club and Franks Dive Shop. Norine was notoriously anti spear fishing, and Frank was famous hunter so I went with Frank as I wanted to hunt. (today, there is still no spearfishing permitted with the Scuba Club.)

I met Norine on a number of occasions and greatly admire her.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Wow! Thanks for all the info. Nice to know I'm making a good choice, especially after my last experience with a new LDS.

I much prefer the free diving from my own boat(s) these days, especially now that I know this.

(today, there is still no spearfishing permitted with the Scuba Club.)

I'll probably do a dive or two with them to re-introduce me to SE FL diving, though, and maybe dive with them on occasion, but for the most part I'm looking to use them for fills and occasional service. When I said VERY close, I'm talking I can splash from my mooring, and surface at their dock close.