Dive Shops for Cert. in South Florida

[eweingarden]

I'm considering doing my AOW cert. in S. Fl; anywhere from Pompano to Key Largo. Can anyone recommend an outfit that they have certified through. I'm less interested in how nice of a reef or wreck I'm taken to, but the quality of the instructors. I know that AOW cert. involves minimal class time, but I don't want to pay my money, only do five dives, and get my card. I had that experience for my OW cert., and I was extremely disappointed in the process. Thanks.

Ed

 

[iluvtheocean]

I like Gold Coast Scuba myself

 

[DebbyDiver]

There are SO many good ones I could recommend. But the one I've recommended most often, the one I've gotten countless "thank you"s for recommending, is UnderSeas Sports in Fort Lauderdale.

 

[Splash-X]

I don't want to pay my money, only do five dives, and get my card. I had that experience for my OW cert., and I was extremely disappointed in the process.

Ed,

There are countless quality dive shops between location A and location B.. but I've got bad news for you! If all you're doing is getting your AOW cert while you're in town and you're not looking to find a quality dive shop with great instructors who can help you as you grow as a diver beyond this AOW class, then you really are just paying to do five dives and get your card.

 

[sportxlh]

I like Gold Coast Scuba myself

I did my Rescue class w/ Gold Coast and was very happy w/ the instruction. Did my AOW further north in WPB with the Scuba Club and was also very happy.

 

[iluvtheocean]

Ed,

There are countless quality dive shops between location A and location B.. but I've got bad news for you! If all you're doing is getting your AOW cert while you're in town and you're not looking to find a quality dive shop with great instructors who can help you as you grow as a diver beyond this AOW class, then you really are just paying to do five dives and get your card.

hate to say it but i do agree with Splash-X here -- and with the way it was originally phrased makes it seem looking for AOW thru padi - it's the 5 dives with deep & nav required - and whatever other 3 striker your fancy. there are a lot of of those and then you're just price shopping.
if you're looking for recommendations for shops that want to still know you after you get the cert -- that's different

 

[eweingarden]

Thanks for the feedback. My experience with the LDS in CT where I live, was abysmal. The guy was more interested in selling me his overpriced goods, than my training, and was overtly pissed when I didn't make some purchases. Now I'm looking for a shop where I can do my AOW training while in FL.; I want to know that the priority of the shop/instructors is proper training, and not to sell me gear. It shouldn't matter if I'm a local, or just coming in for my training; either there's a commitment to good training or there isn't.

Ed

 

[sportxlh]

Thanks for the feedback. My experience with the LDS in CT where I live, was abysmal. The guy was more interested in selling me his overpriced goods, than my training, and was overtly pissed when I didn't make some purchases. Now I'm looking for a shop where I can do my AOW training while in FL.; I want to know that the priority of the shop/instructors is proper training, and not to sell me gear. It shouldn't matter if I'm a local, or just coming in for my training; either there's a commitment to good training or there isn't.

Ed

Ed. I think Gold Coast in LBTS or Scuba Club in WPB will meet you requirements. I've never purchased anything other than baseball hats, tee shirts, dive trips, tank fills and of course, the training from either. I have had all my gear for a while and don't need anything else.

 

[GUERRILLA]

Dixie Divers is the best in the biz. The are located on Deerfield Beach. Good luck and happy diving!
Scuba Diving Gear, Classes and Everything To Get You Underwater from www.dixiediver.com - Dixie Divers Dive Shop Florida

 

[Instructor_Tom]

if you really want to get challenged come over to the west coast. I diveMaster for EZ Scuba in Tampa FL which is a tech shop. we have 2 master diver trainers including the shop owner. AOW dives are usually done In challenging environments with low viz to push the diver to really get the skill down. all the shop employees and DM's are technical divers who have experience in Open Water, Cavern and Cave, back mount single, doubles, side mount, CCR, nitrox, trimix PADI and IANTD instruction. you name it and its been done by the shop. we get students from all over the US and abroad that come to train with us.

hope this helps.


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