Best instruction/instructors for basic and advanced wreck diving.

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VikingDives

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Almost twenty years ago, when I wanted to learn to dive, I wanted to do it because I wanted to wreck dive...

Now that I have the money and know how much I need to know; If you were me, and you could go anywhere and learn from anyone, what would you recommend?

As an aside, it really annoys me when people here don't name good instructors. Good instructors should be named and called out for doing things right, or going above and beyond the minimum. I wish more people would do that. If I'd have know half of what I've learned here before going to (or even after taking my OW course), I'd have been twice the diver I am today.
 
Why do you need instructors? Why not dive with people who know the wrecks and their history who dive them dozens of times a year? Instructors are good at teaching techniques and analytical thinking but local divers and old timers are the people who you should be seeking out.
 
+1 for John Chatterton. Did Advanced Wreck and Tech with him, great teacher, very entertaining lecturer, and an amazing diver.
 
Why do you need instructors? Why not dive with people who know the wrecks and their history who dive them dozens of times a year?

Dozens? Wow.... :wink:

A local guide is invaluable for learning the history and layout of a given wreck/s.

That's okay if your goal is only to tour around spectating on the outside of the wreck.

Even then, a basic 2-day wreck course will ensure that you're aware of the full spectrum of risks and hazards applicable to wreck diving.

Wreck penetration is a very different animal. It demands specialist equipment, skills and procedures. It deserves as much, if not more, respect and diligence as would be afforded to cavern and cave diving.

Instructors are good at teaching techniques and analytical thinking

Which is exactly what you need for wreck penetration.

There's zero logic to dismiss the necessity for expert wreck penetration training, whilst also accepting that cave diving demands pinnacle-level instruction.

Wreck penetration training... and wreck instructor quality... should be on a par with everything you'd expect from cave penetration training.
 
To answer the OPs question, I'd add the following:

Bruce Konefe. Based in Thailand, but runs training across SE Asia. One of 3 divers to have dove the dreadnought battleship Yamashiro at ~200m. Hugely experienced wreck (and cave and ccr) instructor, via ANDI.
Bruce Konefe | Cave and Wreck Explorer

Mark Powell. Known as the author of 'Deco for Divers', teaches for TDI in the UK and runs wreck expeditions.
Dive-Tech: TDI Nitrox, Helitrox, Trimix and technical diver training courses with instructor Mark Powell

Sadly, some of the most renowned wreck divers don't actively teach agency courses....but sometimes you get chances to learn from them via conferences and 'tek camps' etc. Guys like Gary Gentile, Richie Kohler and Leigh Bishop are worthy of note.

There's a few noteworthy cave instructors who also offer wreck courses. Generally, the skills and drills are very easily crossed over from cave to wreck... but you'd have to ensure that the instructor concerned actually did have a wealth of wreck diving expertise. Some cave guys (and agencies) are arrogant to assume that their cave experience equates to wreck diving expertise. It doesn't...
 
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