It has been quite a number of posts since we heard from the OP (Aug. 20th last in this thread). I hope you are still out there.
20 Aug. you asked about the CMAS** class as an alternative to AOWD, esp. since you live in Denmark where many people are CMAS divers. My understanding is that CMAS in Denmark, like Norway, Sweden & Finland at least, is largely club-based. This would mean that the training might be cheaper or at least no more expensive than commercial options, but also include club membership. Club membership is likely to mean access to club boats, compressor, storage facilities, events, buddies, regularly sceduled local dives, etc. To my experience the clubs interest is in getting you trained, not turnover, so an need for extra dives, a one-on-one meeting to catch up on missed theory, flexible scedule etc. are not a business concern, just a question of when a qualified instructor has the time.
At least in my area, we require 50 dives experience before starting CMAS**. I think that is a good idea because having basic skills so much better in hand allows you to get more out of the training. I also enjoy not having ”yeah, but I’M a winderkind” -types in CMAS** classes earlier in their career, because that’s exactly an attitude we want to train away from - best not to indulge ”I can do things differently” attitudes by letting wunderkinds in with less experience than the mere mortals.
20 Aug. you asked about the CMAS** class as an alternative to AOWD, esp. since you live in Denmark where many people are CMAS divers. My understanding is that CMAS in Denmark, like Norway, Sweden & Finland at least, is largely club-based. This would mean that the training might be cheaper or at least no more expensive than commercial options, but also include club membership. Club membership is likely to mean access to club boats, compressor, storage facilities, events, buddies, regularly sceduled local dives, etc. To my experience the clubs interest is in getting you trained, not turnover, so an need for extra dives, a one-on-one meeting to catch up on missed theory, flexible scedule etc. are not a business concern, just a question of when a qualified instructor has the time.
At least in my area, we require 50 dives experience before starting CMAS**. I think that is a good idea because having basic skills so much better in hand allows you to get more out of the training. I also enjoy not having ”yeah, but I’M a winderkind” -types in CMAS** classes earlier in their career, because that’s exactly an attitude we want to train away from - best not to indulge ”I can do things differently” attitudes by letting wunderkinds in with less experience than the mere mortals.