I've been doing some research to try and find the best place around Anaheim (or surrounding areas) to get certified, but I'm starting to run out of gas (literally!) going from shop to shop to get my info. I've been to Pacific Wilderness and Scuba World, but I don't know anyone who has gone through their basic training course. Has anyone had any bad experiences with these two? Or any recommendations on where else to go?
Any good instructors around here?
- Thread starter wranglr88
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Don't know how close it is to you, but you might want to check out Hollywood Divers. I suspect you'd get a very thorough OW class there. I've met a couple of their instructors.
Let me second...and third, Hollywood Divers. Great shop and GREAT instrutors! Worth the drive.
There are plenty of good OW instructors in this area. I wouldn't agonize over the decision. Find a shop convenient to your location with classes that fit your schedule. Shops for the most part don't make money on OW so they aren't going to keep instructors that suck or don't encourage you to keep diving and become a regular customer.
There are so few people looking to take OW that really care about the quality of instruction. Most just want to be finished in the shortest amount of time so they can go dive on their upcoming vacation. I feel that if someone cares enough to ask for recommedations, that they should be offered something other then, "Find a shop convenient to your location".
Kudos to the OP for taking time to research and ask for references!
i really wanted to get an instructor that wouldnt just give me my cert and say, 'here you go, goodbye.' i realize that if i am to continue diving after that, i would need a good LDS to help with any questions and stuff. also, does anyone know of any dive clubs/groups that would take beginners?
Glycerin
Contributor
Milo at Beach City Scuba is probably the best person to get OW trainned in OC.
I think he's still at the Cypress store.
I think he's still at the Cypress store.
Giving someone looking for instruction around Anaheim a recommendation for instruction in Hollywood is not useful advice.
I'm in Orange County, but i'll be diving in laguna. I'll check out the Beach City Diving tomorrow. I've heard that some dive groups that don't allow new divers, so i dont want to end up without a dive group. Ive also heard that So Cal divers accepts new guys. anybody else that does? (I just dont want to get certified and then go, 'what now'?) thanks for all the help so far guys. (and gals) 
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