Any good instructors around here?

[scjoe]

Keep in mind that every shop out there has its cheerleaders and detractors. Having said that, both Pacific Wilderness and Laguna Sea Sports seem to have good reputations for quality instruction. I don't know anything about Scuba World. One advantage of Laguna Sea Sports (now part of Beach Cities) is that the classroom, pool and beach are all in one place, but it is a drive from Anaheim. The Cypress store has a pool and classroom on site.

As far as dive groups in Laguna Beach go, Laguna Sea Dwellers is a dive club loosely affiliated with Laguna Sea Sports. It might be a natural if you get certified through the shop, but you could join after getting certified elsewhere. South Coast Divers is an internet dive group that dives Laguna Beach every weekend. Both groups have divers of all ranges of abilities and are open to new certified divers.

 

[Scott Riemer]

Pacific Wilderness has a dive club also.

 

[wranglr88]

hey thanks guys. I checked out both pacific wilderness and scuba world. pacific wilderness seems to be more professional in that everything is orderly and the staff seemed really knowledgeable. the only reason that I was considering scuba world was because they introduced you right into the club, and also had a longer duration OW instruction and pool time. I want to get the most info out of the classes, and I want to stick with the sport once I get certified. I'll have to check out Sea Ventures in fullerton tomorrow though, as it seems that a lot of you guys recommended it.

 

[jasong714]

I got my OW cert thru Scuba World. It was a great experience, Andrea, and Bert (the instructor we had - I believe there are 2) are great. She is very nice and will not try to oversell you on equipment, etc. The checkout dives are done in Avalon at the dive park.

I would HIGHLY recommend Scuba World.

Jason

 

[wth]

Check out these instructors: L.A. Scuba
Most of them are fine instructors!

 

[mistressmotorsports]

Check out Craig at:

SCUBA Instruction

After I decided I wasn't thrilled with my OW instructor, I did some research into instructors for my AOW and Nitrox classes. Craig came highly recommended. He went above and beyond just teaching from the course pack. In AOW, we spent some time on gas planning, SAC rates, etc. Stuff a little beyond what is normally taught in a PADI class. Then, he was very interested in things to improve and took detailed notes. When I signed up for Nitrox a while later, he referred to his notes to make sure all my wishes were taken into account. He used to be associated with Liburdi's in Costa Mesa, but I think he might be independent now. Anyway, if you haven't chosen your instructor yet, I can highly recommend Craig.

Mike

 

[Spg01]

Wranglr, where did you end up going?
I am in the same spot looking for a local shop to get certified with and some sort of club so I will keep diving.

Has anyone delt with Openwater Habitat Marine Schools in Tustin? I went to Pacific Wilderness and was handed a piece of paper with a schedule and that was about it.

But the openwater guys actually walked me through all kinds of equipment telling me the pro's and con's. But of course they are more expensive.

What did it end up costing for basic gear and to complete to OW course?

 

[DiveNav]

Check out Craig at:

SCUBA Instruction

After I decided I wasn't thrilled with my OW instructor, I did some research into instructors for my AOW and Nitrox classes. Craig came highly recommended. He went above and beyond just teaching from the course pack. In AOW, we spent some time on gas planning, SAC rates, etc. Stuff a little beyond what is normally taught in a PADI class. Then, he was very interested in things to improve and took detailed notes. When I signed up for Nitrox a while later, he referred to his notes to make sure all my wishes were taken into account. He used to be associated with Liburdi's in Costa Mesa, but I think he might be independent now. Anyway, if you haven't chosen your instructor yet, I can highly recommend Craig.

Mike

Good recommendation

I did my DM and most of my AI with Craig

Regards,

I_AM

 

[DiveNav]

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)

Both South Coast Divers and SOCDC are open to new divers and both groups have weekly dives (Saturday morning) open to everyone.
SOCDC is a "real" dive club with monthly meetings while South Coast Divers is more about "let's get together and go diving .... no membership required"
Laguna Sea Dwellers is another good choice.

Regards,

I_AM

 

[PatRemo]

Scuba World is great, and Andrea the store owner is extremely knowledgeable but does not teach - she does however schedule and run classes and has excellent NAUI Instructors, - Paul Christiansen, specifically. Their pool classes are held at the Fullerton Community College pool - which can be a drive! An alternative to NAUI, of course, is PADI certification, and you can call Mike or Gary at Openwater Habitat Marine Schools in Santa Ana - visible from the I-5 freeway at First Street - they are really smart and fun guys and excellent instructors in ALL areas of diving skills to include the use of mixed gases - 714-558-1055.