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AOW course expensive in Palm Beach?
- Thread starter Kairoos
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sportxlh
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Interesting thread..... Most of the shops in the WPB/Jupiter area include the dive boat cost in their course cost. So you are really paying about $200 for the materials and classroom/instructor time. That's not too bad.
I waited until I had about 100 dives before I got my AOW. Most of those were somewhat deep dives in the WPB and Jupiter area (with a handful of shallow dives in the Keys). I found that the local dive shops I frequented got to know me and didn't demand that I have an AOW to dive with them. Except of course those dives that specifically required the AOW cert like Jupiter Dive Center's deep three tank dive. I did find that several dive shops in the Keys required an AOW to dive the deep wrecks or deep reefs like Conch Wall. That was my primary reason for getting the cert, so I could dive with operators in the Keys that didn't know me.
I was a pretty decent diver when I got my AOW and I'm not sure I had the best motivation (e.g. didn't want to be hassled when I went to the Keys) but I still found the AOW course to be very helpful because of the good instructor at the Scuba Club in WPB. My navigation skills were rusty and he certainly helped hone those skills. Simply walking through my answers in the manual with the instructor and the other couple of course participants was helpful for me as well. The AOW course is one that you have to approach with an open mind, you'll learn from it if you keep an open mind.
The AOW is also a prereq for the Rescue Diver class which is well worth the cost: I learned a significant amount from my Rescue instructor at Gold Coast in LBTS.
If you just dive in WPB with a shop(s) that knows you, you might not technically need the course. If you plan to travel much, it will be helpful. Regardless of your travel plans, if you approach the class with an open mind, you will learn something and probably improve some of your skills.
I waited until I had about 100 dives before I got my AOW. Most of those were somewhat deep dives in the WPB and Jupiter area (with a handful of shallow dives in the Keys). I found that the local dive shops I frequented got to know me and didn't demand that I have an AOW to dive with them. Except of course those dives that specifically required the AOW cert like Jupiter Dive Center's deep three tank dive. I did find that several dive shops in the Keys required an AOW to dive the deep wrecks or deep reefs like Conch Wall. That was my primary reason for getting the cert, so I could dive with operators in the Keys that didn't know me.
I was a pretty decent diver when I got my AOW and I'm not sure I had the best motivation (e.g. didn't want to be hassled when I went to the Keys) but I still found the AOW course to be very helpful because of the good instructor at the Scuba Club in WPB. My navigation skills were rusty and he certainly helped hone those skills. Simply walking through my answers in the manual with the instructor and the other couple of course participants was helpful for me as well. The AOW course is one that you have to approach with an open mind, you'll learn from it if you keep an open mind.
The AOW is also a prereq for the Rescue Diver class which is well worth the cost: I learned a significant amount from my Rescue instructor at Gold Coast in LBTS.
If you just dive in WPB with a shop(s) that knows you, you might not technically need the course. If you plan to travel much, it will be helpful. Regardless of your travel plans, if you approach the class with an open mind, you will learn something and probably improve some of your skills.
Scuba Works has a great deal going on right now.
Advanced Open Water class 349.00 includes one day at the bridge for your navigation dive and 4 dives off of the boat (2- 2tank boat trips) must complete training by December 31. But wait that's not all**** you get two free boat trips after completing your AOW that's a 150$$ savings! Must use your free trips by March 31. Rescue class is 299.00 (one day academics 2 days pool/bridge) and has the same 2 free trip incentive. Call the shop and ask for Donna!
---------- Post added November 13th, 2014 at 04:53 PM ----------
So that's 4 dive boat trips, 2 of which are supervised. Plus a day at the bridge.
That's $300 in boat dives.
Advanced Open Water class 349.00 includes one day at the bridge for your navigation dive and 4 dives off of the boat (2- 2tank boat trips) must complete training by December 31. But wait that's not all**** you get two free boat trips after completing your AOW that's a 150$$ savings! Must use your free trips by March 31. Rescue class is 299.00 (one day academics 2 days pool/bridge) and has the same 2 free trip incentive. Call the shop and ask for Donna!
---------- Post added November 13th, 2014 at 04:53 PM ----------
So that's 4 dive boat trips, 2 of which are supervised. Plus a day at the bridge.
That's $300 in boat dives.
iamrushman
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there you go...good things come those who procrastinate..
I like Sandy and the other lady, though her male DM is another story. I had heard some rumors about him and discounted it until I had my own run in with him while dropping gear off when diving another boat. He didn't like where I stopped my truck and was a total jerk telling me I had to move. I'm not sure where else he wanted me stop for 2 minutes to drop my gear. It's where everyone stops to drop gear, including when I dove their boat. So I told him he would just have to deal with it and turned my back on him while continuing to unload my tanks. He looked pissed, but what could he do about it? BTW: This was before the renovations.
With that said, I like the rest of the crew and if you have trouble finding their FB page, the link is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Quest-Scuba-Charters/228493668559
With that said, I like the rest of the crew and if you have trouble finding their FB page, the link is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Quest-Scuba-Charters/228493668559
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