Best way to find "Show up and dive!" dive buddies.

[jimcswims]

Hey folks,
Was wondering who has good luck in getting trustworthy and responsible folks to dive on a whim? (using this site)
Was looking to dive this weekend, no one is around it seems.

 

[Steve_C]

Not using this site. But there are often local boards also. In my case there is NCdivers.com and RAD (Raleigh Area Divers) on Facebook. Scubaboard is a good place for learning and discussing diving but it is not where I go to find diver buddies on long or short notice. Check around your area and see what you find. Note that area is part where you live and part where you dive which may be a different place.

 

[Tug]

Are you on FB? There are a large number of active divers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/186242878060341/

another option is to join a club, most go on weekly shore dives

Bay State Council of Divers

 

[Rich Keller]

You could also try this site.

Member Login

 

[johnnyseko]

It used to be a pretty active group in the Boston area. I met a bunch of great dive buddies on SB. Been wondering who's still around since I've been away for a few years and have since relocated...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-england/

 

[Tug]

It used to be a pretty active group in the Boston area. I met a bunch of great dive buddies on SB. Been wondering who's still around since I've been away for a few years and have since relocated...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-england/

I've had good luck finding buddies here but since most of diving lately has been charters I haven't asked in a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johnnyseko]

Charter? I'd be up for a seal dive with Capt Fran sometime! I think I may be waiting for a bit though. Forget when the 'season' is.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

This might sound silly - but show up where you think you will be diving or would like to dive. Example my son and I dove at Folly Cove a month or so ago - beach diving.
Go there and see who is diving - start with small talk - you dont even need your equipment - ask some questions and listen to what they say. If you think you might enjoy their company then offer it out - "hey I don't have a buddy but if you dive here often would you mind if I tag along some time?" Here is my number give me a call...
I find most divers willing to help out other divers if you ask and are not pushy...
If you are looking for lots of dives - join a club - want a boat dive - hook up with a dive boat / dive club or just go on a dive boat - rinse and repeat above...
I want to enjoy the folks I am with - it is less likely that I will blow them off. Boards are sometimes hard to coordinate - I like face to face when I meet divers - key is show up and introduce yourself a likeable and a willing dive buddy...
Oh and check the tide charts - High Tide and Low Tide are your best bets to find folks... one hour before the tides change...

 

[Mr.X]

As an instructor I see all manner of divers. If I had to get paired up with someone I would like it if they had a GUE Fundies cert. There is a higher standard there and these divers will typically know how to streamline, kick, maintain proper buoyancy etc.

That said - I haven't been paired up with anyone as I dive either with a team, or solo. I hate the liability aspect of assisting questionable divers. And I have a LOT of stories related to this. And they are no fun as they screw up your dive plans, and put you at risk.