Brand new to everything

[knight2k]

Hi, I am a new diver still going through my PADI training. Hopefully I can meet some people here as I want to go to as many places to dive as I can. Also looking for as much advice as I can get and a buddy if I can find one.

I live near Memphis, TN so not much around here short of a few quarries further south. Just had a cruise to Honduras, Belize and Cozumel and went snorkeling, but that is just a tease. I want to go down there and look...so scuba class.

So far the classes are a lot of fun, didn't think I would be so relaxed as I thought I would be a little more anxious. Anyway, this is me, I'm an old Marine, and hoping this will be a very fun hobby.

 

[cb5150]

Welcome aboard, enjoy your classes. The real learning comes after you're certified. Thanks for your service!

 

[iamrushman]

howdy and welcome from south Florida.....good luck in your training.

 

[jaymz7783]

Hey knight! I'm right close to you in Cordova maybe after I get certified we can go diving somewhere close. I heard of a place in Paducah called Mermet Springs (also the site for my OW Dive). Good luck with everything and from an Army Grunt to a Marine Hooyah!

 

[cardzard]

Welcome to :sblogo: your place for everything Scuba. :admingreet:​

 

[PinkInkScuba]

Welcome to SB knight2k! You are correct, it is a very fun hobby! If you ever find yourself near the upstate of SC, shoot me a PM and we can go do some diving! If you are looking for some trips, we have those too!

 

[drrich2]

It's a wonderful hobby for many people. If you're getting into diving new, a couple of suggestions for popular, budget-friendly places you might want to hit, time of year depending in some cases.

1.) Key Largo, Florida - lots of shallow reef diving, with the option for some deep wreck diving if you get your Advanced OW cert. My trip report.

2.) Cozumel - you'll get swamped with so much choice it may discourage you. Particularly since some people discourage the all-inclusive options as they find better food at independent restaurants. There are many threads on Cozumel hotel, dive op. & food options; I only got 2 dives there on a cruise ship stop. If you want a place to start, you might try the popular Aldora Divers or Living Underwater, which have 120 cf tanks (more air than normal 80 cf tanks, so longer dives).

3.) Bonaire - great for shore diving, driving up & down the coast, but go with a group your 1st time.

 

[Kca3131]

Head down to the Florida Keys. They are close, have a lot of great charter operations, and offer a ton of great beginner and advanced diving.

 

[seaseadee]

Allegiant flies Memphis to Fort Lauderdale direct. There's a TON of diving in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano, Boca and Boynton. You can even drive to Jupiter or the keys with not too much fuss.

 

[RJP]

Hey, we were all "new to everything" at some point.

Welcome!

Ray