Certification question

[ropes4u]

First off hello to everyone from Colorado.

My wife and I booked a two week trip to Bonaire in January to scuba dive, a life long dream of mine. Now I need to learn to scuba dive in order to maximize the time on the island. I will definitely be in Florida a few weeks before we leave on the trip but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the local dive shops and their classes?

My thought was if I got certified now I could use the trips to Florida to hone my skills and gear before leaving on the trip. Alternatively I could wait and certify there, less than idea in my mind.

Opinions??

Thanks, John

 

[tbone1004]

you have a good instructor in your area. Goes by Boulder John on here, worth getting a hold of him and talking to him.

 

[diversteve]

I personally would rather dive on vacation in Bonaire than sit in a classroom watching other people dive. So I think your Florida idea is a good one - get certified in similar conditions, get your weighting dialed in for warm water etc. Maybe even purchase some gear so you can get familiar with it.

Although most shops on Bonaire that I've been to (about 5) have decent looking rentals - they do a lot of it so rotate their rental gear yearly or so.

Florida is a big state, it might be useful to post where you're going to be staying so someone can refer you to a good instructor.

Bonaire is mostly a PADI-based island so I suggest you pursue that in Florida also. It's the largest recreational organization in the U.S. - probably the world. John mentioned above is a PADI Professional. https://www.padi.com/Scuba-Diving/ And this is John: [user]boulderjohn[/user]

Since you've got time between now and then, you also may want to do the e-learning part of the classroom training first. You can get all the basics done via e-learning, tests etc. so when you arrive in Florida that will allow more time to have your other classes/certification dives without being as rushed. Especially if you need a little extra time to work on skills or something. https://apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/elearning/

We also have a Bonaire sub-forum that is full of all sorts of information. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/ I'm sure you've probably seen this also: Bonaire Offical Site - Top Destination for Diving and Eco-Activities

 

[boulderjohn]

First of all thanks for the kind words.

I work with a local dive shop in Boulder, so working with me may require a private session if my scheduled group sessions don't work. I will be in south Florida for two months starting in mid January. Depending upon dates, it could work out to do the pool a sessions in CO and the OW sessions in Florida.

 

[ropes4u]

I sent a PM

I'm usually in west palm for work, dates vary. But we would like to wrap up open water before Bonaire so we can hit up blue heron and the keys, we have snorkeled both in the past.

Thank you everyone