Certification school advice

[sstratt1]

I'm thinking about getting my open water diver certification before going to the Caribbean next April.

Does anyone have any recommendations for schools in the Bay Area? In particular, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Cal School of Diving in Berkeley. It would be very convenient for me, but it's more expensive ($375) than a lot of the places around. Anyone know if it's worth the extra cost?

Thanks!

 

[boomx5]

I'm thinking about getting my open water diver certification before going to the Caribbean next April.

Does anyone have any recommendations for schools in the Bay Area? In particular, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Cal School of Diving in Berkeley. It would be very convenient for me, but it's more expensive ($375) than a lot of the places around. Anyone know if it's worth the extra cost?

Thanks!

I would email Joe Talavera. He actually lives in Berkeley, and is an excellent NAUI instructor. Here's his email: joe@5thd-x.com

You can also get some info on the different classes 5thd-x has at there website. 5thd-x

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

In comparing prices, make sure you know what's included. Prices vary a lot depending
on what's included. The most common things not included are: materials (books and CDs and such), gear rental, for pool work and for the ocean, and the cost of the C-card.
Different shops will include difference sets of stuff in their prices.

In general, you will have to provide personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, booties).

The instructor is more important than the shop or the C-card agency.

And finally, your open water card is really just a learner's permit.

Where are you located?

 

[sstratt1]

Thanks for the advice.

I live right in Berkeley, so Cal Dive is definitely the closest option. As far as I can tell the $375 includes everything except the personal gear. From checking other prices, it looks like that's still a little more than other competing places, even once you take into account rentals, textbook, etc.

The instructors they list on their website are Jim Larson, James Larson, Tyler Roscoe, Andre Amacker, Dan Adams.

I'm going to head down to the store and talk to them sometime this week.

Any particular questions I should make sure to ask?

 

[miskatonic]

I'm thinking about getting my open water diver certification before going to the Caribbean next April.

Does anyone have any recommendations for schools in the Bay Area? In particular, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Cal School of Diving in Berkeley. It would be very convenient for me, but it's more expensive ($375) than a lot of the places around. Anyone know if it's worth the extra cost?

Thanks!

Take a trip across the bay and go to http://www.bambooreef.com

 

[The Chairman]

PM Otter on this board... he certified Tech Admin, and he is still alive! :11: I would trust him with my life!

 

[rickn]

I got certified with Cal School of Diving about a year ago and had a very good experience with them.

Rick

 

[mech]

I also would reccomend Joe Talavera.

 

[pchelp]

I'll add another vote for Joe, you won't go wrong with him.

 

[nuts4diving]

I have to recommend John Heinlein at Diver Dan's in Santa Clara. Well worth the drive! I did my DM certification with him, and assisted in quite a few of his classes. Fun, safe, & thorough.

Mary Helen