Chicago Pre-teen Lessons

[marrs96]

:goodmorning:

Does anyone know of any low cost group lessons for my daughter (age 12) in the Chicago-area? I've looked the Y programs already, but that does not seem to be an option given her age.

Thank You,

Scott

 

[knowone]

If you are a diver of capability plop her in someones pool somewhere and avoid going inside to make coffee.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

At 12, she can take a full OW class and will get a jr open water certification. Her depth limit will be 12 meters and she will need to dive with a parent. At 15, you upgrade it to Open Water status and she can go 18 meters and does not have to be only with a parent. It only takes an internet request to the agency.

On a side note, I don't reduce or dumb down classes for kids, so I don't give them a kids price. I believe that anyone diving should get full training to be completely independent. I make even the youngest like my last 9 year old future buddy student take the full course. He was better than the adults. He is still restricted to depth of 6 meters and can only dive with an instructor until 10, then he can go to 12 and go with parents, but still..... They need as much training or more than adults. in my opinion.

 

[captndale]

Call around to the dive shops in your area to find one that has an instructor who likes to work with kids. Not all instructors are good with younger students. I have done a lot of work with high school students and enjoy working with them but I usually end up wanting to drown 12 year olds. I just do not relate well with them. Remember to keep your own expectations within reason. Not all 12 year olds are ready for scuba. If your child does not complete the class, he or she will still have learned and, hopefully, had an enjoyable experience. I have seen several kids who failed to be certified in their initial class try again after a couple of years and become avid and expert divers in time.