Common Gear available in North Carolina?

[wetman]

Hey all,

My sister just moved to Wilmington from Canada and I've been wanting to get her some gear but i'd like to get brands i know but ones that are available in her area for repair work etc if necessary.

My prefered brands to buy her are apeks, halcyon, scubapro and henderson for various articles. Are these good choices for that area or would there be better?

Also, as shes a very new diver, i'd like to be able to suggest some good spots for just jumping in and getting wet that don't require a 2 hour boat ride or any boat ride at all. Preferably something within about an hours drive. Wether it is salt or fresh i dont think it matters as long as its reasonably diveable for someone whos new to things just so she can start getting some much needed experience.

Also, if there are any instructors on the board in that area, could you PM me. I wouldnt mind paying for a few dives of your time to escort her just to make sure she gets some more experience with experienced divers.

Thanks,

steve

 

[herman]

Hi Steve,

There are several shops in the Wilmington area, your best bet is to check them out and see what they carry, my best guess would be Scubapro. As for the diving, most of the good spots are a long ride off shore but there is a liberty ship that was sunk as an artificial reef about 3 miles off shore that can be a nice dive. A 400+ft ship in about 50 ft of water. Seems like it is the AR-370 (AR= art reef)and the name of the ship was the Alexander Ramsey (from memory, I know it's close). It's also a good idea to find a sea sick med that works well for her or you for that matter. There are 2 kind of people, those who know they get sea sick and those who THINK they don't.....my personal favorite to watch chum over the rail.
Here are a couple of web sites you may find useful, the nc-wreck one has a page with a lot of dive shops on it. The areas around Wilmingon include Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, which are actually the local beaches as Wilmington is located inland a ways. Drop me a note when you are in the area, maybe we can get a dive up. I am on Oak Island, aka Long Beach (45 min south of Wilmington)almost every other weekend most of the year.

http://www.capefeardiveclub.org/
http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/

 

[tombiowami]

There are no freshwater dives near there I am aware of beyond a hideous quarry about 2.5 hrs. west, and another pretty good one 4 hrs. west. Driving to them when the coast is so close would be kind of funny. The only shop I have been out on there is Aquatic Safaris. They use the Ramsey Herman speaks of as their training ground for OW divers. The main deal there is the weather, it can be like a lake or 5' swells day to day, really just a matter of luck.

The trip I went on out there was to the Hyde and Markham, the ride was an hour plus, which is not too bad in good seas, it does add a certain amount of stress compared to having a dry land base.

The other issue is dive buddy, which if you don't have one, and are not diving solo, you just get hooked up with one.


Tommy

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

hi there we have allot of dive shope that cary that equipment and there are plenty of fresh water and salt water dives sight kind let me know what you wanting I will point you in the right direction