Diveshop Feedback - Federal Way, WA

[l)33l>3l2]

New to the S. King County area. Can anyone share experiences or feedback regarding Underwater Sports in Federal Way?

Are their instructors knowledgeable? Prices for gear and gear maintenance fair? Are there better diveshops in the area, e.g., Des Moines or Tacoma?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Go to 8 Diving in Des Moines. I live in Kirkland, and if I were starting over, I'd drive there.

The only other shop in the area I would recommend is Jade Scuba in Port Orchard. Tacoma Scuba seems to be good, but I don't have personal experience with them.

 

[OrcasC205]

+1 for Eight Diving in Des Moines (Eight Diving). Melissa and crew will take care of all of your cold water diving needs and their instructors are awesome in my experience.

 

[KenE]

While some of us prefer Eight Diving, I believe all the area shops are reputable and have good instructors. The important thing is to find an instructor that meets your needs and personality. The shop or agency does not matter.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

While some of us prefer Eight Diving, I believe all the area shops are reputable and have good instructors. The important thing is to find an instructor that meets your needs and personality. The shop or agency does not matter.

Do you really want to compare the quality of rental dry suits?

Or the quality of instruction? Nobody at 8 teaches on the knees.

Most area shops and instructors are not of good quality.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

The shop or agency does not matter.

FTFY

 

[KenE]

Do you really want to compare the quality of rental dry suits?

Or the quality of instruction? Nobody at 8 teaches on the news.

Most area shops and instructors are not of good quality.

Please be aware that your standards are much higher than most recreational diver standards. This is your opinion and not everyone holds the same opinion! Your last statement is just not accurate, yes, none of the other shops focus on the DIR diver, but that does not make them bad, just not to YOUR standards.

 

[KenE]

FTFY

When it come to instruction the instructor is more important than the shop!

 

[iliketopetsharks]

When it come to instruction the instructor is more important than the shop!

Of course, but a dive shop is more than just instruction. Renting, selling and maintaining gear, cylinder inspection, fills, pool lessons etc.
OP didn't ask about instruction only.

 

[KenE]

Of course, but a dive shop is more than just instruction. Renting, selling and maintaining gear, cylinder inspection, fills, pool lessons etc.
OP didn't ask about instruction only.

I agree with your assessment, my comments were basically about instruction. Mainly because the instruction at Eight is great, however, for the recreational diver they don't have much equipment other than DIR. Underwater Sports has a larger variety of choices. So, depending on what I am looking for, it would dictate where I would go in the south sound area. Eight does my fills and regulator maintenance. I can't take instruction due to locality issues. However, I have found better selection of equipment at the other shops. So, is only one the right answer, I say no. Just my opinion!