A friend has asked me to recommend a decent LDS/Instructor in the DC area to get certified. Any recommendations?
Good shop/Instructor in DC area?
- Thread starter tridacna
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citycountryguy
Contributor
On the Virginia side I'd recommend Sterling Silver Scuba. Jason, Melissa, and their crew are great!
OP
My buddy is in Silver Spring. I'm not sure of the geography down there. Is that close?
Not really close. Not sure what is on the MD side, but Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria, VA is good. Not a terrible trek from silver spring, but not the closest either. I know of at least one closer one, but I will not recommend them. If you PM me I will give you the name and the reasons.
VA Scuba in Manassas is pretty much the only shop that gets my recommendation for instruction in the DC metro area. It's a bit more of a drive than some other shops, but the quarry most shops in the area use for checkouts is in Haymarket anyway. Just take the belt way to 66, then west to the Prince William parkway, then take the first right onto Ball Ford Road and then right on Wellington Rd and look for the sign on the right hand side of the road.
Outside the strictly DC metro area, I also like Diver's Den in Baltimore. From Silver Spring it's just a simple drive up 95 to 695 to go around the west side of Baltimore to Parkville. They are about a mile south off exit 31A straight south down Harford Rd. They are easy to find with plenty of parking in the back. Diver's Den will probably do the checkouts at Dutch Springs.
Both shops are probably about equal distance for you.
There are a couple shops I'd avoid at all costs, but I'll save that for a PM if asked for an opinion on that.
Outside the strictly DC metro area, I also like Diver's Den in Baltimore. From Silver Spring it's just a simple drive up 95 to 695 to go around the west side of Baltimore to Parkville. They are about a mile south off exit 31A straight south down Harford Rd. They are easy to find with plenty of parking in the back. Diver's Den will probably do the checkouts at Dutch Springs.
Both shops are probably about equal distance for you.
There are a couple shops I'd avoid at all costs, but I'll save that for a PM if asked for an opinion on that.
Since my last post got deleted in the forum rollback, I wanted to post again for future use.
VA Scuba in Manassas is a great shop.
Virginia Scuba :: Virginia's Only Techreational Dive Center!
Submerged in Rockville is good too.
Maryland scuba diving classes and instruction in MD, VA, DC at Submerged
Our dive club uses Brass Anchor in Frederick very often.
Brass Anchor Scuba Center Frederick PADI Courses
I would recommend any of the above.
If they are interested in a local dive club, our club, the Atlantis Rangers, is always looking to see new faces. They meet in Beltsville, MD (near College Park)
Atlantis Rangers Visitors Menu Page
VA Scuba in Manassas is a great shop.
Virginia Scuba :: Virginia's Only Techreational Dive Center!
Submerged in Rockville is good too.
Maryland scuba diving classes and instruction in MD, VA, DC at Submerged
Our dive club uses Brass Anchor in Frederick very often.
Brass Anchor Scuba Center Frederick PADI Courses
I would recommend any of the above.
If they are interested in a local dive club, our club, the Atlantis Rangers, is always looking to see new faces. They meet in Beltsville, MD (near College Park)
Atlantis Rangers Visitors Menu Page
Bellaco
Contributor
I did my OW & AOW with Diver's Den in Baltimore mentioned above. We did our OW checkouts in Guppy Gulch. The AOW was done in Bainbridge & Lake Rawlings on 2 separate weekends. The class was small (just my wife & I) so we worked things out with the instructor to work with both of our schedules & see some of the other local mud holes. Diver's Den is a great shop & I would recommend them if the distance isn't too much for you.
OP
He is going to Diver's Den. Thanks Everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.
Late to the fight here, but I like Altlantic Edge, Gaithersburg and Annapolis. Annapolis has its own pool (outdoor) and they have access to an indoor Annapolis pool when such is required. They also have the contract with Baltimore Aquarium for the dives there. I like all the guys that haunt the shop, and between it and another one man shop I deal with, they have all my money. For good reason too.
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