Greetings from California

[angelfire13]

I just discovered this board yesterday, and I'm already hooked!

My boyfriend and I are avid snorkelers and are looking forward to becoming certified scuba divers. We are planning a trip to Honduras early next year and will most likely get our OW certification here in the States before we go (Northern California -- if anyone has a great teacher recommendation, I'd love to hear about him/her).

I've been a huge water bug my whole life (swim team, windsurfing, waterskiing), but several years ago I had two very scary ocean experiences on back-to-back days in Jamaica -- one involving cliff diving, the other involving a scuba "resort course". Since then, I've been a little apprehensive about trying scuba again. I addressed my cliff-jumping fears on a return trip to Jamaica in 2003, and now I finally feel ready to face scuba again.

I know this is going to be a challenge for me, but one that I'm committed to tackling.
I'll certainly be reading a lot in the coming months, and I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions too. Thanks in adavance for everyone's support! This seems like a great community.

 

[dlndavid]

Hey angelfire13, welcome to SB, I'm from California too! What part?
Check out the California Kelp Divers Forum, where we have NorCal, and SoCal sections.
David

 

[angelfire13]

Bay Area here, too.

=)

 

[dlndavid]

I'm in Pittsburg. Where are you planning to get certified?

 

[angelfire13]

Well, I'm looking for an instructor that leads classes and pool dives in or near San Francisco (within 30 miles) and ocean dives in Monterey or somewhere else not too far away. Beyond that, I want an instructor with plenty of experience and who is comfortable teaching someone who is a bit fearful of diving, and understanding of my situation.

Know anyone who might fit the bill?

 

[dlndavid]

Not being from the SF area, I can't recommend a dive instructor. Most Bay area shops do their checkout dives in Monterey. Try posting your question in the Norcal forum and I guarantee you will get advice.
David

 

[DandyDon]

Glad you've joined us here. Wish I'd known about this place back then, but then - I was afraid of computers then. Had to overcome my machine phobia to get one here.

Be sure to check out our New Divers forum, and - tell you Instructor about your bad Resort Dive Experience so s/he can help you deal with that. I've never been to Jamaica, and doubt that I will.

PM me if I can help you find your way around here. :cowboy2: don

 

[humanFish]

I'm in SF - PM me and I'll share my thoughts on dive shops....

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

Hi angelfire13, and Welcome to Scuba Board! It’s an awesome place on the internet to meet other divers. Take care and Safe Diving. Matt. :admin:

:balloon
Click here to greet a new member!
No experience needed and it feels great!​

 

[angelfire13]

Thanks for the welcome, Matt. I just took a look at your website and wanted to wish you well in your scuba adventures. You are obviously a very strong, brave man. Reading your story gave me much encouragement toward overcoming my fear of diving. If you can overcome such great obstacles to acheive your dream, I can certainly get over one small incident that happened to me almost 10 long years ago.

Gool luck to you, and I'll be watching with interest as your story progresses.