Hello from Austin

[quixoft]

Hey folks,

I just found the board and found some great information already so I thought I would introduce myself.

I'm in Austin, TX and I've actually been OW certified since 1996. However that was a class in college that got me certified and I haven't gone down in scuba gear since. Mainly because I was a broke college student and couldn't afford it!

I've always been at home in the water. I swam competitively from age 4 through college and have done tons of snorkeling and free diving although nothing past 50 or 60 feet. 95% of my snorkling/free dives are in the 30 foot range or less.

Well I've gotten the itch to do scuba again so my wife and are taking an OW certification course together. Even though I'm already certified, it's been over 15 years so it can't hurt to do it again.

However one concern I have that I really didn't like in my class in college, was the BC's. They were big and bulky and just got in the way. I've been to some shops around Austin and they are all pretty much the same as I remember. I really don't want to be that restricted under water.

From what I've read on this board it's looks like a simple back plate, harness, and bladder(seems the term is wing) would probably be the best setup for me. Any thoughts on a direction to go with that?

Also, I've tried the big dive fins and really don't like them. I've always used my swim training fins while snorkeling. Is there any reason for getting "scuba" fins over regular swim training fins?

I'm sure I'll have more questions but that's it for now.

 

[chrpai]

I live in Cedar Park and dive Lake Travis 1-2 times a week. If you want, we can get together and I can show you what a BP/W and long hose looks like, how it works and why I dive what I dive.

I already have a boat lined up for 2 tanks tomorrow morning but I have all day Sunday free if you want to rent some gear and go diving or if you just want to try out my gear in a pool.

 

[quixoft]

Cool! Good to know there are other Austin area folks here. I'm actually in Round Rock off 620 so I'm right down the road from you. Unfortunately we're taking the kids kayaking on the Brushy Creek Lake tomorrow morning so we wouldn't be able to make it out to check out your setup. I'll definitely reach out though once we are through the class and looking to pick up some beginner gear.

Any recommendations on instructors? I've looked at scubaland, diveworldaustin, and Tom's. My OW course was a one hour elective at UT in '96 but I have no idea who the instructor was or who did my open water dives in Travis. I just know I didn't really like them. We are planning on doing a private course with just my wife and I and the instructor.

 

[driftwood]

Cool! Good to know there are other Austin area folks here. I'm actually in Round Rock off 620 so I'm right down the road from you. Unfortunately we're taking the kids kayaking on the Brushy Creek Lake tomorrow morning so we wouldn't be able to make it out to check out your setup. I'll definitely reach out though once we are through the class and looking to pick up some beginner gear.

Any recommendations on instructors? I've looked at scubaland, diveworldaustin, and Tom's. My OW course was a one hour elective at UT in '96 but I have no idea who the instructor was or who did my open water dives in Travis. I just know I didn't really like them. We are planning on doing a private course with just my wife and I and the instructor.

My personal choice for a private instructor would be Robert Weiss. Great guy and fantastic instructor. Robert is a PADI instructor and can work with you through either Scubaland or Oak Hill Scuba. It might be tough to get him on weekends since he is the owner of Welcome to Lake Travis Scuba As you can imagine he is busy this time of year (especially with the low lake levels). Layne Hedricks at Tom's would be my choice if you prefer a SSI course. If Harris Casey is still teaching, also at Tom's, he would be an excellent choice.