Hello from St. Louis Mo!

[Aqualover]

I've been a water lover since I was a kid. Have wanted to go scuba diving for as long as I can remember, just never seem to have the money to take the lessons. Now I have to sons, both are water enthusiasts and would love to be able to get all of us cert to go diving together, keeping my fingers crossed! If anyone has any suggetions for preferrable places to dive in MO/IL any advice/suggetions would be appreciated, Thanks in advance!!

 

[scubajoe]

Welcome to the board!

Joe

 

[mikswi]

Welcome!!~ Poke around, do a search- you will be suprised at the wealth of info available.

This board is THE authority when it comes to info and being able to ask/answer questions.

 

[theskull]

We have several very good shops around St. Louis. I must recommend The Dive Shop of St. Louis, on Manchester in Rock Hill, but do admit this is a very biased opinion.

There is alot of great local diving once you are certified. I am in Joplin, MO, right now having just completed 2 dives at Oronogo Divers' Quarry. There are also good diving quarries in Rolla, MO, and Mermet Springs (near Metropolis), IL. For lakes we have some great diving at Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Norfork. Additional good sites in KY.

Come on and jump in--the water's great!!!!

theskull

p.s. e-mail me with your location in St. Louis and I will also recommend a shop or 2 that may be closer to where you live.

 

[MsParamedic]

Welcome to the board! I would suggest Mermet Springs in Metropolis. Quail Run is great for your cert dives, but not much to see. Another great dive site is Cerulean in Cadiz, Ky.--it's a 4 hour drive, but it is t-shirt diving (no wet suit) during the summer months. My personal choice for shops is Scuba Shop USA in S. County or Mid-West in St. Charles. Let me know if you ever need a dive buddy!

Pat

 

[HammerNoMore]

I'd recommend www.midwestscuba.net. I've had "issues" with every dive shop in town save 2. Of the those two, I've never been to Scuba Shop USA so I have to recommend Midwest.

James

 

[theskull]

I'd recommend www.midwestscuba.net. I've had "issues" with every dive shop in town save 2. Of the those two, I've never been to Scuba Shop USA so I have to recommend Midwest.

James

Dude,

You've had "issues" with EVERY dive shop you've patronized in the entire St. Louis are except for 1, and 1 that you have not yet visited? Perhaps you are difficult to please?

I have patronized nearly all the local shops and have only had "issues" with a couple individual store employees, and I don't find the shop "guilty" based on 1 of their employees, unless that employee is also the owner.

Keep in mind that half of the shopping experience is how the customer presents himself and what attitude he displays. You may certainly vote with your feet if not treated like a king, but you can also make another attempt and build a relationship with the store employees for better all-around service. At least consider it.

theskull

 

[Quarrior]

If anyone has any suggetions for preferrable places to dive in MO/IL any advice/suggetions would be appreciated, Thanks in advance!!

Welcome to the board. I dove Mermet Springs outside of Metropolis IL this weekend. Love the place. Great for training and just plain fun diving.

As for shops, I personnally have been to several of them. I do most of my business at Scuba Shop USA. You'll find the shops vary on what brand of gear they sell. Some will rent what they sell and some won't.

I can't speak for all shops, but, I do know Scuba Shop rents what they sell. I went there because I was interested in the brand they carry and they rented it to me to try before I bought.

Brian

 

[HammerNoMore]

You've had "issues" with EVERY dive shop you've patronized in the entire St. Louis are except for 1, and 1 that you have not yet visited? Perhaps you are difficult to please?

Let me rephrase. I've had real "issues" with 4 of the shops that include: charging 40% above suggested retail in violation of their agreement with the manufacturer, failure to follow standards, a complete inablility to maintain posted, much less resonable business hours, inability to provide information on classes because the teen behind the counter has no clue and the people who do don't return phone calls or email, and rude remarks from the owner concerning my gear selection.

Of the remaining 4, two I mentioned already and two others I can't recommend even though I don't have issues because one of them doesn't really do anything but support their mine operation and the other runs a closet in the back of a barber shop.

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome Aboard!!!!!

Becareful, it's addictive. Who cares!!!

Good Friends and good info, what could be better!!!!!??