How can I find an experienced diver to dive with?

[dhampton82]

I will be taking my Open Water Certification classes starting at the end of next month with my Dad, brother, and my girlfriend. I'm sure that once we all get certifide that we need to dive with some experienced divers for a period of time until we all are comfortable to go diving on our own. Most of our first dives will be in the Florida springs to start off with and we would feel alot more comfortable with an experienced dive buddy. Any ideas on how we can find an experienced dive buddy/ safety supervisor?

 

[Bowmouth]

Should be fairly easy for you to go with someone from the dive shop you're doing your course with. Talk to the people in the shop (with your instructor) and ask him/her if he/she can be your "guide" for a few dives after certification. If you're doing your course far away from home just contact a local dive shop when you're back and ask them to hook you up with someone from their shop or any of their experienced and regular customers.

 

[Darnold9999]

Need more info - you might fill out your profile so we know where you are. However "in general" if you take a course or buy your gear at a dive shop they usually put on weeknight or weekend group dives. Usually with some kind of instructor or DM leading. Even if you didn't buy gear or take a course some will let you come along anyway in hopes that you will buy gear or take courses. Lots of other ways to find people to dive with, but without knowing where you are it is hard to be specific. Dive clubs - asking here etc.

 

[K9trnr]

If you want to search online, PADI has an area where you can put in your profile and search for other divers in your area. Other agencies (NAUI, SSI, etc.) may have something similar online. Divemasters at your local shop are also another good possibility. When I was a divemaster candidate, I went diving every weekend to meet the experience requirement, and the shop would let me know when newer divers were looking for someone to dive with. Then I continued going every weekend after becoming a Divemaster because I wanted to make sure my skills were kept sharp.

 

[Jason Ooi]

No worry you will find a good buddy
Welcome to Scuba Board

 

[El Orans]

Ask the Florida Conch Divers...

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board.
A good bet is to just ask here. For whatever reason, the divers here seem to be a good bit above average. Start a post asking if some local divers would be willing to join you and you dad at "name the place" on some date. There is a good chance you will have several people respond.

 

[spectrum]

This talks about becoming an active diver and does have some info on building a network of buddies & mentors.

http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_buddies.html

Pete