IDC Florida Training Location Help

[GeorgeC]

Hi,

I am planning to take the IDC in the Ft. Lauderdale Florida area and was wondering if someone can shed some light on these two shops.

www.scubaemporiumfl.com
www.prodiveusa.com

I read some posts about the closing and reopening of Pro Dive. Wondering if the circumstances surrounding this shop has caused any negative effects in moving forward training candidates.

It is not that easy for me to swing by the shops to get the warm and fuzzy as I live in NJ. I have reached out over the phone to find as much info as possible. Has anyone had good or bad experiences with either of these locations? In addition, I am not married to one of these shops and would be open to exploring other dive training alternatives.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

George

 

[Shcubasteve]

You might consider the Eastern Academy of Scuba Education: EASE. Located in Vero Beach, this program provides live in accommodations, on-site pool and full kitchen service... Something to consider...

PADI Eastern Academy of Scuba Education

 

[fisheyeview]

Scuba Emporium is good. I would go with them.

 

[Capt Scotty]

Scuba Emporium has a great program and staff in the Chicago location, but I havn't delt with anyone in the FL store.

 

[williama]

George,

I completed my IDC course and IE at ProDive in Mar 2000 and worked there as staff for 6 months after. At the time, it was top notch in the area and their job placement program really worked well because I could see classes come through and then instructors traveling around the world to work. Some would come back from their tour of duty and take a couple of weeks here before going to their next adventure.

The closing and reopening of Pro Dive was also a concern to me and I was very happy to see the team at the recent PADI Member Forum in Ft. laud 2 weeks ago. I also visited their location last week and while they are in the process of getting the operation up to 100%, I am happy to report that the training facilities are much better now than back in 2000.

I am looking forward to going back and doing some continuing education with Pro Dive soon. Also, I want to check out their IDC Staff courses. It's been almost 10 years since I was there learning how to teach diving and could possibly give something back to the new generation.

It's a pretty big commitment and you should try to come down for a weekend to check it out. I paid almost double to do my training at Pro Dive in 2 weeks compared to my local shop which was running a small IDC for a couple of active DiveMasters over a couple of months. The reason for my decision was from checking out the facilities, meeting the staff and chatting with some of the students that were taking classes.

Good luck!

 

[k11dorf]

George:

Apologies for not responding with more detailed info sooner – the worst flu in over a decade kept me out of the office for the past two weeks. You have, of course, been answered very well by William -- and a third party endorsement from a satisfied graduate is worth a lot more than words from me -- who, of course, gets paid to tell you how great Pro Dive is...

We have actually reduced the costs for the 2009 career development curriculum from the 2008 levels. The full Phase II/IDC is $2695, which includes the EFR-Instructor course, as well as all books, materials, diving, and IE fees – there are NO additional charges!

Founded in 1975, Pro Dive has been recognized by PADI as its first-ever and “Most Chosen Career Development Center in the U.S.” We have trained and placed nearly 3000 instructors worldwide and count among our alumni some of the most influential and iconic figures in the industry, including more resort and store owners and key management than any other facility. Pro Dive will most definitely prepare you for a successful stint – or long-term career! – in the diving industry. The training and credentials you’ll receive here will mark you as one of the world’s finest and most marketable diving professionals. I spent 18 years as a part-time Instructor with two other training agencies, before making the decision in 1999 to make this a full-time career; I knew then PADI was the appropriate choice. If you want to Go Pro, you need to Go PADI, and if you want to Go PADI Pro, you need to go to Pro Dive!

As for any concerns relative to the closing of the old Professional Diving Schools of FL, Inc., please understand that was for purely economic reasons by the ownership...we have purchased only the intellectual property of Pro Dive and taken only the best of what the old facility had (including its reputation for excellence!) -- in terms of new customer service attitude, enhanced programming, and improved physical location -- this Pro Dive is unsurpassed in our industry!
Please look over the information on our website (Pro Dive - Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Scuba Instructor Training) and don’t hesitate to call me with any additional questions or concerns you may have. 800-PRO-DIVE . Thanks again for your interest, George, I look forward to speaking with you further and working with you to jump-start your diving career here!

Best regards,

Kelly

 

[Pre BC]

GeorgeC:

Both schools have solid course directors/leadership.

The owner of Scuba Emporium -- Patrick Hammer -- is a great guy, owns Scuba Emporium in Chicago, guest teaches around the world and is a course director in his own right (you might want to ask if he is personally going to teach part of the programs you want to take). The full time course director at Scuba Emporium, Richard Hartley, used to be at Pro Dive, so there is a common heritage. On the other hand, the President of Pro Dive -- Tec Clark -- holds instructor certifications from both Naui and Padi. He is also the former director of the national YMCA and University of Florida dive education programs. He has two full time course directors working for him... One of which, Sally, just relocated all the way from Guam to work at Pro Dive.

Both own and operate their own dive boats. A real scheduling plus... You never have to worry about a dive charter operator cancelling your dives because there are not enough other paying divers. Both dive essentially the same spots. While the Pro Diver II is bigger than the Hammertime, the real advantage is location. It is literally a 50 foot walk from Pro Dive's classrooms to the dock. At Scuba Emporium you will have to drive to/from the dock. Google map the two and you can see where the they are in town. Think about both the convenience factors and where you want to live while you are in Fort Lauderdale.

Scuba Emporium has a much larger store (probably at least 3 times the size) and carries more lines. Pro Dive has a much larger full time teaching staff (more than double) and is adding over the next 6-8 weeks demo centers for dry suits, underwater cameras, dpv's, full face masks with communications and underwater video cameras.

They each have lots of plusses and very few minuses. Additionally, you might want to ask each about the benefits alumni recieve... You will be one your entire career, might as will know what comes with the post graduation package.

Are you planning on returning to New Jersey after graduation or are you headed for the tropics? If you are going back to be a cold weather teacher Pro Dive might be a better choice once they have their dry suit demo center fully operational. It will probably be the best place to learn cold water techniques in warm water. If you are headed for the tropics, there is probably not a big advantage of being from one school or the other. However, if you are interested in being a mega yacht dive officer, you should talk to Genevieve Sparg at Pro Dive about their new program for dual track certification as a yacht crew member and dive instructor...

I hope this is helpful.

P

 

[deepstops]

What ever happened to "The Commander" that used to teach at ProDive?? Is he still around??

 

[matts1w]

What ever happened to "The Commander" that used to teach at ProDive?? Is he still around??

Richard Hartley is "The Commander." He is, simply stated, an amazing teacher. I treasured every second of his IDC.

 

[GeorgeC]

Thank you for all of the responses. PreBC great information. Never thought about alumni benefits I will talk to the shops regarding this benefit. I don’t plan on staying in Florida as I have a full time job and taking this training on as a hobby.