Instructors in the Boston area?

[lord1234]

Although I know this is a bit of a Democrat answer and probably not the one you're looking for, but:

speaking from experience both as a student and an instructor, it's very possible to go with the most highly recommended shop in your area and get paired up with an instructor you just don't click with, or you can go to the shop that disenfranchised customers (or past employees) voice their hatred for on message boards and find an instructor that ends up being your lifelong scuba mentor.

bottom line is this: you need to find the store/business that meets your individual needs.

Think about how big a class you're going to be comfortable in. Is it worth it to you to pay more for more individual instruction or at least a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, or do you think there's less pressure in a large class?

What's your free time like? some shops will only run classes on a specific schedule, others are more flexible, and some instructors will actually come to your house or office to do the academics. Is time of the essence, or are you just taking the class to take it?

Do you want a full-service dive facility or just an independent instructor who can make endorsements? A good, well-maintained dive shop can set you up with the gear you need, which is a real advantage if a piece of equipment you bought there goes screwy during class or otherwise. At a good dive shop, the instructors on staff should be well-versed in those brands and be able to do simple repairs on the spot, saving you a hell of a lot of headache and pre-dive stress. On the other hand, an independent instructor probably has no vested interest in the gear you purchase, so you'll be much more trusting outright of someone unaffiliated with any retail when they make brand/model recommendations.


What are you willing to spend in fees? Is it worth it to drive a bit farther for a cheaper class? Actually, the answer to that one is no, because as spread out as the shops are up here, if you're driving to one not close to you then you're really driving. What's worth a longer drive is an instructor you trust and respect who you enjoy working with. End of story.


Some food for thought. The good news is, as I run through the mental Rolodex I just can't think of a single shop that doesn't have both pros and cons, but all of them are reliable and dependable training facilities.

this needs to be put in a FAQ somewhere...

 

[pgdive]

I agree that is an excellent answer.

I would also add that compared to many other areas of the country, it is very hard to find a really bad instructor in the Boston area. The conditions around here both in the water and in the dive business in general, dictate that most instructors and dive stores are in it for the long run and are not "fly by night operations". Nobody jumps into scuba instruction in New England hoping to make a quick buck.

PM me if you have specific questions about our classes.

Thanks

Paul

 

[PeaceDog]

The conditions around here both in the water and in the dive business in general, dictate that most instructors and dive stores are in it for the long run and are not "fly by night operations". Nobody jumps into scuba instruction in New England hoping to make a quick buck.

Agreed. Well put. Can we add this to the FAQ? =)

 

[lord1234]

paul, I wish I had gone with you guys for my OW. The store I went with Aqua Ventures Dive Center in Hudson is 6 months delinquent in sending me my damn cert card. And when I call NAUI, they have no record of me...

 

[PeaceDog]

The store I went with Aqua Ventures Dive Center in Hudson is 6 months delinquent in sending me my damn cert card. And when I call NAUI, they have no record of me...

okay, so, uh, past Discover Diving in Atkinson, I don't know any shops by name. so is my credibility intact? =)

 

[lord1234]

i have heard good things about Discover Diving...and peacedog yes it is.