Lessons in Western Suburbs of Chicago

[TMJJS]

I'm going to the Mexican Riveria in June. I would like to take my class and pool work up here and then do my dives down there to get my certification. I think my wife and 12 year old son are also going to go for certification. We live in the far west suburbs of Chicago. Does anyone have experience with any of the dive shops (the few I have found)?
Is there any value in taking the PADI on-line course?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

 

[Doc]

Which have you found? Try to figure out which has the best geographical pattern of classroom and pool availability.

Remember, Our World Underwater, the Chicago Dive Show is coming up February 15~17th.

Our World-Underwater 2008 - Home - Our World Underwater

The family? Get them all certified and participating in this great family sport.

The "on line" learning just expedites the bookwork and quiz process. If you can get through the parts that don't require a one-on-one assisted learning experience, it sure frees up time for on-scene teaching in a classroom setting.

It is really no different than recommended "pre-study" for any certification level. When I did my DiveMaster, I spent weeks reading the manuals and taking all of the tests, quizzes and reviews. The more simple stuff you can get done on your own time, the better it frees up valuable one-on-one instructor time.

Doing the pool and classroom up here in balmy Illinois is a no brainer.

 

[DiverBeth]

I agree with RoatanMan, do the pool and classroom up here. Get it out of the way and do the certification where it's warm.

 

[slkay]

Below H2O in Aurora gets my vote. My 14 old son got certified there last year and I think they did an excellent job.

 

[chgodvr]

I'm going to the Mexican Riveria in June. I would like to take my class and pool work up here and then do my dives down there to get my certification. I think my wife and 12 year old son are also going to go for certification. We live in the far west suburbs of Chicago. Does anyone have experience with any of the dive shops (the few I have found)?
Is there any value in taking the PADI on-line course?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Think about doing your class and pool work here in Chicago, the taking your referral down to Mexico and finishing up with the open water dives there. If your going down in June, there will be only a small window of opportunity for you to do your open water dives here in the Chicago area and the water will be still very cold, low to mid 50's in May. There are a few shops located your area, Below H2O in Aurora, Sea Lions in Hanover Park, Illinois Institute of Diving in Glen Ellyn.

 

[TMJJS]

We are currently doing the course with H20 in Aurora. They had the best price, but more importantly I got a better feel from them than any of the other shops when calling around. Of course, they also got recommended here!
Right now my wife, oldest son and I are reading the book and getting ready for our 1st class this Saturday with our 1st pool session on Sunday
We have our open water dives planned for Memorial Day weekend - hopefully it won't be too, too cold!

 

[ppo2_diver]

Have fun with your class.