local OW training info

[Diesel298]

i have a friend who lives in the Dallas area and is intrested in learning to dive
so i figured id see what you all had to say about if and who is around that area.
and whats the goin rate for the classes in that area
TIA

 

[FIXXERVI6]

University Scuba - Highly recommend because its not just a weekend express class, its several weeks, kind of a pain but worth it as in my opinion several weekend of pool time has to be better than one weekend of pool time.

Tuckers Dive Shop - dunno about OW but I took a cavern and intro to cave and was satisifed with the training.

http://www.universityscuba.org/

http://www.tuckersdiveshop.com/

 

[loosebits]

I second both of those. I highly recomend University Scuba, I don't believe you have to be enrolled at UTA to take it from them. As I recall, it was something like 16 - 20 hours of pool time vs the 4 or 6 you'll get at most LDS's. You know what a difference that will make.

 

[texdiveguy]

Give Debra a ring at Surface Interval Scuba of Arlington,,,a 5 Star IDC PADI training center. www.siscuba.com

 

[Debraw]

To more adequately give you an answer here are a few questions:

1) Does the person need to be certified by any certain time? Going on vacation? etc.
2) Where do they live, North Dallas, South, East, West?
3) Do they work weekends or during the week? Night shift?

Is it one person or two? Sometimes one person is already certified and the other needs a refresher....is there anyone else?

Prices range from $189-$299 and it seems Dallas shops average a bit closer to the $299. Further West you go the cheaper the classes get. Price is a factor but I would not make it my only factor. When you start calling around ask how many people are in a class, will they adjust to a schedule you need, if you need more pool time, lake time etc. can that be arranged? Does the shop have follow up pool time or lake time available after the class is over? Does it cost? How much? Does gear need to be purchased/rented for the class, additional books, DVD's etc. in addition to the class price?

I have seen shops, rent the DVD's, rent the gear, if you don't buy personal gear from them, rent wetsuits, cut the price of the class if you buy gear from them. I would be happy to answer any questions your friend may have and we can get them into a class either at my shop or another local shop that I can recommend that may be closer to them or whichever one fits their needs. Not all classes fit all people, and not all people fit all classes.

 

[amascuba]

To more adequately give you an answer here are a few questions:

1) Does the person need to be certified by any certain time? Going on vacation? etc.
2) Where do they live, North Dallas, South, East, West?
3) Do they work weekends or during the week? Night shift?

Is it one person or two? Sometimes one person is already certified and the other needs a refresher....is there anyone else?

Prices range from $189-$299 and it seems Dallas shops average a bit closer to the $299. Further West you go the cheaper the classes get. Price is a factor but I would not make it my only factor. When you start calling around ask how many people are in a class, will they adjust to a schedule you need, if you need more pool time, lake time etc. can that be arranged? Does the shop have follow up pool time or lake time available after the class is over? Does it cost? How much? Does gear need to be purchased/rented for the class, additional books, DVD's etc. in addition to the class price?

I have seen shops, rent the DVD's, rent the gear, if you don't buy personal gear from them, rent wetsuits, cut the price of the class if you buy gear from them. I would be happy to answer any questions your friend may have and we can get them into a class either at my shop or another local shop that I can recommend that may be closer to them or whichever one fits their needs. Not all classes fit all people, and not all people fit all classes.

Debraw makes some good points here. Allot of times you have to look for the hidden costs. Allot of dive shops will find way's to get more money out of you. For instance I've seen a few dive shops who advertised $185 classes, but when you got to looking into it deeper you still had to purchase the workbook, dvd, pay for pool time, pay for open water, rent gear, rent tanks, etc. It adds up quickly to well over the price of some of the more expensive classes. It can jump up and bite you quickly.

 

[tx4wl]

hey guys the original poster is a buddy of mine so lets give you guys my backgound

no im not in a rush to do this(i.e. vacation)

i just have allways wanted to dive and ray just sparked an intrest i have had for years ...i have never even snorkled ..... i can swim and have lived by water my whole live

i grew on on the beach in cali and now reside on lake lewisville (highland village)

like i said im in no hurry but id like to get suggestions on whos close and possibly the best deal ..i dont wanna throw alotta money right this sec before i know what im getting into... just seems like it would be cool to try/do my main hobby right now is rockcrawling and offroading (jeep) not that i need another expensive hobbie but i like the idea of diving ....im new to this guys so dumb it down for me

thanks
shawn

 

[daniel f aleman]

Closest good shop near you; in Denton:

http://www.islanddivers.com/index.htm

Scuba requires slightly more intelligence than that of rockcrawling and offroading (jeep), but most anyone can handle it.

 

[IslandFrog]

tx4wl,

I live in Lewisville just south of F.M. 407. There is a dive shop in Lewisville called Coral Adventures, they are on F.M. 407 just east of Garden Ridge. The owner just purchased it a couple of years ago. I have not used them other than for a Tank Refill as I still go to International Scuba in Carrollton which was much closer to an apartment I was in back when I was first certified.

I can say that I have always been impressed with International Scuba and the way that they give personal attention to thier training.

Here are the websites for Coral Adventures and International Scuba:

http://www.coral-adventures.com/
http://www.internationalscuba.com/

If you want to, PM me for more information. I would be happy to be of any assistance that I can for you.

-Brad

 

[tx4wl]

Closest good shop near you; in Denton:

http://www.islanddivers.com/index.htm

Scuba requires slightly more intelligence than that of rockcrawling and offroading (jeep), but most anyone can handle it.

youd be suprised whats intailed in "rock crawling" but thanks for the link