Looking for a diving buddy

[Subby]

Hey all,

I just turned 18 and am new to these boards, i have been interested in scuba diving for quite a while now but have never had the funds to get me started. That has since changed as i have found a full time job and can now get to making the dream a reality.

I hope to undertake my course to become certified sometime in the next 2-4 weeks and get a deposit down on my gear in 4-8 weeks at most. Put simply, most of my mates are either broke or pussies, so i have no one to dive with. I really want to persue this but dont feel like putting alot of money into something if i dont have anyone to go with.

I live in the western suburbs of sydney and if anyone is looking for a diving partner give me a yell.

Cheers

 

[FishDiver]

Hey all,

I just turned 18 and am new to these boards, i have been interested in scuba diving for quite a while now but have never had the funds to get me started. That has since changed as i have found a full time job and can now get to making the dream a reality.

I hope to undertake my course to become certified sometime in the next 2-4 weeks and get a deposit down on my gear in 4-8 weeks at most. Put simply, most of my mates are either broke or pussies, so i have no one to dive with. I really want to persue this but dont feel like putting alot of money into something if i dont have anyone to go with.

I live in the western suburbs of sydney and if anyone is looking for a diving partner give me a yell.

Cheers

Sydney is an incredible place for local shore dives. I moved here from the US last year and joined 4 shop based dive clubs and 2 independent clubs. Most of the shops offering OW classes have dive clubs to get you in the water each week after you are certified.

Sydney Dive Academy in Matraville and Abyss in Ramsgate are two shops I dive with every week. Get your OW card and you find will discover a new group of mates to dive with.

 

[almitywife]

hi subby and welcome.

as a fellow westy - hubby teaches scuba at Frogdive Guildford but there are plenty of other good shops around so drop into some and talk to them (avoid a shop in parramatta though )

as far as a buddy - try a few shops dive clubs.

if dive clubs arent your style, www.diveoz.com.au often has someone asking for a buddy (i was looking for one myself for tomorrow), they have regular photo days (dont have to have a camera) where you show up and join a group/buddy.

cheers and goodluck!

 

[frozenwarp]

Just thought i'd say welcome and it's good to have another young Aussie on board, unfortunatley me residing in Adelaide i cant be ya buddy but if u havn't already as Almitywife said (she won't steer you wrong) check out www.diveoz.com.au and see who u can find. U will also be able to find links to diveclubs in u're area on diveoz

Anyway Goodluck and Enjoy,

Brad

 

[Subby]

Hey thanks for the responses!

Wife, i was actually going to go and train at guildford, i rang up frog dive a couple of days ago enquiring about classes and the likes, its definately where i will be going to learn!

Are there alot of younger divers there at your club?

Im looking for some mates as i have since left school and dont really keep in contact with many people, which sucks. Im looking for some mates that i can share an intrest with and the likes yada yada yada.

If your ever in sydney or im ever in adelaide then hit me up, we can organise something. Maybe ill get a lucky break with work and go down there for some business but stay a couple of days over the weekend.

 

[almitywife]

hi Sub.

i would say we dont have alot of 18yr olds as diving is a expensive sport so you will find most divers arent so as young as yourself but once you start mixing with different groups of divers im sure you will end up with buddys from 20 to 60.

Frogdive have a very strong club.... their monthly BBQs/Dives are very popular, weekends away, christmas black tie ball, snow trips even so it isnt always just about the diving.

i know hubby just taught a few guys (early 20's i would say) that are dive dive dive so once you get your feet wet and meet a few divers you will soon know alot of people.

once your certified you can always pm me as im out most weekends and when hubby is teaching im diving with other people so we can make sure you come back safe and sound

if you are in the shop - my hubbys name is Theo. i know he is teachin digital photography this saturday (we at Kurnell/Sutherland) and we will be donig a diveoz social dive at Oak Park/Cronulla on sunday

oh, and if you do buy any gear - talk to Luke not Graham. both are nice guys but Luke you can get a better deal out of

not that im encouraging you to buy gear!!!! in fact-when asking about your course ask him if he will throw in a days hire gear package (you might get a no but its free to ask) and if you do end up buying gear down the track, ask him to throw in a advance course for free or a couple of tank hires or bag.

you never know what you get until you ask for it - and i DIDNT tell you this ok!!! (and for this reason i dont go to the shop much-im a bit too pushy apparently )

 

[alper]

g'day,

In terms of dive buddies your best bet is to go diving with some kind of dive club I live in auburn and i dive regularly with the sydney dive academy at matraville, as they are close to where i study. Frogdive in guilford is also good, and both these stores sell oceanic products and they can do quite good deals when you are ready to buy your own gear down the track. But definately wait till you get a few dives under your belt before you fork out the few grand you need to get equipped, so you know for sure this is the sport for you.

as for someone your age, as wife mentioned it would be hard to find someone under 20 doing a potentially expensive hobby like this, but there a lot of people in their early 20's (21-25) that frequent alot of dive clubs. If you want a dive club that is primarily in this age group you should try one of the university dive clubs, such as the University of UNSW dive club, which i think is the best one out there. From what i knwo you don't have to be a uni student to join.

good luck with your course and have fun,
a.

p.s. to add further to wife's recomendation, also stay away from a dive shop in coogee.

 

[Goatfish face]

If you head up to the central coast look up Scuba Shack. Dive club, friendly people, generaly better hire rates than Sydney, you can breathe easier away from the Sydney smog as well.
Have a great time on course, you won't go wrong with Frog Dive and enjoy the new lifestyle.

 

[roughwater]

Can anyone get through to diveoz.com.au? I've been unsuccessful.

 

[almitywife]

dive has been down for almost 24hrs now!

i can hear the crying all over sydney