Looking for a good LDS in D.C.

[Mthelming]

I am in the Washington DC area, and I am looking for a good LDS. I am just getting started in Diving, and I want a place that is both reasonable in price, and Advice. Thanks!

 

[SteFord]

Check out Splash Dive Center in Alexandria. They're an Oceanic Dealer too!

 

[Mthelming]

I stopped there a week or so ago, and picked up a watch for my girlfriend. The place seemed reasonable, but I still want to check out some other places just to get different opinions, and see some different gear.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

I second Splash.

I primarily use two, Splash and VA Scuba out in Manassas.

Much depends on what gear you want to look at and where you're located...

 

[littlewaywelt]

I just went through the course at SPE Dive School run by Mike Parker. It was really outstanding. They go through lots of stuff not covered by the normal PADI open water class. THey have several options in couses (I did the all in one weekend deal) and take monthly trips to Grand Cayman monthly. The GC trips are are really good deal. I'm definitely going to do that in the future. Can't say what a good experience the class was and how outstanding the instructors are. their website is www.scubaedu.com. They are redoing the rather lame website...it's not an indicator of their operation at all. The classes are in Chevy Chase and the pool sessions are at the Lowell School in the winter and the Holiday Inn Chevy Chase in the summer. They also sell gear at very competitive prices. Definitely not as big as a dive shop.

 

[Mthelming]

VA Scuba was nice as well, very polite people working. I stayed there for almost an hour just talking with them, and seeing what they thought about things. I think I will go back to Splash this weekend, as my girlfriend needs a new mask!

 

[Rand]

I just went through the course at SPE Dive School run by Mike Parker. It was really outstanding. They go through lots of stuff not covered by the normal PADI open water class. THey have several options in couses (I did the all in one weekend deal) and take monthly trips to Grand Cayman monthly. The GC trips are are really good deal. I'm definitely going to do that in the future. Can't say what a good experience the class was and how outstanding the instructors are. their website is www.scubaedu.com. They are redoing the rather lame website...it's not an indicator of their operation at all. The classes are in Chevy Chase and the pool sessions are at the Lowell School in the winter and the Holiday Inn Chevy Chase in the summer. They also sell gear at very competitive prices. Definitely not as big as a dive shop.

I'd also give a big thumbs up, or rather a giant OK sign , for the SPE Dive School. It was an outstanding, professionally run operation. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if this will be your first experience with diving. And, I think I may have been in your class, littlewaywelt, my wife and I went through it this past President's Day weekend.

You should note, though, that they only sell merchandise to current and former students of the school. The gear they sell is not available to the general public. But all you need to do to change that is take a course with them. They offer many different courses to include open water, nitrox, rescue diver, equip. specialist, etc.

 

[Ice9]

I'm a HUGE fan of Adventure Scuba Company in Chantilly. Great folks there!

http://www.scubava.com

 

[littlewaywelt]

And, I think I may have been in your class, littlewaywelt, my wife and I went through it this past President's Day weekend.

Yes, that's the class I was in. Enjoy your diving!