Moving Back to Chicago in Dec

[Harvdog]

Well, after a 9 month long vacation to Austin TX and logging over 150 dives as a true Texas Swamp Diver, I will be returning to the Windy City. Trouble is when I left, I wasn't yet a diver and now that I am, I want to continue my training. I am PADI certified up through rescue and have exp working as a DM in training. Granted, I still need more water experience and still have to take the exams. One thing that I am glad I completed while I was here was my Dry Suit cert. I have a feeling that it is probably not a bad idea to use one in Lake Michigan huh?

My question to anyone who reads this from IL, is who would you recommend to go see about completing my DM cert. Also, what are some good charters to dive with. And does anyone know of any opportunities to work as a DM on any of those charters or possibly with classes? I have a lot of class experience working with students.

I will more than likely be moving into the Lincoln Park / Lakeview Area or somewhere around there, but like I said I don't know of any shops or charters around there.

I guess that's it for now. I greatly look forward to hearing from ya'll and maybe even meeting some of you in the water.....when it gets warmer of course. Hell, maybe for now we just meet for a pint or something. Speaking of pint's, are there any scuba clubs that anyone could recommend??

Thanks!!

James

 

[SDAnderson]

Well, after a 9 month long vacation to Austin TX and logging over 150 dives as a true Texas Swamp Diver, I will be returning to the Windy City. Trouble is when I left, I wasn't yet a diver and now that I am, I want to continue my training. I am PADI certified up through rescue and have exp working as a DM in training. Granted, I still need more water experience and still have to take the exams. One thing that I am glad I completed while I was here was my Dry Suit cert. I have a feeling that it is probably not a bad idea to use one in Lake Michigan huh?

Without a dry suit, diving in Lake Michigan is a short season in shallow water, that's for sure. You'll see folks in wet suits around here, we call them smurfs because of their blue faces... ​

My question to anyone who reads this from IL, is who would you recommend to go see about completing my DM cert. Also, what are some good charters to dive with. And does anyone know of any opportunities to work as a DM on any of those charters or possibly with classes? I have a lot of class experience working with students.

The instructor and the size of the instructional program is more important than the shop, there are few enough shops in the area that you should take some time to get to know each of them before you commit to your DM training. I started a list of local dive shops here that is not complete but will give you a place to start from. There are a number of charters in the area but I don't know any of them that will allow you to crew until you have complete your DM - and even then, competition for those slots can be serious.​

I will more than likely be moving into the Lincoln Park / Lakeview Area or somewhere around there, but like I said I don't know of any shops or charters around there.

The closest shop to Lincoln Park is Underwater Safaris on Lincoln Avenue. The closest charters are out of Burnham Harbor and include Chicago Dives and Dive Chicago. Clever names, eh?​

I guess that's it for now. I greatly look forward to hearing from ya'll and maybe even meeting some of you in the water.....when it gets warmer of course. Hell, maybe for now we just meet for a pint or something. Speaking of pint's, are there any scuba clubs that anyone could recommend??

Most of the shops have captive clubs, some are pretty active, some aren't. Additionally, there are some independent clubs in the area: The Tritons, The Underwater Archeological Society of Chicago, The League of Underwater Photographers, The Aquarium Divers Scuba Club

Be sure to mark your calendar for the annual Our World Underwater Show. It's a big scuba blow-out that will be held in January at the Rosemont Horizon. It's a great way to connect with the local dive community and to get a serious mid-Winter neoprene fix. And welcome to Chicago. You'll find me in at most Tritons monthly meetings, stop by and I'll drain a bottle with you.​

 

[Harvdog]

Outstanding information Steven!! Thanks for taking the time to tell me about the Chicago scuba connections.

I couldn't agree with you more about "feeling" out some shops for the right program to enter. I have been to several shops here in Austin and I have to tell, ya....there are some "interesting" people out there. And defnintely some I would rather steer clear of.

Quality of insturction is so much more important to me than speed of getting my certification. I will defnintely use the info you provided to complete a little due diligence.

I assumed that there would be some competition re: DM'ng on a charter. I remember how stressful work was during the week and hopefully I can find an outlet for that stress in the lake with some fun divers. Being a DM would be great, but I understand that I will be in line.

I will be sure to swing by the Rosemont for the expo and look for ya. And yes, we will drain a bottle or two!!

Cheers,

James

 

[netmage]

Outstanding information Steven!! Thanks for taking the time to tell me about the Chicago scuba connections.

I couldn't agree with you more about "feeling" out some shops for the right program to enter. I have been to several shops here in Austin and I have to tell, ya....there are some "interesting" people out there. And defnintely some I would rather steer clear of.

Quality of insturction is so much more important to me than speed of getting my certification. I will defnintely use the info you provided to complete a little due diligence.

I assumed that there would be some competition re: DM'ng on a charter. I remember how stressful work was during the week and hopefully I can find an outlet for that stress in the lake with some fun divers. Being a DM would be great, but I understand that I will be in line.

I will be sure to swing by the Rosemont for the expo and look for ya. And yes, we will drain a bottle or two!!

Cheers,

James

James,

150 dives in 9 months - sounds like my kinda diver. I'm downtown in the loop and hooked up w/ the Tritons based on my experiences w/ ReefRaff here on the board. As I was new to the city - didn't know too many people - The shops didn't do much for helping me get out and dive locally.

I don't have anything bad to say about the other clubs - but what I found really nice about the Tritons is there is a subset group of very active great lakes divers covering both recreational and technical levels - and no ego problems about taking a young whippersnapper (like myself) under the wing who wants to develop & learn more. They have a packed schedule during the season and take in some of the more interesting dive locals - vs just leaving out of downtown.

Feel free to look me up when ya get up here - always looking for more dive buddies.

-Tim

 

[Harvdog]

Outstanding Tim!! Thanks for the input. I look forward to meeting you guys when I get to town. I am really excited about getting down to see the bottom of the Lake. I grew up on the North Shore and only know the surface.

Yup, in between sending out resumes while here in Austin, I dove Lake Travis about 3-4 times a week - Usually on Wed night, Sat night and all day on Sat and Sun with classes. The experience was tremendous. I hooked up with a local dive shop here because I wanted to learn more about diving. Well, I sure did. I got bit by the bug hard and defnitely want to my diving knowledge and certifications. Goal is to one day instruct. For now though, I want to hook up with some aggressive divers and learn as much as I can.

I will be sure to let you know when I get to town. Maybe we'll meet at the Billy Goat under Michigan Ave for a beer.

Lookin forward to it!!

James

 

[KenMusick]

Great info, I am also looking for equip and continuing ed. in chicago area, will be at the expo, and just started my visitations of local dive shops.