I'll try to explain this as best I can so I can get some advice more quickly and hopefully get closer to a decision by writing all this out. (hopefully I won't confuse myself in the process )
I'm planning on taking an OW class with a friend of mine and we're looking at a class that starts June 9 (it's a 6 week class, which we both prefered over the 1 weekend courses that seem to be more commonly available around here, at least in English). We've looked at a couple of shops that are closest to us that offer courses in English and found something that would work for us, though if anybody knows of any independent instructors around here, I'd be open to looking into that option.
We're both college students and I have a limited amount that I can spend (while I have enough for the course and personal gear, a successful summer-job search will make this a non-issue) so I don't want to be wasting money if it would be better spent at a later date (possibly next summer). I say this because I don't know how much diving I'll be able to do after I get certified in mid July. Diving locally is possible until about the end of september unless you've got a dry suit, which I won't have nor will I know how to use one. The school year kinda rules out trips except possibly during Christmas or Spring breaks, so it's very possible that I may find myself at the beginning of next summer with 10 (or less) dives under my belt including the check out dives.
I've wanted to learn to dive for a while now and considered it briefly last summer, though ended up settling for a Discover Scuba in August (which got my friend hooked) and I'm looking forward to finally taking the course and blowing some bubbles in a lake nearby. I just don't want to spend the money and find out I'm not going to have the chance to do any diving for who knows how long.
So here's the question: Should I get the cert now and try to dive as often as possible (and as I can afford rental gear) this summer or should I wait until I know I'll be able to dive more often?
I'm planning on taking an OW class with a friend of mine and we're looking at a class that starts June 9 (it's a 6 week class, which we both prefered over the 1 weekend courses that seem to be more commonly available around here, at least in English). We've looked at a couple of shops that are closest to us that offer courses in English and found something that would work for us, though if anybody knows of any independent instructors around here, I'd be open to looking into that option.
We're both college students and I have a limited amount that I can spend (while I have enough for the course and personal gear, a successful summer-job search will make this a non-issue) so I don't want to be wasting money if it would be better spent at a later date (possibly next summer). I say this because I don't know how much diving I'll be able to do after I get certified in mid July. Diving locally is possible until about the end of september unless you've got a dry suit, which I won't have nor will I know how to use one. The school year kinda rules out trips except possibly during Christmas or Spring breaks, so it's very possible that I may find myself at the beginning of next summer with 10 (or less) dives under my belt including the check out dives.
I've wanted to learn to dive for a while now and considered it briefly last summer, though ended up settling for a Discover Scuba in August (which got my friend hooked) and I'm looking forward to finally taking the course and blowing some bubbles in a lake nearby. I just don't want to spend the money and find out I'm not going to have the chance to do any diving for who knows how long.
So here's the question: Should I get the cert now and try to dive as often as possible (and as I can afford rental gear) this summer or should I wait until I know I'll be able to dive more often?