New to diving, going to Lake Michigan

[metastasis_d]

I've been lurking for a while and trying to find answers without posting, but I'm still not finding answers particularly geared towards my problem.

My girlfriend and I only have 6 dives under our belts, and we're having trouble finding places to dive when we travel around the States. We went to Keystone, Colorado a few weeks ago and couldn't find a place that did any guided dives. We're not really comfortable diving by ourselves yet since we're so new. The only places we've gone is to a lake in Southern Missouri for our open water certification (SSI) and a guided dive in the Galapagos earlier this Summer.

Honestly the Galapagos trip was our entire reason for getting into scuba diving but once we were in we fell in love with it. Still, it's kind of frustrating not being able to get some beginner-level dives unless we travel to far places that cater a lot towards tourists, or through certification groups.

I was wondering how divers really get into diving when they're still green behind the ears, but after they've done getting their initial certifications.

We are going on a houseboat trip in Arkansas in a couple months with the same dive shop where we got certified, and getting our Nitrox certification dives while we're there, but we're going to Chicago on the 16th for the Black Sabbath concert and would love to be able to finally get another dive in. There is an SSI shop in town that is doing an open water certification that weekend so I was thinking about emailing them and just asking if we could tag along, but I don't know if that's kind of unusual or frowned upon in the industry. Of course we'd be fine with paying boat fees and what not.

Does anybody know if there are any places I should look into specifically there in Chicago? Does anybody have any tips for super-noobs to get some dives in to get more comfortable until we're ready to just rent equipment and head out? Should I be posting this in the regional forums?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Skittl1321]

Could you email the local shops and see if they can put your in touch with a DM/Instructor who you could hire as a guide?

 

[metastasis_d]

I've emailed the SSI shop that is there but it was late so I'm still hoping for a response later today or this weekend. I also plan to try to find a marina that does certifications like the one in Table Rock Lake where I got my certification; I figure they'd be the most prepared for newcomers to the sport.

 

[razorbackdiver]

If you are ever in central Arkansas let me know. I'll dive with you.

 

[Bob DBF]

For specific information you would do better on Michigan Lake Divers as they are diving there.


Good Luck and Good Diving.

Bob
-----------------------
There is no problem that can't be solved with a liberal application of sex, tequila, money, duct tape, or high explosives, not necessarily in that order.

 

[jbark]

for the Chicago area I would suggest that you call Dive Right In Scuba and talk to them. they have a dive boat and I am fairly sure they could hook you up with a DM to guide you for a trip.

You might also call Captain Jim at Windy City Diving. He runs a dive charter and might be able to point you toward a DM for a trip. Jim is a super nice guy and is very helpful. He has a trip on August 24 th chartered by Scuba Emporium that I may be going on. I talked with Tim at Scuba Emporium the other day and I think they could set you up with a DM as well. Nice folks there.

Jerry

 

[James R]

Find a shop/charter for sure. Hire a DM or local instructor that isn't teaching to take you on a guided dive or two.

FWIW I wouldn't let anyone "tag along" with my OW classes (or any other for that matter)...especially not people I haven't met, and I don't know any other instructors that would either. I don't see how that would be very fun anyway!

 

[rx7diver]

Hi Nick,

Quail Run in Rolla is a shallow divers quarry. I haven't been in a couple of years, but the few times I drove down (I live in the same town as your dive shop!), I had fun experiences. One time I showed up solo. The owner jumped in with me, just because he wanted to go diving.

Table Rock Lake, which you've dove before, is a great place to practice, a perfect place for a dive weekend or overnight. I'm assuming $$ are important to you, since you are a (college?) student. Tent camp at the state park near the Dewey Short visitors center near the dam. If you choose the right camp site, access to a shallow part of the lake is a very short walk down the hill through some trees--easily done in full gear. Easy diving, perfect for newbies. You'll get to see submerged rocks and trees and carp! Take a dive flag and float, though. Fill your tank at the state park marina.

I think you'll thoroughly enjoy your dive shop's houseboat trip. I went with them a couple of times years ago and had a blast. Plus, you'll be able to get in quite a few dives, with divers of various experience levels, if you wish.

Once you do a bit more diving, you'll develop the confidence to venture out even more. You really don't need a dive guide/master.

Finally, I know the owner of your dive shop. We've been friends for years. We were trained by the same instructor (at different times), and I subsequently learned a great deal from the owner. (In face, my PADI Open Water certification was through his shop!) He's good people (as we say here in central Missouri). So, too, are his dive masters (John, Rose, etc.). Let him know you're interested in diving more. I'm sure he'll invite you to practice in the pool while he's teaching and invite you to join them when he's teaching his open water courses locally.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[metastasis_d]

If you are ever in central Arkansas let me know. I'll dive with you.

Going to Bull Shoals for the houseboat trip at the end of September.

For specific information you would do better on Michigan Lake Divers as they are diving there.


Good Luck and Good Diving.

Bob

Thanks, I'll post there.

for the Chicago area I would suggest that you call Dive Right In Scuba and talk to them. they have a dive boat and I am fairly sure they could hook you up with a DM to guide you for a trip.

You might also call Captain Jim at Windy City Diving. He runs a dive charter and might be able to point you toward a DM for a trip. Jim is a super nice guy and is very helpful. He has a trip on August 24 th chartered by Scuba Emporium that I may be going on. I talked with Tim at Scuba Emporium the other day and I think they could set you up with a DM as well. Nice folks there.

Jerry

I will give them a look. Appreciate it!

Hi Nick,

Quail Run in Rolla is a shallow divers quarry. I haven't been in a couple of years, but the few times I drove down (I live in the same town as your dive shop!), I had fun experiences. One time I showed up solo. The owner jumped in with me, just because he wanted to go diving.

Table Rock Lake, which you've dove before, is a great place to practice, a perfect place for a dive weekend or overnight. I'm assuming $$ are important to you, since you are a (college?) student. Tent camp at the state park near the Dewey Short visitors center near the dam. If you choose the right camp site, access to a shallow part of the lake is a very short walk down the hill through some trees--easily done in full gear. Easy diving, perfect for newbies. You'll get to see submerged rocks and trees and carp! Take a dive flag and float, though. Fill your tank at the state park marina.

I think you'll thoroughly enjoy your dive shop's houseboat trip. I went with them a couple of times years ago and had a blast. Plus, you'll be able to get in quite a few dives, with divers of various experience levels, if you wish.

Once you do a bit more diving, you'll develop the confidence to venture out even more. You really don't need a dive guide/master.

Finally, I know the owner of your dive shop. We've been friends for years. We were trained by the same instructor (at different times), and I subsequently learned a great deal from the owner. He's a good guy. So, too, are his dive masters (John, Rose, etc.). Let him know you're interested in diving more. I'm sure he'll invite you to practice in the pool while he's teaching and invite you to join them when he's teaching his open water courses locally.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

Yeah, Dwayne is a great instructor. We're about to do the Stress and Rescue class with him tomorrow morning.

Indeed, money can be tight as a college student, but the GI Bill is paying for about 99% of my costs and my VA disability is subsidizing my travel costs, since I live super cheap and my girlfriend has a good job. Really time is more of a factor, since she only gets so many days of vacation every year and we go to see her family in New Orleans or mine in Houston for Thanksgiving/Christmas.
~~~
I appreciate all the helpful responses.