So I got certified 2 years ago and the only dives I have done were my certification dives. As far as gear goes, I only have the fins, snorkel, and wetsuit. I absolutely loved diving and want to get back into it. The problem was after I was certified I didn't know what to do next. I didn't know where to shore dive and the charter trips were too deep for a newb! Any advice as to how to get back into it?
No dives after certification
- Thread starter drivesrf
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At this point, you should probably go back and do a refresher class.
After that, check with the dive shop and see if they are affiliated with any dive clubs. Also ask if they have any diver social events where they get together and go dive. Also check on meetup or facebook for any local dive clubs. Then go to some meetings and talk with people. Most people that are active in a club would be willing to go out with you.
Use the regional forums here on SB and post looking for a dive buddy. You could try divebuddy.com as well, but I admit I have never found a buddy off of that site. It's a wannabe.
Bottom line is that you have to take the initiative! You making this post is your first step! Now keep at it and I am sure you can find some people to go dive with. Then go dive!
At this point, you should probably go back and do a refresher class.
After that, check with the dive shop and see if they are affiliated with any dive clubs. Also ask if they have any diver social events where they get together and go dive. Also check on meetup or facebook for any local dive clubs. Then go to some meetings and talk with people. Most people that are active in a club would be willing to go out with you.
Use the regional forums here on SB and post looking for a dive buddy. You could try divebuddy.com as well, but I admit I have never found a buddy off of that site. It's a wannabe.
Bottom line is that you have to take the initiative! You making this post is your first step! Now keep at it and I am sure you can find some people to go dive with. Then go dive!
lemke
Contributor
Join a dive club or see if your LDS organizes trips or has events where you can talk to other divers about where to go. Where are you located... landlocked or close to saltwater? I'm sure you'll get many recommendations on this forum by the end of the day as soon as you say where you're located.
On another unrelated note, I noticed your SB name... do you race cars (Spec Racer Fords)?
On another unrelated note, I noticed your SB name... do you race cars (Spec Racer Fords)?
Hey drivesrf,
Some dive shops in my area are more about selling equipment and less about socializing. But some are a place fellow divers hang out or organize get togethers. See if any local dive shops have a social element. For example, the last dive shop I worked at didn't have any socializing at the shop but if you showed up around closing you find a bunch of divers heading for the local Buffalo Wild Wings for drinks. If hanging out at a bar isn't your thing then search Facebook for scuba diving in your area. Maybe you can find some dive clubs in your area. They usually organize meet ups and dive outings. For example, a local dive club in Dallas got together at a local training facility (scuba park) and one of the senior members gave a presentation on search and recovery. Then we got in the water and played 'poker'. The organizer hid playing cards underwater. Everyone then went underwater and try to make poker hands. The person with the best hand would win a price donated by a local dive shop.
If you don't have a Facebook account you can also check out Find your people - Meetup and see if there are any dive clubs on there.
Finally, some dive shops will sponsor dive clubs. So see if local dive shops have any information about dive clubs.
The dive community is full of people who just want to 'pay it back'. You can find people with a lot of experience who enjoy helping dive clubs and new members become productive divers. Smart dive shops also like to help and foster dive clubs because helping the dive club means more people diving and more divers means more people buying dive equipment and services.
Some dive shops in my area are more about selling equipment and less about socializing. But some are a place fellow divers hang out or organize get togethers. See if any local dive shops have a social element. For example, the last dive shop I worked at didn't have any socializing at the shop but if you showed up around closing you find a bunch of divers heading for the local Buffalo Wild Wings for drinks. If hanging out at a bar isn't your thing then search Facebook for scuba diving in your area. Maybe you can find some dive clubs in your area. They usually organize meet ups and dive outings. For example, a local dive club in Dallas got together at a local training facility (scuba park) and one of the senior members gave a presentation on search and recovery. Then we got in the water and played 'poker'. The organizer hid playing cards underwater. Everyone then went underwater and try to make poker hands. The person with the best hand would win a price donated by a local dive shop.
If you don't have a Facebook account you can also check out Find your people - Meetup and see if there are any dive clubs on there.
Finally, some dive shops will sponsor dive clubs. So see if local dive shops have any information about dive clubs.
The dive community is full of people who just want to 'pay it back'. You can find people with a lot of experience who enjoy helping dive clubs and new members become productive divers. Smart dive shops also like to help and foster dive clubs because helping the dive club means more people diving and more divers means more people buying dive equipment and services.
industrious95
Contributor
Lots of options for Monmouth County residents.
First of all, since it's been 2 years, a refresher course wouldn't be a bad idea.
Divers 2 runs trips out to the Sea Girt reef where there are sites in the 60-70 ft range. Lakeland Divers runs a "new diver dive trip" that's escorted at similar depths.
If you're not comfortable at that depth yet, lots of divers dive in the Shark River inlet (25-30ft) and in the Shark River back bay. Look in the regional forums and there are a couple of divers who frequently post about diving the back bay and they always seem to be looking for company. Depths back there run 10-15 feet, 20 if you wander into the channel. If you and your buddies go into Divers two, they'll rent you the gear and tell you where to enter the back bay, where to park your cars, etc.
There are divers in Raritan Bay, Shrewsbury River and Point Pleasant back bay. You'll have to google a bit to find them. There's a Facebook group called "Shark River Divers" that seem to visit the Shark river several times a week.
And finally, there's always the Quarry in Pennsylvania, it's only and hour or so drive.
First of all, since it's been 2 years, a refresher course wouldn't be a bad idea.
Divers 2 runs trips out to the Sea Girt reef where there are sites in the 60-70 ft range. Lakeland Divers runs a "new diver dive trip" that's escorted at similar depths.
If you're not comfortable at that depth yet, lots of divers dive in the Shark River inlet (25-30ft) and in the Shark River back bay. Look in the regional forums and there are a couple of divers who frequently post about diving the back bay and they always seem to be looking for company. Depths back there run 10-15 feet, 20 if you wander into the channel. If you and your buddies go into Divers two, they'll rent you the gear and tell you where to enter the back bay, where to park your cars, etc.
There are divers in Raritan Bay, Shrewsbury River and Point Pleasant back bay. You'll have to google a bit to find them. There's a Facebook group called "Shark River Divers" that seem to visit the Shark river several times a week.
And finally, there's always the Quarry in Pennsylvania, it's only and hour or so drive.
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There is the N.J Scuba Diving Forum. Shark River is OK--maybe 15- 20' high tide. A dive you may want to do once, or twice maybe just to work on skills. Allenhurst Jetty (near Asbury Park) on the Atlantic can be an OK open ocean shore dive if the surf's not too high/viz not too bad. Manasquan River Railroad Bridge in Point Peasant is a shallow (20') dive but you must be very aware of the tidal current so as not to get swept under the bridge. Charters go from the Jersey shore. Other local shore diving can be done on Long Island and Connecticut, but it's generally shallow. There are charters out of the S. shore of L.I. A good shop to contact in NY is Scuba New York in Yonkers.
Lots of good advice. I was somewhat in the same boat about 5 years ago. I hadn't dove in about 10 years, I got involved with a local dive club, then the sponsoring dive shop. The dive shop just happened to be owned and operated by a couple that had been certified about the same time I was and we used to dive together when we were all newbie divers. Now I'm a assistant and instructor for them. I'll repeat the good advice already given. Get involved with a local dive club and or dive shop, do a refresher, or a least go to the pool and practice the OW class skills.
very common problem for many who start out..this is a good example where continue education can help. Sign up for advance ow or a speciality that interest you. You will network with others in the class that are at a similar level of skill as yourself. You may dive at different locations under different conditions. Or simply sign up and go on a dive vacation, again with a organized group out of your
local dive shop or club if you do not feel comfortable doing this on your own.
I have a group of 16 joining me to Bonaire next month, 3 completing ow certification dives at that time and they will most likely do advance ow as well.
I recommend a scuba refresher, then affiliate with a local dive club for local diving or a trip to some scuba destination. As noted above, post your location and lots of SB members wioll steer you to a local group or dive center.
DivemasteDennis
DivemasteDennis
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