OW Cert dives

[chucknorris]

Hey all!
I finally talked my girlfriend into doing dive lessons but she, and I can't blame her, doesn't wanna do her cert dives in a mucky quarry so as incentive I said we could go down to the outerbanks for a weekend to do her cert dives...so to my question, can anyone point me in the right direction for a charter/shop/instructor that will do PADI cert dives for a reasonable price!? Also, I would like to tag along and dive as well so a boat dive that could hit some shallow wrecks or whatever else is off the coast of NC that would be a huuuge plus! I just wanna do some diving with her if i'm gonna fork out all that money!

ps-closest place to DC is pref.

Thanks!

 

[outlaws]

Come on over to ncdivers.com there are plenty of operators on the board and several instructors also.

Butch

 

[Tortuga James]

I dive inshore off the coast of NC frequently and I think that the quarry is the best place to get your check out dives done. I did Lake Rawlings, an hour south of Richmond in SVA. Unless you are totally lucky, or have a week or so to wait around for the right day, it is going to be difficult to
A.) schedule 2 nice weather days in advance
b.) find inshore visibilility at or better than a quarry

If you really don't want to get your CO dives in the quarry, take your referral to the keys or the bahamas. I considered that, but realized I didn't want to burn up 2 days of vacation doing those dives, they really are boring, especially in a big class.

Here is my advice, tell your girlfriend you have booked a cool dive trip for after you get your cards, and then go dive as buddies without an instructor telling you what to do.

I don't think the coast of NC is the best place for OW certification dives.

 

[herman]

I totally agree with SD on this one. IMO the NC coast is no place for OW checkout dives. The vis on inshore wrecks is 20 ft of less (15 this weekend). Add the extra task loading of boat diving, rough seas, heavy current, the possibility of getting seasick and you have a GF who will never dive with you. Your much better off at Lake Rawlings. Most days the vis is 25-30 or better, no chance of seasickness or getting blown out. Talking her into Rawling is going to be a lot easier than begging her to try diving again.

 

[Tortuga James]

Amen, Herman, A point little known to those of us who try to lure our loved ones into the sport we love. A bad first experience is hard to overcome.

 

[chucknorris]

hahah hey thanks for the advice guys! I appreciate it...I will try to get her to a quarry or wait for a long weekend and try to hit the Keys I think. can't get enough of the spiegal and uscg cutters down there

 

[packman]

I agree with the above sentiments. The checkout dives aren't really for sightseeing, anyway. They are to prove you can get in and out of the water without killing yourself. She will have enough on her plate during the CO dives without dealing with the uncertain conditions off the coast as well. Lake Rawlings will give y'all the best combination of decent vis, stuff to look at, and calm water. Take SD's suggestion of getting her through the CO dives with the promise that things do get better and then take her down to the Keys.

 

[divekraz]

Chuck, I've been diving in Hatteras N.C. 18 dives for July and October this year. Trust me, you don't want to have your girlfiriend do her certification dives there. Current could be ripping or nonexistent, vis could be 100' or 10' and just a 2 tank dive is $125pp. Either get certification locally in a lake or quarry or go to Key Largo where she can get certified in calm, warm, clear water so she has a nice experience. If she has a bad experience getting certified it may be the last time she dives so don't take a chance and do it in a sheltered area. Good luck.