OW certification in San Diego?

[DandyDon]

San Diego may have warm weather but the water is quite cold 50's in the winter, 60's in the summer. Take it from me, I used to live there and worked at two of the shops mentioned in post above. At Aqua Tech you can rent a DUI drysuit to use durring your open water course for only $25.

Great idea, and get a Dry Suit experience, too..!

See I told you that you'd get replies on - err, Tuesday.

 

[suddha]

Wow - thank you ALL for your input and help. Referrals and local intelligence are the way to go. I am surprised by the cold water but it will be good practice for me, since most of my "home" dives will be in the Great Lakes.

Cheers.

 

[Starboard Tack]

I came here from South Carolina and was shocked by the cold water myself. I wanted to add one more shop to the list.
http://www.gotodiveshack.com/

Talk to Rod. He is an outstanding instructor and takes better care of his gear than any shop I have ever worked with. That's a few shops.

As to the drysuit, it would keep you warmer, but if you are just entering the scuba world, hold off on it. A 7mm suit will keep you plenty warm and you don't have to fight the drysuit. Drysuits are great if you know how to use them, but they can bite the untrained. Once the initial shot of water going down your back is over, you will be pretty comfortable.