Possible move to Hartfort, CT area

[michaelp68]

There are quite a few good dive shops in the area. I'm mostly aware of these 3, but I know there are a number of others, as well.

New England Ski & Scuba in Vernon is literally a 3 minute drive down the road from your prospective employer. Dave and Ollie are nice guys. They have a huge selection and you couldn't beat the convenience.

Enfield Scuba is about 20 minutes away from your prospective employer. It's an excellent shop with a great owner/dive instructor (John), a very good selection and fantastic service.

Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill was mentioned. It's also about 20 minutes away from your prospective employer. I've been in there twice, but don't really know the shop or the people very well, other than the fact that they have more technical gear and perhaps some technical instruction.

Good luck with your interview.

Michael

 

[RIDIVER501]

I got my initial certification from SS of Rockyhill in back in 1980.
Tom M, the owner was recently at a PADI forum I attended said the shop was doing great. I see some of his staff during OW dives at FT Wetherill RI they are a good bunch of people to dive with.

 

[michaelp68]

I got my initial certification from SS of Rockyhill in back in 1980.
Tom M, the owner was recently at a PADI forum I attended said the shop was doing great. I see some of his staff during OW dives at FT Wetherill RI they are a good bunch of people to dive with.

Since you already mentioned that you think SS is the best dive shop in the area, I'm not so sure there's additional need on your part to promote them.

I'm not so sure we want this thread to turn into a 'which shop is the best shop' thread, particularly since you live, dive and teach outside of this Greater Hartford Area. How many times and how often have you walked into any of the Greater Hartford Area dive shops as a regular customer in the last 2-5 years?

SS is one of several good reputable shops, and I'd recommend to a diver who is new to this area to check out other shops in addition to SS, as there are other good shops too, including Enfield Scuba and New England Ski & Scuba.

Perhaps some other people who live, work, train and dive in this area know of some other good shops in addition to these 3.

Michael

 

[DrSteve]

LOL Good point Michael. However, I honestly have little need for a LDS beyond air fills these days. The politics and the like which surround LDS' really pisses me off. I am considering going on to DM/Dive Con, but that will all depend on what the shops are like and what their policies are on the allowed gear to be used while teaching - I'm not going to buy a new set of gear for the priviledge of teaching for $5/hour!

 

[MASS-Diver]

Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill was mentioned. It's also about 20 minutes away from your prospective employer. I've been in there twice, but don't really know the shop or the people very well, other than the fact that they have more technical gear and perhaps some technical instruction.

Michael

This is the best LDS I've been to anywhere. Nice guys, very squared away.

 

[shellbird]

Well, if you move anywhere near me which is West of Hartford, International SCUBA in Marion/Southington can fill your tanks. A bare bones operation, has basic needs.

 

[michaelp68]

LOL Good point Michael. However, I honestly have little need for a LDS beyond air fills these days. The politics and the like which surround LDS' really pisses me off. I am considering going on to DM/Dive Con, but that will all depend on what the shops are like and what their policies are on the allowed gear to be used while teaching - I'm not going to buy a new set of gear for the priviledge of teaching for $5/hour!

Air fills are good. You'll find lots of shops in the area, and it's nice to have so many to choose from. Hopefully, one of the shops will have some good DM options for you, too.

Michael

 

[dbg40]

I know it's a little more distance, but New England Dive Center in Wallingford is a pretty good place as well. I have been treated very well there, and what I like best is the stuff the guy has! The shop is crammed with gear, and if he dont have it, he'll get it as soon as possible. I took my HP 100's there on friday, and on sunday they pegged the guage at 3500 lbs! you gotta love that.

 

[Henryville]

I know it's a little more distance, but New England Dive Center in Wallingford is a pretty good place as well. I have been treated very well there, and what I like best is the stuff the guy has! The shop is crammed with gear, and if he dont have it, he'll get it as soon as possible. I took my HP 100's there on friday, and on sunday they pegged the guage at 3500 lbs! you gotta love that.

I'll second this. The Kobrins have been very accommodating and not at all hung up on trying to push un-needed, expensive gear. They will fill nitrox and trimix (but you have to be O2 clean) and actually do a lot of local diving so they are able to speak intelligently about local wreck sites. They have serviced a bunch of my regs and done a great job of it.

 

[Tampico_ED]

Friends....

www.diverscove.com is the best near Middletown, CT !
-Drysuit repairs
-trimix
etc etc....