gr8ful_diver
Guest
< admins, move to appropriate thread if applicable, I did not see the one this belongs in>
I just did my ow certification with them a week ago and I just wanted to share my experience... I was impressed with every aspect of it. I had read the chatter here about the various issues and low and behold it turns out that the instructor I got was none other than "Larry" (if you have not read the thread, don't worry about it
... He was awesome imho. I felt safe and comfortable with everything we talked about and did. He was frank, honest, helpful, knowledgeable and understanding.
I did the referral path and it had been around 9 months since I had been in the pool - this did not sit very well during the briefing that Larry and I had and I have to agree with him 100% - I should have done a refresher before going. 6 months seems like a better pool to referral time frame.
Anyhow - the shop and boat I was on were in nice shape and I felt the staff we very helpful and friendly(a nice change since I did not have experience with many other folks on the island).
The dives: Here is where the 9 months was too long, I was a bit anxious when we first got in the water - I did the skills ok, but sucked the 3000 down in record time, on both of the my first 2 dives. Both dives were only around 30 feet and most of the time we were much shallower. I just did not relax and took every breath like it was my last
The next 2(second day) were great - all the skills went ok, felt I did ok although I could have used more weight (my call)...
Anyhow - I am sick of typing, just wanted to say thanks to Larry and everyone else at Chris Sawyer - had a great experience I would recommend them to anyone. I know I am a rookie so what does my opinion matter but it is how I feel.
btw - If you are on St Thomas, have dinner and Craig and Sally's, great food and you have to hang out at the bar with Craig after dinner - he is a great dude and lots of fun to drink with.
Rob
I just did my ow certification with them a week ago and I just wanted to share my experience... I was impressed with every aspect of it. I had read the chatter here about the various issues and low and behold it turns out that the instructor I got was none other than "Larry" (if you have not read the thread, don't worry about it
... He was awesome imho. I felt safe and comfortable with everything we talked about and did. He was frank, honest, helpful, knowledgeable and understanding.I did the referral path and it had been around 9 months since I had been in the pool - this did not sit very well during the briefing that Larry and I had and I have to agree with him 100% - I should have done a refresher before going. 6 months seems like a better pool to referral time frame.
Anyhow - the shop and boat I was on were in nice shape and I felt the staff we very helpful and friendly(a nice change since I did not have experience with many other folks on the island).
The dives: Here is where the 9 months was too long, I was a bit anxious when we first got in the water - I did the skills ok, but sucked the 3000 down in record time, on both of the my first 2 dives. Both dives were only around 30 feet and most of the time we were much shallower. I just did not relax and took every breath like it was my last
The next 2(second day) were great - all the skills went ok, felt I did ok although I could have used more weight (my call)...
Anyhow - I am sick of typing, just wanted to say thanks to Larry and everyone else at Chris Sawyer - had a great experience I would recommend them to anyone. I know I am a rookie so what does my opinion matter but it is how I feel.
btw - If you are on St Thomas, have dinner and Craig and Sally's, great food and you have to hang out at the bar with Craig after dinner - he is a great dude and lots of fun to drink with.
Rob
