My 15 year old daughter is interested in following me and her older brother into the water. I'm a current pro divemaster, but not affiliated with any New England shops, as was not trained here. More importantly, as a Dad, I'm looking for a good comfortable class for my little girl. We live in CT, but her uncle lives in Boston area, and she could stay with him to go through a course or we could do it around here. I hope I'm not putting this the wrong way, but I don't want her first experience to be too rough around the edges (as some shops are - and I don't mind for myself). Know what I mean? Anybody have good experiences with courses for their daughters, and can recommend. Thank you.
Recommend Course for My Daughter
- Thread starter gregconn
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MissTwisties
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Where in CT are you located? When I took the trial class, there was two younger boys of 12 years old taking the class, the instructor was very nice and the boys did GREAT. I took the class in Westfield MA. Here is their website: www.weu.com
They also have an awsome shop and interior heated pool on site. They have everything you need in there, and the staff is just so friendly.
They also have an awsome shop and interior heated pool on site. They have everything you need in there, and the staff is just so friendly.
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I don't know how far you are from Newport, RI, but I highly recommend John Gibson at The Newport Diving Center. He was the instructor for my 3 boys when they were ages 14, 12 and 10. My oldest son also took AOW with him last year and is planning to do Rescue with him this year while my second son is planning on doing AOW this year. I'm currently doing DM with him and am helping with a BOW class that is filled with other kids that are 11, 12, 15, and a couple of college kids. He is excellant with children and has instructed quite a few. He knows how to make it fun and yet easy to understand while maintaining a high degree of safety.
lord1234
Contributor
Check out Scuba Shack www.scubashackct.com
ronbeau
Contributor
gregconn:
What part of Connecticut are you located in?
If you are located in the Granby, Suffield area I can recommend a excellent group in Westfield, MA. I was trained by them and my 12 year old daughter is currently getting her certification from them.
They are extremely patient and have high standards.
Some of the dive masters live and work in Connecticut.
Thank you all. I will check out the Newport shop and Scuba Shack. Ronbeau, I'm next door to Granby. Is the Westfield shop you are talking about the one in Southwick, Wilderness, something that MissTwisties recommended? Or do you mean another one?
MissTwisties
Registered
gregconn:
I wouldn't think the Scuba Shack is the same as the one I'm talking about...their website is www.weu.com they are located in Southwick off of route and you should definitly check it out before you make a choice, I was very pleased with the staff, and our instructor as about 20 years of experience in diving, and he is certified in many diving areas, and is also a teacher in a College (or Univeristy, can't remember). And, it's close to you...
Here's a map:http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...s=526+college+hwy&zip=01077&country=us&zoom=5
I also recommend Scuba Shack, particularly if you can get Ed Hayes as instructor. Not sure if he still does the basic class, but if so it would be well worth the wait and logistics. Ed is now a GUE instructor, and he incorporates many of those principles into his OW class. For example, students never learn to kneel on the bottom. They are horizontal from the start. The skills of the OW divers coming out of his classes are really impressive.
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