Snorkel Equip Rental in DC area

[David Yeh]

Hi-- I'm doing my PADI OW training this weekend (classroom/pool). While they provide all equipment and gear for this section, I just realized that for the local open water certification dives, we must provide our own fins/boots/snorkel/mask, and they do not offer rentals. This was an oversight on my part-- I saved up enough for the training part, but wasn't really prepared to buy equipment at this time. Does anyone know somewhere in the Washington DC metro area where I might be able to rent these things for a weekend?

Thanks.

 

[shotthebreeze]

[SIZE=-1]When are you scheduled for your OW dives? I know you said you'd prefer to rent because of the money situation, but I'd strongly suggest getting your own stuff so that you are comfortable with it when you dive after your certification. Anywho, check [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]www.dcdivers.com out. I googled it for you. They're on Wisconsin Avenue...[/SIZE][SIZE=-1][/SIZE]

 

[Ice9]

Hi-- I'm doing my PADI OW training this weekend (classroom/pool). While they provide all equipment and gear for this section, I just realized that for the local open water certification dives, we must provide our own fins/boots/snorkel/mask, and they do not offer rentals. This was an oversight on my part-- I saved up enough for the training part, but wasn't really prepared to buy equipment at this time. Does anyone know somewhere in the Washington DC metro area where I might be able to rent these things for a weekend?

Thanks.

I don't think you'll find a place to rent these basic personal items. These are very important pieces of equipment and need to fit you well. For this reason, you should probably purchase your own. They shouldn't be very expensive. As far as shops in the DC metro area, I'd recommend Adventure Scuba Company in Chantilly, or Splash Dive Center in Alexandria.

 

[David Yeh]

Ok, that makes sense. I guess I'm thinking of those tourist dive shops in the Caribbean that have rows and rows of this stuff for rent. Thanks-- perhaps I'll look into buying.

 

[cgvmer]

not many tourists, snorkeling in DC.

 

[TheRedHead]

Ok, that makes sense. I guess I'm thinking of those tourist dive shops in the Caribbean that have rows and rows of this stuff for rent. Thanks-- perhaps I'll look into buying.

These are very important pieces of gear. Make sure they fit and are comfortable. Masks and fins are usually rented to snorkelers or "Discover Scuba" people. Full foot fins are not ideal for many diving situations. Buy as much gear as you can afford and make sure you are comfortable in it.

 

[greyzen]

it's sad but true...
Snorkle, mask, fins (w/optional boots) are a little more personal fit than the rest so buying is the best option...

 

[Davidstealey3]

you can ask the shop your training with if you can rent them. but you really do need to buy your own gear. that is the 4 peices of equipment that you need to have to start

 

[TravisD]

One other thing to consider is start checking Craigslist and such for used gear -- there's a LOT of people out there who bought the same gear to get certified, and then never went any further than their warm-water vacation checkouts.

Things like Mask-fins-snorkel-boots should be pretty safe from a buying-used perspective -- a simple visual check to make sure that the materials (rubber, silicone) haven't deteriorated (showing cracks, dryness) should be sufficient. You can get a new mouthpiece for most snorkel's for a couple bucks. And check other threads on how to test for mask fit.

I'd also suggest avoiding the temptation to pick up the complete gear set this way (regs, BC) until you know more about the gear, and the market for it.

 

[RonFrank]

Personal gear does not have to be expensive. It does need to fit.

You can likely get what you need through LP, or ScubaToys for under $100. You may choose to upgrade later. User gear is a good option for the diver on a budget. I've purchase two masks from individuals at a substantial savings, and they were both new. I purchased both pairs of my Biofins on Ebay used, also at a huge savings.

A lot of LDS's have used gear as well, but some are a joke in that they price it based on THEIR inflated prices, and I can buy new for less online.