Tampa Bay Diver, Saying Hey!

[christaylor]

Hey,

I am a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver looking to do my advanced dive certificate in the next year hopefully. I just moved to Tampa, Florida from Buffalo, NY most of my dives have been fresh water dives with a few dives in the carribean(St Croix to be exact). Basically i want to get my hands on any information, advice and places to meet fellow divers that i can, so i figured starting in forums is a good way. Probably head down to my local dive shop once i locate where they all are and try to introduce myself there. I love the water and I love sailing also, i am looking to purchase a new sail boat within the next 2 years, preferbely around 24-27 foot range.

 

[Lil' Irish Temper]

What did I do to make you move from Buffalo? I'm sorry come back

Welcome to ScubaBoard

 

[christaylor]

Haha. Well I actually graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology which is where i spent my last 5 years(originally from Williamsville, NY). And the fact that there was absolutely no sun was one of the main reasons. That and my folks live on the treasure coast of florida, and Tampa seemed a remote but yet close distance away. That and i can be an aquanut all year around. I swear it wasn't you! At least not that i know of, did you make the sunshine go away?

 

[dlndavid]

Welcome to SB Chris, being that you are in Florida, the Conch Diver should be along soon to help welcome you to the board. But be carefull, they may try and take you into their fold and they're a wild bunch. And Lil'Irish has chased more than just you out of Buffalo.
David

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Welcome to Florida and to the board! I don't know the shops in Tampa but I grew up in St. Pete and got certified back in the 1970s at Tackle Shack in Pinellas Park. They are a great outfit and I would highly recommend them as a good point of contact.

I'm now in Lakeland and our shop, Off the Wall Adventures (www.offthewalladventures.com) is a full service shop with lots of trips to the springs, West Palm, the Gulf, and the Keys. We'd love to have you on any of our trips!

 

[christaylor]

While surfing the web I came across your site earlier this week with much intrigue. Once i get settled into my new apartment I am looking to buying my own scuba gear(i use to rent being up north all the time). I will be looking for a new scuba package of BC,Regulator,Oct,Dive Gauges/Computer for under 700-900$ , not sure if your place also sells scuba equipment if so let me know for I want to start off fresh for the beginning of my new adventures.

Welcome to Florida and to the board! I don't know the shops in Tampa but I grew up in St. Pete and got certified back in the 1970s at Tackle Shack in Pinellas Park. They are a great outfit and I would highly recommend them as a good point of contact.

I'm now in Lakeland and our shop, Off the Wall Adventures (www.offthewalladventures.com) is a full service shop with lots of trips to the springs, West Palm, the Gulf, and the Keys. We'd love to have you on any of our trips!

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

We'd love to have the opportunity to get you into some gear and get your Florida diving off to the right start! Call TJ (the owner) at the shop (863-709-9255) or PM me and we'll see what gear and what trips would be best for you. Again, welcome to Florida -- your're going to love it here!

 

[H2Andy]

hey christa.... other than the water being a LOT colder in Tampa, you're gonna
like it better than Buffalo

i lived in Rochester, NY for a couple of years, btw

 

[christaylor]

Yea rochester is not the prettiest place on earth, that and they only had one dive shop, and the dive shop owner screwed me on many occasions when i started to learn to dive, he was overpriced and treated customers poorly.

hey christa.... other than the water being a LOT colder in Tampa, you're gonna
like it better than Buffalo

i lived in Rochester, NY for a couple of years, btw

 

[GDI]

Welcome man to the great sunshine state. We be divin all year long down here. For the local happenings check out the Florida Conch Section and again welcome man