Trying to start up in Charlotte, NC

[diver 85]

Hello,

I just graduated from college last Spring and finally have a bit of disposable income. I went scuba diving once in Puerto Rico and loved it, but haven't had the time/finances to get started. So, I need some advice on starting up. I talked with a dive instructor today in Charlotte, NC at Paradise Island Divers. He runs a 40 hour classroom/pool private instruction course for SSI/NASDS for $400, certifying up to 100'. That seems better than PADI to me... but he also requires me to lay down about $750 in equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves, gear bag). Then I'd have to do my OW dives... so I'm looking at $1500 to get started.

Is anybody familiar with this dive shop and/or training curriculum? Wayne seemed pretty serious about safety and properly preparing students, his main reason for forcing these equipment purchases. If I were to buy this stuff, does it last a long time? And how often would I have to dive to keep up my skills? I really want to do this, but $1500 is a hefty sum... I'm trying not to put a price tag on opening up a whole new world to explore, but I don't want to get ripped off either. I don't know how often I'll be able to dive or even if I'll fall in love with it... that's a big financial commitment. Any advice?

Jason

Run boy run----for another shop........Remember what PT Barnum once said......

 

[clem]

you are being shafted. just went to lp and priced out those items with what I believe to be high end gear, Bio fins, no less,... zeagle, stahlsac, and 5mm booties and gloves and did not hit 270 dollars...
and badmouthing the competition is the sign of someone who offers NO competition.

 

[Ironman]

The course this guy runs seems great, it's like two courses in one he says, which is why I get certified all the way to 100'. 20 hours of pool time seems pretty unbeatable. He called PADI the Hyundai of dive courses, and his the Mercedes. But everything else I've read says PADI and SSI are fairly comparable.

This question has come up on SB before, about this particular operation in Charlotte. And, the reactions have been the same. The costs seem to be higher than other, entry-level OW instruction options, in Charlotte or elsewhere. However, noone who has been through this particular course has posted, to let others know if the value received matches the costs. He may well be teaching a 'Mecedes' course. In general, PADI and SSI are more alike than dissimilar in the content of OW instruction, so the 'Mercedes' description reflects what he (believes he) puts into the course, or a rather fervent level of loyalty (and bias) to the agency he certifies through. What is not clear is the basis for the equipment costs. I wouldn't discount this training option on that basis alone, but I would certainly ask for a detailed explanation of the basis of the $750. Having your own mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and gloves is appropriate. But, as others have said, it is hard to come up with a total cost figure much in excess of $250 - $300 for those items.

 

[vicdiver656]

Hello,

I just graduated from college last Spring and finally have a bit of disposable income. I went scuba diving once in Puerto Rico and loved it, but haven't had the time/finances to get started. So, I need some advice on starting up. I talked with a dive instructor today in Charlotte, NC at Paradise Island Divers. He runs a 40 hour classroom/pool private instruction course for SSI/NASDS for $400, certifying up to 100'. That seems better than PADI to me... but he also requires me to lay down about $750 in equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves, gear bag). Then I'd have to do my OW dives... so I'm looking at $1500 to get started.

Is anybody familiar with this dive shop and/or training curriculum? Wayne seemed pretty serious about safety and properly preparing students, his main reason for forcing these equipment purchases. If I were to buy this stuff, does it last a long time? And how often would I have to dive to keep up my skills? I really want to do this, but $1500 is a hefty sum... I'm trying not to put a price tag on opening up a whole new world to explore, but I don't want to get ripped off either. I don't know how often I'll be able to dive or even if I'll fall in love with it... that's a big financial commitment. Any advice?

Jason

Ok. this is going to sound off the wall, but it is a reasonable idea. I have a friend in Maui who certified me for OW and nitrox as an extra, and would probably be more than willing to certify you, for much less than $400, including all gear (provided wetsuit and fins and boots fit). A flight down to Maui isn't a lot, and accomodations wouldn't be that bad. The only downside is that he would take about 2 weeks to get you certified.
Otherwise, you should check out other dive shops.

 

[langforg]

Contact Andy at Wateree Dive Center in Columbia, SC. They run a top notch operation at competitive prices. Only an hour drive from Charlotte.

 

[herman]

He has started class with a different shop. Don't know if he has been back on SB lately but the OP is also active on another board...which is how I know that he has moved to a different shop. For what it's worth, most of us on the other board gave him the same advise and directed him to a shop well know by some the Charlotte members.

 

[langforg]

What shop did you direct him to? I now live in the Charlotte area and am looking for a shop a little closer to home.

 

[herman]

Here you go:

Sink or Swim Scuba
4310-K Wilkinson Blvd
Gastonia, NC 28056
Phone: (704) 823-0501

 

[cmaha76]

I got certified at Matthews Watersports, Corner of Monroe Rd. & 51. It may look like a small operation, but my instructor was phenomenal and that is really all I cared about. Prices were reasonable too.

Welcome to Matthews Water Sports

 

[scubadoopa]

Try Divers Supply over on Clanton Road and 77. Great instruction and the most reasonable I found. The instructor that I had was outstanding