Where to learn in the SF Bay?

[Water Baby]

Hello, this is my first post...

I live in Belmont, CA (SF Bay Area) and am looking for a good OW cert class. I have learned from reading previous posts that the best way to go is to find a good instructor.

So, does anyone know a shop in the area with classes taught by a good instructor? I am not particular to any one agency. I have been on three resort dives (two in St. Thomas and one in Maui) so I'm pretty comfortable in the water. But I want a really serious class that will help me develop my skills.

Any suggestions?

:sheepish:

 

[scubasean]

There are several around who are good...

I kinda like a few of them at Diver Dan's in Santa Clara.

If you are interested in going there, send me a note and I'll dig up the instructor's info...

Sean

 

[norcaldiver]

I agree, Dan's is great. Talk to Mike the mgr and tell him what you're looking for in diving, she should be able to point you to a couple instructors that match your needs/wants. I've worked with Kyle, Greg, Ron, Gar and Paul. I haven't worked with Todd, but a friend has and says he's totally profesional. All different, all super guys and all will sit all day and answer questions.

 

[Water Baby]

Hmm... Diver Dan's is a little south for me (though might be worth it if the instructors are that good).

Any information on the quality of instructors/classes at Wallins Dive Center off 101 in San Carlos or the other one off of 101 up in Burlingame (don't know the name but I always see the diving flag painted on the building on the East side of the freeway)? These are closer to me, but I know nothing about their quality.

Thanks!

 

[Scubaroo]

That's probably Burlingame Scuba you can see from 101. I did a nitrox course there about 12 months ago.

I know some good independant instructors in San Francisco that aren't affiliated with any particular store, so there's no pressure to buy specific items for the course, I think they do their pool training in the bay area, and their open water dives in Monterey. Trevor and Andrea at www.andreasaquatics.com - mention Ben sent you - won't get you a discount but it might get me a free beer

 

[Burner]

I recommend burlinggame scuba as well
http://www.bdcss.com/
The only annoying thing with them is that you have to lug all the equipment around (like down to monterrey)

 

[Scubaroo]

I mentioned Burlingame Scuba, I did not recommend them.

 

[WileEDiver]

I also like Diver Dan's, but if Santa Clara is too far south, you might also look into California Dive Center in San Bruno (El Camino Real just south of San Bruno Avenue).

 

[VPescado]

Water Baby once bubbled...
Any information on the quality of instructors/classes at Wallins Dive Center off 101 in San Carlos?

I m taking OW training there now. I have been very happy with the instruction. We have a class of 8 folks, and have an Instructor, Assistant Instructor, and a DiveCon so we get a lot of attention. The training staff is all very friendly and positive, and are willing to make the class run late for someone having a problem. I have also had good results asking questions of the instructors via e-mail.

The only downside I have seen in the instruction is that when demonstrating the scuba unit set up, the instructor skipped a couple of the steps in the manual (sniffing air, testing regulator for leaks by inhaling before pressurizing). I'll let someone more experienced judge how serious of an omission that was. . . I suspect it is one of those things where the "official" safety rules differ from the realities of everyday practice.

 

[cliffdiver]

Scubaroo once bubbled...

I know some good independant instructors in San Francisco that aren't affiliated with any particular store, so there's no pressure to buy specific items for the course, I think they do their pool training in the bay area, and their open water dives in Monterey. Trevor and Andrea at www.andreasaquatics.com - mention Ben sent you - won't get you a discount but it might get me a free beer

Unfortunately, Andrea and Trevor are no longer in the Bay Area but are rather in the Philippines for the indefinite and indeterminate future. They just went out there a couple of months ago (see www.bubble07.com - that's where they're managing for now! I want to go...) Andrea's Aquatics still exists, but it's "under new management," presumably by people as good as Andrea and Trevor.

I dove recently with Craig Gillespie, and I'd recommend him. From my beginner-diver perspective, I'll say I think he's good. He professes to love teaching new OW classes the absolute most, and I can see that he's most passionate about new, excited divers. He shuffles between Seattle and the Bay Area (Monterey, which is where I dove with him and where you'll certify.) To check him out, go to http://www.seattlescuba.com.