Alright everyone there was a bit of talk about this recently but then it all died down. I have decided to make the commitment and I have spoken with Adventures in Diving. Diane is out of the country so I couldnt find out about the deal that Todd had put together for us but the cost without Todd's deal is $715 with tax included. So far my sister and I are doing this and possibly Sal (Horseziggy). I plan on taking the July 13th course...you dont necessarily have to take the same course as me but you would need to sign up and pay to get the savings. Here is the deal that Todd originally posted and it is what we get even if he we dont do it as a group but then the cost is $715. So please if you are serious let me know as soon as possible. I plan on paying for the course hopefully by next week if everything lines up correctly. So please let me know asap.

Originally Posted by washowi http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=37308#post37308)
Just talked to Diane Harris at Adventures in Diving. If you get a minimum of 5 people. take the CLASS TOGETHER!! She will offer this deal. Tell her you are part of the group I asked about. Mention me, Todd Washowich so she knows the group.

1. Open Water class $125 (save $25)

2. Books are $60 (but if you live together, study together, husband/wife, etc) Share the books..... everyone does not need to have their own unless you want too.

3. The personal gear package is ($199). That is mask, snorkel, fins, boots, the **** weight belt and a gear bag to put it all into.

4. Check out dives are what they are I believe $225. You can ask her.



I believe that adds up to $609 add some tax as well.

But if you are a couple, etc. Its cheaper by $60 because you can share the books.

That my friends is a deal you can not beat anywhere.

so call her if interested, and be serious. If you are ready to do it. DO IT!

Master Diver Todd


Run a list of candidates

If you cant get at least 5, then the deal is back to $150. Still a bargain. You can always share books

Let me talk to Jenn and see if she is interested in taking her certification. We are very busy but I know she has been thinking about it. Heck, I might join yall to advance my certification! ;)

Brandon let me know I plan to talk to Diana next week if she is back.

So let me get this straight? I am confused!
1. $715 is a saving according to Stroid
2. $609 is a saving according to Washowi

I am interested in taking the classes. They are right by my house, so I need a place of convenience.

Diane is Australia on a dive. She will be back this week. Mine is a rough estimate with a certification cost and no tax.. It's figure the tax and you will close and mine has discounts if you had 5......If you don't it would a bit higher.

Also you don't pay the certification costs until you actually go do the dives with them...Thats usually 2 or 3 weeks later. Or more if you want..

well $715 is without discount and with tax. If we can get 5 people together then it will be around $609 plus tax. Either way I am doing it so you guys just keep me posted if you are interested.

That's the attitude of a diver!!

Quibble about a few dollars here or there...Stay on the beach...

I actually went up to the shop today and spoke with Mike super nice guy sat with me for about an hour and showed me all sorts of different things. I tried on BC's, masks, he explained snorkels....basically the whole 9 yards. As of right now I have 2 people including myself committed and we are signing up for the July 13th class. Todd thanks again for the recommendation it's nice to deal with good people.

Tell Mike I said Hi.....When you are ready to do your check out dives let me know, I will go and dive as well.

When do I have to be positive about this? I have been planning to do this for a few months now but haven't committed. I would love to do it but I need to go over some finances first to make sure I don't get evicted or anything. Count me as a probably?

well the classes are first come first serve really so when you can pay is when you can go. If you want more details PM me and we can chat. Todd ill keep you posted.

I'm interested in doing joining you on your cert dives as well

Is it still just the 2 signed up for this? $609 sounds pretty good.

as of this juncture it is just me and my sister and we are still signing up this week for July 13th

and we are paying full price as of right now not really enough for a group

anyone want to give me that as my wedding gift???? lol, just messin. Well good luck to those who jump on that, if my wedding wasnt in 3 weeks I'ld go with you guys......Hopefully a lil bit after the wedding I'll start another "ok lets do this" thread and we can get more people to go. Question to Todd or anyone who knows, is there a "cut off" date for the cert dives, like due to the seasons or anything like that? Thanks guys.

they do them year round im pretty sure thats what Mike told me at the dive shop....its just gonna be cold

Man I wish I could do this. I've wanted to for years, but with me being a brokecollege kid its not really working out. Plus, I'm going out of town the week y'all start or I would definitely jump on.

Nope you certify year round...they go to Florida for the dives.

Also Stroid save some money and you and your sister share the books!! That will knock off $60.

Yeah we planned on sharring the books...but im sure ill blow that $60 I plan on upgrade some of the basic equipment (bag, snorkel, possibly fins)

well im takin the dive tomorrow and buying equipment and signing up for the course ill keep you guys posted

...but im sure ill blow that $60 I plan on upgrade some of the basic equipment (bag, snorkel, possibly fins)


Upgrade your mask and fins. Snorkel is something you won't use all that much unless you do a bunch of shore diving. Get split fins, they cost a bit more but are well worth it. They will reduce leg fatigue in a big way.

Enjoy it, it is an awesome experience that really can't be described. I am sure you will be hooked instantly.:up:

But they suck (split fins) in a current if ya have to go against it....man I was tired.

But they suck (split fins) in a current if ya have to go against it....man I was tired.

They can definitely be harder work against the current, that is why I got the Tusa Xpert Zoom fins in black. The black ones are made with a different mix of materials and are considerably stiffer than most split fins I tried. It ended up a good balance for me.

They can definitely be harder work against the current, that is why I got the Tusa Xpert Zoom fins in black. The black ones are made with a different mix of materials and are considerably stiffer than most split fins I tried. It ended up a good balance for me.I actually went with the Tusa Xpert Zoom fins also with Oceanic mask, some random "dry" snorkel, and Henderson boots. I paid $283 total for all my gear and I am very pleased with it. Can someone explain to me the difference between PADI and NAUI? Is it personal preference or is one really better then the other?

PADI - PAY ANOTHER DOLLAR IN.

NAUI - NOT ANOTHER UNEMPLOYED INSTRUCTOR


I say NAUI - They teach a lot more in their courses that PADI charges for. Others than that, Their dive tables are different....

Which ever you prefer. but stay with NAUI.

Ive read very good things about both and it made me nervous because well they both kinda sound the same. The cost isnt really very differnet so cost isnt an issue I just want to get the best instruction. Thanks as always Todd!

Doesn't matter which one you go with, they are both internationally recognized dive institutions. NAUI is non-profit and PADI is for profit, just to let you know. You should avoid other certification insitiutions in my opinion b/c of acceptability.

Plus PADI makes you put your picture on the c card. and issues a c number..Man, after doing all that stuff to get it, the last thing I want is to have my picture taken with my hair being pulled out after trying to remember who's theory of gas exchange is who's'.

NAUI in my opinion is just better. I have certifications from both.

Well How did ya do?

the course is next week so still waiting lol

Who's teaching it? Cause I will be in Bonaire next week WITH Scott and Diane..Mike teaching it?

Who's teaching it? Cause I will be in Bonaire next week WITH Scott and Diane..Mike teaching it?
not sure who is teaching it I actually havent paid for the course yet due to timing me and my sister are deciding which place to get the certification at there is another shop right next to my house that may fit our scheduales better. But both classes are next weekend.

It's not the Agency, it's the instructor. Find a good instructor, ask a bunch of questions, and who cares what agency he/she is with. As for fins, I'm an old school jetfin frog kicker myself. :D

Anyone know who the guy is that cleans the Aquarium at BassPro in Macon is. I saw him in full dive equip vacuuming the tank Friday and the boss said he comes down from Atlanta every couple of weeks and cleans the tank. Is it one of our members or sponsors?

Hey guys,

I don't usually jump into these conversations bc I am inside the line of SCUBA retail and this business, but I can't resist.....

PADI and NAUI are both regulated in what they teach by an international organization. What you learn in class is the same with just a few minor differences in the presentation and execution. Neither one will prepare you for diving better than the other.

PADI, however, is much larger than NAUI, holding about 70% of the SCUBA market. PADI is sometimes referred to as the "coke" of scuba organizations. This crap about one program being better than the other is just that, crap! You pay a little more for the international big name of PADI (coke) versus a smaller brand NAUI (wal-mart soda). The biggest difference is the instructor. Find a shop you feel comfortable with, that has good prices, and that has a knowledgable staff.

I have worked in dive retail for 5 years. I know the ins and outs and I am not here to bash other shops in the Atlanta area. Therefor I wont start about pricing etc..... However, Please Please PLEASE make sure you know what you are getting before the class. Some shops in the area ask you to sign a form saying you will buy ALL gear from them in exchange for discounted classes. Notice that their stuff is probably more.....

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Thats my two cents, happy diving wherever you choose to go!

thanks Kmitch I decided to go with Padi because the training course scheduale worked better for me and I got to meet the instructor. I actually purchased my gear from Diver-supply in doraville and thats where I met Shannon the instructor. She made my sister feel extremly comfortable and it made my sister want to learn with her. Thanks for the advice

Well if you take classes with Shannon chances are good you'll see me! They come use the marietta store pool for the classes and I tend to work all the weekends. If you find yourself at the marietta store, I am the only woman who works there, please introduce yourself!

KMITCH

Thank you for posting your opinions on the subject. Welcome to the ARC forums.... I am in and out of your store a lot and probably have seen you, and will need to be in there again soon.

Well if you take classes with Shannon chances are good you'll see me! They come use the marietta store pool for the classes and I tend to work all the weekends. If you find yourself at the marietta store, I am the only woman who works there, please introduce yourself!i definitly will thanks for your input :up:

man....disappointed PADI :( too bad...... You would have had a great experience with Adventures in Diving....good luck.

man....disappointed PADI :( too bad...... You would have had a great experience with Adventures in Diving....good luck.thanks Todd I really did want to go with Adventures in Diving but the other dive shop really fit our scheduale better and the instructor made my sister feel really comfortable and thats very important. Thanks for everything though

Curious Todd-- besides the "put another dollar in" la la la about how much more PADI is, do you have any solid reasons to dislike them as a company? You sound like you had a bad expierence, and I have never found someone who seems so "anti-padi"? Sure you pay for the brand, but you do that with everything in life!

Yep I am anti PADI...anyone that has certifications for Underwater Photographer, National Geographic, Bouyance, and the 1000 other certifications that they make you feel you need......just not my favorite group.

They just want money.....NAUI has none of that...to me it's more professional and about training...They offer more in their certifications, and teach things that PADI make you get another certification for...

Why you so anti NAUI? Cause you are PADI right? Well I am NAUI.

Sorry but I missed the part where I bashed on NAUI-- I pointed out they are all the same but with respect to who is the largest in the industry- thats PADI.

PADI and NAUI are both companies-- they are both in the business of making money. So whats wrong with PADI trying to make another buck because they offer a few random certs? You know how many people have those? very very few. The people that have those are the people who I call "card carriers" who feel that they need to show their diving abilities off in the form of plastic cards. Whatever floats their boat.

But I would be honestly interested if you could demonstrate some hard difference in the training offered in OW between PADI and NAUI that makes one better than the other. Because like I said before, they are all overseen by an international regulatory agency (RSTC) so it is all the same in the end.

I have none, I do have 3 PADI certifications as well. I needed them for DAN Diving Emergency Specialist...

Bigger is not always better. But whatever the people want. I have seen them both, I have Certifications in both......I was PO'd though that Divers Supply would not except my Nitrox Certification...During the winter I was going to get Master Diver with PADI as well. Just because I was bored. But why make me take THEIR class? I am cerified in it, been diving on it 90% of the time for 2 years....To make money I assume.

Bad taste right there...Is that an example?

What do you mean they wouldnt accept your Nitrox Cert? Is it because you needed PADI classes to gain a PADI certificate? Because if thats the case, NAUI does the same thing. I can't take my PADI cert cards down the street and get a NAUI card without taking the NAUI exams and classes to meet "their" standards. All the agencies to that to control the bouncing around and to monopolize on you. Doesnt make it right but thats how they stay in business. I'm willing to assume that you can still get the same fills with your NAUI EANx card as you can with your PADI one......

Look I honestly could care less who you got certified with. I am not some big PADI lover and could care less about PADI vs NAUI vs SSI-- but I don't like hearing people argue about which is better because in the end all that matters is that you are getting in the water. We all have bad expierences with some company in some point in our lives, but does that mean that company is junk? nope. Just because PADI has standards and someone at Divers Supply enforced them doesnt mean PADI's bad. Just like it doesnt mean NAUI's bad cause they wont take my certs.

I'm happy to see people get in the water whenever they can-- doesnt matter who its with.

Oh and just for arguements sake--- From NAUI's website... specialty classes offered:
Deep Diver
Dry Suit Diver
Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx)
Scuba Rescue Diver
Search and Recovery Diver
Training Assistant
Underwater Archeologist
Underwater Ecologist
Underwater Environment
Underwater Photographer
Underwater Hunter and Collector
Wreck Diver (External Survey)

Interesting how some of those overlap those PADI classes you where just poo-pooing :) (I am just giving you a hard time-- no hard feelings)

None taken..I love to debate, If I can.....I am not good at it obviously...:)

Dive safe and often...I do.!!

Todd do you ever dive Lanier? I just got back from there where we sunk our own treasure... :) Its about 10 ft tall.

I was certified in Lake Lanier - The West Bank......Never been there after it. Can always been convinced to try it again....There has be somewhere in that lake that has greater than 5 feet viz.

Its been close to 20ft recently-- if you avoid west bank its alot better. Everyone stirs up the muck at west bank so its not as good. But easy 20ft this summer. (Though its cold...)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SpbCZx-Q4VA -- Thats from a dive last night, hence the dark. Theres some video also of me working with a student in our pool-- I am the girl in all the shots.

Nice.....I see you maybe from Divers Supply ehhhh? Maybe we ran across each other when Danny Donegan did those certifications on me?

Nice nasty dive though...I love it! :)

yeah I work at DS-- I've worked there every summer since I graduated HS so if you've ever been in during the summer- thats me. I wasnt going to work there this summer but after what happened at VT I needed to get away so found myself back here working that job.

Not a huge fan of Danny-- he gives PADI instructors a bad name. (which is why he was booted from DS and PADI)

And now you know why I am a PADI non conformist...and thats the rest of the story....

Anyway Lets go dive someday soon...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SpbCZx-Q4VA -- Thats from a dive last night, hence the dark. Theres some video also of me working with a student in our pool-- I am the girl in all the shots.

LOL, are you Kristen "Tits" Mitchell?

Nice video

Well dont judge padi based on Mr. danny--- I've got some stories on him too!

Yeah we'll have to go diving-- You ever been to that quarry in White GA? I need to get my dry suit situation worked out before then.

and yes, I am kristen "tits"-- that's the running joke is that i have good sales at the shop because I have big boobs. All the other chain stores know me as the "girl with big boobs" lol

Finally got my scuba class done...it was alot of fun and a great experience so far. Now I need to take my Open Water dive test and I will be ready to dive. My schedauale is rather busy the next couple of weeks and I am not sure that I can get down to Pehlam or Florida for my test. Anyone know of any outfits around here or relativily close that can administer the test. Thanks

Diane and Scott are doing cert dives in Pelham next weekend.. Call em

yeah Pehlam would be ideal but I cant leave town for two days until atleast mid to late september. I was hoping to do it possibly in Georgia before then. Also recommendations on a good BC (I used a Jacket style during class) ive been looking at a Mares Dragon and atomic reg.

Mares dragon is an awesome BCD! Its been selling like mad and I have very few complaints with design.

Same with atomic regs. You wont regret on of those bad boys.

Also any Zeagle...I love mine...greta design and weights just drop in the pockets...vs weight holders that then slip into the pockets..

Anyway...either are great. Atomic regs though..I would not go an other way.