Anyone here get there Open Water Certification in MN?

[Got2bsunny]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was just wondering if anyone here that scuba dives obtained their open water certification in MN?

 

I'm currently looking at several dive schools, but they are expensive. Currently, my 1st choice is Air Down There since they only require a $50.00 deposit to hold your spot and obtain the books/dvd prior to the certification course. Even though FantaSea was one of the highest in price, I really liked the staff and people I met. The location is also VERY convenient for me as I drive past there shop everyday on my way to and from work.

 

Here are a couple of the websites:

 

Air Down There dive shop: http://www.airdownthere.com/Open_Water_Diver_Course.htm

 

Scuba Center:

http://www.scubacenter.com/begclassinfo.htm

 

FantaSea (they are the 2nd most expensive - I didn't post the most expensive.):

http://www.fantaseadivers.com/courses/open_water_diver.htm

 

Scuba Daddy's:

http://www.scubadaddys.com/classes.htm

 

Scuba Dive (best price I've found - but didn't like the customer service and attitude of the people staffing the store. I found them to be very rude):

http://www.scubadiveandtravel.com/classes/open_water.htm

[sddiver]

You may want to post this question on another board more focused on diving alone.

 

http://dive.scubadiving.com/talk/list.php?f=1

 

or

 

http://www.scubaboard.com/

 

 

Between the two you will find a much larger group who may have experience with your local dive ops.

 

Good luck with you cert course

 

Rich

[Got2bsunny]

I didn't know about those places. I'll have to check them out. Pam

[bruce-r]

You may want to post this question on another board more focused on diving alone.

 

http://dive.scubadiving.com/talk/list.php?f=1

 

or

 

http://www.scubaboard.com/

 

Between the two you will find a much larger group who may have experience with your local dive ops.

 

Good luck with you cert course

 

Rich

 

Rich, you beat me to this answer. Good for you. Are you a regular on either of these boards? I am, "Diveborg" by name.

 

Got2b I have to say, even without going to any of the site you posted, you should go with the shop that you are most comfortable dealing with, not the less expensive shop with "attitude". You will be spending 4 nights in the pool and in class with these people, plus usually the open water dives take place over a weekend some where. The way my local dive shop does open water weekends, they go to a "dive resort" that include bunk house style sleeping arrangements. If your choice of shop does the open water weekend in a similar manner, you will be spending a significant amount of time with your instructor. Pick someone that you would like as a friend, not someone who views you as just another student they have to train to get a paycheck.

[Got2bsunny]

Bruce,

 

I'm tending to agree with you. I really felt comfortable with FantaSea, but I'm also going to stop by one other shop because I liked the people I was talking to on the phone.

 

From what I've been reading and considering the nature of Scuba diving, I am beginning to believe my comfort level is what is important. If I'm not comfortable with the dive school and anxiety levels increase, more than likely the experience will not be as good or beneficial as it could have been.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

Pam

[bruce-r]

Bruce,

 

From what I've been reading and considering the nature of Scuba diving, I am beginning to believe my comfort level is what is important. Pam

 

You couldn't be more correct. Good diving is all about comfort.

[sddiver]

Bruce,

 

Not a regular by any stretch, though I have posted on scubadiving.com since '97 or so. I get trolled in occassionally these days. Every once and a while LarryL will post the posting standings. Last one I saw I was still in the 200's way down the list. There are some people who post that much in a week it seems.

 

 

Rich

[lprynne]

I live in Saint Paul and I just finished my PADI certification. I actually ended up using two shops - Scuba Center and Scuba Dive and Travel. I used Scuba Center for the classroom/pool portion and planned to do the open water dives with them as well but their dates were filled that would work for me. I got a referral from them and did the open water dives through Scuba Dive and Travel.

 

Both shops were good. I liked Scuba Center's instructor. I have not had any problems with Scuba Dive and Travel - although I’m not keen on where their located. I am also unsure as to where they do their pool training, as their location does not have a pool. Scuba Center (Eagan) has a pool onsite and a better selection of gear. I did not have any problems with the staff at Scuba Dive and Travel though.

 

 

Minnesota Scuba has a good website listing all of the local dive shops (I did not realize that there were so many here) and a forum.

 

 

http://www.mnscuba.com/

 

 

I hope that this helps.

[Got2bsunny]

I live in Saint Paul and I just finished my PADI certification. I actually ended up using two shops - Scuba Center and Scuba Dive and Travel. I used Scuba Center for the classroom/pool portion and planned to do the open water dives with them as well but their dates were filled that would work for me. I got a referral from them and did the open water dives through Scuba Dive and Travel.

 

Both shops were good. I liked Scuba Center's instructor. I have not had any problems with Scuba Dive and Travel - although I’m not keen on where their located. I am also unsure as to where they do their pool training, as their location does not have a pool. Scuba Center (Eagan) has a pool onsite and a better selection of gear. I did not have any problems with the staff at Scuba Dive and Travel though.

 

 

Minnesota Scuba has a good website listing all of the local dive shops (I did not realize that there were so many here) and a forum.

 

 

http://www.mnscuba.com/

 

 

I hope that this helps.

 

Wow!!! That is great. Thank you for the info. and the MN Scuba website. I've looked at another location, but they don't have any open water certifications beyond early September. I know it starts get chilly the end of Sept. and October, but financially I think that is the earliest I can do for the open water portion. At least I know I can do a referal.

 

Thx. again.

 

Pam