Maybe off topic... Dive training

[Aquaholic]

I am up in the air as to which dive center i want to get my PADI certifaction at, has anyone dealt with some of the places and which do you recomend?

(planning a trip to Fiji, and i must dive)

Thanks

[spikehs]

I went with Adventures in Scuba, just by the petcetera. I definatley enjoyed it there.... I heard although I am not sure, they have the deepest pool in Calgary, and its saltwater...

[surgeonfish]

When is your trip to Fiji? I have been diving for 30 years and instructing for 15 years (the last 3 years in Lethbridge). The Dive Shop probably has the most experience in town. I would get your classroom and confined water (i.e. pool) here, then do your 4 open water dives in Fiji instead of trying to do them in a wetsuit in Lake Minni.
If you ever get hooked and want to try Waterton Lake (it even has it's own wreck) sometime, give me a shout.
Good diving in Fiji,
Surgeonfish

[AndyL]

Wetsuit? Lake Minni? You mean drysuit right? Cuz I've dipped my toes in there during the middle of summer and thought I was going to get frostbite

[Delphinus]

If he's dived in Waterton then Minnewanka is practically bathtub warm in comparison.

[Snappy]

I only have 9 years of diving under my belt but have had experience with both the dive shop and adventures in scuba and both are good padi shops so either one is fine and both have their own pools. As far as the course goes I would look into the 4 open water dives here at Lake Chapparel (etc) and do it now while it's still warm. That way when you go to Fiji you don't have to waste precious holiday time on dives that you don't get to see much because you are busy just rehearsing the skills. That is 2 extra days of real reef diving. Oh Yeah Baby!!
We expect plenty of pictures when you get back. If you have any other questions you can PM me.

[Delphinus]

What about AquaSport in Marda Loop? http://www.aquasportscuba.com/index.html

I don't have any dive tickets but when I was looking for snorkeling gear (Ok this is about 10 years ago so maybe things have changed since then), I shopped around and found that gear (and the courses) were WAY less expensive with these guys than at Adventures or at the Dive Shop. They had their own pool too.

[ed99]

I got my ticket at AquaSport and they were good. I think the guy who runs that shop also bought the Dive Shop a few years ago. I did my open water training dives here in town and also recommend that since you will probably lose 2 dive days in Fiji if you have to finish your course there. The water was a pleasant 26C in Lake Mackenzie that summer!

Ed

[DiscusZ]

My wife took her classes at AquaSport, Darren is a great guy, (used to be at the dive shop) She then got certified in Jamaica .. I took my classes at the Dive shop and got certified in Waterton.. (it wasnt that cold) plus it was raining when we did it as well..


You can always do your classes and then take your actual cert at any PADI shop I wish I woulda known that her PADI card says Jamaica on it very cool.


This may also sound funny but if you have problems getting into a wet suit. Use nylons you can get in and out very fast.

[BMW Rider]

I have been considering this too. We are planning a holiday next March, and hope to do some diving.

The next big question of course is where to go for some good diving.