By cindy nolen on Friday, January 3, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
As I said in previous post we are planning on taking dive lessons beginning mid Feb. I want to have them done in time for Mar 22-29 bonaire trip. I wonder if we should postpone our certification dive for bonaire. Even tho we live in Tampa and will do cert. dives in Central Fl it is in fresh COLD water! We will be staying at the Plaza and will use Toucan divers. We did go on the Toucan's dive boat 2x previously to tag along as snorkerlers and were very impressed with them and I have heard a lot of BTers give good remarks about them. Also, if we dont have our own equipment when we go to Bonaire and we want to do shore diving what do we do? Is it possible to rent equip for shore diving? Im sure we will do a lot of shore diving as we have always done alot of shore snorkeling.
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By Igor van Riel on Friday, January 3, 2003 - 10:30 am: |
Cindy,
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By Deborah Campbell on Friday, January 3, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
Cindy, I also did the classroom and pool work at home for PADI Open Water certification, got my referral, and did the 4 cert. dives with Toucan Diving - back in August of 2001. At home, those dives would have been in a cold quarry with sunfish nipping at my ears. On Bonaire, they were "real" dives in warm, clear water, surrounded by gorgeous corals and fish. Luciano was my Toucan Diving instructor, and he's excellent. His patience and sense of humor put me at ease right away - and I was really nervous at the start. He stressed safety and good buoyancy skills, which I appreciate even more, now that I understand what a good beginning I had. My husband (who had been diving for a few years before me) and I went on to get our advanced certifications with Luciano, and that worked out so well, we took the kids to Bonaire to get their advanced certs. with him as well.
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By mary pequinot on Sunday, January 5, 2003 - 7:13 pm: |
I would DEFINITELY do my open water dives in Bonaire. I used Bon Bini for mine, which was wonderful-I had one on one instruction, and really learned skills there. As far as renting, of course you can rent down there. However, you might want to rent with the dive shop you're using for the classroom. They might give you a deal, and if you know them and their reputation, you will also be able to decide whether they keep their equipment well serviced. Enjoy your experience, and we expect a trip report!!!
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By Sally Belknap on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 9:12 am: |
Cindy and everyone:
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By bob neer on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 9:39 am: |
i had 50' vis at portage quarry (bowling green, oh) for my checkout dives...thought i had discovered the caribbean north never did see that kind of vis there again...
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By Will Chetwood on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 2:42 pm: |
Cindy
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By Kelly Lott on Thursday, January 9, 2003 - 1:22 pm: |
I did my certification dives at Portage Quarry too, Bob! It was COLD. First weekend in May, and water temp was a balmy 44 degrees! I like to describe that experience as "character building". I still dive there frequently in the summer, but certainly appreciate the Caribbean. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, just do what's right for you at the time.
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By bob neer on Thursday, January 9, 2003 - 1:48 pm: |
kelly,
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By Kelly Lott on Thursday, January 9, 2003 - 3:11 pm: |
Bob, who was your instructor? I can't remember but thought you went through Sub-A. I ask because that summer I helped with many many of the weekend classes, so maybe I even met you!
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By bob neer on Thursday, January 9, 2003 - 8:20 pm: |
no...i was certified thru underwater connection - the instructor was dave temple...i was so pre-occupied by stuff - don't recall the guy so well
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By Pat Relich on Friday, January 10, 2003 - 12:30 am: |
Cindy,
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