Hi Brendan! :admingreet: Welcome to ScubaBoard.
I happen to be an instructor at Sport Chalet, though not in LA. Pussiinstructor is incorrect. We do have some excellent instructors that run a quality course and we are not into pushing students into gear that they don't want.
There is somewhere around 500 or so professionals that work for Sport Chalet, including Dive Masters, Assistant Instructors, and Instructors. With a number that large you are going to find some great instructors and some that should probably not be teaching.
I will tell you that when you decide to purchase gear, purchase the gear that fits you best where ever that may be. If you purchase the gear at Sport Chalet, on most of the gear you'll get 10% off for being a student. If you buy your mask, fins and snorkel all at the same time, you may be able to save 15%. Another nice thing about buying your gear there is that if you get into the pool and find that you don't like your mask or it leaks you can exchange it, not a problem. Just make sure you keep the packaging and the receipt.
Unfortunately, like the Professional Staff there are good sales associates and sales associates that shouldn't be working there. Hopefully, next time you go in you'll get to talk with one that is more helpful.
Talk with your Instructor, tell him about your concerns. Ask him questions like how long has he been teaching and diving. Does he like teaching and why does he do it?
I hope that this helps. If you have any questions feel free to send me a Private Message and we can talk more.
I happen to be an instructor at Sport Chalet, though not in LA. Pussiinstructor is incorrect. We do have some excellent instructors that run a quality course and we are not into pushing students into gear that they don't want.
There is somewhere around 500 or so professionals that work for Sport Chalet, including Dive Masters, Assistant Instructors, and Instructors. With a number that large you are going to find some great instructors and some that should probably not be teaching.
I will tell you that when you decide to purchase gear, purchase the gear that fits you best where ever that may be. If you purchase the gear at Sport Chalet, on most of the gear you'll get 10% off for being a student. If you buy your mask, fins and snorkel all at the same time, you may be able to save 15%. Another nice thing about buying your gear there is that if you get into the pool and find that you don't like your mask or it leaks you can exchange it, not a problem. Just make sure you keep the packaging and the receipt.
Unfortunately, like the Professional Staff there are good sales associates and sales associates that shouldn't be working there. Hopefully, next time you go in you'll get to talk with one that is more helpful.
Talk with your Instructor, tell him about your concerns. Ask him questions like how long has he been teaching and diving. Does he like teaching and why does he do it?
I hope that this helps. If you have any questions feel free to send me a Private Message and we can talk more.