Cavern and Cave courses

[The Natural]

Does anyone know where I can find an EXCELLENT course run in the FL area? I am looking to take the course over the winter. (A good excuse to get some training and diving in while there is snow on the ground here in NJ!) I would like to get both Cavern and Cave. Do any places run them back to back?

 

[KangarooSeatbelt]

Does anyone know where I can find an EXCELLENT course run in the FL area? I am looking to take the course over the winter. (A good excuse to get some training and diving in while there is snow on the ground here in NJ!) I would like to get both Cavern and Cave. Do any places run them back to back?

Well, it depends where in the state you want to head, but I'd strongly reccomend Lloyd Bailey's Scuba and Watersports. Lloyd is a really competent diver, and has been diving a long time. And, he does a combo Cavern/Intro to Cave that is Fri/Sat/Sun. Cavern is Fri/Sat, and if you want to also do intro to cave, it extends through sunday. Not a bad deal. You have to take a seperate course to get Full Cave of course, but none the less, you'll still be cave certified.

 

[Jason B]

I can't say enough good things about Johnny Richards.
Look him up at www.cavediving.com

Great instructor, great diver, great guy!

Jason

 

[Doppler]

I can't say enough good things about Johnny Richards.
Look him up at www.cavediving.com

Great instructor, great diver, great guy!

Jason

Johnny is a great guy...

Johnny W. Richards
(DPV, Stage)
P.O. Box 2920
High Springs, FL 32655
USA
H: 386-935-4186
johnny@cavediving.com
www.cavediving.com

Larry is a good buddy of mine and an excellent instructor but may be booked already.

Larry Green Training Director NACD
(DPV, Sidemount, Stage, Survey)
PO Box 330
High Springs, FL 32655-0330
USA
H: 386-497-3494
larry@tecdivers.com
www.tecdivers.com

Other good bets include:

Ralph DiPanfilo
PO Box 3250
High Springs, FL 32655
(386) 454-0690
http://www.cavedivertraining.com

Michael O'Leary
(Stage, Survey)
248 S.W. Duckett Ct
Lake City, FL 32024
USA
H: 386-961-8075
mco@atlantic.net
www.cavediving.org


Heather Choat
2975 Pickford Place
Pensacola, FL 32503
USA
H: 850-501-3347
hchoat@cox.net


Bill Oesterich
(DPV, Stage)
320 NW Highway 19
Crystal River, FL 34423
USA
H: 352-563-1320
W: 352-563-2763
bird@birdsunderwater.com

 

[itemize]

I recommend Ralph DiPanfilo
http://www.cavedivertraining.com

Cavern and intro to cave are often scheduled back to back. You shouldn't have an issue finding either a scheduled course offering both, or being able to arrange a private course.

 

[hermosadive]

Johnny Richards was our original choice, but schedules couldn't be accomidated. He was really great to talk to on the phone though. 5 of us are taking Cavern/Cave with Ralph on the 18th.

You can also get in touch with Rose Meadows over at Ginnie Springs. She will find out who is available for the dates you have in mind.

 

[scubagirl84]

www.sprucecreekscuba.com in prot orange has a great program, and isn't too pricy either.

 

[charlieo]

Here is the site for National Association for Cave Diving. www.safecavediving.com. There is a list of instructors. I've had instruction by three on the list and I felt they were all competent. Good Luck.

 

[ScubaSapper]

I live in Northern Florida and have been cave diving for about a year. I took my cavern course through the Aquatics Center in Gainesville and my intro to cave course through Lloyd Bailey's. I highly recommend Lloyd Bailey's cavern and intro to cave course. Go to his web site and check it out. I also suggest going to cavediver.net and check out the cave diver's forum. It has lots of good info.

 

[Nic160]

I did Cavern and Intro Cave with Lloyd. I have no regrets.