AOW Courses?

[simbrooks]

Ok, i cant get the new thread thing to work in the classes section of the conch divers, so might as well post here!

I have been looking around a while at the different agencies for AOW training and think that SSI/SDI is the way to go (unless i can swing a YMCA course that was suggested). I posted another thread a while back in the basic scuba discussion forum about this, so i dont need a run down of the agency requirements (see other threads on that http://69.93.91.170/t43172.html), what i would like to know is where others did their AOW with these agencies in the Orlando (Central Fl) area.

I have recently been speaking to GDI on here (heard good things from him and from FredT), but its a bit of a drive out to see him in Ridge Manor from Orlando. I also rent gear from NWDivers on 50 and go on trips with them, i have talked to them about their courses and they seem flexible enough, cheapish prices, but without any further reference i cant be sure. I did my OW with Dive Station (Fl Inst of Diving, depending on the name you read) on Edgewater, we didnt really like the teaching methods of the pool sessions, the OW part was ok, but there is a bitter taste in the mouth from that. There are others who do SDI including Orlando Scuba Center on 436/Red Bug (possibly also 50 and Bumby, has the same name), but each time i have been near there, they have been closed.

I know there are others in the general area, Scuba World (NAUI), Scuba Quest (NAUI) and Extasea (PADI), unless i hear great things about them i wouldnt go to them due to the agency requirements/layout - prefer the full specialisation teaching/training and such rather than the one dive per speciality (mini-speciality) course. The YMCA instructors in this area are both in Kissimmee (one private and one with Kissimme Pro Diving - i think), again a drive, but not too far if they offer good courses.

So, does anyone have any experience doing their AOW training with any of those mentioned (or just individual specialities) or can you enlighten me on further on other teachers in the area? Everyone says its the instructor, not the agency, so now i am asking for good references to get a good instructor having already had one sour experience of an LDS and not wishing to rely on luck and chance to find a good instructor for the next level.

Thanks again,

Simon

[simbrooks]

Just realised, it was fgray1 (Fred), not FredT that told me about GDI.

[Toolbox-13]

I took my AOW with Captains Corner in Key West
it was Padi and the instructor was great
The whole crew at Captains Corner went above and beyond
to make my trip and dives great
Good luck in whatever you decide

[simbrooks]

Toolbox,

Thanks for the suggestion, i am however looking to continue my diving education in central FL so that i can continue to learn beyond AOW with an instructor if i find they are good at teaching - hence the reason i dont want to consider further diving with my OW instructors.

I am looking for good local instructors that people have had experience with and can tell me about, so that my decision is more informed when i choose who to go with rather than the current lottery that is out there.

[Wendy]

There is a new dive shop (well a year old now I think) in Winter Garden on CR 535 (Winter Garden-Vineland Road) about a block off of SR50 (colonial drive). It is called Florida Scuba Connection (www.floridascubaconnection.com). They are very nice there. And they also have a pretty active scuba club forming as well. You might want to check them out. Plus they have certs thru several different agencies as well.

[simbrooks]

I think GDI mentioned that he used to work somewhere around there when he first moved here. Its PADI/NAUI, not quite what i am after. I am not saying i will discount the specialties offered by them, but the AOW isnt really what i am looking for from the LDS's running with those agencies.

Still no replies of actual experience of anyone being instructed by any of these LDS/instructors, plenty of people have viewed this thread, has no-one been trained in FL by any of these LDS's???

[fgray1]

Take the Peak bouyancy Module as well. That couple of hours I spent with GDI (rick ) was the best money I ever spent. It will teach you more about diving than you can imagine. If you plan on doing Cavern or cave in the future it will be such a benifit to you. Rick is one of the best instuctors around. He not only knows how to dive (10,000 +) he knows how to teach. He has had people come from all over so they could learn from him.
Learning to dive is like everthing else GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT !!!!
Good luck with who ever you go with.

Fred

[vettenorlando]

Hi... I can speak of personal experience with ExtaSea... they really know their stuff there... I have been diving with them for a long while. Very knowledgeable. I haven't gone to any other shop in Otown except Kissimmee ProDive and they are good too... but I do like Extasea alot. Good people.

[simbrooks]

Still investigating, there are many advantages to a few shops i have seen around here, GDI is certainly in the my thoughts, as it NW Divers, i have considered Extasea and Kissimmee PD, might have to look closer at those! Maybe we will take PPB just to try Rick out and work from there.

Thanks again to all, any further recommendations would be appreciated.