training agencies in the UK

[OzPommie Diver]

hi all,

was advised to post a Q on this board. I am a UK guy living in Victoria / Australia, and have the possibility of coming home late next year (for good).

diving over here isnt too dissimilar from the UK (cold, murky, massively current-prone - the usual good stuff !).

i am looking to take advantage of the relative cheapness of training and gear over here before i come back.....

eventually wanting to move to instructor level, i am looking at my IANTD Adv EANx over here, then combining IANTD Tech/Divemaster courses. I cant seem to agree with the PADI way of doing stuff, and consequently dont want to train their way.

however - if i move down the IANTD path, am i going to have a cat in hells chance of progressing or being recognised in the UK (looking at moving back to Yorkshire, or to Cumbria or Scotland) ?

secondly - over here we cant get a fill above 204 on DIN/K valves, and have to have burst disks fitted - does anyone know if its cost effective to bring x2 12L singles (Cressi), x1 10L twinset (faber) and a pony back home ?

thanks for the patience and any advice offered guys !

cheers

a

 

[Maggie]

I believe there are approximately 40 dive centres in the UK who train IANTD divers. They are as far north as Orkney and down to the English Channel so I dont think you should have too much bother. TDI I think is more popular but IANTD is also well recognised.

As far as your cylinders are concerned - I am not sure but I think that the thread sizes on the tanks are different than the UK and consequently you may find that you are unable to use them. I will try and find out for you as you do not want to go to the expense of having them shipped out here and then find that you are unable to get them tested because of the different specifications.

 

[OzPommie Diver]

thanks for that - i have been on the verge of buying some nice new shiney fabers / isolation manifold (for about $1500AUD), but i think i shall find out if i can use them in the UK before i invest !

cheers for the IANTD heads-up as well

ahhh, summertime is here again....

 

[Jonathan]

I wouldn't have thought those cylinders were a problem - I am sure my twin set in the UK are faber and DIN is DIN.....

Thing is you can probably pick them up for a similar price in the UK and not have to ship them. I paid around GBP550 for 2x12 and manifold - I think! I baught a lot of gear at the same time and did get a good discount though.

Just when we thought autumn was coming we've had temperatures of high 20's again!! Still should get a tan this weekend....

Jonathan

 

[Tibbs]

Friend of mine has just bought 2 x 12L Faber set for £500. (A$1420) He could have got them for as low as £430, (A$1221) but he wanted a ScubaPro Manifold and bands that weren't spot welded and made of cheese (ie not Custom Divers!)

May be worth waiting...

Chris

 

[Jonathan]

that weren't spot welded and made of cheese (ie not Custom Divers!)

care to elaborate? I've used their stuff for a few years and had not problems with any of it - bands, wing & bp, reels and now HID torch. All have performed to my satisfaction and others I know....

 

[Rob Meddes]

I use CD wing, bp, & HID torch too i find them excellent

 

[AquaTec]

Here is a list of IANTD facilities in the UK. hope it helps
I agree with others TDI is gaining in popularity. but both agencies are very similar.




69 Diving & Sportsworld Ltd.
57-61 High Street
Ewell, Surrey
United Kingdom, GB-KT17 1RX Contact: Anthony Smith / Nigel Walker
Phone 1: 044-208-786 7821
Phone 2:
Email: 69diving@clara.net Fax: 044-208-786 7823
Website:

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Aaron Dive Centre
School Lane
Bold Heath
Widnes, Cheshire
United Kingdom, GB-WA8 3UZ Contact: Paul Smith
Phone 1: 044-151-423-1243
Phone 2:
Email: paul@aarondive.demon.co.uk Fax: 044-151-423-1243
Website:

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Active Scuba
709-711 Cranbrook Road
Grants Hills
Ilford, Essex
United Kingdom, UK-IG2 6RJ Contact:
Phone 1: 044-208-551-1211
Phone 2:
Email: info@ukdive.com Fax: 044-208-551-1113
Website:

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AKS Diving
Clwydfro Business Centre
Unit # 7 Lon Parcwr
Ruthin, Wales
United Kingdom, UK-LL15 1NJ Contact: Adam
Phone 1: 044-182-470-7199
Phone 2:
Email: adam@aksdiving.co.uk Fax: 044-182-470-7199
Website:

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Apnea Underwater Projects
50 Belfast Road
Stoke
Newington, London
United Kingdom, UK-N16 6UH Contact: James Yiangou
Phone 1: 044-208-806-3344
Phone 2:
Email: apneascuba@hotmail.com Fax: 044-181-806-6130
Website:

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Bolton Area Divers
11 Sharples Avenue
Sharples
Bolton, Lancashire
United Kingdom, GB-BL1 7HB Contact: Neil McCrirrick
Phone 1: 044-120-459-4594
Phone 2:
Email: baddivers@aol.com Fax: 044-120-459-4595
Website:

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Breakwater Diving Centre
Aqua-Sport Hotel
Castletown
Portland, Dorset
United Kingdom, GB-DT5 1BD Contact: Eric Burgess
Phone 1: 044-130-586-0269
Phone 2: 044-130-586-0670
Email: info@uk-blue.com Fax: 044-130-586-6913
Website:

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Bristol Channel Diving
Unit 3 The Timber Yard
East Moors Road
Cardiff,
United Kingdom, UK-CF24 5EE Contact:
Phone 1: 044-292-046-4846
Phone 2:
Email: Fax: 044-292-046-4846
Website:

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C & C Marine Services
Largs Yacht Haven
Irvine Road
Largs, Ayrshire
United Kingdom, GB-KA30 8EZ Contact: Peter Carrick
Phone 1: 044-147-568-7180
Phone 2:
Email: peter@ccmarine.co.uk Fax: 044-147-568-7388
Website:

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Cannock Scuba Centre Ltd
Unit 10 Brindleys Business Park
Chaseside Drive
Cannock, Staffordshire
United Kingdom, GB-WS11 2GD Contact: Mark Turner
Phone 1: 044-154-342-8808
Phone 2:
Email: enquiries@scubapursuits.com Fax: 044-154-387-9239
Website:

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Capernwray Diving
Jackdraw Quarry
Capernwray Road Over Kellet
Carnforth, Lancashire
United Kingdom, UK-LA6 1AD Contact: Adam Hanlon
Phone 1: 044-152-473-5132
Phone 2:
Email: capernwray@easynet.co.uk Fax: 044-152-473-5520
Website:

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Collins & Chambers Ltd.
197 - 199 Mare Street
London,
United Kingdom, GB-E8 3QF Contact:
Phone 1: 044-208-985-0752
Phone 2:
Email: nautilus@talk21.com Fax: 044-208-985-3123
Website:

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Cornish Diving Service
Bar Road
Falmouth, Cornwall
United Kingdom, GB-TR11 4ND Contact: Steve Mcewen
Phone 1: 044-132-631-1265
Phone 2: 044-132-631-3178
Email: cdsdiving@aol.com Fax: 044-132-631-1265
Website:

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Deep Blue Diving
The Mountbatten Centre
Lawrence Road
Plymouth, Devon
United Kingdom, UK-PL9 9SJ Contact: Richard Stevenson
Phone 1: 044-175-249-1490
Phone 2:
Email: info@deepblu.co.uk Fax: 044-175-249-1490
Website:

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Dive Air
55 Stand Lane
Radcliffe, Manchester
United Kingdom, UK-M26 1LQ Contact: Phil
Phone 1: 044-161-723-3157
Phone 2:
Email: phil@diveair.fsnet.co.uk Fax: 044-161-723-3157
Website:

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Dive Central
59 Aylesbury Street
Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes
United Kingdom, UK-MK2 2BH Contact: Richard
Phone 1: 044-190-827-4780
Phone 2:
Email: richard@divecentral.co.uk Fax: 044-190-863-0756
Website:

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Dive Force Marine
10-10a Cheapside Parade
North Circular Road
Palmers Green, London
United Kingdom, GB-N13 5ED Contact: Terry Wheal
Phone 1: 044-208-803-0241
Phone 2:
Email: enquiries@diveforce.co.uk Fax: 044-208-803-6994
Website:

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Dive Machine
Unit 11 Contact: Simon Ross Deveau
Phone 1: 044-173-277-3553
Phone 2:
Email: robert@divemachine.co.uk Fax: 044-173-277-3663
Website:

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Dive Newquay North Cornwall
Paradise Cove Hotel
Alexandra Road Porth
Newquay, Cornwall
United Kingdom, UK-TR7 3NA Contact: David / Sara
Phone 1: 044-163-785-3953
Phone 2:
Email: davidsara@13fs.freeserve.co.uk Fax: 044-163-785-3953
Website:

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Diveline Ltd.
St. Johns Works
St. Johns Road
Ipswich, Suffolk
United Kingdom, GB-IP4 5DQ Contact: Jeff Errington
Phone 1: 044-147-371-5533
Phone 2:
Email: enquiries@diveline.co.uk Fax: 044-147-327-1815
Website:

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Divers Down
139 Babbacombe Road
Babbacombe
Torquay, Devon
United Kingdom, GB-TQ1 3SR Contact: James
Phone 1: 044-180-332-7111
Phone 2:
Email: james@diversdown.co.uk Fax: 044-180-332-4563
Website:

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E - Diver
The Old School House
School Lane
Gimingham, Norwich
United Kingdom, UK-NR11 8HL Contact:
Phone 1: 044-126-372-0223
Phone 2:
Email: info@e-diver.co.uk Fax: 044-126-372-0221
Website:

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European Technical Dive Centre
Dive Scapa Flow
Garisle Burray, Orkney
United Kingdom, GB-KW17 2SS Contact: Mark Reeves
Phone 1: 044-185-673 1269
Phone 2:
Email: mark@technicaldivers.com Fax: 044-185-673 1345
Website:

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Folkestone Sub-Aqua Centre
Arch 5 Tram Road
Folkestone Harbour
Folkestone, Kent
United Kingdom, GB-CT20 1QD Contact: Mr Dave Watson
Phone 1: 044-130-325-2752
Phone 2:
Email: fsubaqua@aol.com Fax: 044-130-325-2752
Website:

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Forth Yacht Marina Ltd.
4/6 South Lumley Street
Grangemouth, Scotland
United Kingdom, GB-FK3 8BT Contact: Alan Mitchell
Phone 1: 044-132-466-5071
Phone 2:
Email: sales@fym.co.uk Fax: 044-132-448-3635
Website:

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Forward Diving Services
Unit M. Arthur Brays Yard
West Quay Road
Poole, Dorset
United Kingdom, GB-BH15 1HT Contact: Keith Forward
Phone 1: 044-120-267 7128
Phone 2:
Email: info@forwarddiving.co.uk Fax: 044-120-267 1047
Website:

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Freya Diving
Kerry Downes Bryning Lane
Newton
Nr. Preston, Lancashire
United Kingdom, UK-PR4 3RN Contact: Mark Thompson
Phone 1: 044-177-268-4191
Phone 2:
Email: markt@freyadiving.co.uk Fax: 044-177-268-4191
Website:

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Gas Diving
4 Beryl Close Woosehill
P.O. Box 3320
Wokingham, Berkshire
United Kingdom, UK-RG41 3UW Contact: Grame Davison
Phone 1: 044-118-979-5894
Phone 2:
Email: training@gasdiving.co.uk Fax: 044-118-979-5894
Website:

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Greenock Diving Company
Unit 1-3
18 Dellingburn Street
Greenock, Scotland
United Kingdom, UK-PA15 4TW Contact:
Phone 1: 044-147-579-0135
Phone 2:
Email: greenock_diving-co@yahoo.co.uk Fax: 044-147-579-0135
Website:

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IANTD UK Ltd.
11 Telford Road
Ferdown Industrial Estates
Wimborne, Dorset
United Kingdom, GB-BH21 7QP Contact: Kevin Gurr
Phone 1: 44-120-2 632211
Phone 2: 44-120-267 0345
Email: iantduk@aol.com Fax: 44-120-2 632319
Website: http://www.iantd.com/iantd-uk.html

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Looe Divers
Island Court Marine Drive
Hannafore
Looe, Cornwall
United Kingdom, GB-PL13 2DQ Contact: Jon Bass
Phone 1: 044-150-326-2727
Phone 2:
Email: tech@looedivers.com Fax: 044-150-326-2727
Website:

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Marsden Dive Centre (Tek Direct)
6 Fallow Road
Marsden
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
United Kingdom, GB-NE34 7AG Contact:
Phone 1: 044-191-427-7820
Phone 2:
Email: bob@marsdendive!reeservee.co.uk Fax: 044-191-427-7820
Website:

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MV Salutay
152 Portaferry Road
Newtownards
County Down, North Ireland
United Kingdom, UK-BT22 2AJ Contact: Alan J. Wright
Phone 1: 044-289-181-2081
Phone 2:
Email: salutay@btinternet.com Fax: 044-289-182-0635
Website:

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Neoprene Dream Scuba School
C/O Remar
Poplar Road
Caerphilly, Wales
United Kingdom, UK-CF83 1LF Contact:
Phone 1: 044-122-277-7026
Phone 2:
Email: philbullen@easynet.co.uk Fax: 044-122-277-7026
Website:

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Neptune Total Dive
13 Northway
Broughton
Preston, Lancashire
United Kingdom, UK-PR3 5JX Contact: Pete Roberts
Phone 1: 044-177-286-3303
Phone 2:
Email: pete@neptunetdc.fsnet.co.uk Fax: 044-177-286-3303
Website:

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New Frontier Diving
Enterprise Business Centre Two
Unit # 16
Chestergate, Stockport
United Kingdom, UK-SK3 0BR Contact: Jeff
Phone 1: 044-161-336-3518
Phone 2:
Email: jeff@newfrontierdiving.com Fax:
Website:

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Phoenix Diver Training
11 Telford Road
Ferndown Industrial Estate
Wimborne, Dorset
United Kingdom, GB-BH21 7QP Contact: Kevin Gurr / Dave Thompson
Phone 1: 044-120-287-1456
Phone 2:
Email: 100044.3401@compuserve Fax: 044-120-287-0570
Website:

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Robin Hood Watersports
152 Leeds Road
Heckmondwike, Yorkshire
United Kingdom, GB-WF16 9BJ Contact: Bob Findlow
Phone 1: 044-192-444-4888
Phone 2:
Email: dive@roho.co.uk Fax: 044-192-447-4529
Website:

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Runnymede Dive(EAU2)
Unit 11 Eversley Way
Thorpe Ind. Estate
Egham, Surrey
United Kingdom, GB-TW20 8RG Contact: Bob Harris / Dave Oxley
Phone 1: 044-178-443-6909
Phone 2:
Email: runnymededive@compuserve.com Fax: 044-178-443-6909
Website:

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Scapa Flow Technical
Polrudden House
Peerie Sea Loan
Kirkwall, Orkney
United Kingdom, GB-KW15 1UH Contact: John Thornton
Phone 1: 044-185-687-4761
Phone 2:
Email: john@scapaflow.com Fax: 044-185-687-0950
Website:

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Scapa Nitrox
Lifeboat House
Stromness, Orkney
United Kingdom, UK-KW16 3DA Contact: Ben Wade
Phone 1: 044-185-685-1218
Phone 2:
Email: diving@scapascuba.co.uk Fax: 044-185-685-1218
Website:

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Scuba Workshop UK
The Old Barn Lower Winsley
Cross Stones
Todmorden, Lancaster
United Kingdom, UK-OL14 8RY Contact: Chris
Phone 1: 044-170-681-7007
Phone 2:
Email: chris@seadog7.fsnet.co.uk Fax: 044-170-681-7007
Website:

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Stoney Cove Diver Training
Sapcote Road
Stoney Stanton
Hinckley, Leicestershire
United Kingdom, GB-LE9 4DW Contact: Patrick Bryan
Phone 1: 044-145-527-2768
Phone 2:
Email: training@stoneycovedt.esnet.co.uk Fax: 044-145-527-4000
Website:

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Sub Aqua Divers
Rescue Station House
Station Road
Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham
United Kingdom, UK-S63 7DG Contact:
Phone 1: 044-170-987-7222
Phone 2:
Email: info@subaquadivers.f9.co.uk Fax: 044-170-987-7555
Website:

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Teign Diving Centre
Quay Road
Teignmouth, Devon
United Kingdom, UK-TQ14 8ER Contact: Mark
Phone 1: 044-162-677-3965
Phone 2:
Email: mark@teigndivingcentre.co.uk Fax: 044-162-687-9010
Website:

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The Cambridge Dive Centre
24 Clifton Road
Cambridge,
United Kingdom, UK-CB1 7EB Contact: Richard Allway
Phone 1: 044-122-324-0818
Phone 2:
Email: info@cambridgediveandwatersports.co.uk Fax: 044-122-324-0818
Website:

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The Edinburgh Diving Centre
1 Watson Crescent
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom, UK-EH11 1HD Contact:
Phone 1: 044-131-229-4838
Phone 2:
Email: info@edinburghdiving.co.uk Fax: 044-131-622-7099
Website:

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Triton Divers
147 Highland Road
Southsea,
United Kingdom, UK-PO4 9EY Contact:
Phone 1: 044-239-283-8773
Phone 2:
Email: helpdesk@tritonscuba.co.uk Fax:
Website:

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Wirrall Sports & Leisure Ltd.
164-190 Cleveland Street
Birkenhead, Merseyside
United Kingdom, GB-L41 3QQ Contact:
Phone 1: 044-151-647-5131
Phone 2:
Email: sales@wirralsports.co.uk Fax: 044-151-666-2631
Website:

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Wittering Divers
12 Oakfield Road
East Wittering, West Sussex
United Kingdom, GB-PO20 8RP Contact: Nick Fletcher / Tony Dobinson
Phone 1: 044-124-367 2031
Phone 2:
Email: sales@witteringdivers.co.uk Fax: 044-124-367 2739
Website:

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Wittering Divers (Brighton)
185 Portland Road
Hove, East Sussex
United Kingdom, UK-BN3 5QJ Contact: Terry
Phone 1: 044-127-373-7718
Phone 2:
Email: terry@witteringdivers.co.uk Fax:
Website:

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[OzPommie Diver]

thanks guys - FTR, a twin12 and scubapro in Aus (RRP) would set you back x2 $525 + x1 $325 (manifold). The cost is comparable....will see if i can scrounge a set to use until i know whether i am coming or going.

ONE LAST QUESTION !!

the shop i am diving through isnt too aux fait with IANTD trg. Can you go from IANTD DM, then sit the Adv EANx Instructor Development Program (I think a 7 day course) as indicated on www.iantd.com, or do you have to go via IANTD Sport Instructor THEN on to Adv EANx ? The problem being, i am having a tough time locating anyone in Victoria where I could do the pre-requisite number of course teaches to progress with (i.e everyone is PADI, so I cant teach IANTD o/w, adv o/w etc et) and my fear is being stuck as an IANTD Sport Instructor not being able to get any instructing experience down in australia ?

hope that doesnt sound like gobbledy gook ??!

 

[Tibbs]

Apologies for the delay in replying - been too busy to keep up with the group.

The reason I don't like Custom Divers bands is pretty simple - I had some on my twinset and they were very disappointing.

If you look at the bands you can see where the spot welds are on the flat portions of the band where the bolts go through. The spot welds leave a very sharp edge that presses into the cylinder when the bands are tightened up. This does a very nice job of removing the paint and making the cylinders more vulnerable to rust .Because the steel used is so thin/soft, you have to tighten the bands right up to stop the set from moving, which causes the flat part of the band to deform and get pulled into the middle. This makes the bands go loose and you have to tighten them again, exacerbating the problem. There is a way around it, which is to use another two nuts and two flat pieces of 316 stainless steel to bolster that part of the band and to stop it from deforming, but I felt that it was too much hassle and just bought some decent bands. My CD bands are for sale incidentally, £20 plus postage to anyone who wants them... Neither of them have the D-Rings on though.

If you want to see decent bands, compare these to SDS bands or the ones at Underwater Explorers in Portland. If compare them side by side the extra £24 you need to spend on the UE bands seems like a bargain...

Chris