About 150 years ago I was a certified diver with Padi and had frequent dives in my log (average 3/month). Since then, the whole masquarade of marrying 2 different woman, rearing 3 children, and paying exorbitant amounts of money (enough to build 5 TURBO s2ks) in support, I have decided to get back to the water.

Can anyone recommend a dive shop? A reputable place that provides instruction and gear.. Is anyone certified? Where do those that "are in the know" shop?

I always used TUSA,OCEANIC, MARES and Riffe(speargun) and usually shopped at Divers Den. I want gear for skin diving (mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, etc. ) that I can later use with "expert" dive gear, ie; scuba gear. It has been A LONG TIME since I stepped in the water, besides mini-season, of course.., and want the best gear available. Experience is what counts....Thanks.

Erick

 

Danny

 

I like Austin's Diving Center. I got certified through them (PADI) 18 years ago, and they're still around. Here is their info:

10525 South Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33156

www.austinsdiving.com

Welcome back to diving.

 

Yup, you can always ask MidnigntS cuz he dives frequently. I haven't gone diving in a while but my place is Underwater Unlimited.

You can talk to Charlie there. He owns the place and is also the scuba instructor.

He offers private classes through his shop and also teaches at Miami-Dade College as a non-credit course. He's not PADI though, it's N.A.S.D.S. Good luck and I'm jealous.... I want to be back in the water....hopefully soon.

Underwater Unlimited
4633 LeJeune Rd
Coral Gables, FL
(305) 445-7837

 

Austin's has been there forever!!!! They're a good place, too, but I always found them to be a little on the expensive side. I don't know what it's like now.

 

[QUOTE=droptopgirl,May 22 2007, 07:31 AM] Yup, you can always ask MidnigntS cuz he dives frequently.

 

Yup...he and Chuck are the best....I got certified when I was 12 years old (do the math!!!)...didn't see Charlie for about 10 years and I was at a Sports Authority one day and heard someone call out my name...turned around and it was Charlie!!! He never forgets his students. I've been by the shop a few times since but haven't done any dives. My sister has gone on several of the dive trips they do several times a year....she went to Mexico and the Caymans with them. Said it was great. Those guys never change!!

 

im a certified diver

 

Awesome! On Thursday I am going to visit Underwater Unlimited and Austins, AND Divers Den (shopping spree!)...I appreciate the responses, seems like I am not the only "fish" here. I hope Midnight responds or PMs me because I have been looking at brands and I am really undecided. The choices available now seem endless.

Again, thanks for the responses! You guys are the best..

E

 

i haVE my divers license! certified open water diver