#65647 - 08/02/07 10:14 AM
Re: Not certified
[Re: newdiver92506]
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karina
Member
Registered: 05/18/07
Posts: 75
Loc: nyc
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Newdiver:
Thanks for this info. My predictment might end up being similar. There's a diving place close to where I live in NYC (wonder where they make us dive...the muddgy Hudson?), but their classes are only on Tuesday and Thursdays 6-11pm. For two weeks. I leave on Sept 1, so it might put me in a situation like yours. Worse case scenario, it sounds as if even if I don't take the classes here, I can at least do some introductory dives in Moorea. I may not get out of the office till past 6, so I'd hate to pay $200 for the classes here, only not to take them because of office work.
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#65649 - 08/02/07 11:18 AM
Re: Not certified
[Re: karina]
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newdiver92506
Junior Member
Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 3
Loc: Southern California
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I suggest that you do the classroom portion, like the videos, quizzes ahead of time. Your dive shop should be able to set you up that way. I did the online NUI course and passed the final exam, but they made me do it over again at Bathy's because it was not PADI. Your dive shop needs to give a referral that you at least did that part. It will save you some time while you are there. Do you know which hotel you'll be staying in? If it's the Intercontinental, then I really recomment their dive shop. My instructor, John, was fantastic!
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#65651 - 08/02/07 12:28 PM
Re: Not certified
[Re: newdiver92506]
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briggscass
Junior Member
Registered: 04/16/06
Posts: 26
Loc: California
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Hey Karina!
My friends who got certified in the NYC area did their check-out dives in a quarry. But like I said, the beauty of it all is that you can do the check-out dives in Tahiti. So, no cold quarry, no murky Hudson for you!
The times for the courses you mentioned sound not fantastic -- I can see why you are looking for a back-up of doing a resort dive instead. Have you asked the shop to work with your schedule? Is there any other shop near you? The course-work should _easily_ fit into two weekends. I've always found dive shops to be really flexible -- I hope some poking around will yield some satisfactory results on that front for you.
No matter what happens, you will get to dive. Don't worry. At the same time, though, resort dives are similar enough to check-out dives that you'll be spending money on a very similar experience, but at the end, you won't be certified. That would be a bummer, because having a c-card opens up a whole new world.
I hope you can make the certification happen, but even if you can't, you will have a fantastic time and see such beautiful things. Have fun!!
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#65678 - 08/03/07 04:51 PM
Re: Not certified
[Re: briggscass]
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STM
Expert Advisor
Registered: 10/15/01
Posts: 1616
Loc: Oregon, USA
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Most shops in FP offer a CMAS 1star certification after 4 lessons with a DM. I took it as a refresher long time ago. Two lessons off the dock, two open water dives. No more than two students per DM.
After that you are OK for group dives led by a DM. The cert is not the equivalent of an Open Water cert.
Best option in FP for a newbie, IMHO. Make it better by reading a dive instruction book on the plane over. You'll be pretty comfortable under water, capable of self rescue, and informed enough not to do dumb stuff.
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#65708 - 08/06/07 06:06 AM
Re: Not certified
[Re: STM]
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sst
Member
Registered: 12/07/05
Posts: 483
Loc: Texas
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If you go the classroom/pool route at home and checkout dives in FP, make sure you get a signed referral sheet from your hometown dive master to take with you to FP.. I'd also try to go PADI if possible cuz I think most dive shops in FP are PADI - not sure about NAUI..
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#66036 - 08/16/07 01:28 PM
Re: Not certified
[Re: sst]
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Flyboy Ed
Member
Registered: 02/18/03
Posts: 67
Loc: Laguna Niguel, California, USA
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Hi Karina,
I used TopDive on both Moorea and Bora Bora a couple of years ago.
http://www.topdive.com/topd/index.php
The Moorea operation is small, but I found them very friendly and excellent dive masters. Rented equipment and it was in good shape. Located on the east side of Cook's Bay. Did one dive down to just 35 feet along a reef, so it is pretty easy for a beginner.
The Bora Bora operation is much larger, at their own resort. I did a manta ray dive with them. This was much more a production operation, lots of dive masters (5-6 on our boat) guiding visitors (18-20) with a wide range of experience. Our dive went down to 100 feet. It was specatular to see a group of 6 mantas, phus lots of other fish, rays, eels and turtles. But I would be concerned going that deep without experience or training. I have a PADI Advanced Open Water certification and 15 years diving experience. Are there any dive masters or instructors on this site who can give a more informed opinion?
Only two more weeks, then you are off to the most beautiful place on earth (IMHO). Have a great trip! Looking forward to the trip report and photos when you return.
Ed
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