I'm looking for a dive buddy

[Talk Host]

I have thought about it all my life, but never had the opportunity to learn to Scuba dive. Over the past two weeks, I completed the open water scuba certification program from Aquatic Center in Ocala. We did our classroom work at their shop and classroom on 20th street. Then we did the initial dives at the Central Florida Community College pool. Over the weekend, we did the actual "Open Water" certification at Blue Grotto in Williston.
I sure would like some diving buddies. Anybody game?

The underwater picture is at about 60 feet and I have my hand on an "air bell" that is full of compressed air where divers can come up inside and chat or take a break.


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Almost.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Goingdown.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/under.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Comingup.jpg

[chacam]

Can you give us an idea of the cost for training and certification?
NAUI or PADI?

Thanks

[graciegirl]

Does it mess up your hair?:evil6:

[Talk Host]

Can you give us an idea of the cost for training and certification?
NAUI or PADI?

Thanks

The course is a SSI (Scuba Schools INternational) course and the complete open water certification was $250. It was necessary to have some basic equipment, fins, mask, mouthpiece, boots. But if you already have those, it's $250.

[gowens1]

You have now found another fun way to spend money. Before my wife got sick we enjoy'd diving throughout Central Florida, and off the east coast. Our favorate was Blue Springs in Orange City, only 10 min from home and only 6 dollars, but if you live in the villages you have 5 or 6 dive sites within an hour drive. I'm think there is an active dive group in the villages that would be able to help you with a buddy. I would be more than happy to dive again, but as I work, weekends are the only free time for me.

gary owens
Deltona, Fl

[BillArmyRet]

I have thought about it all my life, but never had the opportunity to learn to Scuba dive. Over the past two weeks, I completed the open water scuba certification program from Aquatic Center in Ocala. We did our classroom work at their shop and classroom on 20th street. Then we did the initial dives at the Central Florida Community College pool. Over the weekend, we did the actual "Open Water" certification at Blue Grotto in Williston.
I sure would like some diving buddies. Anybody game?

The underwater picture is at about 60 feet and I have my hand on an "air bell" that is full of compressed air where divers can come up inside and chat or take a break.


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Almost.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Goingdown.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/under.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Comingup.jpg

I am an SSI Master Diver still trying to sell current home and then will be moving to TV. Once I get there I will be looking for a dive buddy. When I move I'll check in with you.
Bill

[Talk Host]

Hi Bill,

I certainly am not a master diver, but by the time you get here, I will have my advanced open water. I would really enjoy the opportunity to dive with somebody who is experienced. I am ready (like any new hobby) to dive anytime.
:a040:

[chelsea24]

hmmmm, yes Jan. I always suspected that you were certifiable! :1rotfl:

Great pictures! I especially like the third one down. I'll have nightmares tonight! :a20:

[Hawkwind]

He must of spotted a gator. There is just something about swiming in the lakes and rivers of Florida and that is the presents of gators. I will take the cement pond at least in Florida.

How about the guy in Florida who was diving for golf balls and lost an arm or was badly bitten by a gator this summer in Florida.

[tony]

I, too, have made a special comment about Jan's third picture.

The comment is not fit for mixed company on this genteel forum.

Ask Jan when you see him.

[militarymom]

I have thought about it all my life, but never had the opportunity to learn to Scuba dive. Over the past two weeks, I completed the open water scuba certification program from Aquatic Center in Ocala. We did our classroom work at their shop and classroom on 20th street. Then we did the initial dives at the Central Florida Community College pool. Over the weekend, we did the actual "Open Water" certification at Blue Grotto in Williston.
I sure would like some diving buddies. Anybody game?

The underwater picture is at about 60 feet and I have my hand on an "air bell" that is full of compressed air where divers can come up inside and chat or take a break.


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Almost.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Goingdown.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/under.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Comingup.jpg
hey we are planning to move to TV soon (as soon as the house in KY sells)....husband and I are both divers....BUT he would rather golf. I understand there is a scuba club there....Is that true? Have not had our preview visit yet.

[militarymom]

I have thought about it all my life, but never had the opportunity to learn to Scuba dive. Over the past two weeks, I completed the open water scuba certification program from Aquatic Center in Ocala. We did our classroom work at their shop and classroom on 20th street. Then we did the initial dives at the Central Florida Community College pool. Over the weekend, we did the actual "Open Water" certification at Blue Grotto in Williston.
I sure would like some diving buddies. Anybody game?

The underwater picture is at about 60 feet and I have my hand on an "air bell" that is full of compressed air where divers can come up inside and chat or take a break.


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Almost.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Goingdown.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/under.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/Comingup.jpg
hey we are planning to move to TV soon (as soon as the house in KY sells)....husband and I are both divers....BUT he would rather golf. I understand there is a scuba club there....Is that true? Have not had our preview visit yet.

[militarymom]

Hi my husband and I have our preview visit planned for June. I'm a diver and have been looking for information (and dive buddies) at TV. Husband is a diver but I would probably have a hard time getting him off the golf course. Isn't there a scuba diving club there?

[Talk Host]

Yes, there is a scuba club here and it is quite well organized. They meet every month on the first Wednesday. They don't plan dives for the group, the members do the planning and the club announces them. The trips seem to be pretty energetic and expensive. I was hoping to find some of the members who like to dive locally, but it appears they are mostly on a higher level of experience and interest than I am.

I joined the club several months ago, and it seems that many of the members are very experienced divers and in fact have traveled to many exotic places. It's kinda hard to feel like part of the group when you are a new diver. They use terms and abbreviations that I'm not familiar with and I'm embarrassed to stop the meeting and ask for translation. I think that is usually the case in most clubs when a newbie joins. Since I am a relatively new diver, its hard to join in conversation with the others. At the end of the meeting, they all get up and leave. There's no way to socialize or get to know them.

[SABRMnLgs]

I lived in Orlando for almost 30 years. I know of a few good dives but none of them are underwater.

[militarymom]

Husband and I plan to relocate to TV. Have been trying to find info on scuba diving groups there. I have read there is a scuba club. Husband will probably be golfing instead of diving and so.....want a dive buddy or two also.

[Villages Kahuna]

...I sure would like some diving buddies. Anybody game?...

The Villages SCUBA club is an extremely active group as far as diving is concerned. Based on the number of e-mails I get, it seems like one small group of members or another are organizing a dive trip every week or so. If you join that club, you'll have no shortage of either dive buddies or dive opportunities.

[militarymom]

Okay....guess you can tell I'm a newbie at this site....think I posted several messages thinking I was doing something wrong and I wasn't sending anything. Turns out I did not go to the next page.

I am an experienced diver but enjoy diving with all levels. And local sounds good to me. Yeah just when you learn the terminolgy they change it!!! Oh well - think it's an evil plot to make me look dumb LOL

thanks for the info. Will be there is less than two weeks.

[cappyjon431]

My wife and I recently sold our dive shop in Bocas del Toro, Panama and will be moving to TV permanently at the end of August. We are both experienced divers (I have been a PADI instructor for almost 20 years), but we enjoy diving with all experience levels (no dive snobs here!).

I originally learned to dive in north central Florida so I am familiar with many of the local dive sites (Ginnie Springs, Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Rainbow River, Crystal River, etc. and can't wait to get back to diving some of my old haunts.

I figured I would wait until I arrive before checking out the scuba club, but my wife and I are looking forward to getting involved with this group. PM me if you are still looking for a buddy.

[DonH57]

I got my open water certification 3 years ago. When we do get down to TV I will be checking out the scuba activities group. Have done all my dives so far in carribean. Wished I had done it years ago when I was younger and in better shape.

[jebartle]

We are both PADI and FSA certified....Enjoyed cave diving many many years ago in the Ocala springs, actually retrieved a sloth bone from one of those dives....After moving to NC sold equipment but would love to get back into diving again....Will check out local dive club!

[Turtlediver]

My husband and I hope to be down by October...waiting to sell house. We have one now in Tamarind Grove. My husband is a PADI instructor and I am a dive master..We learned in New York, but I love warm wather diving. Will be looing forward to joining the Dive Club. Hope to meet you all soon and have great dive buddies to go with.
:BigApplause:

[CarGuys]

Will be a full timer next July in Tamrind Grove. Our home will be up in December.

35 years ago I was a NASDS open water instructor. I had to give it up when I started

1: A Family

2: A Teaching Career.

Now I can't wait to get down to TV and re-certify and find a dive partner!

I bet the equipment sure has changed.

Herv

[cabo35]

Wow TH....is that really you? I swore at first glance that it was Lloyd Bridges as Mike Nelson from Sea Hunt circa 1959. Where do pack your ever present stainless steel .357 magnum in that wetsuit? Enjoy your new hobby!