Best place to learn and what qualifications do I need?

[Jackie]

I have just got back from holiday in Dalyan, Turkey and did a 40 minute dive with an instructor and really enjoyed it.

I am going to New Zealand and Fiji next year and want to do a qualification that will allow me to do some diving when I get there.

Will it be cheaper do a course abroad than in the UK?
What course should I do?

[Chris Cherrington]

I have just got back from holiday in Dalyan, Turkey and did a 40 minute dive with an instructor and really enjoyed it.


Pleased to hear it!!

I am going to New Zealand and Fiji next year and want to do a qualification that will allow me to do some diving when I get there.

Will it be cheaper do a course abroad than in the UK?

Depends if you include travel costs and hotels and so-on. If you do then its cheaper at home.

What course should I do?

Up to you. To get the best out of your trip you need either the BSAC Sport Diver Qualification or the PADI Advanced Open Water. If you intend to join BSAC and dive in the UK the choice is clear. If not the PADI course is worth a look and can be done quickly (so too can the BSAC SD if done through a school).

If I were you I would take the PADI Open Water, which will also qualify you as a BSAC Ocean Diver. Then take a dive or two in the UK. If you like it here join BSAC and progress to Sport Diver with BSAC. If its too cold and dark (you wimp you!) at least you haven't spent loads on BSAC club fees.

I'm PADI trained but please - BSAC has a lot to offer the UK diver and its great to be in a club of regular divers. Also the UK has some great diving (honest). That said you rely on the good nature of the BSAC instructor to get through to Sports Diver in a reasonable time (they are unpaid volunteers!! be nice to them).

I'm sure you will get some offers from people here. Post up where you live and see what happens!!

Welcome to the sport.

Chris

[Mike Halligan]

:=I have just got back from holiday in Dalyan, Turkey and did a 40 minute dive with an instructor and really enjoyed it.
Pleased to hear it!!
Likewise.

:=I am going to New Zealand and Fiji next year and want to do a qualification that will allow me to do some diving when I get there.
:=Will it be cheaper do a course abroad than in the UK?
Depends if you include travel costs and hotels and so-on. If you do then its cheaper at home.
I'm not sure I agree with that. UK wages are (comparatively) high and the exchange rate with the Kiwi is still not bad. I think it is worth pricing up courses in either destination. I would be surprised if the same course in NZ costs more than 60% of what you are asked here. If you're bothered, you'd be limited to PADI, but the crossover to BSAC is there as has been stated. However, I'm not sure I would want to waste my time in NZ learning to dive - the diving is simply too good for that.

:=What course should I do?
Up to you. To get the best out of your trip you need either the BSAC Sport Diver Qualification or the PADI Advanced Open Water.
Yep, both are recognised quite readily.

If I were you I would take the PADI Open Water
Me, too.

I'm PADI trained but please - BSAC has a lot to offer the UK diver and its great to be in a club of regular divers. Also the UK has some great diving (honest). That said you rely on the good nature of the BSAC instructor to get through to Sports Diver in a reasonable time (they are unpaid volunteers!! be nice to them).
Thanks!

Mike (TO, Southport Branch)

[Chris Cherrington]

I'm not sure I agree with that. UK wages are (comparatively) high and the exchange rate with the Kiwi is still not bad. I think it is worth pricing up courses in either destination. I would be surprised if the same course in NZ costs more than 60% of what you are asked here. If you're bothered, you'd be limited to PADI, but the crossover to BSAC is there as has been stated. However, I'm not sure I would want to waste my time in NZ learning to dive - the diving is simply too good for that.

Good point Mike. My missus has done Fiji and rates it as one of the best ever...

Jackie - I hope you give UK diving a shot either before or after the trip. When its good its really good. More likely to be wrecks than pretty fish - but you will see plenty of the latter in Fiji.

Chris

[Jackie]

Thanks for your help.

I am based in Cheltenham so if anyone knows somewhere I could do a course round here that would be fab.

I agree that I don't want to waste my time training in NZ or Fiji - if it is cheaper I would be willing to do a cheap week in europe somewhere before I go.

Is there anywhere cheap and good to train in Spain, Greece etc..? Alternatively I could always go back to Dalyan.

[Chris Cherrington]

Thanks for your help.

I am based in Cheltenham so if anyone knows somewhere I could do a course round here that would be fab.

I agree that I don't want to waste my time training in NZ or Fiji - if it is cheaper I would be willing to do a cheap week in europe somewhere before I go.

Is there anywhere cheap and good to train in Spain, Greece etc..? Alternatively I could always go back to Dalyan.

Dive 90 are pretty good. Talk to my mate Mike and say hi from me! They are out on the industrial estate near the airport. If you train with Mike you will get a good deal and no BS.

There are a couple of decent BSAC branches in the area if you wish to follow up after your OW.

[dave covey]

Is there anywhere cheap and good to train in Spain, Greece etc..?

Dave Gledhill was a Sgt/DO @RAF Odiham SAC in the early 90's. 3 of us went to Spain on a 'recce' in March 92 and returned (with 14 members of Odiham SAC) in November of that year.

Dave returned upon leaving the service & remains there do date.....