Hi there,

Just a quick introduction. I’m very new to Diving, in fact so new that i haven’t even got my feet wet yet haha, but this year i’m going to see where it will take me.

I’m planning to get abroad at the end of the month to get my open water certificate. Any advice of where to go or companies to learn with would be gratefully appreciated.

It would be nice to hear from beginners and more experience divers alike and hopefully i’ll get the chance to dive with you guys in the near future.

Russell

Hi Russell

A second welcome to the site.

I hope you manage to get your feet wet soon hopefully in warm waters so they don’t get cold if you need any help put a post on here and someone will offer assistance we are a very friendly and fun bunch on here.

Egypt is a great place to learn to dive warm waters, great visability, lots of marine life and its hot. Threre are some good locations out there but I prefer Sharm myself been there a few times. There are lots of good dive companies out there Red Sea Dive College (RSDC), Camel, Ocean College are the three I have dived with over the years and have always been well looked after and had a great time check out their websites.

Looking forward to diving with you sometime.

Shaun

Hi Russell,

welcome to our site. I qualified in Egypt last year with Ocean College they are a really great bunch. I’m off there again at the end of this month on a liveaboard and I am thinking about taking my advanced now. Still love diving in the UK tho!

Dawney

Hi Russell
Happy new year and good luck with your Diving this year.Do you plan to dive in the UK ?I dive all year round and find it fantastic .I was going to dive from hope cove beach today but my Buddy broke his toe yesterday chasing his kids ,but if we had gone it would have been a lovely frosty morning with the sun out.Great for taking pics.

Regards Sean…

Got my feet wet last night for the first time. really enjoyed it. Have the last part of my open wayter theory next Monday then the weekend after off to Chepstow to brave the cold for my quarry dive lol.

I’m going to be purchasing some equipment this week. Does anyone have any reccomendations of what i should start buying. Besides from a mask and snorkel.

Hope this snow is not put a downer on everyone,

Russell

Hi Russell

Good luck at chepstow.Wrap up warm in between dives.Chepstow is my fav inland dive site great fo teaching new divers.
As for your kit you need to determine what type of diving you are going to do.Your best plan would be to ask your instructors as they can give you the best advise and help you with your new kit on your dives with them.
Good luck and well done for doing your openwater in the uk.
I will be off to chepstow myself sometime this month so maybe I will see you there.After you have completed you open water if you need someone to escort you around underwater and be your dive buddy let me know.

Regards Sean…

Hi Russell,

if ever you want to come to Cornwall for a dive let me know, there are few of us get to together on here so could arrange car share etc!
Choosing your gear is difficult but if you are keen to purchase something then you could always ask for advice on here before you buy it!

Hi Guys, your weekly update:

Finsihed my Open Water theory on Monday,

Just finished my final pool session now its on to Chepstow on the weekend for my Open Water Brrrrrr!!

Did my session tonight in a dry suit which was interesting.. had to put up with a terrible squeeze on my foot, hopefully it wont be too bad on Sat and Sun

Am going to buy a mask and snorkel for my first pieces of equipment.

Thanks Sean and Dawn, ill definitely take you guys up on the offer when i get my qualifications. id like to try and dive as often as i can!!

Hi Russell

Congratulations on passing the theory and the pool dives you will soon be a qualified diver

I’m sure you will get the dry suit issue sorted and it will all be ok may just need a tweak or two your instructor will help with that one.

Good move on the mask and snorkel start with the simple pieces of kit and leave the expensive items till later when you have a better idea of what you are comfortable with and what suits you. Look at what other divers are wearing or using and ask their opinions on their kit ask on here as well divers are always ready to help others out. Its not cheap to buy all your own gear but it is well worth it and if you look after it your kit will last for many years. So you need to make sure the kit is right for what you want to do before you buy it.

Hope to dive with you sometime.

Shaun

After 2 Cold Days in Chepstow i now have my Open Water.

Whereas it was soooo cold, i thouroughly enjoyed it.

I’m gonna start getting some more of my kit next week, i was thinking of a dry suit under layer, some gloves and a hood to keep my head warm. I also need a drysuit but ill wait til i find the right one. Would people recommend Drysuit or wetsuits Hood/gloves? can you get them? i found my hands mainly got very cold during the dive.

How much also should i pay for a Drysuit, BCD and regulator and is what brands should i look at?

Hope everyone is well.

Russell

Hi Russell

If you want top quality kit for cold water then I would give these guys a visit.
http://www.othree.co.uk/

Well done on passing your open water.

Sean…