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Getting started in Cork

  • 10-09-2010 9:39am
    #1
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,661 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    It's recently occurred to me that diving is something I'd probably really, really enjoy. I've absolutely no idea how to go about getting started though! I suppose the first thing is, do I need to take a course before joining a club? If anyone could give me an outline of how to get started, I'd be really grateful! Also what costs should I expect :).


Comments

  • #2
    t1mm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 437 ✭✭t1mm


    Many clubs are recruiting this time of year and you could probably "Try-A-Dive" in a pool to see what you make of it. I'd say thats your best bet - they will also train you and rent gear to you at reduced costs as far as I know!


  • #3
    OSiriS
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,657 ✭✭✭OSiriS


    There are really 2 ways to get into diving. You can either take a course which spreads your training over a number of days, or over a few weeks, depending on your preference. Then there is che club option. There are a number of CFT and BSAC clubs around cork.

    I'm not a member of any of them yet, so I'm sure someone who is could go into more detail, or correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is that their training sessions spend a longer period of time practicing in a pool before venturing out into open water. The benefit of this would be that the student will probably be more confortable in the water at the end of club training than with say a PADI course.

    Personally I went with the PADI route because it is much more convenient. The clubs I've looked at tend to have a fixed training schedule at the start of the year. With most PADI training centres you can choose exactly when you want to do your course, and over how many days/weeks. My own work hours mean that club training wouldn't be an option. Both options are really as good a way to learn as the other, just always keep in mind that your training never ends, every trip under water will be a learning experience.

    As for the costs, it can vary. Club membership costs I believe are around €3-400 for the year, with nominal charges for dives and air refils. There many also be a small charge for certification (someone can correct me on this I'm sure)

    If you're going to train with PADI, the average cost in Ireland seems to be around €600, though Waterworld on the Dingle Peninsula have been running a special offer for €400. The open water course is spread over 5 days, that you can do consecutively, or over a few weeks.

    Once you're certified, you can either rent your gear for around €40 a day, or you can buy a full set for from around €1000-1200 for entry level gear, up to €1600-2500, depending on what you're looking for.

    After that, the cost of individual dives depends on who you dive with and the kind of diving you want to do. If you have a buddy, a shore dive will cost you the price of an air fill, €6. Boat dives tend to be around €35-40 per dive. If you have no buddy, there is the option of having a divemaster accompany you. The price would vary on the dive centre.


  • #4
    johnr1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 965 ✭✭✭johnr1


    OR, - you could begin diving the way most Irish divers did,- do a try dive on holidays somewhere warm :-) The courses are about half the price they are here, and the whole experience is waaay more enjoyable as a beginner.
    I did mine on the Red Sea in Egypt and it was a life changing experience.
    Have done loads of diving here and abroad since then but Im not sure Id have kept it up if I had started off here.
    Of course its not quite cricket with some divers to admit you started while on holidays, bit of a thang about that but I dont care :-)
    Just be so careful that your dive centre is currently PADI approved and dont do anything you're not comfortable about. Commonsense applies as with everything.
    Hope this offers another perspective.


  • #5
    denismc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭denismc


    I would recommend a try-dive here for a number of reasons, its convenient ,there are any number of dive centres and dive clubs dotted around the country. The other reason is i have had people do a try dive abroad and sign up for a course here only to find it can be a little more hard work than they realised.
    Check out the links below for some of the dive organisations offering dive training in Ireland, each will have a list of dive clubs/dive centres in Ireland
    www.cft.ie
    www.padi.com
    www.bsac.org

    As for costs training can range from a couple of hundred euro upto 600 euro.
    As for equipment you can rent, borrow or buy, buying 2nd hand you could start off with a full set of gear for about 1000-1500.
    But i would recommend going for one or two dives in the sea before splashing out on expensive gear.
    Good luck


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