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Advanced Open Water - Where & when?

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    #2
    locum-motion
    Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    pbarry wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I recently completed the Open Water with http://www.topdiving.net/en-index.htm (Gran Canaria). I'm eager to continue diving while it's all still fresh! Bad time of year weather wise, but wondering what my best options are for the AOW course.

    I was looking at this course starting in Jan '10: http://www.scubadivewest.com/index.php/Advanced-Open-Water/PADI-Advanced-Open-Water-Diver-Course.html. I'm also thinking of doing the Dry Suit course first on 12th Dec '09, meaning I can continue the AOW in a dry suit. Also, keep in mind I have yet to dive in Ireland. So I would need to squeeze in one or two dives first. Perhaps the dry suit course would be sufficient as an intro to Irish diving?

    Any info much appreciated.

    -pb

    I suggest you choose to do the Dry Suit Adventure Dive as one of your three 'elective' dives in the AOW. Then you're qualified to use a dry suit and you don't have to pay for the full Specialty.


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    #3
    gary82
    Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭gary82


    pbarry wrote: »
    Bad time of year weather wise


    You couldn't pick a better time... half the country is underwater! ;)


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    #4
    loctite
    Registered Users Posts: 589 ✭✭✭loctite


    gary82 wrote: »
    You couldn't pick a better time... half the country is underwater! ;)

    ha ha ha ha brilliant LOL.

    You don't need to do a specialty to be "qualified" to dive in a drysuit. In fact the OW course can be completed wearing a drysuit.

    But as stated previously. elect to do the dry suit dive as part of the AOW and most likely they will keep you in the gear for the whole of the course.

    Diving in Ireland is gonna be an eye opener compared to the canaries, especially this time of year. But def Scubadive west is a very good option, the fjord there is pretty much sheltered all year round, so whilst the more spectacular sites will be closed out due to weather, you will most likely get your course finished!

    You could also check out Oceandivers.ie They run courses from Dublin, and diver regularly at Scubadive West's location. They may even do a drysuit orientation before you head away for the AOW. Sound bunch of lads too.

    as a side, I can understand that you want to capitalise on your knowledge and build on it, but try going for a few pleasure dives first before becoming a course junkie, courses, while providing valuable training and insight, mean nothing without the experience to back em up.


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    #5
    locum-motion
    Registered Users Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    loctite wrote: »
    You don't need to do a specialty to be "qualified" to dive in a drysuit. In fact the OW course can be completed wearing a drysuit.

    True, and even as I was typing it I knew that I wasn't really expressing myself well. No, you don't need to be "qualified" as such, but there are certain skills that you should really have practised with an instructor before you rent or buy a drysuit. If you do the specialty or the 'Adventure Dive', then you get the chance to do that practice.


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    #6
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,293 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    Did mine with Ocean divers. Had great weekend down in Sligo somewhere doing the specialities.


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    #7
    loctite
    Registered Users Posts: 589 ✭✭✭loctite


    Wasn't Mullaghnore by any chance??


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    #8
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,293 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    Yes it was indeed. How could I forget. Good guys in the dive centre there too. Stayed in Donegal Town. One of my best diving weekends:)


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    #9
    pbarry
    Registered Users Posts: 194 ✭✭pbarry


    loctite wrote: »
    as a side, I can understand that you want to capitalise on your knowledge and build on it, but try going for a few pleasure dives first before becoming a course junkie, courses, while providing valuable training and insight, mean nothing without the experience to back em up.

    Yeah think that's an idea. Postponed the Dry suit dive for now. Heading to Spain for a week in Feb so may plan ahead and do the AOW there instead. Certainly no need for a dry suit!! Rock of Gibraltar not to far away also, dive centre in Torremolinos runs a few trips out there.


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    #10
    seadeuce
    Registered Users Posts: 277 ✭✭seadeuce


    Might be better idea to hire a car and drive to Gib for the day. While there do two dives on the wrecks of the "Rosslyn" and "Excellent", nice diving.

    Then take the cable car to the top of the Rock and walk back down.


    Great when you're not scheduled.

    Costa del Sol diving is mainly all sand. Okay for training, but not for the adventure.


    Enjoy!


    Seadeuce


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