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jwilks
Joined: 13 Oct 2010
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 Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:12 am Post subject: SCUBA diving |
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| I'm looking for a dive school in Korea that offers classes for open water SCUBA certification. Does anyone here know of one? |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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My picks, in order of professionalism/quality:
1. Big Blue 33, Jeju. But, he only does courses for 2 or more people.
2. Scuba Gen X, out of Jamsil, Seoul
3. Aquatic Frontier, in Songtan/Osan. Convenient if you're coming from down South, since it's not quite as far as Seoul.
There's another popular expat club out of Seoul, that's all over the internet. They have mixed reviews, so take your chances if you want! |
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kardisa
Joined: 26 Jun 2009
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Seaworld Busan has a British instructor and their prices are competitive. I can tell you more about the quality once I finish taking my Nitrox class with them this weekend. http://www.seaworld-busan.co.kr/ |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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| PM DIVER on the boar. He's a fine SCUBA instuctor. |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Harpeau wrote: |
| PM DIVER on the boar. He's a fine SCUBA instuctor. |
Thanks, Harpeau. When are you coming to meet the sharks?
The info above is pretty good, though I don't know much about "Scuba Gen X". I do know that they offer cut-rate courses which makes me wary (they have to cut something to offer those rates), but jib is an experienced diver and I trust her opinion - even if she didn't mention me 
I would add WetROK Scuba in Daegu which is an SSI center run by an American guy. You can look them up on the net, or find their listings on www.scubainkorea.com
Big Blue 33, Jeju - NAUI
Aquatic Frontier, Osan - PADI
WetROK, Daegu - SSI
Scubaworld, Busan - PADI
Deep Blue Quest, Paju/Seoul - PADI
All of these shops/clubs offer courses in English. I've dove/worked with all of them and would recommend them.
If you are certified there is some good diving off of the east coast (there's a wreck in Pohang now), but I like to get down to Jeju (when I can find the time). There is some great diving around Seogwipo. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:21 am Post subject: |
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Diver: of course you're my #1 pick, but I thought you didn't do OW courses?
I went on a tour with Scuba Gen X and they run a decent operation. And actually, their courses are not so cheap in comparison to the other ones. They just price it differently. You pay for the pool portion of the course and the ocean part separately. I think it adds up to the same as the other companies that price the pool/tour together. |
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thelad
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:58 am Post subject: |
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I've only dived (dove?) with Deep Blue Quest which is based in Paju. I've always found their staff extremely accommodating to my personal preferences and needs. They have taken me from my beginning Open Water through to Rescue Diver.
The owner Russ has a lot of experience too, which personally I found reassuring when starting.
Check out their website for further details: www.deepbluequest.com |
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toonchoon
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:10 am Post subject: |
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Branden at Dive Korea (Scuba Gen X) did a good job taking me and a few other folks out in the East Sea. He's a chill guy - enjoyed the dives, but I'm also an advanced diver with 90 dives and all my own equipment, and these were not training dives.
I really need to get out and dive more in Korea. I wonder if it's possible just to go with buddies, and do some shore dives w/o a tour/dive operator. Used to do it all the time in Seattle, and I'd rather explore sites with a buddy. Makes diving more fun. |
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jwilks
Joined: 13 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:26 am Post subject: |
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Thank you so much for all the information.
Is there any practical difference between the certifications offered by the different dive organizations (PADI, SSI, etc.)? |
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toonchoon
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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| jwilks wrote: |
Thank you so much for all the information.
Is there any practical difference between the certifications offered by the different dive organizations (PADI, SSI, etc.)? |
different organizations will stress different things (i was OW SSI, and it was safety all the way, by the book). it doesn't really matter, don't choose the certifying agency, choose your instructor. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| toonchoon wrote: |
| jwilks wrote: |
Thank you so much for all the information.
Is there any practical difference between the certifications offered by the different dive organizations (PADI, SSI, etc.)? |
different organizations will stress different things (i was OW SSI, and it was safety all the way, by the book). it doesn't really matter, don't choose the certifying agency, choose your instructor. |
And Padi and Naui aren't safety all the way? They all are!
Anyway, it really doesn't matter which one you choose, but Padi and SSI are the most popular world-wide. |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| jwilks wrote: |
Thank you so much for all the information.
Is there any practical difference between the certifications offered by the different dive organizations (PADI, SSI, etc.)? |
The PADI educational materials and dive tables are better. SSI tables blow.
PADI and SSI teach slightly different priorities when it comes to making emergency ascents (if you're out of air). Both have pros and cons.
Otherwise, to you as a diver and the practical skills you learn, the courses are 95% the same. |
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jwilks
Joined: 13 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you very much. I really appreciate all of the information.
Last edited by jwilks on Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, perhaps a trip to Busan will be in the cards! But, I'm hoping to see some wild Hammerheads in the Philippines this next month  |
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