lerpy - 5/13/2013 2:22 PM
Myself and the instructors I work with try to encourage people to get diving right after they get certified to keep them in the water. It is hard here as it is cold water and a lot of divers I think are just looking to get qualified to then dive in the nice warm waters in the south. Another big issue is cost, many students ask me how much to buy gear, and that can be scary, but also can the cost of renting all the time you want to dive, add in the cost of boats. The shop I work with is pretty good about lending gear to students after their initial training, first 5 times or so they will they will give the student free rental, as well the shop gives all graduates of the open water a free 10 fill air card to help encourage them. We also do shore dives every Sunday morning, and a boat dive every Tuesday, and then try to arrange local trips to other dive sites to help give people options.