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Greg - 6/06/2013 12:04 PM 
Maybe include parking for biker divers only, outdoor area with picnic tables and grill, locker rooms with sauna. Who needs a gym! Go swimming/diving at your local dive shop, then relax in a sauna and take a shower.
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gotta have a misuse !
preferably, dutch bohemian, named inga...!
just to PREVENT any of those nasty leg cramp’s of course, it’s a safety issue,
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I LOVE the whole idea as a patron. But on the business side, too many freebies can prevent enough profit to keep a place like that open. Unless the membership fee was in categories, in which case, the lower categories entitle you to a few freebies, while the higher categories entitle you to the whole shebang!
I really enjoy hanging out with other divers and hearing their stories. A setting like this would really encourage divers to be more involved in the diving community.
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Greg - 6/06/2013 1:40 PM
From loydavill: A setting like this would really encourage divers to be more involved in the diving community. I agree. While sites like DiveBuddy are great to remain connected and informed, you really can’t replace the feeling/benefits of interacting face to face. You would most likely dive more often.
The dive shop would have to determine the cost of the included services, plus consider the increase in retention and time in the shop. The monthly fee should cover most of the expenses with the anticipation of more items being purchased, more divers per trip, more students per class, more referrals.
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Greg - 6/06/2013 1:54 PM
Scuba Diving is a lifestyle. All divers I’ve met have been very friendly and social.
Golfers have Country Clubs.
Bikers have Harley shops (that regularly hold cookouts), and biker bars.
Scuba Divers need a place all their own!
Dive shops should consider altering their business model to include a club style atmosphere. I would be willing to pay $200 a month if the shop offered the things I mentioned above. It would give me a place to hang out with friends. I would bring my kids there to swim or to practice diving more. As an independent instructor, I would hold classes there and encourage my students to buy gear there. I work from home, so instead of going to the local coffee shop to work for a day during the week to change up my scenery, I would go to the local dive shop/club (as long as they provided free WiFi and coffee).
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The basic country club idea is sound depending on where it is located. If for example someone purchased the Blue Grotto when it was for sale, added the features you mentioned and had the additional benefit of being a dive destination as well it should work out very well. I would think the addition of guest quarters would be needed at Blue Grotto to expand the pool of potential members beyond those living in the immediate area to make it more financially viable. Another option that comes to mind would be to purchase one of the older hotels on the beach in Lauderdale by the Sea, you would already have rooms, pools and the 1st and 2nd reefs are a short swim from the beach. Just add a shop and a pontoon dive boat to go beyond the reef in that area should be enough to cover most peoples needs.
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EVERYONE, feels the need to BELONG,in a social group, EVERYONE.!
it’s a part of human nature,
I for one would move to the( diver den ) just for the camaraderie of like minded individuals...
OF COURSE I - would get kicked out for drinking my rum and pepsi and wearing NOTHING but a smile,,
but I would then be a SILENT partner !- LOL
hang the rules, and the profit’s if it’s worth doing ,, do it for the FUN that you will get from doing it !
if you make enough to keep it going, thats all the reason for doing it !
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I agree with the rum, the pepsi not so much and that better be one hell of a smile to keep you from being kicked out. Try Bacardi lemon lime rum with Fresca in a big glass full of ice.
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FRESCA ?oh man,,,,- F Y I - they clang when i walk !all three of them,,,on THREE LEG’S !
where do you think they came up with E T ??? it wasn’t EXTRA terrestrial !
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Greg - 6/06/2013 4:10 PM
I’m not sure if a location like the Blue Grotto would work. I would imagine a club style environment would best located close to a large population of divers. Someplace within a short drive to a lot of people. Otherwise it becomes a whole day affair which would limit how often people go.
And a liquor license would be nice. All though I’m not sure insurance would care for pool + diving + drinking. Maybe BYOB would be best, with storage for your favorite bottle.
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Greg - 6/06/2013 4:12 PM
And off subject but still funny...Smitty, does ET in your case mean Extra Testicle :)
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Greg - 6/06/2013 4:20 PM
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WHY YES, YES IT DOES !
DID YOU SEA THE HAND PRINT FROM FRINGE, ?
GUESS WHERE THEY GOT THAT FROM ! ?
THEY CLANG, THEY BANG, AND THEY MOST DEFINABLY WANE !
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DAMN- I wish blazing saddles was auditioning today,- wow what a shake up that would be, !
excuse me, while i whip THESE out ! LOL !
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It sounds good in theory but going to the same diving spot every time would suck. Now if your talking free charters then maybe we would have something. My local dive shop is already heavily comited to getting divers active with Wednesday night dives. Many of these have special events included. Participation in some are free some are pay but the water is always free.
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Hey Greg, Don’t go grabbing my idea.
Ok, so mine is a annual membership and training is discounted not free but we do have a free Visual tank inspection and a weekly free fill. Other fills are at discount and other discounts include equipment service, travel and hydrostatic testing. We do have free local and semi local dive trips and social events. We even have a pool. What makes us different from a dive shop is we don’t sell equipment instead we help mentor our members equipment purchases and through affiliations with both local and online shops arrange for special pricing from authorized dealers. We call ourselves AZ-DiveBuddies Scuba Divers Club.
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Sounds great! (even though I’m too far to be a member :( )
We had something similar out here and also had monthly BBQ nights, a photo club with some members who shared tips and constructive feedback etc. It was a great club atmosphere!
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Would also be a great benefit for the husbands and wives that don’t dive, but provide valuable surface support to be involved with the happenings!
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Actually Greg, http://www.thescubaclub.com/ in West Palm Beach is a good start, former motel with some rooms for overnight guest, full service ScubaPro dive shop, hot showers, steam room, photo lab, picnic area, classroom, lounge, dive boat that goes out three times a day six days a week, double deep pool that starts on the second floor deck with a window at ground level and a regular pool. It just needs a sports bar like the old Hobo’s in Key Largo :)
View from water
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Greg - 6/08/2013 7:35 AM
From LatitudeAdjustment: http://www.thescubaclub.com/ in West Palm Beach This seems like a great example of a scuba country club. More dive shops need to follow their model. You don’t NEED to be on the water in a tropical location to become a hang out for divers. Add some club like features, provide membership based services, promote your concept and get divers active and in your club/shop. We get a cool hang out, you get our attention and business.
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