SCUBA CLASSES @ DARBY'S TROPICALS

[coffey]

Hey Guy's, well summer again, and we are stocked with some very good gear for snorkeling, and diving. Classes are forming now we do small classes of 4 people, with real one on one instruction. The cost is $295.00 + Tax, and we furnish all the gear. This is a PADI certification taught by a Master Instructor, it is fun, it is easy.
Robert at Darby's Tropicals
830-625-1122
robert@darbystropicals.com

[Europhyllia]

that is awesome!
Do you have more details on this?
Like where do the classes take place? How long does it take, etc?

[coffey]

The classes are done in the instructor’s back yard at his pool. He lives out 3009 towards Natural Bridge. The classes are generally held in the evening after work, and on weekends, in most cases it only takes a couple of weeks. There are two pool sessions too learn the gear and swim in confined water, and two open water sessions to swim in Comal River, and Canyon Lake generally. Give me a call I will set you up with the instructor’s number too get started.
Robert
If you are in Cozumel 6-10 through 6-16 you can do your open water there.
830-625-1122

[allan]

I'd be interested. It's one of the things on my bucket list and my son wants to do it as well. Do you accomodate larger people?

[chunkymonkey]

I need to do this as well as I'm planning a trip to Austrlia for next year and want to co cage diving with Great Whites...Rather get this done locally.

[Mrs. z28pwr]

Me and my husband are both Certified Divers and we love it!!! Great deal!!!

[chunkymonkey]

Question, I want to do the lessons with this person, how hard or lengthy is it to get certified for the ocean? My apologies as I'm not aware of the diving lingo/procedures.

[ramsey]

Do you accomodate larger people?

I'd like to know this as well.

[Europhyllia]

when allan says larger he means skinny but about 7' tall

[ramsey]

Ah, that's not the larger I'm referring too. Allow me to rephrase: "Do you accommodate fatter people?"

[Europhyllia]

:rofl:

[coffey]

We certify all sizes, and shapes, you should be able to swim 200/300 yards comfortably not a full race just swim that distance. The coarse will certify you to dive in the ocean. Stay tuned I will post more later!
Robert

[ramsey]

Cool, I can swim/float pretty well. That shouldn't be a problem.

[ramsey]

:rofl:

Karin, it's not funny. Being fat is serious business.

[chunkymonkey]

I'm not fat, I'm full of charm and charisma! lol
For the swim, can I attach a small outboard to my butt? lol

Can't wait for more info. Otherwise when I go on my shhark trip I'll be in a cage, but on the surface...this will let me go to the bottom....w00t!

[ramsey]

For the swim, can I attach a small outboard to my butt? lol


LMAO! Oh, talk about mental pictures I didn't want!

[allan]

Chunky, those outboards are expensive, try beens and cabbage.

How about feet? Like size 16, I'm thinking flippers.

The swim doesn't sound bad, I would just step across.

[chunkymonkey]

Lol

[coffey]

The classes are done in the instructor’s back yard at his pool. He lives out 3009 towards Natural Bridge. The classes are generally held in the evening after work, and on weekends, in most cases it only takes a couple of weeks. There are two pool sessions too learn the gear and swim in confined water, and two open water sessions to swim in Comal River, and Canyon Lake generally. Give me a call I will set you up with the instructor’s number too get started.
Robert
If you are in Cozumel 6-10 through 6-16 you can do your open water there.
830-625-1122

Open Water Diver is the starting point.
padi.com

[Europhyllia]

Just to summarize:
there will be 4 classes total (2 pool, 2 open water). The most necessary gear will be provided (fins, mask,etc) and all of that is adjustable anyway and would fit a wide range of people - like fins have straps and aren't solid one size 'shoes' etc.

The Basic Open Water PADI is to get us introduced to basic diving. There is an advanced open water PADI that people can take afterwards to move into deepwater diving.

So... chunky would still need to take the second course before offering himself as shark bait in Australia and Allan doesn't have to worry about fin availability because they're adjustable (really with size 16 feet do you even still need fins?)
Wear your own swim suit. Everything else is provided.

Did I get this mostly correct?

[chunkymonkey]

What?! You don't provide my leopard print speedos? Lol
Thanks for the clarification Karin. Really want to do this, please keep us updated.

[Europhyllia]

hey I just posted this so that they could correct me on the items I was wrong on. Wait till they verify and correct... ;)

[coffey]

Hey guys, most people want there own mask, fins and snorkel, we can provide this gear if you do not have them, you will need at least a pair of water shoes, or booties for the fins. A mask is a personal thing with the fit, everybody is a different size, and the snorkel you stick in your mouth to breathe lots of people like to have there own. Open Water Class is the beginner’s course for SCUBA. This will teach you the basics of diving, the best thing to do if you want learn how too dive, is to snorkel. This will get you comfortable with swimming with fins, and breathing through a mouthpiece. If you enjoy snorkeling, you will love diving.
Robert

[chunkymonkey]

sweet..well...if I can know plenty of time ahead so I can get the dates off from work I would appreciate it...I have a snorkel and mask, but would like to buy new ones including fins. Will have to check out the shop. Looking forward to this. My Chief Financial Advisor(Wife) said I can, lol.

[coffey]

Give us a call we can work out the dates.
Robert
830-625-1122
robert@darbystropicals.com

[chunkymonkey]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.....I'll pop by the shop, I think my wife just wants me to hurry and drown, lol...

[allan]

Mine too, I knew getting insurance would be a bad thing.

Are you for SCUBA? I am... but I am NOT bringing the wife. :)

And I'm not 7' tall, that would be freaky. I'm a comfortable two meters. As soon as I launder... as soon as I move some money around I'll be giving you a call for two peeps, me and my boy.

[chunkymonkey]

Allan, let me know when you plan on signing up...I don't wanna be the only goof ball in the pool....I wish my kiddos(2yrs and 1yr) were old enough...would be cool to do with them. I know my wife would love it, but she is deathly afraid of her face getting wet(almost drowned when 8). I won't wear a wet suit, trust me, not flattering, lol....

[Europhyllia]

Is this happening again this summer?
Has anybody done this last year and can provide feedback?

[kkiel02]

I wish someone would as I need a dive partner. :)

I want to dive the comal sometime...

[coffey]

Hey guys it is that time of year, we have classes going on now, we have a bunch of boy scouts we are training and a few lined up after that, but the summer is long and there will be openings in the next few weeks, give us a call and we can line a class up for you. The class is $299.00 we furnish everything but mask, fins, and snorkel. The best practice is too snorkel and get use to swimming with a mouthpiece, and fins. Hope to hear from ya, stay cool.
Robert
830-625-1122

[Europhyllia]

Thanks Robert. I'll take the kids to New Braunfels soon and will stop by to pick out mask, fins and snorkel (will need help with what kind/size to get)

[allan]

Hey Robert,

I will give you a call on Monday or swing by the shop this weekend if you're in. My son and I are a definite go, and I believe his friend is in as well. I'd like to get my daughter in as well but have to see if she's willing.

Chunky, did you ever get this done last year? I wasn't keen on the wet suit look either, and I was in a XXXL. Shoulders and arms looked awesome, but the further south the more "unflattering" the suit became. Couldn't even suck in the gut long enough, which I attempted to do each time someone was watching. :)

For the record, I'm thinking later in the summer dependent on your scheduling availability, Robert.

[coffey]

We are closed Mondays, but give us a call. We do have some classes going on now but in a few weeks there will be some opening, as warm as it is you might not want a wetsuit, I am a big guy and do not wear one when I swim the river or lake around here the cold feels good too me.
830-625-1122
Robert

[Europhyllia]

what do you consider the end of the season (as in what would be the last class this summer)?

[coffey]

Middle of September, or 1st part of October before it gets to cold to be comfortable.

[Europhyllia]

Thanks! Excellent timing.
Do we have to have snorkel experience to keep up with the pace of this course?
Or are we okay as long as we can swim?

[allan]

Sweet! I just have to touch base with my daughter before we commit, but it looks like we have some time.

Is the basic PADI all you offer?

[coffey]

Allen you have time, and Karin snorkeling is very good practice for SCUBA, the pace of the course is up too you, and how comfortable you are in the water. You need to be able to swim a couple hundred yards at a slow pace, nothing strenous, if you plan to dive in a marine environment you need to be in good physical shape. It is a big ole ocean out there, it easy it fun, and not hard too learn the rules.
Later
Robert

[coffey]

Sweet! I just have to touch base with my daughter before we commit, but it looks like we have some time.

Is the basic PADI all you offer?
We can take you too Divemaster, and refer you an Instructor Course, the instructor is a Master Instructor.

[coffey]

11778

[Europhyllia]

Okay looking at this chart does it mean we should find a Discover Scuba/Snorkeling class first?

[allan]

Okay, looks like we are whittling our group to me, my son and daughter and her boyfriend. Class of four.

My daughter was given an entire set up minus weights. I think it's an old set since there wasnt two buttons for inflate and deflating the vest. Would like to bring it by when we talk scheduling to see what you think it needs to personalize the setup for either her or my son.

[coffey]

The 1st class you want to take is Open Water Diver, if you want to be a certified diver, with this you can buy air, and scuba gear. Discover diving is just a way to experience diving with an instructor, and no certification. You should plan to start with our equipment, and let the instructor, or myself look at what equipment you have. Dive gear is a life support system that needs to be serviced by professionals. When you take the course alot of questions will be answered