Scuba classes at Sports Chalet

Hi,

I live in Southern California and I want to learn how to scuba. The
ones I hear about the most are from Sports Chalet.

Has anyone had any experiences with them? Are there better instructors or
classes?

I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

In article <pan.2005.02.02.12.48.21.433173@sneakemail.com>, Johnny Kim
<bhhie8u02@sneakemail.com> wrote:

€ Hi,
€
€ I live in Southern California and I want to learn how to scuba. The
€ ones I hear about the most are from Sports Chalet.
€
€ Has anyone had any experiences with them? Are there better instructors or
€ classes?
€

Yes.


€ I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

SoCal is a big place. Give us a better idea of where you are and we can
probably make some suggestions.

"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message
news:020220052120286839%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com ...

> ? I live in Southern California and I want to learn how to scuba. The
> ? ones I hear about the most are from Sports Chalet.

Walmart will soon be offering scuba classes at an even lower price. I'd
wait until then.

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 21:20:28 +0800, Alan Street wrote:

> In article <pan.2005.02.02.12.48.21.433173@sneakemail.com>, Johnny Kim
> <bhhie8u02@sneakemail.com> wrote:
> € Has anyone had any experiences with them? Are there better instructors or
> € classes?
> €
>
> Yes.

What were your experiences with learning scuba through Sports Chalet?
Anything out of the ordinary? Anything I should watch out for?

>
>
> € I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
>
> SoCal is a big place. Give us a better idea of where you are and we can
> probably make some suggestions.

I live around northern Orange County, right at the border of LA Country.

In article <pan.2005.02.03.06.05.46.53866@sneakemail.com>, Johnny Kim
<bhhie8u02@sneakemail.com> wrote:

€ On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 21:20:28 +0800, Alan Street wrote:
€
€ > In article <pan.2005.02.02.12.48.21.433173@sneakemail.com>, Johnny Kim
€ > <bhhie8u02@sneakemail.com> wrote:
€ > € Has anyone had any experiences with them? Are there better instructors or
€ > € classes?
€ > €
€ >
€ > Yes.
€
€ What were your experiences with learning scuba through Sports Chalet?
€ Anything out of the ordinary? Anything I should watch out for?
€

I've never taken any courses at Sports Chalet. I've been on a number of
charters where they've conducted classes, and I know a few of their
instructors. In general, they're the McDonalds/AOL/PADI of the SoCal
instruction world - appealing to the lowest common demoninator, focused
on selling gear and making instruction as cheap and easy as possible.
If that appeals to you, go for it.

€ >
€ >
€ > € I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
€ >
€ > SoCal is a big place. Give us a better idea of where you are and we can
€ > probably make some suggestions.
€
€ I live around northern Orange County, right at the border of LA Country.

Johnny Kim wrote:
> What were your experiences with learning scuba through Sports Chalet?
> Anything out of the ordinary? Anything I should watch out for?
>
> I live around northern Orange County, right at the border of LA Country.

Sport Chalet is a big operation that hires a LOT of
instructors through the year. Some are GREAT and some suck!
Unfortunately, you won't know which one you get until you
get him/her.

In general, the smaller shops are more consistent in their
instruction. However, that can mean consistently bad as
well as good!

Doing research on instruction is a good thing to do, but the
better question would be "Where can I get the best entry
level instruction in my area."

I can't help on instruction in Orange Co. but it is
important to remember that more expensive doesn't
necessarily mean better quality ... just as cheaper doesn't
always mean lesser quality.

Good hunting!

--

Ray Contreras
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Webmonkey for:
http://www.ossystems.com
http://www.bobs-garage.com
http://www.rayzplace.com

"Johnny Kim" <bhhie8u02@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.02.02.12.48.21.433173@sneakemail.com ...
> Hi,
>
> I live in Southern California and I want to learn how to scuba. The
> ones I hear about the most are from Sports Chalet.
>
> Has anyone had any experiences with them? Are there better instructors or
> classes?
>
> I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

I've not taken classes at Sports Chalet but bought gear there and belonged to their
dive club. Their prices are very good and dive club meetings are quite interesting
with good speakers. When you take lessons there is pressure put on you to buy gear
from their own shop, so this is an advantage to Sports Chalet, you'll save on their
gear.

Adam