Training for Kids in Lanzarote

Hi Group,


I am going on Holidays with my kids (9 & 11) on 14th March. Staying in Playa
Blanca (Have Car)

Does anyone know of training centres on Lanzarote that can introduce my kids
to the basics of diving (Pool or sea)


Thanks for help in advance



Kieran O' Leary

"Kieran O'Leary" <olos@eircom.net> wrote in message
news:VJj1c.5365$rb.64191@news.indigo.ie...
> Hi Group,
>
>
> I am going on Holidays with my kids (9 & 11) on 14th March. Staying in
Playa
> Blanca (Have Car)
>
> Does anyone know of training centres on Lanzarote that can introduce my
kids
> to the basics of diving (Pool or sea)
>
>
> Thanks for help in advance
>
>
>
> Kieran O' Leary
>
>
Not sure about Playa Blanca, but most of the dive schools go on 'marketing
trips' to various hotels & appts for try dives.
There are a couple of schools in Playa Blanca, one is up in the same block
as Burger King near the beach. Can't remember the name but look them up on
the web or when you get there

hth
Nige
http://www.scubadive.me.uk/lanzarot.htm

>
> I am going on Holidays with my kids (9 & 11) on 14th March. Staying in
Playa
> Blanca (Have Car)
>

You may struggle a bit as most schools wont touch your kids at that age.
There is also an issue with Spanish (and local) law that may restrict diving
ages
independently of any agency regulations.

Under 10 and you are stuck in the pool.
http://www.padi.com/english/common/c...begin/kids.asp

Over 10 and you can go into Junior Open Water.
http://www.padi.com/english/common/c.../openwater.asp

There are about 3 dive schools in Playa Blanca, but many more in Puerto Del
Carmen. Would check very carefully about a) Legal age and b) Insurance.
It's not unheard of for schools to say yes, even when they know they
shouldnt.

Be careful.

TerryH

"Kieran O'Leary" <olos@eircom.net> wrote in message
news:VJj1c.5365$rb.64191@news.indigo.ie...
> Hi Group,
>
>
> I am going on Holidays with my kids (9 & 11) on 14th March. Staying in
Playa
> Blanca (Have Car)
>
> Does anyone know of training centres on Lanzarote that can introduce my
kids
> to the basics of diving (Pool or sea)

As mature as you think they are, bear in mind that the dive centre doesn't
know
them. Any dive centre that's willing to put a 9-year-old or 11-year-old
child they know
nothing about in the water with scuba gear is not a good dive centre.

Consequently, there are no good dive centres that can "introduce your kids
to the basics of diving".

Alun Harford

Looking for something similar for older child and thought this crowd sounded
ok http://www.madiving.com/en/courses/c...children2.html

HTH

Ka

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On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 16:53:58 -0000, "Alun Harford"
<alunharford@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>As mature as you think they are, bear in mind that the dive centre doesn't
>know
>them. Any dive centre that's willing to put a 9-year-old or 11-year-old
>child they know
>nothing about in the water with scuba gear is not a good dive centre.
>
>Consequently, there are no good dive centres that can "introduce your kids
>to the basics of diving".
>
>Alun Harford
>
Alun,

my kids (11 year old twins at the time) trained two years ago in
Tenerife.

I'm a BSAC diver but took "advantage" of the padi lower age limit to
get them trained. why?

1 - it's a magic sport
2- holidays have been divisive - with me diving and the "family" not.
3- it gave them a chance to do something to stretch them

I'm aware of arguments over bone degeneration, lack of fear
(rationalisation of danger) and was pensive myself. But - they loved
it, it's cost me a fortune then and since. They improved massively in
terms of self confidence (they were about to go to secondary school as
v shy kids). I NEVER forced them to do things, yes I encouraged them
and they've done v few uk dives ("it's cold dad") but given a 12m
depth limit they enjoy it.

Why do you state that "there are no good dive centres that can
introduce your kids to the basics of diving".

I'm not trying to start a war - just interested in why you have such
black and white views.

Regards

Trev
Rocket Robertson
The slowest Pool Player

> I'm aware of arguments over bone degeneration, lack of fear
> (rationalisation of danger) and was pensive myself. But - they loved
> it, it's cost me a fortune then and since. They improved massively in
> terms of self confidence (they were about to go to secondary school as
> v shy kids). I NEVER forced them to do things, yes I encouraged them
> and they've done v few uk dives ("it's cold dad") but given a 12m
> depth limit they enjoy it.
>
> Why do you state that "there are no good dive centres that can
> introduce your kids to the basics of diving".

I'm no expert, but even if they do enjoy it, or even love it, it doesn't
mean that any of the medical problems it can bring will just go away. The
sort of weight that even a small scuba kit weighs can't be good for young
children whose bones aren't fully developed - I just look at the size of
children and can't imagine them walking around with scuba kit on. Maybe if
they kit up in the water it won't be so bad so they aren't getting the full
weight of it, but to me it doesn't sound good.
Apart from that though, as long as you are suitably trained yourself to be
able to deal with any incident and to lead them properly and very closely
supervise them every second they're in the water, shouldn't be too bad - but
i'd never let them dive with anyone else, and only do it myself if i was
very experienced and trained to lead and rescue (ie Dive Leader or
equivalent).
In the end its down to you - i see the reason why people say a responsible
dive centre wouldn 't take them, because they don't know the children -
there can be huge differences in the development of children that age, and
they do not know or be in a position to judge each individual case.
I'd stick with snorkelling personally... let them watch daddy from the
surface! :O)

David

Kieran O'Leary wrote:
> Hi Group,
>
>
> I am going on Holidays with my kids (9 & 11) on 14th March. Staying
> in Playa Blanca (Have Car)
>
> Does anyone know of training centres on Lanzarote that can introduce
> my kids to the basics of diving (Pool or sea)
>
>
> Thanks for help in advance
>
>
>
> Kieran O' Leary

Kieran,

I'm not going to enter into the should you / shouldn't you debate, I'll just
recommend Dive College Lanzarote (
http://www.scubalanzarote.co.uk/divi...ome-diving.htm ) in Playa
Blanca who I dived with last year, and were very good.

I don't know about kids facilities, because I can't afford kids AND scuba...

Paul

"David Walker" <wbsdavenews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c25sf6$c9v$1@wisteria.csv.warwick.ac.uk...
snip
> In the end its down to you - i see the reason why people say a responsible
> dive centre wouldn 't take them, because they don't know the children -
> there can be huge differences in the development of children that age, and
> they do not know or be in a position to judge each individual case.
> I'd stick with snorkelling personally... let them watch daddy from the
> surface! :O)
>
> David
>
I totally agree David my kids could both swim from
the age of 3, and were very strong swimmers from
the age of 10. Living in a hot climate, and having their
own pool helped their confidence alot. But I still resisted
teaching them to dive untill they were 16. Not knowing
the effects of pressure on a young body and concerns
that one of them may have had a bad in water situation at
such a tender age prompted me to be conservative. I don't
regret it as they are both very accomplished divers now.
My youngest is a dm with going on a couple hundred dives
and she arrives on sunday so I'm off diving with one of my
favorite buddies next week, She is also bringing my new
camera housing out from the UK, so Dad will be playing
with his new toy.
Richard

I was on a liveaboard in Sharm recently and the topic of young children
diving came up as I have two kids myself who keep telling me they want
to learn to dive. My kids are 8 (nearly 9) and 12. I've been in two
minds about it, but, since talking to the instructor on the boat, my
mind was made up...

He said 'If you were diving with your children, or they diving with
anyone else, would they (meaning the children) be effective in helping
you if you should get into difficulties and would they, if necessary, be
able to bring you to the surface or would they just panic ?

Quite a sobering thought. Personally, even if the kids were fantastic,
confident divers, I don't think they would be much help in 'rescuing'
their buddy, no matter who it was.....

My kids and I will be snorkelling together for quite a few years to
come. My diving will take place when the kids are not around....

Donna :)


--
Donna

'Always be the best you can be'
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