A Dive Shop

I love the name of this place. If anyone searches a dive shop, well, they’ll find it. I did my diver certificate here last year after getting a deal on one of those voucher sites and was thoroughly impressed. It’s undoubtedly a pretty scary thing, getting your divers license, and these guys made it really enjoyable.
The guy that took us was awesome. He was young and energetic with a great sense of humour, while also being really professional and supportive. We all met at the place each day for two weekends in a row. Each day was started with some paperwork and a bit of theory. The first weekend we spent the afternoons in the pool at New Market and the second we were in Lake Pupuke. We were supposed to be in the sea, but the weather wasn’t too flash.
We got along really well with most of the other people doing the course and everyone seemed to be having a good time. By the end of the course I felt really good and soon after I went to Fiji on a shark dive and felt super comfortable in the water. Well, as comfortable as you can feel with sharks.
We all got great deals on dive gear at the end of the course and are always getting informed about upcoming dive trips.
Awesome people, efficient and fun.

Highly original name aside, this place is an awesome place to learn to dive. Becoming a diver was a lifelong dream of mine and I was thrilled when my mum booked classes here for my sister and I. A Dive Shop is certified by the SSI (Scuba Schools International) group — not as popular as PADI (which I am told is just overpriced) but still up there in one of the most renowned diving schools you can get.
Having never dived before, it was an apprehensive yet determined time for me. Our instructor Lewis was really friendly and understanding, as well as approachable. He knew how to take the piss out of people too (in a nice way) so every lesson was entertaining. There was a huge emphasis on safety and there were a few instructors on hand during the pool and ocean dives so we were always in good hands. You do the course with a group of 10ish people, and by then end you’re all like a little family.
Phil (the owner of the place) also hooked us up with a really good deal for dive gear after we’d completed the course. Awesome!