Standing offer to dive with new divers

[Snowbear]

One of the biggest hurdles facing a newly certified diver is often how to find somebody to go diving WITH. Although classmates and shop-based dive clubs can help with this, internet forums such as this one can be great resources to find local divers. But a lot of people are hesitant to contact strangers, because they think that they don't dive very well, or they're going to go through their air too fast, and that nobody with experience would want to dive with them.

Well, it isn't TRUE! Some of us really enjoy diving with new people, and sharing the excitement and joy of discovery on somebody's early dives. It reminds us of our early days, too.

The purpose of this thread is to list divers in Alaska who actively enjoy buddying up with new divers . Anyone looking at the list should feel comfortable and confident in contacting the people who have gone to the effort of listing themselves here!

I'll start with me:

Ursa - I work in Anchorage and mostly dive out of Whittier, though Seward is an option as is Homer as long as we can car pool! I've also had fun in some of the lakes in Mat-Su or the Kenai Peninsula.
Contact me via PM here or email me at snowbear@divematrix.com

[tannerak]

Hi, my name is Tanner Conlon, I'm up in Fairbanks. I am currently comparing diving schools to attend at the start of 2011. I am going with Commercial Diving Academy in Jacksonville, FL or the Ocean Corp in Houston, TX. Any suggestions? How is the diving work here in Alaska? Thank you very much.

[Snowbear]

How is the diving work here in Alaska? Thank you very much.

I work with a guy who used to be a commercial diver working in Cook Inlet after training and getting experience in Florida. He's got some pretty insane stories!