posted by instructor on Mar 11
I have been a diehard Milbrook Lakes diver. I have been diving at Millbrook for the past 20 years here in Virginia. When people would say to me that there is a nice dive site just past Richmond Virginia I would say why do I want to drive 3 hours to go diving when I could drive 15 minute to Milbrook. So I finally was forced to go to Lake Rawlings, because I was trying to stay out of 40 degree water. So 6 of us loaded up the trucks and drove down. When I got there I was not impressed, but then we headed down the dirt road. I saw a small room that was for teaching? Get to the entrance and there is a dive shop with air fills and equipment. Rounded the corner and there were some tents to keep out of the wind and weather. Walk up to the water and I can see the bottom of the lake. The entrance had gravel (no silting when you enter the water because of the gravel). So we get in to the water and it is cold, but warmer then Millbrook, by four degree 44 vs. 40 degree.
I must say that I was impressed by the water and layout of the dive site. I plan on taking students to the site to go diving; I think it is worth the 3 hour drive. Millbrook is still a good dive site, for a 15 minute drive but it needs to be fixed up to make a great site. If they put an air fill station on site, sold drinks and basic equipment it would be nice. If they filtered the water so it was a little clearer.
posted by instructor on Sep 6
Diving is just like driving. When you first start to learn how to drive a car, you were sluggish and nervous about missing the speed limit or stop sign. After a month or two you became a better driver and the instructor / parent start to let you go on you own. Just like diving after the forth dive how comfortable in diving can you be. But if you learned five more skill and spent more time in the water and having an instructor tell you more ways to improve your personal skills. Yes you can do it on your own, it will just take more time and aggravation to get to the same level you would be after spending a little more time with an instructor.
posted by instructor on May 15
What a very nice piece of software. Eve is a Point Of Sales software that ties directly into PADI o that dive shops can use online PICS and upload the pictures and diver information in a seamless way. It has a great back end that can be upgraded to SQL for larger shops. I think this something tha tis going to keep PADI on top as a dive leader