I don't often make time for reviews but I was so impressed with Kelly and Steve that I felt I really needed to take some time to share my experience with others. This dive shop has gone above and beyond to get rid of all my fears about diving.
The 2 in-room classes were great, Kelly made them really fun and easy to learn. The next step was the Pool Training. The pool was perfect temperature, nice and warm :) which made it easy to focus on all the skills we were learning. Our instructor Steve was extremely patient and really helped me over my fears in the water. I was definitely the slower one in the class but he took the time to go over issue I was having to help me overcome them.
The next step Open Water Training at Lake Pleasant. I started the day feeling really excited and confident after my previous weekend in the pool. However, after putting all my gear on and taking my first trip down to the bottom, murky water, low visibility, I began to panic, couldn't get my ears to regulate and was having a hard time controlling my breathing. The instructor did a great job of going over all my issues one at time and slowly, I made my way down to the bottom and was able to hang out for a bit. I was able to get through a lot of my skills but not all of them. My ears kept hurting and they were very sweet about me finishing up my skills training the next day. They advised me that Kelly who was down at the shop had special ear plugs that would help with the ear pain, I was like "sign me up", how much for these magical ear plugs...very surprised, the cost was only $12. When we got to the shop and started talking to Kelly about why we were there, she immediately fitted me with these special ear plugs and said get in the pool, try them out before you buy them. She wanted to make sure that they fit right and worked which really meant the world to me. It's not often that people truly take the time anymore to really show kindness and care the way she did. So, I jumped in the pool and ahhhh!!! Amazing difference these ear plugs made. So today I go back for Diving at Lake Pleasant, day 2 and again I'm feeling excited and confident that I can get through it. But more importantly, I know that if I struggle, that's okay, I have a group of very knowledge instructors that are patient and kind and will help me become a comfortable diver.
Many thanks to Kelly and Steve, you are both so wonderful and I'm truly grateful that my friends and I were able to complete our course with you. Thank you for making us feel like part of a community. This journey has been life changing already and I very excited for the adventures to come.