Mitchell Scuba College

 

5

4

jonny m.

San Francisco, CA

If you're going for your scuba cert you're not going to have a whole lot of experience to compare with so choose wisely.  

If you want to learn scuba from someone who has been saving lives his entire professional career, loves the ocean, and doesn't need to nickle and dime you then go to Mitch.  Reminds me of my old football coach with his tough love style so whats not to love.  If you're a serious student and really  want to learn how to be a safe and responsible diver, go to Mitchell's Scuba College and you won't regret it.

If you want to just get your cert and go f around in the ocean then it doesn't really matter where you go does it?

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3

27

Nick S.

Cambridge, MA

What can I say - Mitch is a old school, non-PC, tough love type of scuba instructor. Exactly the guy you want to be teaching you scuba. Believe me, you could be coddled by the PADI course instructors at the local dive shop, rushed through an accelerated course, and you would get your certifcation, but would you really know what you were doing? I say no. I know, having done just that, and feeling miserable about it - sure, I could have passed the class, but did I learn anything? Did I trust myself? No.

I took the NAUI open water diver course with Mitch last year, and knew instinctively that this was the right way to go: first, his background - a retired fire fighter, life long diver, more knowledgeable than any dive shop jockey you could ever find. Secondly, he is clearly not in it for the money. His courses are reasonably priced, his gear (should you choose to buy it) is affordable, tested and "approved." He could give a sh*t whether you pass, and will tell you so repeatedly. You may not like his quips, or comments, but ultimately, you are there to learn how to dive knowledgeably and safely. Whether he admits it or not, he truly cares that you know what the heck you are doing, and knows exactly where to focus, based on years of experience. I stumbled upon his classes at the Brisbane pool (itself a hidden treasure) and signed up for his two weekend course.

An aside - I missed the open water dives the first time around due to prior commitments - Mitch agreed to meet me, solo, in Monterey for two days to do my dives, and though it was tough, we (I) made it through with flying colors. By the end I felt like I really knew what I was doing..

If you are looking to learn to dive, I could not recommend a more reliable teacher. You may not like him, but you will learn all that you need to know and more. 100% yes.

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0

34

Linda C.

San Francisco, CA

Mitch is the best SCUBA instructor ever!

He's got a ton of experience, knows the material he's teaching, is a stickler for safety, passes along the important stuff, and most importantly, is a great all around guy.  He's a straight shooter, funny as heck (unless you're the easily offended, "why, the universe circles around me" type), and most importantly, won't be trying to rip you off in either the course or scuba gear.

If you're thinking about SCUBA and want to be as safe as you can, and learn it right the first time, take his class.  

You won't regret it!

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1

11

Christine T.

CA

My fiance and I first learned of Mitchell Scuba College through friends who highly recommended their Scuba Diver course.  We had a blast and learned how to hang with the fishes. Two of our friends were getting open water instructions from a large dive shop at the same, so we were able to actively compare notes.  (One of those friends asked us if our instructor would take her for a refresher later because she didn't feel comfortable yet -- and this was between her dive training days with her shop!)

The key to our training versus others that I've noticed is that we felt confident going out by ourselves (just us two) in new locations, immediately after the training.  We were a bit perturbed by operators who tried to convince us we needed more guided hand-holding because we should be jittery as newbies.  That's why the course teaches you to dive within your limits.  And our instructor, he did a fantastic job of helping me work through my skill troubles.  All that knowledge from all those years of hard-core diving and rescues...  We've gone back for more advance training, and for our dive gear loot. :)

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