My son attended this school from September until December. We were told of many things that were included in his tuition price - He did not receive what we paid for. His price was to include all dive instruction, equipment, books, boat fees, apartment rental with maid service... It was also to include 5 specialties. Halfway through his course - he was told one of the instructors had stolen money and ran off. They waited at the school with no instructor and nothing to to for nearly a week - until another instructor was hired. My son did everything he was asked to do and passed his abilities test with great scores. They would not sign off on his divemaster stating he needed a couple more things to complete it. They asked for 150 dollars more to complete his course. I was told that he would be complete and they would sign off on his divemaster. I wired the money and he went on 1 dive. They still refused to sign his divemaster papers and to certify him. Coming up with all kinds of totally crazy reasons why. Things that had happened the month before. Stating my son had missed 2 dives earlier in the program... They knew he had missed those dives before - making a request for an additional payment! My son did not receive the 5 specialties he was supposed to be taught. The water temp was getting cold and I was told they had wetsuits to use during the cold months. Which they did not! We were given the run around and misled at every turn. All the promises and assurances up front were just a bunch of lies to get our money and give us nothing in return...
My son was taught by a "newly" certified instructor that had just finished his courses. He had no one observing and making sure that skills were being taught correctly. This man finished the class with my son and another student and then refused to sign the papers needed to certify him.
They repeatedly dived the same areas during the 2 months he was there - and rarely went on boat dives preferring to do shore dives to save money. I as a parent repeatedly called the school to find out what was happening and why my son was not receiving services that we had paid for... The phone and email were never answered. They also demand all money up front the first week while they are still in the classroom. My son was not allowed to look over the equipment or to check anything out to see if this was worth the tuition fees. All of their equipment is old and outdated and in need of repairs. What it boils down to - Is IF new students do not start each and every month - they do not have the operating capital to continue teaching and to pay the bills.
Steer clear of this school and invest your money somewhere else.
This was a very bad experience for us - and has resulted in more money being spent to get my 18 year old son complete and certified.
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