The Dive Shop On McEver

\r Steve and ""Dive Shop on Mcever""\r I was sick and tired of unscrupulous Dive Shops, in particular the one in Athens, GA. I actually left in the middle of my Diver Rescue course in disgust and dreaded looking elsewhere, as they were the poster child for dive shops who really shouldn't be in business.\r \r The same day I had it out with the owner of the dive shop (Athens, GA) I was taking my rescue course with, I immediately called DSOM. I simply told the guy on the phone that I left in mid class/certification and needed to complete it and asked if he could help.\r \r He said yes and even offered me the class on a day of my choosing! When I asked how much it would be, I was floored by how fair and inexpensive it was!\r \r \r The dive shop I left gouged customers and looked at you in disdain if you asked why they are so much higher than practically every other shop in the State.\r \r \r I quickly suggested a date within a few days of calling and upon my arrival, I was met by the owner, Steve! He was the guy I originally talked to on the phone and he would be my Instructor.\r \r We did the pool session which lasted late into the night, and I quickly found out that this would be challenging. That Steve actually knew what he was doing!\r \r What was new for me is that the other dive center I left, passed you with little effort. You wondered if you were really safe.\r \r With Steve, he made sure you knew what you are doing. He was meticulous and demanding. Exactly what you want when it comes to a water sport that can easily become deadly if you do not have the skills to survive.\r \r He gave us challenges, saying that. ""I will throw you curves, as that is how it is in open water."" And he did!\r \r We went through the pool session, tired but excited in what we learned.\r \r And the ""checkout dives"" were just as challenging as Steve again, threw us curve balls! But I passed the rescue course, knowing I am well prepared and ready for any potential problems that may come my way.\r \r I never had that feeling of accomplishment or knowledge from my former dive center (and I took my open water, advanced, and even Nitrox certifications from there!)\r \r \r Steve has the knowledge, patience, and insight to guide the novice and the experienced diver alike.\r \r I not only got my Stress and Rescue certification through him, but my Master Diver one as well!\r \r I was so impressed that my wife will be taking her Rescue course through DSOM as well as the both of us, continuing our knowledge and education via other certifications and courses.\r \r There is no other Instructor (who just happens to own DSOM) that has the knowledge, expertise, and experience in ""tech"" or recreational diving.\r \r I cannot recommend Steve and The Dive Shop On Mcever Rd high enough.\r \r I know ""some"" local dive shops treat you with disrespect and a ""I don't care"" attitude when they are the only choice in town.\r \r But it does pay off and you are well rewarded, when you travel just a little further, to make you the diver you need to be.\r \r Thank you Steve! Thank you Steve! Thank you Steve! more

The entire experience greatly exceeded my expectations. The instructors were patient, explained things very clearly and had a wealth of knowledge to share. They were able to instruct in a way that met all styles of learning and ensured that you walked away feeling competent and able to dive. On top of that it was a great deal of fun. I drove to Gainesville from Atlanta each day, if I hadn't been highly impressed and having a great time I would not have made the drive. I would highly recommend The Dive Shop on McEver to anyone interested in learning to dive. more

I just completed my Open Water Certification and I could not be happier with the crew at DSOM. They truly took the time to go above and beyond to make sure every individual was on track and could do what was expected of them. Testing our proficiency in the pool and classroom way more than was actually required to make sure that they were not certifying divers who were not ready. After reading some reviews I was a little leery of the shop so I went in and checked it out and then did some online gear pricing and found them to be spot on and in most cases cheaper since there wasn't any shipping & handling. They offer fantastic deals and will even throw in your diver certification for free if you buy a full gear set up through them. Also from my experience the crew did everything possible to not make anyone feel uncomfortable and made sure to tell us from the start that if anyone felt offended or upset to let them know and it would be dealt with. I really don't see how anyone could get offended by these guys. Diving is a serious sport that if not done right can end up in the death of you or your buddy. Because of this the class can get very serious at times so some jokes and laughter really help to lighten the mood. Overall I am incredibly pleased and feel that I truly got my moneys worth and I will absolutely be going back for more training and hopefully some awesome dives with the crew. If you want to learn to dive or further your dive training take a trip to the store and just chat with the crew and I guarantee you will have found your new Scuba home. more

The staff is passionate in their pursuit to deliver safe and knowledgeable divers into the depths of the underwater world that most folks only dream of. Combining their personal and professional accomplishments, their continuous encouragement throughout training and beyond, and their quest to ensure the students' competency level of performing any skill was done at a rate higher than any dive certification calls for allows me to say that you would be like a ""Fish Out of Water"" if you chose to train at any other dive shop. more

Used a living social offer to get certified. How lucky were we to get hooked up with such a great place!!! The staff are very nice and really know a lot from recreational to VERY technical, they know their stuff! Steve, Cat, Jason, Jen and Buck make a great support team, and we look forward to diving with them a lot!!! If you want to learn how to be a diver, and not just someone who has been under water, this is the place! more

I have recently moved into the Gainesville area and came to DSOM to refresh my O2 Provider cert and have been hooked. The staff is friendly yet knowledgeable. The nicest thing has been the welcoming professionalism. They are willing to sit and talk about great dives and fun trips to come without being pushy or overbearing. Having their own pool doesn't hurt either :-) more

The folks at DSOM do it up RIGHT! You won't find a better experience anywere. Call them TODAY and get started on the most amazing journey of your life! more

We discovered the Dive Shop on McEver through a Living Social coupon for a Discover Scuba class. It was love at first site! The staff made those in the group that were not so comfortable feel at ease through thier patience and knowledge. We loved the class so much that we immediately signed up to be certified. Stephen met us at Devil's Den and then in Key Largo for our check off dives despite us being the only ones going that weekend. They make you feel like long time friends or family. They all have the knowledge to back up the personalities also. I wouldn't ever go to another shop even though this one isn't the closest to us. They are worth the drive!!! more

The Dive Shop on Mc Ever is a very family friendly enviroment.. My son and I have been hanging out at DSOM for about 4months.. They welcomed us both in like family..That means alot when you are from Las Vegas and you and your son are the only ones in Georgia.. My best friend jen brought me into this diving world.. I am not yet certified to dive but i will be soon. I wouldn't trust anyone else but the crew at Dive Shop On McEver.. When i started hanging out at DSOM.. I said there is no way i would ever dive.. Now after watching everyone that comes in and how passionate the crew at DSOM are about diving I CANT WAIT TO DIVE and be part of the dive world with them.. more

We happened to run across this shop via Google search and decided to stop in and have a look around. We were greeted by the owner and had a great time talking with him and the other staff. We have since done a lot of business with them. We haven't found any reason to shop anywhere else since. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. We have done classes with them and their knowledge and guidance is better than any I've experienced. while we did our original classes with another shop in the area all our training now will be with DSOM. We have also traveled with them and the trip prices were better than we could arrange on our own. We also enjoy hanging out with the staff and diving with them. It's more like a dive club than a dive shop trip. So whether it's stopping by the shop or going on trips I feel like I'm hanging with friends. We'll be loyal customers for a long time to come. more

The DSOM team is amazing. No other dive shop around has the amount of equipment and product knowledge that their staff does. They plan great trips and they really take care to make sure that their customers come back. They offer many classes and tailor it to my needs and my schedule. Thanks Steve and everyone else at the DSOM! more

So glad that my husband & I came to this shop. Everyone is friendly, enthusiastic an very knowledgeable. By far the BEST staff: Buck, Steve, Cat, & Jason were all very helpful in every aspect. They have our business for life. Thanks guys!!! Now we are a part of a GREAT DIVE FAMILY! more

I had a similar experience to Joe, and fundivr. I took my business and referrals elsewhere. If you like being treated poorly, lied too, and excessive drama then you will love this place. more

I was a long time customer and grew tired of the lies told by the owner and the drama that accompanied him. This establishment is not a family friendly business and I will not darken the doors of this shop as long as it remains open. more

i've been to most dive shops around the metro area, this place is by far the best. ask for stephen. that guy knows his stuff! more

Never a bad time! I practically LIVE at the dive shop when I'm not at work. I'm always greeted by friendly and knowledgeable faces who want to do nothing more than further me in my diving. There's no high pressure anything. No trying to sell me equipment I don't need or talk me into a dive that's out of my comfort zone. Just people with a passion for the underwater world... They're there to help me, and I have finally found a dive shop for me. Another plus?! There's actually GIRLS in the shop! It's so nice and relaxing to see another female! more