IHi Nick,

It was a pleasure diving with you. You were very knowledgeable, competent, professional, kind, generous, and gracious with us and the other folks we dove with. You were an outstanding representative of South Beach Divers and the generally excellent experience we had interacting with all of the staff there at the shop. If we ever make it back to S. Beach, we will certainly dive with you again.

Thank you very much for spending three days showing us the sights off the Florida coast!

Kevin Knight

March 21st, 2011

I just wanted to tell you what a great day I had on Tuesday doing my refresher course and the two-tank boat dive in Key Largo.
Although the vis in Key Largo was not great this particular day, it was a great day overall with absolutely great instruction. Big kudos to both Alvaro (sp?) and Oliver – they were AWESOME!
I’d also like to tell you what great pricing you have, as well as great schedule options. I am only in Miami for a week and didn't really do much planning until I got here. When I realized I should do a refresher course before jumping in the water (after not diving for 5 years), I started checking the local dive shops for class and dive boat options. The fact that you offered the refresher course AND a two-tank dive in the same day was PERFECT – the fact that you also offered this class/diving option several times a week was unbelievable! And the pricing for everything sealed the deal.
Thanks again for making my first diving experience in Florida pleasant and enjoyable.

Patricia Ebertrch

March 18th, 2010

Hi Sasha,

So, of course you know I completed the EFR and Rescue Diver course last week. You and your guys weren't kidding when you said it would be challenging and rewarding. It really was difficult, scary, fun and funny all at the same time! Loved it!

And for what it’s worth, I wanted to give you 2 perspectives of my experience: as a student in the class, and as someone who trains others as a profession.

As a student, I found the whole training course to be incredibly rewarding, and really, quite a defining moment of time for me. I rarely have a problem with theory – I find it easy to read a book and regurgitate information. What struck me the most is how prepared I was, through the combination of theory, demonstration and skill practice, to handle the final scenario and get through it all knowing I can actually contribute perchance something ever did go wrong out there in the water, or even on land. Big kudos to Angel and Jonathan who did an exceptional job translating the training materials in a meaningful way for me. Actually I have been lucky enough to have most of your team as instructors since starting the open water course with your company (Angel, Jonathan, Gary, Alvaro), and they are all really talented people.

From an instructor perspective, I know even the best developed training materials can fall flat unless there is a really great instructor transferring the learning in a significant way – you have great instructors! You know that am a trainer by profession, although now I mostly manage a training team and only get to the field for ‘training quality control’, but a few years ago I was onboard cruise ships training the crew and officers crowd and crisis management (how to efficiently and effectively prepare to evacuate 2000-3000 people off a ship… and then what to do when s&*# hits the fan onboard). It had to be scenario based training because the trainees came from 80 different nations and couldn't always read English. My only point here being that I understand what is involved in teaching people who don’t even know what they don’t know, skills they can actually use! I can only hope that my previous students learnt as much from me as I did from Angel and Jonathan last week, oh and of course, were actually able to do something with it!

Anyway Sasha, - thanks for ensuring I got the phone call to participate. I really enjoyed the whole experience, start to finish, and feel a hell of a lot safer in the water as a result!

See you soon for some more diving and some more courses.


Rebecca Jones
Training and Development Manager

Starboard Cruise Services

February 17, 2010

Dear, South Beach Divers,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.

After some surface issues, Jonathan brought me back down and with what seemed like a life time sitting patiently on the bottom, I became more secure knowing he was determined that I make it and stay back down.  I watched him calmly lead me, help and guide me and I made it back to the boat.  I WAS THRILLED!!!!!!!!  I could not wait for our next dive and secretly laughed when the experienced divers became sea sick, puked and it made so many more fish appear.  You could not have kept me away!  In fact he had to call me back when I started to stray, I was so confident and at peace.  I had the time of my life!  I want to be certified and dive the world's oceans.  I really believe you have a great dive instructor in Jonathan.  He is patient, strict, confident, and a great time.  Please let him know how much this experience means to me.  It really was life changing.

Very Sincerely,

Robin C
November 8, 2009

I wanted to thank everyone at South Beach Divers for an incredible experience.  I got my open water certification at South Beach Divers while staying in Miami Beach for a couple of days, and everyone I met at the store was very helpful and extremely friendly.

I would especially like to thank my instructor, Alvaro, for his great knowledge of diving, the local area and marine life (including where to find sea turtles!), his enthusiastic love of diving, and for teaching me everything I needed to know safely dive in all conditions!  Thank you so much for opening up this experience to me!

Erin
November 21, 2008

Alvaro,

Just wanted to send you this note for your outstanding instruction skills.  I know without a doubt I would not have experienced the greatest memorable diving event of my life if not for you.  Your patience and extra effort will not be forgotten.

Cindy and Dave Chadick, Kansas
November 10, 2008

Hi Sasha, 

I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting yet.  However, I took an open water certification course with you guys this past weekend.  I just had to write to commend your team on a wonderful job done! 

Nick was my instructor, and I also had some class time with Sam.  So, in my opinion, they were both my instructors.  Both Nick and Sam were incredible.  They were serious, thorough, made sure we understood EVERYTHING that was explained to us in the water or in the classroom.  They wanted to make sure we knew what we were doing for our own safety and they took it seriously.  And even then, they made sure we were having fun, while being responsible.  Nick and Sam (and the rest of the employees at the store: Anthony, Jamie, John, Leonard, etc...) were all very gracious and helpful in my purchases and just answering any stupid newbie diver questions I had. 

Thanks to your team, you can be assured that not only am I hooked on diving for life, but that your store will continue to see my business for years to come.  I just had to write to commend you on a job well done.  You've got an amazing store, amazing staff, and you guys provide an amazing service.  I do hope to meet you in person soon.  I'll probably be in this week to pick up my tem-PADI c-card.  And just once more, a huge thumbs up for both Nick (who saved my life on the scuba removal excursive that almost went bad), and Sam (a true leader, even if he tries to hide it under his humor).  I can't wait to see these guys again.  Thanks to you and your team for getting this shy musician out of his shell.

Greg "Stryke" Chin
June 16, 2008

This past Thursday two of my friends and I did a diving trip with your team.  I'd like to give many thanks... the trip was fantastic.  Crew was professional and friendly.  Equipment was good.  And best of all we had a lot of fun!

Cheers,

Yevgeniy Kaganovskiy
May 27, 2008,

Submitted to PADI on May 12, 2008
S Hawkins
Kentucky

Hello Sasha,

Thank you again for being so accommodating when my physician was not able to make the trip.  I would like to mention the great care that was given to myself  and my dive buddy by Alex.  He was so very helpful in getting us ready for the boat dive and made sure we felt comfortable with our abilities.  The pool course was just what I need for review and remembering things that I did forget.  I would like to use Alex again as my dive master or instructor.  Please feel free to forward this over to Alex and please give him my thanks and gratitude!

With kind regards,

Don Snyder, RN
February 3, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to send my compliments, thanks and heartfelt gratitude for the professional and friendly way my friend and I were looked after by Alvaro Rivas.

I was a visitor from the UK (unfortunately now back in the cold UK) staying with my friend who lives in Miami. On Tuesday 16th October 2007, we spent a day with Alvaro first in a swimming pool learning the basics and then Key Largo for two reef dives.

Although my friend had dived many times before this was my first experience. I can honestly say it was the most fantastic thing I have ever done. Alvaro was such a friendly and intelligent instructor. He made me feel relaxed and comfortable from the moment I stepped into the shop. His friendly and professional approach made my day one of the best ever.

Please pass on my thanks to Alvaro. He may remember us. Two British blokes Richard and David. Me being a police officer in the UK.

I have every intention of returning and using your services again in the not too distant future.

Best wishes

David Somen
November 2, 2007

Sam,

I just wanted to say THANK YOU.  Entering water over my head for the first time I was so frighten I began to panic and struggling on the surface.  I am so happy that you were able to help me regain control of the situation, clearing my mask and giving me confidence to go down for my first dive.  I found my first dive very thrilling and seeing things on the ocean floor that I have only seen in photos,  I can't tell you how much I really did enjoy that drive.  You are the BEST INSTRUCTOR with such great skills and I felt very safe being in your class down under the ocean water.  My only regret is that I did not go down the second time because of Joe, but I DO PLAN to get my PADI when I get back from my trip.

Again, thank you and I owe you my life.

Harriot Lutz
August 14, 2007