Hi!

[Brando]

Hi,
It's great to see a board created just for us divers here in the Midwest! Nice job James (and any others involved).
My name is Brandon Schwartz. I reside in Northville, Michigan (a Detroit suburb). I've been diving for 19 years. I enjoy just about all types of diving and try to dive a few times a week. I just returned from a weekend in cave country at Jackson Blue---beautiful stuff down there!! I also enjoy teaching scuba and teach for PADI, GUE, and DAN.
I'm looking forward to reading more here on the forums.

take care and dive safe!---brando

[Atlaua]

Hi,
It's great to see a board created just for us divers here in the Midwest! Nice job James (and any others involved).
My name is Brandon Schwartz. I reside in Northville, Michigan (a Detroit suburb). I've been diving for 19 years. I enjoy just about all types of diving and try to dive a few times a week. I just returned from a weekend in cave country at Jackson Blue---beautiful stuff down there!! I also enjoy teaching scuba and teach for PADI, GUE, and DAN.
I'm looking forward to reading more here on the forums.

take care and dive safe!---brando

Hi Brando,

Are you the Brando I keep hearing about? If so, I've had a number of people tell me you are the guy to get DIR-F from.

James

[Brando]

Hi Brando,

Are you the Brando I keep hearing about? If so, I've had a number of people tell me you are the guy to get DIR-F from.

James
Hi James,
I guess that depends....if it's good stuff you're hearing, well....then that's me, yep, I'm that brando....if it's bad stuff....nope, you've got me confused w/another guy...;)...
I am also guessing you are talking about DIR Instructor. If so, then yes. That'd be me. I have read about what happened w/the scheduling of your class and the trip to Akumal. I'm sorry to hear about the snafu there.
If you're still interested in getting the DIRf under your belt, I may be able to help. I did read a lot of good recommendations on Quest, and you really can't go wrong w/Dean, Cody, or David Rhea down in Fla. either. I also hope this incident hasn't turned you sour towards GUE. This seems more to be more about a shop's mishandling of the schedule than about an agency.
Let me know if I can help with a DIRF if you decide to go that way.

dive safe!---brando

[Atlaua]

Hi James,
I guess that depends....if it's good stuff you're hearing, well....then that's me, yep, I'm that brando....if it's bad stuff....nope, you've got me confused w/another guy...;)...

All good :D.


I am also guessing you are talking about DIR Instructor. If so, then yes. That'd be me. I have read about what happened w/the scheduling of your class and the trip to Akumal. I'm sorry to hear about the snafu there.

Ahh, well I got a lot of good suggestions from it, and a dive trip to MX is never a waste.


If you're still interested in getting the DIRf under your belt, I may be able to help. I did read a lot of good recommendations on Quest, and you really can't go wrong w/Dean, Cody, or David Rhea down in Fla. either. I also hope this incident hasn't turned you sour towards GUE. This seems more to be more about a shop's mishandling of the schedule than about an agency.
Let me know if I can help with a DIRF if you decide to go that way.

Yep, I still want the class, and no, I'm not soured towards GUE. I do wonder why there is a lack of anything GUE in the area considering that we do have some pretty nice caves here in Missouri...:D

If you have any classes scheduled in places I can drive to or fly to cheaply let me know. I was really surprised how much info I got from Quest, both on and off list. Now I have too many suggestions :D.

James

[nauifins73]

Hi

So glad to have you join the ranks. Forgive me, my Michigan geography is not what it was in 5th grade. Terry (hubby) wants to dive the Great Lakes, I was wondering if you have some info on where and when (tomorrow ;)?). He contends anyone can dive the Caribbean but he prefers inland diving.

Becky

[Brando]

Hi

So glad to have you join the ranks. Forgive me, my Michigan geography is not what it was in 5th grade. Terry (hubby) wants to dive the Great Lakes, I was wondering if you have some info on where and when (tomorrow ;)?). He contends anyone can dive the Caribbean but he prefers inland diving.

Becky
Thanks Becky!
Well, the Great Lakes are basically shut down for any diving until about March at the earliest. Most charter operators get thier boats in the water in May or June. There is just a ton of wreck diving to be had all over the Great Lakes. would you like some operator links/contacts? I can send some to you.
I personally do a bit out of the thumb area. Harbor beach, Grindstone, Sanillac, and Lexington all have charter operators working there regularly. As you move up the Eastern side of the mitten, you run into Thunder Bay and Presque Isle. Lot's of beautiful wooden sailing vessels there in Presque Isle, they're in the 180'-300' range though. Thunder Bay has a bunch of recreational depth range wrecks. Keep moving North and you'll hit the Straits of Mackinaw, which has a ton fo great stuff too. I could keep going, but you get the idea that all over the state, good wreck diving can be found quite easily.
I have a few vids on my website of a couple wrecks (The Dunderberg and The Minnedosa). They are both wooden sailing vessels. They are gorgeous. The Dunderberg rests in about 155' and the Minnedosa in ~ 215'. But that'll give you a small taste of what the Great Lakes has to offer.
oh...my website is www.scubaguys.com (http://www.scubaguys.com)
Just go to the video section.
Hope that helps a bit!

dive safe!---brando

[Jmaserati]

Hello and welcome Brando!

Thanks for the link to your site! Checking it out now.

:0509:

[DeepDiverBob]

Howdy and welcome.