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DIVER REVIEWS
Dear Scuba Steve,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other
LinkedIn users.
Details of the Recommendation: "I'm a safe diver. I hired
Steve because I wanted to do a dive while I was in Hawaii, but I
didn't know the area. And I hadn't done an Ocean dive before - I
was certified for open water in a lake. So I wanted someone that
could show me what the island of Kauai had to offer beneath it's
waves.
I was very happy with the service that Steve provided. He was
prompt and easy going, easy to get along with. He help me gain
confidence during the dive and really help make the dive fun and
exciting.
I'm sure he's seem most of those fish and turtles hundreds of
times, but even he sounded excited as me talk (me in amazed
wonder) at the various things we saw. He provided refreshments
during the breaks and even provided a camp shower to rinse off the
salt water.
I enjoyed the first day of diving so much that I booked another
day. If I end up on Kauai island again, I'll be sure to give Steve
a call."
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Good Value
Marlo Quast
Hi Steve;
Well all I have to say is diving with you this past week was the
2nd best diving I have had in 20 years (shark dives were first)
haha.
I can't say enough about the great way you took care of me and
sorry my legs didn't hold out for thurs dive I sure wanted to go
but I paid for it all the way home.
Diving with you was the most one on one treatment I have ever
had. The knowledge that you gave me on our before diving briefings
was the greatest and yes the way I have been talking about the
turtle cert course people wonder how I learned so much on vacation
we won't tell will we Steve.
I can promise you this it was the most fun dives and easiest ones
I have ever done. My wife and I enjoyed talking to you and Nick
the morning that we had to leave and yes Steve she did agree that
I found someone who likes to talk as much as me.
Again thanks for a great time and I can promise the next trip
over we will get the other two cert. dives in and who knows maybe
even see a shark (I sure was hoping on our second dive tuesday)
but it never appeared.
Already have made two transport runs this week to St. Louis now
watching the Missouri Tigers playing Neb. And is and has been
raining all day we have had around 5 in. don't know when it's
going to stop.
Mahalo
James Rhodes
Scuba Steve!!!
Back home safe in Chicago-land and I thought I'd drop you a thank
you. At 43 years old I elected to scuba dive for the first time
while visiting Kauai.
I was somewhat apprehensive but felt this was a task I needed to
check off my list while visiting the island for the first time as
well. I did not expect that my brother-in-law (75+ dives) and I
would be the only two diving with you. What a relief!!!
After going through the training I still was apprehensive but I
knew I would be safe with you supervising our dive. During the
thirty minutes (seemed like forever) or so it took me to get
through the minimum training tasks I never once felt rushed or
pressured to "get it done".
I really appreciated your demeanor and ability to articulate
remedies to assist me in accomplishing my goal. The first dive was
a wonderful new experience. While some may have felt restricted or
confined, I really felt comfortable with you holding onto my vest
during the majority of the first dive.
I really was able to relax and eventually you let me go to
explore the new sensation of scuba diving. I enjoyed my first dive
so much that we booked a second with you before heading to the
mainland.
What a great time. You really know the area in which you dive and
really go out of your way to make sure your customers have a great
time, safely.
When I come to Kauai again the first thing I will be doing is
setting up more dives with Scuba Steve. Continued success to you
and your colleagues.
Mahalo!!!!!!!!!
Russ Davis
Hi Scuba Steve!
Finally got around to getting back in touch with you. Jennifer
and I just wanted to thank you again for a great dive while we
were stopped over in Kauai.
Thanks for working with us to get us to the dive site and help us
schedule our dive in the short time we were in Kauai. Initially
were worried that we would feel rushed with the all the logistics
of getting off the cruise ship, getting the rental car etc and
still be able to enjoy the dive.
You really helped to alleviate all of those concerns as soon as
we showed up by having all the gear sized, lined up and ready to
go.
The "Rusty Diver Review" you
gave was great for both of us, very informative and it really
helped Jennifer to get back in the swing of things.
I don't think we told you but that day was our 10 year wedding
anniversary!! Who better to spend it with than Scuba Steve!!!
Thanks again and we look forward to diving with you in the
future!
Brian H.
Fisheries Biologist USGS-Klamath Falls Field Station
How's life in paradise?
We really enjoyed our dive with you last year. Hope to repeat
next time we're on Kauai!
We're in the planning stages for another Hawaii trip, some time
in late September or early October. We'll probably be spending
some time on the big island first, then hopping to Kauai for a few
days before heading back home. Can you recommend a good intro dive
tour on the big island? We are still not certified divers, so an
intro tour would have to be the thing.
Our dive with you was great! I have done a lot of snorkeling and
free diving over the years, but had never done a scuba trip
before.
I was impressed with the quality of the equipment you use and the
thorough way you teach the course. We will definitely be back for
another dive when we get back to Kauai!
Rick C.
3 Year Update ...
Greetings Scuba Steve,
You probably don't remember me, (comment from SS: " Of
COURSE I remember you!") an OW student of yours from
Feb/March 2006 - think very muddy ocean, rainy and stormy weather
(comment from SS: "We had literally 40 days and 40 nights of
near-continuous rains and flooding, dams over-flowing and bursting")
...
But I wanted to let you know that during the past three years, I
have continued to learn and practice the safe diving practices
that you taught me. My favorite magazine is Dive Training, which I
read cover to cover each issue.
This month, March 2009, I logged my 200th dive - a milestone I am
proud of. I continue to be amazed at the beautiful underwater
world that you introduced to me. Every dive shows me something new
to view and appreciate.
Since my OW certification I have been diving in many amazing
places - Kauai (of course), Kona, the Cayman Islands, Palau, Fiji,
Belize, and Papau New Guinea.
This summer I will journey back to Kauai to dive Ni'ihau, and in
2010 I will go to Silver Banks to snorkel with the whales and to
Turks & Caicos to dive. Mantas, sharks, turtles, pygmy sea
horses, frog fish, and hundreds of the most beautiful nudibranchs
one can imagine.
So many unusual discoveries, and they are all logged in my dive
book. Each trip, some other diver says to me "Wow, you're
still keeping your dives logged!"
You, Steve, taught me this too, along with many, many other
practices and skills I use on each and every dive day. I have met
and made so many dive buddies, and I am now planning dive trips
with them, instead of traveling alone.
Thanks again for training me, a mid-50's gal, and introducing me
to the most exciting and amazing sport in the world.
Sincerely,
Marta from Issaquah WA
Hi Steve:
Thank you for remembering our birthdays. We hope to be in Kauai
again soon.
Say hi to your wife for us and have a great summer!
Chris and Freda
Thanks Dude.
Hope married life is great! We'll get together when we make it
out to Hawaii again.
Kevin
Hi Steve,
All is well here on Long Island, New York. I just got back from
Grand Bahamas and 3 full days of diving...... you know me, fit as
many dives in as one can safely do!
This was my first trip to Grand Bahamas, what wonderful people!
Of course the island isn't Kauai, but for a 3 hour trip from New
York it was great. I dove with a "old" friend from Pa,
Nancy couldn't make the dates. Great trip.
We did the "dolphin dive" and the "shark feeding"
among other dives. What fun and what a privilege it was to
interact with dolphin while on scuba.
I will be heading back to Bonaire, with my 13 year old niece in
July. Need to train her to carry my equipment for when I am really
old! Probably heading to Saba beginning of November with Nancy and
Pa buddy, Neil.
As of now, Nancy and I are talking about returning to Kauai to
dive "The Forbidden Island" summer of 2010. But please
keep us informed about upcoming trips, you never know when we will
show up!
Hope all is well,
Jackey Raab
Steve –
It’s good to hear from you. I’m
hoping to make it back to Kauai next year for some diving. Will be
in touch as plans better jell. It will just be me unless I can
talk one of my friends who dives into coming with me as Gene died
in January.
Hope all is well with you and your family. Please stay in touch.
Martha B.
(Comment from SS: Gene and Marta were two of my first Divers when
I started years ago. Gene was a very smart man, and even though he
was a certified diver, he would ALWAYS have his doctor give him a
physical examination and a health clearance before he came here! I
have taught ALL of my students - both young And older - the wisdom
that Gene displayed (once certified, a diver does not require a
doctor's clearance, but Gene wanted to be safe!).
As a diver, Gene was always prepared, and I remember how he LOVED
to dive Nitrox/Enriched Air ... even at shallower depths !!! Gene
will be missed here on Kauai as well.)
Steve,
I am honored you thought of me! Thanks for the Birthday wishes.
You are actually not late. You are seven months and five days
early ;-) My Birthday is January 20th. But I'm glad you wrote and
as soon as I can afford to come back out, you can bet your a**
I'll be calling you to go diving! =-)
Cerin
Aloha Scuba Steve,
It has been a year since I was in Kawaii and dove with you but I
just returned from a dive trip in the Caribbean and did the big
dive boat with probably twenty people.
They were chumming, people not following the guides, not a very
relaxing dive or educational since the guides didn't have much
time to devote to the more experenced divers they were to busy
trying to keep the group together. Lesson learned from that
experience.
Your personal attention was great. And your instruction was very
through, profesional, and fun.
Being newely certified I was glad to have taken the Peak
Performance Boyancy certification with you it has helped me
greately.
I'm looking forward to returning to Kawaii and taking some of
your speciality certification courses.
Mahalo,
Chuck Taylor
Aloha, Scuba Steve ...
We had a fantastic time in Kauai diving with you. As you may
recall my wife and I are Advanced Open Water certified, looking to
continue expanding our diving abilities.
Selecting you as our Instructor for our dives in Kauai was a huge
stroke of luck, since your teaching skills even exceed your diving
skills!
It was a pleasure getting our Enriched Air certification under
your tutelage - your attention to detail and your ability to
explain the why's and how's over and above the basic book-learning
made the class interesting and helped us to be confident that we
can safely utilize Nitrox in our future dives.
And I can't believe how much we enjoyed your Hawaiian Sea Turtle
Observer Specialty course. In the past, it has always been
exciting to observe turtles while diving. For us now to be able to
look at a turtle and be able to understand things about their age,
their sex, their health, and their history (based on injuries
and/or markings on their shell) is incredible. Instead of just
being excited about seeing a turtle, we now know what to look for,
and can determine a tremendous amount about that turtle just by
observing closely.
You did a fantastic job creating that course and, frankly, it was
much, much more interesting than the Enriched Air course.
Thank you! We look forward to diving with you again.
Chris & Freda
Hey Scuba Steve!
Dan and I unfortunately broke up – wish we didn’t.
But desperately need a vacation. I will look into some of these
and let you know.
That was still our funnest (is that a word) dive ever!!
Think of you often, hope all is well!! Aloha!!
Christine
Dear Steve,
sure make me more crazy than I am! I would love to dive, but no
$$$$. Keep us on your list. Maybe next year.
Chris turns 50 this year and I'll be 40 in Dec. This would be an
awesome way to celebrate!
Good to hear from you!
Love,
Camie G.
Aloha Steve,
I want to thank you for a wonderful dive last Saturday. As we get
ready to depart paradise and return to the real world, I have fond
memories of our underwater experience. I wish you would pass onto
anyone who is interested in your program that I was especially
impressed with the quality and content of your briefings, not only
making the fish identification more meaningful but also explaining
the nautical history of the above and below surface surroundings
and artifacts.
These were the most meaningful dives I have experienced because
of your thorough briefings. The fact that we were one-on-one was
the icing on the cake.
The equipment was in great shape and the drinking water and
shower were much appreciated. Great job!
My wife and I will be coming back to Kauai as we have friends
here and when we return we will do the turtle dives we discussed.
Please feel free to use any part of this e-mail for customer
referral.
Mahalo,
Wayne Ziskal
Steve,
I apologize for the late e-mail. I should have sent this this
months ago but you know how things go when it gets busy.
Anyways I wanted to thank you so much for THE best dive
experience I have ever had. You took my girlfriend and I on two
dives back in March '08. To this day I am still talking about how
much of a great experience we both had.
Hearing those whales and seeing all the fish AND tons of sea
turtles was amazing! You were very good with my girl friend who
wasn't the biggest fan of scuba diving until she dove with you.
I will never forget those dives because of you. I am planning a
trip to Hawaii in December and trying to make an excuse to come
over to Kauai just to dive with you!
Hope all is well and thank you so MUCH!
Mike From San Diego, CA
Steve,
thanks for the note...I really did enjoy our dives.
Spent 2 months last winter diving the east end of grand
cayman...it was fabulous. Don't know when I'll be back in your
neck of the woods, but I'll sure call.
take care,
Ray
Steve,
I wanted to thank you for your help in planning and arranging our
diving in Kauai. Not only did you have everything timed so we
could comfortably get to and from our cruise ship, but you handled
the addition of our non-certified family members without a second
thought.
Even though my nephew Jake (10) decided that he was not ready to
dive, my brother Mike had a great time. (As a side note, they went
snorkeling and snuba diving later and Jake decided he much
preferred being on top of the water.)
While the water was not as clear as some of the other sites we
visited in the island, we saw a lot more variety in sea-life and I
would not have traded the experience for anything.
Thanks again for your time, patience, and a pair of great dives.
Robin & Erin
Dear Steve,
We returned home to Portland, Maine last night and will remember
our trip to Hawaii on those sub zero nights in January with a
great desire to move there and not worry about how much snow the
plow dumped in our driveway overnight!
Thanks so much for diving with us on 8/3/08. We had a great time.
As you may remember we are new to the sport and felt very safe
with your guidance. Our 13 year old son Ben loved the dives. I
over heard him talking to his cousins about some of the
information you shared with us about reefs and their inhabitants.
Having an Instructor that can inform and educate is a real plus.
We'll give you a call then next time we come to Kauai for some
more diving.
Thanks again,
Dave Burkey
Ben Burkey
Linda Zembsch
Aloha Scuba Steve,
We are back in California and I am writing in my journal of our
daily Kauai adventures (I took notes) and I thought I would stop
and take a moment to thank you for the wonderful time we had scuba
diving with you.
It was everything you said it would be, including the hand
holding option which I thought I might need but instead my
daughter Alison did.
You remember Alison, she's the one who, when asked to pick any
number between 1 and 3 confidently answers with 4 !!! That was the
funniest thing ever and I'm sure the moment when you knew you were
going to have trouble with that one. I myself was developing some
anxiety as well while you were explaining the basics and hadn't
even really heard the question - who knows what my answer might
have been.
(Side note from Scuba Steve .... Prior to this "incident",
when asked about her "vocation", Miss Alison proudly
told me that she had recently graduated in the top of her R.N.
Class ... following in the footsteps of her mother ???
All-kidding-aside ... Miss Alison, while embarrased by her answer
and "harrassed" by her family, did an OUTSTANDING job on
her skills and we had a BLAST on both dives !!! I'd dive with her
ANY time !!!)
In any case a good time was had by all, definitely not my thing
to want to stay underwater like that, but I am so proud of myself
that I did it (thanks to you). And I passed my skills test with no
problem because I am a rule follower - you show me what to do, and
I do it. My son Jonathan really took to it and definitely is
something he wants to pursue as a sport (is that a sport or
leisure activity?).
Thanks again for your amusing class and your patience with us -
we will see you again next time.
Kathy Dinsmore
(Second side note from Scuba Steve ... After I posted
this letter, I asked Kathy to read my comments about Alison.
Here is what Kathy wrote back:
Scuba Steve,
I loved your comment, and Alison will never see it though, so
no need to worry on that.
Both Alison and I share a bit of anxiety (translation - blinding
panic) about things such as giving oral presentations, and trying
anything out of our comfort zone could result in a similar kind of
panic which we tend to avoid, so for both of us to be successful
at this was a major (phenomenal) accomplishment.
My friends and sisters simply cannot believe that we even thought
of doing this. If it hadn't been your reassurance on the phone I
never would have done this - and the really amazing thing is that
I didn't fret about it at all beforehand. And let me tell you it's
difficult to talk me out of a fear (usually impossible).
One last thought - apparently I passed on my excellent math
skills to Alison along with the predisposition to needless
anxiety, but hey, I got her to scuba dive so that's something
(with your help of course)!
Take care, and just remember to keep breathing!
Kathy)
Aloha, Scuba Steve !!!
Hunter and I just received our PADI "Hawaiian Sea Turtle
Observer" specialty cards. It is cool to have such unique
certification, but not half as cool as the things we saw and
learned.
I am attaching a photo of a scorpion fish you showed us. I will
always remember "rocks don't blink". Thanks for the
off-the-hook experience.
Best regards,
Bob
SCUBA Steve,
We'd like to thank you so much for the dives 4 Jan 08. You are a
fantastic instructor; funny, patient, competent, and very
knowledgeable.
From my experience as a PADI Dive Master, I appreciate a great
Instructor when I see one. I was very impressed with the way you
worked with Stephanie. The remainder of the vacation everything we
did was measured against the fun we had with you.
It being Stephanie's first dive, she was a bit nervous. You made
her feel very comfortable, and you prepared her well. I think she
has the bug now and wants to complete her PADI Certification!
We will definitely recommend you to our friends!
Thanks so much,
Tim and Stephanie P.S. Baby Frogfish Rule!
To All Lucky Divers,
You will be so fortunate to have the experience with diving with
Steve. My husband and I have been diving for 20 yrs.
Want to say this was our best dive experience ever. He spent the
time on what we were going to see and how the fish react to there
habitat.
Was very impressed with Steve's professional manner, and his
preparation for us to learn about the sea life for our dive. Steve
has an extensive knowledge of his dive sites and is willing to
share his information with others.
When we come back to Kauai we will definitely look Steve up
again. Will also recommend him to all that I come across that is
going to Kauai.
Happy Divers,
Bart & Jessica Schroder
Aloha Scuba Steve!
What a wonderful experience my husband and I had diving at Koloa
Landing!!! It was awesome to have a ‘private’
guide.
We especially appreciate the thoroughness of your dive plan and
what aquatic life we would most likely encounter. The ‘cleaning
station’ would have been overlooked had we not
had the tutorial. Your signs were very clear and we were very
comfortable.
Kauai is amazing. Thank you for making our diving experience just
as special.
Mahalo,
Ron and Maureen
Tucson, AZ
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to let you know what a great time me and my fiance,
Ben, had diving with you. You were a wonderful professional and a
relaxingly funny and easygoing guide.
I could tell that we had lucked out when the other SCUBA vans
started pulling up to the dive site and started unloading lots of
people. None of those other guides seemed as friendly or as laid
back as you did and we really appreciated it.
The dive we got was very personal and suited both my fiance's
experience as a diver and my total novice status. We were both
thrilled to be the only people in the group too. It made
everything so much easier and it got us in the water faster. The
animal life was also great. We saw lots of eels, a very sleepy
turtle, and lots of colorful (or camouflaged) fish. Many creatures
were out and about and ready to be looked at.
It was a wonderful first diving experience for me and I would
absolutely recommend you to friends (and I have). We will most
certainly be calling you again if we are ever back in Kauai.
Cheers!
Mary
Steve:
The wind and snow blowing at 20 miles per hour and the
temperature of 28 degrees in Indianapolis prompts me to remember
the wonderful day of diving with you on Kauai.
I‘ve had the opportunity to dive all over the
world, but our day with you tops them all.
At first the question for the family was “did
we want to dive on Kauai?†No one wanted a long
boat trip to the dive site and, on top of that, two of the party
had never dived before. The beautiful weather and the old urge to
see what’s out there soon took over. The
internet gave us the source to search for a dive experience.
Needless to say, your site caught our eye and had all the answers
for our questions.A shore dive, all equipment provided,
instruction for the novices, and our own private group.
I called to set up the dive and was impressed by your cheerful
and competent demeanor. You asked the appropriate questions about
our qualifications and laid out the program completely.
Arriving at the dive site, we all were impressed with the top
notch mobile facility. Premiere location, chairs with each
individuals equipment lined up - ready to use, carpeting, snacks,
and even a shower unit on top of the van made this a unique
experience.
The manner in which you presented refresher material to the rusty
divers blended well with the beginner’s lessons.
All were at ease. Your preview of the underwater critters was most
enjoyable and heightened the in water sightings.
In the water, your experience in teaching had the beginners
acting like seasoned veterans in just a few minutes. Following
your lead, everyone enjoyed our private underwater world of Kauai.
Needless to say, a call to you to book our dives will be a
priority on our next visit.
Bob Malachowski
Hello Scuba Steve!
Dianna Coakwell here~ We took our very first dive with you
11/09/07. I have to say, I was very scared to take the "plunge"!
You made me and my family (Chris and River) feel right at home in
the deep blue!
Your "beach side manor" is exactly what we were looking
for! Laid back but very serious about safety.
I had asked you to hold my hand at first, but once I got into the
water you gave me so much confidence, with out saying a word, hand
holding never even crossed my mind! I even thought the "other
group" in the water, looked silly (all holding hands)
Your professionalism and great "get 'er done" attitude
made diving with you the best part of our way too short vacation!
Thank you so much~
Chris, Dianna and River Coakwell
Kent, Washington
Steve,
Dan and Chris here ... just want to say Mahalo again for the
great diving in Kaua'i last week (10/22/07)!
We are really glad we went for the shore dive and the small
group...of 3...totally cool!! The prep-talk and personal attention
was above and beyond!! You know that cove like the back of your
hand....LOL.
We didn't end up diving in Maui as we couldnt find anything not
attached to a boat trip and after I got sick on the dinner cruise,
that was out. LOL It was offered at our resort but the snorkeling
there was just as good...we played with an average of 5 turtles
there each day!! The local boys were even riding them!! LOL Wish
you could hav come over and taken us out there too.
Your education on sealife was priceless, Steve, you ROCK!!
If you're ever on the east coast of the Mainland.....look us up!!
Best wishes with the future Mrs. Scuba Steve...lucky lady!!
XOXO
Chris and Dan, Maryland
Dear "Scuba Steve",
We just returned home from our much too short visit to your
lovely home of Kauai. I just wanted to drop you a quick note and
say thank you for our incredible dive memory created through your
excellent leadership and tour from Koloa Landing.
You were very informative in your pre-dive orientation and made
the whole experience fun, relaxing and a genuine pleasure. Your
sense of humor was a show in itself, which could only be topped by
your obvious enthusiasm for diving and more importantly for dive
safety.
You, by your own estimation, may be the "senior"
Instructor in your area, but with that comes wisdom and
experience, which those young bucks can only hope to one day
acquire. You can be sure they will be looking over your shoulder
and knowing you just a little tells me that you're only too glad
to share your knowledge with each of them.
Thanks again for taking Adrian and me under your wings for a very
pleasant dive experience. You can be sure that we will spread the
word about you and your services to other divers we encounter.
Sincerely,
Adrian and Terry Spratt.
Aloha Steve,
Deanise and I had the most fantastic time. You made me feel very
comfortable that first day, and that the second day was
unbelieveable!
It's not easy for me to put down in words of what a wonderfull
time we had, the other e-mails from other divers said it all best.
We are returning to Kauai next summer, I will keep in touch to
let you know the dates, as I want to get my certification from
you.
Mahalo ...
Doug & Deanise Killingsworth
PS. Deanise and I were serious when we talked about showing you
around Montana. When you get all your business done and deceide to
take your vacation, we hope you get in touch with us and stay
awhile. Thanks again
Doug
Hi Steve,
This is Tom Carley, and in July I went diving with you. I wanted
to tell you that my diving experience with you was FANTASTIC!!!!!
You are the best!!!
You were the most helpful Tour Guide/Instructor I have ever had
!!! If you can remember I enjoyed it so much the first time I came
back to dive a second day!!!
I saw more varieties of fish than ever before. I have dived on
all of the Hawaiian Islands, except Ohau, from dive boats. Diving
from shore was a very welcomed experience.
When I return to Kauai I will look you up to dive with you again.
Thanks again for a wonderful dive experience.
Tom
Aloha Steve!
Thanks for such an awesome dive experience! For my first times in
the water I am certain I couldn't have found a better instructor &
guide.
Totally AWESOME!!!
Steve Saltsman
Steve,
I wanted to take a few minutes after getting back to the "real"
world, and thank you for the wonderful dive experience you
provided me the day before we left to go back to the Mainland.
As you know, my decision to take a dive while vacationing in
Kauai was a last minute decision and not with much forethought. I
wasn't very optimistic that I would be able to find the right Dive
Master/Instructor that could handle my last minute request,
especially since I hadn't been down in over ten years. However,
Lady Luck was smiling upon me as I came across your website and
called you.
I am 100% convinced that you provided me with the best possible
dive experience, and are in a position to provide anyone
(regardless of skill level) the best diving available on the
island.
Your "Rusty Diver" review was top notch, and combined
with the pre-dive orientation where you discuss the types of sea
life we might see and what to expect made for a fantastic
experience. I would not have gotten this with some of the "BIGGER"
dive shops or larger dive groups. You took your time to make sure
that I got the most out of the time we spent underwater, which is
what diving is all about.
I especially appreciate how everything was ready to go when I
arrived. The equipment was ready (and fit properly) and was in top
notch condition, the "site" where our orientation took
place was like we were sitting in our living room talking about
what was to come. The refreshments, fresh water shower,
comfortable chairs, and "imported" carpeting was over
the top. Nobody else at the dive site had anything close to your
equipment and facility.
Please rest assured that when we return to Kauai (and we will in
the near future), I will look you up and make sure that I schedule
some dive time with you. Until then, please feel free to share
this email with anyone and everyone that is looking for the most
unique SCUBA diving experience on the island. It really can't be
beat!
Aloha and Mahalo,
Kelvin Friedel
Aloha Steve,
Wow what an experience!
I wanted say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the personalized service I
received and for your patience with a newly certified diver. I
know the speciality adventure dive training you provided will
benefit me in my future diving experiences, not to mention the
extra information you shared with me that every diver should be
know (but is not in the books). The navigation and peak
performance buoyancy training you recommended was exactly what I
needed as a new diver to feel more comfortable and confident in
the water.
It was the last dive that I loved the most, the two large sea
turtles and the dragon eel were awsome to see in the wild and you
helped me to learn more about the aquatic life we were observing
on the dive.
I have already recommended you to a couple of scuba buddies and I
cannot say enough about Kauai. I have traveled a great deal and
enjoyed going to many islands, but I have to say Kauai tops them
all.
Your one-on-one training is just what helped me the most and I am
looking forward to working toward the advanced level dives. I hope
to return to Kauai in the future and I will be sure and set up my
dives with you then.
Thanks again, I just loved it and will always remember my first
ocean dives with you.
Laura (aka: Worldtraveler)
Laura S. Henn
Hi, Steve-
Thanks again for a great dive on July 7th (rescheduled from July
4th due to poor conditions)! We had a great time and really
appreciated your sea life review before entering the water. It
made the entire dive much more interesting!
After not diving for about four years, we were glad we took your
Rusty Diver course. You were right, it all comes back to you very
quickly. Even though the course was short and sweet, it was
thorough, and it made us feel totally confident in the water so we
could enjoy the dive.
After all was said and done, I was really happy that we chose you
to guide us. I was initially skeptical about doing a shore dive
(which I hadn't done since my certification training!), but it
really was so much better to skip the boat ride (and the sea
sickness!) and be in the water literally within minutes of us
meeting at the dive site. I was worried about entering in the
surf, but the site you chose was perfect and calm and not a
problem at all.
The bottom line is that we got more time actually in the water
instead of on a boat, and that was great.
Thank you again for a fantastic experience.
Kelly & Mike Hewitt
Scuba Steve!
I apologize for the delay in sending you this e-mail. We should
have sent it months ago.
I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful diving experience my
wife and I had. There is no way I could have gotten her to dive if
it wasn't for you!
I had booked the diving trip as part of our honeymoon, but she
had failed to mention that she has a fear of drowning. Go figure,
I guess you still learn something new after being married!
If it was not for you working with her one on one and making her
feel safe I guarantee she would have sat out. It turned out to be
our best experience while on the island.
I seriously cannot thank you enough. I highly recommend your dive
service for anyone looking for a more personal, friendly, and
professional dive experience with attention to detail.
Wonderful! We look forward to our next visit and dive with you.
Thanks Again for everything!
Scott Mitchell
Aloha, Steve -
Just wanted to say thank you one more time for a fantastic 4
dives! On my own I never would have seen half the stuff you showed
me.
I was really impressed with your whole attitude toward diving and
the animals you get to play with every day. You made me feel
comfortable and confident, even though I'd not been diving in over
15 years.
When I come back to the Kauai, I'll definitely be giving you a
call, and I'm telling all of my friends about you as well.
Take care,
Dave Madorsky
Hello Steve,
Our family had a fantastic time diving with you, you managed to
keep us all entranced from our Assistant instructor mom to our
discover scuba little brother.
The five of us will never forget the great things you showed us.
It way beats diving in Idaho, LOL.
Thanks for helping us make amazing memories!
The Petersons
Hi Steve,
I am not sure if you remember me........I dove with you a while
back..........a very green diver who was obsessed with the turtles
and the incredible fish.
It was only you and I (I think I got spoiled)..........
Anyway, I think of you often and how you helped me feel so
confident. I am looking for a similiar experience in
Cozumel......wondering if you could recommend a good company
there.
I hope to be back in Kauai soon and diving with you..........
Lesa Black (from Seattle)
Greetings Steve,
Marta Arensberg here, from Issaquah, WA.
You may remember me from last years rainy February and early
March. The weather was so bad during my OW certification course
with you, that we had to keep postponing the four open water
training sessions. But finally the water was clear enough to
finish up the class. I will be returning to Kauai on February 1,
2007, for three weeks. My husband and I will be staying at the
Kuhio Shores Condominums again. And of course, I want to do some
diving on Kauai this trip.
Since my OW certification with you in March 06, I have taken two
week long dive trips. On the first, which was on the Kona
Aggressor in June, I completed my PADI Advanced OW and the TDI
Computer Nitrox Diver courses. In my AOW class, I did Deep Diver
(or maybe it was Multilevel - I can't remember the name), Boat
Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy and Underwater Navigator. On the
second trip, which was on the Cayman Aggressor in Sept, I
completed the PADI Night Diver course. I now have 51 dives in my
log book.
I would like to carry on with my diving education, and am
thinking of taking another course from you while I am on Kauai.
Would the Underwater Navigation Application/Exploration 2-Tank
Dive class be the same as that section from my AOW course, or is
it more in depth? Or maybe the Underwater Naturalist course would
be a good choice for me.
In any case, I am hoping you have some available dates during the
first three weeks of February, and I will call you after we arrive
on Kauai to make an appointment for a couple dive days. I will be
bringing all of my diving equipment, so will only need weights and
filled tanks. Please let me know if you will be working during
that period of time. I just wanted to be sure you weren't going to
be off on vacation then.
Thank you,
Marta Arensberg
Hi Steve,
just wanted to say thank you again for taking my son and I out on
our shore dive. It was great! Good luck with your daughter and
your dive co. I will tell all my dive friends to dive with you
when they vacation in Kauai!
Mahalo!
Delphine
Hey Steve,
I just wanted to say thanks for a great time and send you a few
pics. I hope I can dive with you again sometime.
I haven't received my card yet, but I'm anxiously waiting.
Ryan (I was the pain in the ass engineer) ;)
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to thank you for making my first scuba dive Kauai
experience so wonderful. My experience with you taking the
discover scuba dives has made me want to get my PADI
certification, I will hopefully be able to do it within the next
year.
It was really awesome to meet you, and I hope one day I get to
return to Kauai and dive with you again.
Thanks so much!!!
Jennifer
Steve,
This email is long overdue, but better late then never.
We went scuba diving on Kauai with Steve the last week of August
of 2005, and due to Steve's knowledge of the area, its indigenous
creatures and his great patience, our experience was bar-none the
most enjoyable diving experience we have had.
My wife and I haven't been diving for several years, so we chose
to utilize Steve's "Rusty Diver" option for our trip,
and we were glad we did. Steve is a very patient and knowledgeable
Instructor, and the format of the experience from a shore
orientation of the equipment, to the area and wildlife orientation
worked quite well.
Steve explained the nature of the animals in the area and what
the best methods were for viewing and experiencing them in the
habitat. As we dove, we encountered other divers moving through an
area at record speeds, and they missed several interesting and
unusual sites as they sped through that we did not due to Steve's
method.
We had an experience with a turtle that we will always refer to,
and we wish we had a camera for it. I guess I was swimming along
with this turtle who was in my blind spot just behind and to my
right for a minute or so, and it wasn't until Steve and my wife
signaled to me that he was there that I saw him. He was very close
and based on Steve's advise earlier, we allowed the turtle to
settle into a spot where we were able to experience his majesty.
Thank you Steve for such a great experience. We will be in
contact when we are able to return to do more Kauai scuba diving!
David and Marianne
Steve,
Back in Iowa now and I just wanted to follow up with you on how
much fun I had going on my first scuba dive Kauai with you. I
always wanted to try it but never had the opportunity.
The dive I went on with you was definitely worth the wait. There
were other groups going out the same time we were and I could tell
you were much more thorough in explaining all the equipment and
safety procedures. Your presentation about the history of the bay
and explaining all the types of fish we would see made the course
complete.
Going the extra mile by having a class with just me and not a
large group was fantastic and made the dive more pleasurable
knowing I was getting a more detailed personalized dive. Your
enthusiasm for the sport is great and made the dive more exciting.
I could tell you loved diving and introducing new divers to the
sport - even after all the dives you have done. Watching the other
instructors in the different diving operations, they acted like
the dives were just a job and did not enjoy working with new
divers.
Just wanted to say thanks and I will never forget the humu,
butterflies, trumpets, eels, shrimp, cleaners, goats, urchins and
lions we saw that day. I recommended you to all the people I work
with in Kauai. I hope I can get back someday and do more Kauai
diving all over again.
Thanks again.
Wayne
Steve,
Jan and I truly enjoyed diving with you at Koloa Landing on
Tuesday, August 9. We had a great time on our dive on Kauai. Our
dives with you were at the top of our list of the things we really
enjoyed.
Jan and I are experienced divers having been diving since the
early '80s all over the Caribbean, Mexico, the Bahamas and
numerous fresh water locations too cold to remember. We found your
set up, equipment, intro and execution to be first rate and right
up there with some of the big name operations such as Peter Hughes
Dive Bonaire and Neal Watson's Underwater Adventures.
We were especially entertained by your description of the dive
sight, the fish and other critters we might see and what to look
for. You didn't bore us, and covered the safety aspects very well
without talking down to us. I don't see how anybody would not
enjoy your thorough and lively intro.
Our nearly 2 hours of bottom time were fun, relaxing and
exciting. You did your job as dive guide with professionalism,
humor and an overall friendly and welcoming attitude.
I've been an instructor for over 20 years (I'm not active
anymore) and have seen it all from really great to the
unbelievably bad. You rank right up there with the best I've ever
dived with.
Thanks again for an extremely fun morning of Kauai scuba diving.
Jan and Michael
Dear Steve,
Roger and I returned to New Mexico reluctantly after 10 days of
scuba diving in Kauai…a most memorable,
beautiful experience for a couple who have been married for less
than 2 years.
In reflection, our time spent with you was absolutely the best! I
dive occasionally in the Bahamas, but Roger's certification was
pretty dated with his last diving over 30 years ago. With your "Rusty
Diver" session, you were able to overcome his uncertainty
within just a few hours, and get us into diving in a safe and
beautiful location at Whaler's Cove.
Your attention and watchfulness to our lack of diving experience
gave both of us peace of mind in entering the water, and as
confidence grew, your knowledge of the dive site reopened the
wonders of diving and exploring living creatures in the sea. Roger
was so excited after diving with you…the ONLY
reason we didn't dive again before we left was because there just
wasn't enough time!
I can now look forward to many more diving experiences with my
new "diving buddy", and we will definitely being Kauai
diving and working with you again soon! Thanks so very much!
Regards,
Deborah and Roger
PS: We left your cards with Suite Paradise and clearly told them
that you are the guy to dive kauai with, even for us "scairdy
cats"!!
Steve,
I just wanted to take this moment to thank you for your excellent
training. I did two boat dives and one night dive after I was
certified. All three went very well although the night dive was
very intimidating in the first 10 minutes. Once I calmed down, it
was great. I wish I could have dived with you some more but the
schedules just did not work out. I hope my brother John gave you a
small token of my appreciation.
Looking forward to diving with you again next time I am in Kauai!
Sincerely,
Marco
Steve,
I just wanted to drop you a note and tell how much fun I had reef
and shore diving with you. You need to send me some cards. I'm
going to hand them out to all the dive shops out here and all my
dive friends.
I'm already booking my Kauai scuba diving vacation for next year.
This time I'm going to try to stay for 2 weeks. I will be
contacting you to set up dives once I have all my dates.
Holly
Hi Steve,
Just wanted you to know what a great time we had. Of the 100+
Instructors and Dive Masters we have ever went diving with you
were the most interested in showing us a good time & one of
the few we will never forget.
Good Luck .
Jeff
PS. If you need us as a reference, no problem.
Hey Steve,
Things have been crazy here in NY but I have been wanting to say
thanks for showing us around Kauai diving. We really had a great
time and you did a really nice job.
The Koloa Landing dives were really pretty and very relaxing. The
fish nests we saw were so cool and the male fish guarding the nest
was a lot of fun and very interesting to watch.
Just wanted to say thanks and we will highly recommend you to any
of our diving friends.
Jane
PS. Take good care of your daughter-shes a great kid! Oh yeah ...
snow here yesterday
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