"What happens to divers who
fall out of the diving habit? How easy is it to get
back into the sport after a long break? Mystery Diver had to know.
I had been a keen BSAC
club member but had to leave because of work 10 years ago. I still had
my gear, bought secondhand 15 years ago, and wasn't sure if my Dive Leader
badge would still allow me to progress to Advanced Diver. Would
Robin Hood Watersports set me back on course?
The shop was busy that
afternoon - not packed, but a few people were waiting to be served. A
woman who had been answering phone calls eventually saw that I looked
lost and offered assistance.
I explained my problem
and she asked if I could wait for Andy, who was doing air fills. But
after a few minutes Sally, who had been showing a trainee the ropes, found
herself free. While dealing with another customer, she listened to my
needs.
Yes, Robin Hood
Watersports had a training facility and could offer PADI or BSAC training courses. Which was best? "That depends on what you want
from the qualification", replied Sally diplomatically, "but
before that you might want to get used to being in the water again."
She ran through the ways in which I could re-familiarise myself with my
equipment and skills. Costs varied, but the methods seemed appropriate.
She had no costing for the Advanced Diver qualification, but said the
person who dealt with training would call me when he got back from a trip.
She then went further, telling me where I could train and about the diving
club, as a DO would talk to a potential member.
She agreed without hesitation to show me round. The pool
area was spotless, with funky cartoons on the walls. Sally
left me to wander around the
store, well stocked and with prices that seemed reasonable,
plus signs holding put the prospect of discounts. I had to test this out.
Andy had finished his fills and I told him my gear looked worn out. "Bring
it all in and we'll service it," he said. What about discounts if
I needed new stuff? His reply was unexpected. "I'll sell you new
gear if you want, but first I'd recommend you bring your old gear in,
let us take a look at it and see if it's still up to the job, otherwise
you'll be wasting your money."
Would I buy from this man in the future? Absolutely, such honesty is a
modern-day rarity. Would I train here? Definitely. I found Robin Hood
Watersports and its staff to be role models for the diving retail industry."
Mystery Diver
Diver Magazine
May 2002
