#25	About Buddies Michael Clayton Michael Clayton - scubalessons Crystal River FL DiveBuddy.com Joined On: 1/10/2009 Last Login: 1/26/2009 Member Type: Instructor

Discount Guided Dives to Springs in Central/North Florida. Unique transparent pricing model. Guided dives can be mornings or afternoons.

Fee Structure: Fixed guide fee of $60.00 per group (limit 8). For example, if there are four divers, each diver pays $15.00. If you are the first diver or divers to sign up for a certain day, I will do best to add others who call later to lower your cost. Yes, gratuities are accepted but will never be solicited; they are optional. Obviously, they are what make the tours profitable and I recommend no more than $10.00 per person. I’m well aware you are just as challenged by the Financial Crisis as I am.

Diver pays site fee and for any rental gear needed. Some of the sites offer discounts on the cost of site fee and gear rental. Or, you can pick up rental gear from any of the local shops. During your trip, feel free to ask my opinion about how and where to buy gear if you plan to make that investment. The Financial Crisis has changed everything and retail cost, in my opinion, no longer is appropriate for most people. As an insider (instructor) I’ll share with you what I’ve learned on this subject. It’s interesting.

How can I afford to do this? A shop has significant overhead, management and employees to support. As an independent PADI Instructor I don’t have any of that. I have no time pressures to return to dive shop by a certain time so divers are only bound by site open/close times. Also, you can go to two sites in the same afternoon with no additional guide fee. You would only pay the additional site fee.

Current site options: Devils Den, Blue Grotto, Manatee Springs, Ginnie Springs ($80 fee for Ginnie divided among divers and we stay to do early evening 3rd dive and in winter this is actually a night dive). Check their web sites for current entry fees.

Email Michael now for reservations or to learn about dive instruction at scubalessons@gmail.com or call at 561-716-7099.