Welcome to Nekton Associates
We specialize in private
scuba diving lessons.
Linda M. Mills
3917 Grenville Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903-7672
(434) 293-6376
lmm@nektondiver.com
www.nektondiver.com
We offer training and certification in skin and scuba diving under the auspices of the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), an internationally-recognized training organization and one of the oldest. Classes range from one in skin diving for eight year olds and up to advanced and specialty scuba courses. Additionally we can direct you to expert cave diving instruction through our associate David Rhea. We can set up and lead you on dive trips around the world. Emphasis is on personalized training, with flexible scheduling and ample opportunity to become comfortable with all your new skills and knowledge.
Background and training of instructors:
Linda M. Mills, NAUI Instructor #12611L
NAUI Scuba Instructor (1990), NAUI equipment repair technician, Lifetime NAUI
member (1992), NSS/CDS and NACD full cave diver, recipient of Bronze Wakulla
and Abe Davis Awards for cave diving, ANDI Nitrox diver, Red Cross Water Safety
Instructor and Lifeguard (1992), M.A., English, UVA (1977), English teacher
in Albemarle County Schools (1974-1981, 2000-2001).
Stacey E. Mills, M.D., NAUI Instructor #12610L
NAUI Scuba Instructor (1990), NAUI Equipment repair technician, Lifetime NAUI
member (1992), PSI visual scuba inspector, ANDI Nitrox diver, NSS/CDS and
NACD full cave diver, GUI cave diver, recipient of Bronze Wakulla Award and
Abe Davis Awards for cave diving, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Division
Chief, Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health Science Center.
David Rhea, NAUI Instructor #12340
Has been an ANDI, CMAS, IANTD, NAUI, PADI, and YMCA scuba instructor; Global
Underwater Explorers, NSS/CDS, and NACD cavern/cave diving instructor; Cave
Training Director for GUE; recipient of Silver Wakulla Award and the Abe Davis
Award for cave diving: ScubaPro Business Development Manager, Florida and
Caribbean territory
In addition, the instructors have worked together team teaching several instructor programs, lecturing on diving-related topics, and writing multiple diving-related articles in Sources, the official journal of NAUI.
Weekly classes each summer include a Skin Diver certification class for the
individual who already knows how to swim and would like an introduction to
some of the rudimentary equipment for underwater exploration. It requires
writing and reading in topic areas of the student's choice, in addition to
5 hours of lecture and 7 in the water, with a trip to a local lake or quarry
to practice open water skills. This course provides an introduction to snorkeling
and an option for younger people in a family of scuba divers.
For those 12 years of age and older who wish to learn to scuba dive, the NAUI
Scuba Diver certification course is an entry level scuba diving class that
will provide you with the necessary education, training, and practice. Students
12-14 years of age must take the course with a parent or in preparation to
dive with an already-certified family member. Upon completion, you will be
able to participate in a variety of diving experiences, including those great
coral reefs around the world! This course includes beautiful underwater slides
and videos from previous scuba trips, and physiology/diving medicine questions
answered by a UVA physician. After entry level certification, you can enhance
your diving skills with Advanced or Rescue Diver and a variety of other courses.
The Scuba Diver course includes about 14 in-class hours and 10 or more in-water, with 5 open water dives. Instruction will include more time in classroom or pool practice and optional open water dives if these are needed. Generally, the course time will be divided into 5 lecture sessions, 5 pool sessions, and two trips to the quarry. This can take as little as two full (very full!) weekends, or a number of weeks, depending on your schedule and ours. The required open water dives may also be done in the central Florida springs or on another dive trip, although this requires special scheduling and additional charges for travel, lodging, and site fees.
Fee for the course is $400. This includes all instruction, pool fees, NAUI Scuba Diver student kit (textbook, workbook, NAUI decal, Training and Dive logbook, plastic NAUI dive tables), and the certification card. We supply a buoyancy compensator, weight belt and weights, scuba air cylinder, and regulator. You will need to supply your own mask, fins, booties, and snorkel. Unless you already own these pieces of equipment, we strongly suggest that you not purchase them until we have covered fit and selection tips in the first lecture. For two/three days of quarry dives you will need to rent a wet suit, hood, and gloves (about $35-$40/day, available from various local dive shops) and pay a quarry usage fee (approximately $20/day).
OTHER COURSES:
REFRESHER:
May be completed in confined water; includes review of all major topics covered in lecture, entry level test, practice and demonstration of all pool skills; verification will be through logbook entry. Pool refresher $50, open water refresher $75 (Student must supply wetsuit and pay quarry fee).
ADVANCED:
Six hours academic and six open water dives. Students supply their own gear or make arrangements to rent through instructor ($50). $200 + wetsuit rental, quarry fee.
INDIVIDUALIZED SWIMMING & SNORKELING TRAINING:
Non-certification classes available in beginning swimming and snorkeling techniques. $25 per class session.
Last modified: 2008-01-13