12 replies to this topic

[JimG]

According to THIS LINK, the YMCA Scuba program is ending after this year.
Anyone have any thoughts or remembrances of the Y program?

I have been a YSCUBA instructor for almost 15 years - don't write the program off just yet. The only thing we know for sure is that effective Jan 1, 2009, YMCA of the USA is withdrawing its sponsorship of a YMCA-branded SCUBA certification program. There is an effort underway to spin the program off as an independent operating entity, with its own leadership and oversight. This will be a Good Thing, and I am optimistic that the necessary agreements can be worked out with YUSA to transfer ownership of the program.

Many of us are still passionate about YSCUBA, and are anxious to see the program continue in some form or fashion. Hopefully we will know something definite by the time DEMA rolls around this year.

-JimG

[peterbj7]

I for one sincerely hope a way will be found to continue it. I have no first-hand experience of it, but its reputation is unassailed and there has been way too much "dunning down" in the scuba certification industry.

[justscuba]

According to THIS LINK, the YMCA Scuba program is ending after this year.
Anyone have any thoughts or remembrances of the Y program?

I have been a YSCUBA instructor for almost 15 years - don't write the program off just yet. The only thing we know for sure is that effective Jan 1, 2009, YMCA of the USA is withdrawing its sponsorship of a YMCA-branded SCUBA certification program. There is an effort underway to spin the program off as an independent operating entity, with its own leadership and oversight. This will be a Good Thing, and I am optimistic that the necessary agreements can be worked out with YUSA to transfer ownership of the program.

Many of us are still passionate about YSCUBA, and are anxious to see the program continue in some form or fashion. Hopefully we will know something definite by the time DEMA rolls around this year.

-JimG

Is SSI taking it over??? That is what I am hearing around here. I just want to any certification going away we need more scuba divers and ones who will look after our water.

[JimG]

Is SSI taking it over??? That is what I am hearing around here.

I have heard nothing like that, so I would say it is just rumor. I have been in personal,. direct contact with the people who are trying to spin off the new agency, but don't know much more about it than what I posted above. I am trying not to bother them with questions right now (since they have a lot to deal with already), but I understand that they are hoping to have some kind of official announcement in time for DEMA. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will be able to continue YSCUBA training "as is", and with minimal interruption.

-JimG

[Dive_Girl]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will be able to continue YSCUBA training "as is", and with minimal interruption.

Keeping my fingers crossed too! While not a YMCA instructor, it doesn't take much to see the program as solid and the instructors as dedicated, both of which help introduce scuba to people.

[shadragon]

New names to consider for the new agency:

PADY

NAYI

SSY

ACYC

[Starfish Sandy]

I was certified by two FABULOUS YMCA instructors. They were both great instructors and I am still close friends with one of them! I think the course I had was great - and I had to take it twice.

[Hipshot]

I've been a YMCA Assistant Instructor for almost twenty years, and I'd be lying if I said that I (and most of the folks I've taught with) didn't see this coming.

I completely agree with peterbj7 about the industry "dumbing down" the standards for certification. Unfortunately, from a marketing viewpoint, too many people want the instant gratification of a shorter, easier course.

Rick

[peterbj7]

Question of semantics for any other pedant out there - is it "dunning" or "dumbing"? I always thought it was the former, derived from a reference to "Dun & Bradstreet", though obviously the latter gets the sense over perfectly well.

[pir8]

I hate to think about losing any of our agencies.

[JimG]

Question of semantics for any other pedant out there - is it "dunning" or "dumbing"? I always thought it was the former, derived from a reference to "Dun & Bradstreet", though obviously the latter gets the sense over perfectly well.

It is "dumbing" as in "dumbing down". "Dunning" is the present tense of "dun", which means "to demand payment". For example, a letter requesting payment of a debt is often referred to as a "dun letter".

-JimG (whose mother was an English major)

[peterbj7]

I don't know - I can think of one or two who don't contribute much. What I call "me too" agencies, just set up to cash in.