I am writing this review four years after the fact because the negative impact of this experience is still affecting us today. After registering for the course, we endured a one-year wait for pandemic restrictions to ease before we could finally start our training with Aqua Sub Scuba Center in August 2021. Due to pool closures at the time, the shop conducted our beginner "confined water" training directly in the lake at Tobermory. The schedule was grueling, and learning basic skills in freezing open water is already incredibly challenging for new students. However, the difficult conditions were not the issue—the instructor, Willis Bote, was. When we struggled with the skills—a normal occurrence for beginners in such a harsh environment—Willis did not offer the patience or support expected of a teacher. Instead, he openly mocked us and made fun of my companion when mistakes were made. This lack of professional courtesy extended beyond the water. I later emailed the shop multiple times to request my records, but I was completely ignored. I never received a single reply or acknowledgment regarding the service I paid for. This experience proved to me that a coaching certificate is meaningless without proper ethics. Willis Bote may hold the title of "Master Scuba Diver Trainer," but unfortunately, integrity and respect are not taught in certification courses—these are matters of personal character and basic human decency. He clearly lacked this foundation. We were failed on the course, but the financial loss is irrelevant to me. The true cost was the emotional damage. My companion was left with genuine trauma from this experience. Now, four years later, as I try to plan a vacation, my companion still refuses to scuba dive because of the humiliation we felt. We paid for an educational experience and good memories; instead, this instructor’s lack of professionalism ruined the sport for us entirely.
Tyler is incredibly knowledgeable, and always provides the best insight on gear, courses and everything else diving related. I did my nitrox cert with Tyler and he was awesome. Certainly the kind of guy that goes above and beyond constantly showing his love for the sport.
The online store is the worst! Order made long ago, nothing was shipped as it should, absolutely no feedback or explanation from them, they don't answer to emails. Buy elsewhere!
This is a good opportunity to offer the commendation so richly deserved by this absolutely reputable establishment. Tyler Caughill and Norbert Pietkiewicz own and operate AquaSub Scuba Diving Centre, a truly first class 5-Star PADI Training Centre and complete dive shop. Both Tyler and Norbert are at once engaging, funny, and extremely knowledgeable on everything diving and snorkeling. You can be assured of excellent service, fair pricing, and in-depth sound advice, recommendations, and training and equipment. Their superbly socialized mascots, Hugo (~18-wk-old French Bulldog pup) and Otto (8-yr -old French Bulldog), welcome and screen all guests, making sure you you will always be in the company of only the finest clientele! It is worth the trip to AquaSub just to meet them. Of course, after Hugo and Otto melt your heart you will be totally immersed and taken with all that AquaSub has to offer. As a rusty veteran diver of 90 dives from 1984 to 1999, I had the pleasure of taking a PADI scuba refresher course with one of AquaSub's superb instructors, Willis Bote, on January 10, 2025, at the Centennial Pool in Richmond Hill. Willis was extremely thorough and knowledgeable, quickly ascertaining the specific needs of the two students in his class (myself and one other "mature" diver), while thoroughly reviewing all of the key aspects of equipment, open water dive skills and safety procedures. Willis was a lot of fun, and ensured we came out of this course confident and ready to go on our next underwater adventures. I can't wait to immerse myself once again in advanced underwater photography and ecology in the magical kingdom of inner space. Thank you so much Willis, Tyler, and Norbert!! And when you visit AquaSub, be sure to ask Tyler or Norbert about the special ceremony held to honour your 100th dive!! Andy Hoffer, Toronto, Canada
The people who run the place are very nice and the instructors are great. If you want to give scuba diving a shot, and are even a bit nervous, these guys will get you all set and you’ll love the experience.
I signed up for the introductory to scuba, it was supposed to be for a couple of hours but it was more than 3 hours from the beginning to the end of the lesson. Very well done, from the theory until the experience in the pool at Centennial. Didn't cut it short for going in overtime, I had the chance to try out the equipment and learn various procedures like get the water out from the goggles, switch the mouthpiece, how to deal with no air, how to adjust the pressure in the BCD to hover in deep water. Loved it, all new but the instructor never rushed us.
My fiancée and I enjoyed our confined water dives with Alex and Chris IMMENSELY! Our instructor to student ratio was unparalleled and both of our teachers were always at the ready to answer our questions/concerns. As pure novices who bought our own gear but had ZERO idea how to use it, we walked away from our weekend educated, invigorated and not surprisingly, exhausted. Hard work is its own reward!! As devout planners, stepping outside our comfort zone is always cause for nerves and potentially panic. Alex and Chris were steady rudders for us both in the pool and on the deck. Panic underwater simply isn't an option and they ensured that despite our "newbie" status we found our way to success in ALL required elements with maximum learning and minimum drama. I would highly recommend BOTH gentlemen if you're planning to obtain your PADI Open Water Diver certification. Highly experienced, clear communicators and quick witted when needed as well. I signed up for our eLearning in December and finally got to our pool dives in July. AquaSubScuba applied ZERO pressure, no hidden upcharges and exceeded my expectations on all fronts this weekend. We live in Oakville and PROMISE you it's worth the drive to Richmond Hill!!
AquaSub Scuba Diving Centre is a Canadian Dive shop based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. AquaSub Scuba Diving Centre is located at 1241 Elgin Mills Rd E, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 2T6, Canada.
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