A fun, professionally run facility. Great guys!
Great dive experience, great crew!
I completed my TEC 40-Tec50 with Monty, switching in the middle to a side mount, back in 2013, and returned to complete TDI Trimix and Advanced Trimix in September 2015. Monty is a WONDERFUL instructor. You can instantaneously feel that he loves what he does. Monty tailors the training to a student’s learning style, has a profound experience in diving (including commercial diving and countless hours of exploration), many years of providing instructions, and he is a very nice person, fun and easy going. Thank you, Monty, for your patience – I was wondering if it has limits! What I really liked about my training is that I learned above and beyond of what the textbook offers. It is really up to you how much you are willing or able to absorb, but Monty’s knowledge of a diving physiology, psychology and technique is limitless. It is quite fascinating and inspiring to see Monty diving – not a single unnecessary movement but when he moves, it is a pure precision and efficiency (I am speaking from a cave diver perspective). To sum it up, whether you are considering a side mount or a Trimix course with Monty, you are guaranteed to have a great time and learn more that you ever dreamed off. Add crystal-clear water, no thermocline and a friendly island to the mix and it will be hard for you to leave. I am going back for some fun Trimix dives as soon as can.
Prior to opening my own dive shop I worked at a busy shop in West End Roatan. During that time I had the opportunity to not only work with Monty in the recreational diving side of things but also to take some courses in what seemed to be his passion, tec diving. Without a shadow of a doubt can I say he loves what he does and is good at it. With a commercial diving background the guy is more than just some guy who took a couple of courses. He's not simply trying to get students to take more courses for the sake of making a sale. He truly loves to dive and will do so even when not teaching. Some only gear up when they will profit, Monty will gear up for exploration and thrill seeking. Diving has been his life for decades and he still approaches it with great enthusiasm. When searching for an instructor to take you across the threshold from recreational to TEC diving you should look for experience, commitment to safety, as well as passion. Those are covered with the Roatan Tec Center. Additionally I would include the fact that he explains things in plain english. He can get very technical with the numbers if that's what you are looking for. Me, I wanted to explore and learn the proper way of doing things. Look for other options and then do yourself a favor and stick with Monty. By the way, the decision for choosing whom to get TEC certified should consider cost, but if you have to factor it too heavily in your decision wait and save up till you can do it right.