Vancouver isn't the diving mecca of the world ...
No, actually the South West Coast of BC is considered by many throughout the world to be the top among cold water diving destinations. Your mis-statement there actually motivated me to register an account here after lurking on and off for over 10 years.
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For some of the best diving, look no further than B.C.'
I second nearly all that fuzzababybunny recommended, but as Vancouver and the surrounding areas indeed are meccas for diving, you do have plenty of business and university club options for lessons from the basics with PADI or NAUI on up to and technical courses and diving groups.
For getting an introduction into diving few should have an issue with you taking an Open Water course via the PADI route. But -- shop around. In a cold water environment an option of a swimming pool is perfectly acceptable for the first water lessons due to some students presenting a phobia or firm discomfort when being submerged. This happens among classes. Best to happen in a more controlled environment where the shock of cold water on the face and extremities won't amplify anxieties and disrupt a class and their progression to the first dives.
A PADI open water course is an introduction to diving and none should equate that to making one a proficient diver. It will provide you an overview and taste of what you may wish to further pursue. If you want to continue then consider a route to progress up to some tech courses with another organisation. As with many, I did start off locally with a PADI route and even continued in the tropics for their Divemaster (another PADI term that ought to be taken as hyperbole) certification... Though that was done as a way to achieve a cheap diving vacation of 2 to 5 daily/nightly dives around a quiet and beautiful Caribbean reef for nearly two months. :thumbsup:
Beyond a comfortable and well fitting mask plus possibly a snorkel - DO NOT yet buy any further equipment. Taking a class should provide what you will need. Dive equipment is expensive and it will be counter productive to your progression and enjoyment by investing into gear without have some familiarity, practice, and comparisons with the choices available.
Some here recommended that you use a dry suit. Ignore that bad advice. You will be learning to dive and no responsible instructor will out-fit such students in a dry suit without them first learning the fundamentals and then employee safe and good buoyancy techniques. Dry suits complicate this and can greatly increase the risks associated with poor buoyancy control. That said, many local experienced divers still prefer dives in a wet suit. A cold rush will first flow in -- but you WILL warm up. The water beyond 4m is the fairly the same temp year round, so just accept it with proper insulation.
Late fall, winter, to early spring winter diving around here is fantastic with many areas offering clear water. Best in class dive sites. Best diving in North America. You live here so take advantage of it!