This course includes the use of our rental equipment (BCD, Regulator, Weights, Cylinders, and Wetsuit), but you are required to purchase the essential equipment listed below (Cost approx. $200-$500 depending on your gear selection):

• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Boots
• 2 Mouthpieces

Please note that some optional specialty adventures (mermaid, underwater photo and video, etc) may require extra equipment. 

We recommend purchasing your equipment at Aquatic Specialties so we can personally fit the equipment to you and your body type. We have many different brands, styles, and sizes, and having equipment that fits well will enhance your performance in the water and make your dive experience more enjoyable! We offer our students a 10% discount* on any required equipment that is purchased while actively enrolled in a course! Every customer matters and your support of your local dive shop is the backbone to our success. Your patronage motivates us to keep improving, and allows us to be able to provide you with the services that we do today - together, we will dive into great things!

*Some restrictions apply on select products

Please Note: Students are responsible for picking up, transporting, and returning their own rental equipment. If transport is needed on our part, an additional surcharge may apply.

To ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable dive experience, we ask that all students take the following responsibilities seriously throughout the course:

GEAR TRANSPORTATION

Students are responsible for transporting their own personal equipment and rental equipment to and from each class and dive session. If you are unable to do so, we may be able to assist with transport for an additional surcharge. Please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.

PUNCTUALITY & ATTENDANCE

Arrive on time for all sessions. Diving requires structure and safety protocols - late arrivals may miss important briefings and could be asked to reschedule at an added cost. Full attendance is required for certification.

PRE-COURSE STUDY

If your course includes eLearning or textbook materials, they must be completed before your first in-person session. This ensures you understand the theory and can focus on skills during practical training.

MINDSET & FOCUS

Stay attentive and engaged throughout the course. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and support your fellow divers. Please be mindful that this is a classroom setting and we are all here to learn together. If you would like a private class, please contact the shop for more information. Teamwork is a key part of the experience!

MEDICAL & PHYSICAL READINESS

You must complete a medical questionnaire prior to starting the course. If any answers indicate a potential condition, a physician's clearance may be required. Being comfortable in the water and in reasonably good health is essential for completion of the prerequisites of this course.

COMMUNICATION

Keep in touch with us if anything changes - whether it is scheduling conflicts, health concerns, or gear issues. We are here to help, and clear communication ensures a smoother experience for everyone!

Need help preparing or have questions? Reach out to our team at any time - we are here to support you at every step of your diving journey!

The course fee ($395) includes the following:

• Explorers handbook, course registration, and certification fees for SSI
  • Lifetime access to SSI's digital learning material, digital logbook, digital certification cards, dive tables, and more
• 5 in-person sessions (approx. 3 hours each)
  • Each class blends short, classroom-style lessons wiht hands-on in-water activities, allowing kids to learn skills and apply them right away
• Access to our rental gear
  • BCD, cylinder, weights, wetsuit, and regulator
• We are happy to discuss additional sessions for explorers who would like to continue to explore other specialties! 

The SSI Explorers materials start by introducing children to the importance of protecting and preserving our oceans by becoming a Blue Oceans Explorer. After learning why our oceans are important, about the world’s five oceans, and what they can do to help protect our oceans, students earn the SSI Blue Oceans Explorer recognition rating. They can then move on to learn all there is to know about snorkel equipment and snorkeling in a confined water environment to earn their Snorkel Explorer rating.

The fun doesn’t stop there, however! SSI Explorers can go on even more underwater adventures to earn 22 different Specialty Explorer ratings. They can improve their explorer skills with exciting specialties like Underwater Model Explorer, Rescue Explorer, Shark Ecology Explorer, and Search & Rescue Explorer, just to name a few. Your child can earn the Specialty Explorer recognition rating by completing two Explorer specialties. When they complete four specialties, they will become Advanced Explorers, and after completing the Rescue Explorer specialty, they can become a Master Explorer. SSI Explorers will even be able to earn real C-Cards just like their parents to show off their hard-earned recognition ratings.

To look back on their explorer fun, SSI has included a logbook section toward the back of the colorfully engaging SSI Explorers manual. The Explorer Logbook is where students can record details of their underwater adventures as they work through these exciting experiences. SSI has also included an area for the Explorer Instructor to place an SSI recognition sticker specific to each completed explorer activity. Children will be excited to work toward earning them all!

Ready to try Scuba Diving?

Check out our Try Scuba Diving class (Ages 8+). This is a program designed to give you a taste of scuba diving, without committing to a certification or diving in deep water. To be clear, you do not receive a certification, but you will receive a recognition card, and it will give you and/or your child a chance to experience scuba diving in shallow water, and teach you a little of what it’s all about. The program lasts around 3 hours in total and is a combination of a little basic theory and one shallow water session in our indoor heated pool!

Junior Open Water Diver (10-15)*: If you’re confident your child will love scuba diving you can skip the Try Scuba and go straight for the Open Water Course. When they turn 15 years old if they have been diving continuously (no more than a 6-month break), they can come into the shop and we will upgrade their certification to Open Water. If they have not been diving in the past year, they are required to take a Scuba Skills Update to review skills and demonstrate proficiency. 

For students who would like to gain more confidence in the water and swimming proficiency: 

Check out our Swim Classes: We offer swim classes for children and adults of all ages and skill levels. Swim courses are taught on site in our heated pool and students will learn the skills and safety needed to become a confident swimmer! Please contact us for more details. 

Please note: Some courses have other prerequisites or required equipment that is necessary to complete the class. Please see the "prerequisites" and "required equipment" tabs for each individual class for more details.