Overview of Our Sydney Openwater Scuba Course
Our Sydney-based Openwater scuba diving program combines online theory with practical pool and ocean dives. The course aims to train you for scuba diving up to 20 meters deep, leading to the globally recognized Openwater Scuba Diver certification.
Before the course begins, participants must complete 3-4 hours of online theory, followed by a theoretical exam. A swimming competency test is also required, including a 200-meter swim and 10-minute water tread, with no time limit and using any style. The initial practical diving skills are taught and practiced in a pool in Sydney.
The course progresses with four open water dives in the stunning Sydney ocean. These sessions reinforce pool-learned skills and introduce additional techniques, ensuring your proficiency as an Open Water scuba diver. After completing all theoretical and practical elements, your instructor will validate your log book and student record file, certifying you as a Scuba Diver. This certification is internationally recognized.
Participants must be fit for diving to enroll in the Openwater Course in Sydney, and a diving medical examination may be required.
Pool Entry Fee
Transport
Cost of Dive Medical [if required]
Your online training ad quizzes must be completed online prior to the course commencement. Please allow approximately 4 hours to complete online training. This will be issued by us after we receive confirmation of your booking during business hours and an email will be sent letting you know how to access it.
Friday - Sunday
**please note: these times are a guide deping on group size, time of year and ocean conditions. Exact meet times will be announced during your Orientation evening.
Online training
Photo for certification
Transport
Swimming
Language
Fitness to Dive
What you need to bring
Age
There are two schools of thought on this. One is that you should not really consider purchasing your personal gear until you are sure what type of diving you like. This school believes you should buy only mask, fins and snorkel, for fit and sanitary reasons.
The other school of thought is that rental gear, especially in international tropical locations, is often second rate and poorly maintained, and that gear you purchase will be better and more reliable.
Also once you have some idea about what you need, it is always recommended you buy the best quality you can afford. Scuba equipment is after all, life support equipment.
Most start with mask, fins, snorkel, then probably move to a wetsuit, then regulator and BCD. Typically people agree a cylinder is probably the last piece of equipment to buy.
Source: http://scifi.squawk.com/scuba.html (adapted by Sue Crowe)
Yes, and failure to do so will mean that you wont be able to continue the course. The 200 meter swim and 10 minute test are to demonstrate that you are watersafe. The swim has to be continuous (no grabbing the side of the pool) , using any stroke and is not timed.
As a Beginner,the course you need to do is one of our OPENWATER Courses. This beginners course is suitable for anyone who has never dived or snorkelled before as well as students who may have already experienced an Introductory Dive. On completion of the OPENWATER course you will be certified to dive to a depth of 18 meters,be able hire scuba cylinders and purchase air fills. The certification you receive is recognised world wide.
1. All students must be able to swim. There is a 200 meter swim test and 10 minute tread water/float test completed in the heated training pool (one of the confined water modules you will be required to complete and pass).
2. The Minimum age is 15 years of age and there is no maximum age limit
3. All students must be medically fit to dive. Please refer to the Dive Medical Page on our website for information plus a link for the Student Medical Waiver form which all students are required to complete and suggest you complete and submit
4. If you have completed and submited the student medical waiver form and received an advice that you will be required to complete a full dive medical, for details for doctors who are registered to do the dive medicals please view this website www.spums.org.au. Your own doctor may also be able to do this medical for you and you will need to provide the appropriate dive medical form. This form is linked to the Dive Medical Page and can be printed off.
Children as young as 10 years of age, however as the Student instructor ratio have to be halved for anyone under 15 years in a course, none of our standard openwater course are available for anyone under 15 years*.
When considering if our open water course is suitable for your child, please note that we do not offer specific courses for children and they will be training with other adults on the course.
* Anyone want a child under the age to complete a course in Sydney will need to look at a private course or a program specifically run for children under that age.
All students are provided with the following gear hire for the duration of the course
If you wear glasses, here is some information for you
1. You are able to dive with contact lenses provided that they are soft lenses.
2. Alternatively you may wish to consider purchasing a prescription mask. There are masks available to purchase where the standard glass lenses can be taken out and replaced by prescription lenses. Lens sizes range from -1 diopter to -8 and are in half sizes ( i.e. 1.5, 2, 2.5 etc). (Masks with prescription lenses are not available for hire)..
Currently the e'learning is only available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and more. However all pratical training is done in English,
Immediately on receipt of your confirmation voucher please action the following:
1. Via the link Dive Medical on your voucher, please complete and submit the completed dive medical questionnaire. If you receive an advice that you are required to have a full dive medical, this must be completed at least 7 days prior to course commencement
2. Please register for your E learning. Instructions on how to register are on your voucher. To be allowed to start the course you must have completed all the theory prior to the start date. You will need to allow 6-7hrs to completethis. Once you have registered for the open water course theory, the Dive shop receives notification that you have registered and will confirm back to so you will be provided with access.
If you have not completed the online theory, you will not be able to start the course. $100.00 rebooking fee will apply if you need to change your start date.
Availability |
From
$699.00 AUD |
Certification Card |
$29.00 AUD |
A physical certification card to compliment your e-card. Perfect for slipping into your wallet for easy access on your travels. |
|
Club Membership (includes complimentary transport during the course) |
$50.00 AUD |
INCLUSIONS
COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORT Our limited seats are reserved for our Club Members. If you don't have access to a vehicle and can't arrange one, you will need to include this option as the pool and dive sites are scattered around Sydney. Because of the location of the dive sites, you will not be able to catch public transport, and ride-share options will be expensive. If you have a car, you are welcome to drive yourself. Our Club Membership is your best option if you do not have a car. 10% OFF SHORE AND BOAT DIVES Shore and boat dive bookings at Alexandria and Manly for 12 months, excluding special offers. |
Front of the Shop at Alexandria
5
The boys were all lovely and helpful and made everyone feel very comfortable and safe. They were energetic and fun and made us not only learn but have a good time as well. by Ivy Swibel - 12-Apr-2024
5
Ralf was excellent - Very knowledgeable and patient and was always taking the time to teach us how to scuba dive safely and show us how to do everything correctly. by Penelope Castle - 12-Apr-2024
5
Bruno Pedreira was an outstanding instructor, a big thank you to him for aiding me in overcoming my concerns of claustrophobia and not being able to breath ! The whole experience was an incredible one. From registration to the celebratory BBQ, the team members went above and beyond to make the learners feel at ease and comfortable. Bruno was an outstanding instructor, he was able to take a novice, such as myself and aid me with the confidence and skills I needed to feel comfortable diving. I went from fearing being claustrophobic to feeling liberated under water. The complexity of the assembling and use of the equipment was taught in a relatable and memorable way. Safety was paramount and we learnt how to dive to ensure our safety as well as help those around us. A big thank you to the team. by Lara Gudmanz - 12-Apr-2024
5
Trainer - Ralph was absolute world class (bloke needs a 5k raise at a minimum).Conditions were fucked but we got through it with his patience. by Ryan Bevitt - 05-Apr-2024
5
This course was awesome! Our instructor Ralf, was really knowledgeable and patient and I felt really safe the whole time. Despite the poor visibility we had some really awesome dives and so much fun too. Thanks for everything guys! by Alison Clarke - 05-Apr-2024
5
An amazing experience!!! Our instructor Bruno is very knowledgable, and kind person, he made sure we felt comfortable and safe in the water. I'd repeat the experience as many times as possible. by Lili Piraquibe - 29-Mar-2024
5
Great experience! It's a complete course, that give you the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to start in the diving world. I love it. by Susan Rodriguez - 29-Mar-2024
5
Great course, great instructors - Pedro was fantastic. by Ingrid Costello - 15-Mar-2024
5
We could not have had a better instructor for our open water course. I was a little nervous about diving for the first time but Ralf made everything easy to understand, simple and overall a really fun experience. He even managed to make a potentially very dry 2 hour lesson about diving procedures and underwater physics very engaging and held the attention of 29 people the entire time. During the practical sessions he guided the group very well, explaining everything clearly. We felt we were in safe hands. Overall the course was very well organised by pro dive including sorting out equipment and dive planning. The dive centre is also new and clean. Highly recommend for novice divers! by Nicole Leong - 15-Mar-2024
5
The dive was incredible. Ralf was amazing, made the whole experience even better! by Keenan Forster - 08-Mar-2024