OPEN WATER DIVER The world's most popular scuba diving course

The PADI Open Water Diver course

If you've always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures or simply see the wonderous world beneath the waves, this is where you start. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

Here at The Scuba Shop we try to help our students fall in love with scuba diving. To do that we make it easy. Easy for you have to have fun, and easy to be comfortable. Our Scuba Shop has the capability of doing just that with a heated indoor pool right here in the store and also by having a great staff on hand to help you through your journey into becoming an Open Water Diver. It takes just 3 easy steps and you are on your way! Choose from the options below.

Step 1: Choose A Home-study Style

Traditional (books): 2 days of pool and classroom experience, each day is a 4 hour class with book work and videos completed at home before class date. Your materials are picked up at the store  with quizzes and final test completed at store during class. See dates below...$385

E-Learning (online): 2 days of pool and classroom experience, each day is a 4 hour class with quizzes and tests completed online at home before class date. Your material is sent to you via email.   See dates below and please call to set this style of class up so we can send you the codes....$50 upgrade (Please also choose E-Learning Kit Upgrade in shopping Cart)


Step 2: Choose your Classroom and Pool Time

Option 1:weekend class…….Offered once a month on a Saturday and Sunday.   10am-2pm 

Option 2: weekday class……Offered twice a month on a Tuesday and Thursday 2pm – 6pm & 6pm-10pm

Option 3: private class…….Offered any other day and time other than what is listed above…..$80 per person (Please call the shop to schedule this Style Class)

Step 3: Choose your Open Water Dives

Option 1: Local Charter…. Finish your Dive class on one of our dive charters at Lake Jocassee and experience the fun of boat diving and see wrecks, motorcycles and more…Lake Jocassee (May-October). At Lake Keowee (November-April) ….$100.00 for 2 day boat charter for class.

Option 2: Ginnie Springs Florida…….Join us in the winter months on our  trips to the springs in Florida and we can finish your dive class there.  Offered from November-March…$365 and includes: Hotel, Park Entrance Fees, Diving, Instruction.

Option 3: Referral to Dive Destination of your Choice......Want to finish your class with another shop down in the Islands?  No problem, we will send you with a referral form at no charge. 

What’s Included With Your Class:

•  Rental Dive Gear (BCD, Regulator, Tanks, Weights, Wetsuit)
•  Log Book, Certification Card Processing Fee, Books and Materials
  

What’s Not Included With Class:

• Mask, Fins, Snorkel, and Boots (Ask about our student discounts or rental packages)
• Local Boat Fee or Trip Price for Checkout dive
• State Park Fee for local diving at Jocassee

Upgrades and Perks:

• Rent a Package— Not looking to purchase a mask, fins, snorkel package?  Then you can rent a set for the 4 day class for only $50.
•  Discount Gear-- Receive a discount on the purchase of snorkel package. 
  
•  Extra Dives—  Join us in the afternoon at Lake Jocassee to do extra dives after your morning checkout dives, whether you dove from the boat or walk in. Enjoy Fun diving with no skills having to be performed…$35 for Saturday 1 tank dive and $50 for Sunday 2 tank dive. Includes all rental gear, Boat charter and tanks.  

What You Learn

The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:

• Knowledge Development (online, home study and in classroom ) to understand basic principles of scuba diving
• Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills
• Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore!

Prerequisites

To enroll in the PADI Open Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be:

• 10 years or older 

The Fun Part

The fun part about this course is...well, just about all of it because learning to dive is incredible! You breathe underwater for the first time (something you'll never forget) and learn what you need to know to become a certified diver. During the course, you'll make at least five pool dives and four dives at local dive sites under the supervision of your PADI Instructor.

The Scuba Gear You Use

In the PADI Open Water Diver course, you learn to use basic scuba gear including a dive computer, and standard accessories. The equipment you wear will be chosen by a THE SCUBA SHOP Representative to ensure your comfort throughout the course.

The Learning Materials You Need

PADI offers a variety of home-study materials for the Open Water Diver course - book and DVD package and recently PADI has enhanced this program by offering the learning material in an e-learning environment via the internet.

Contact THE SCUBA SHOP to personalise the best study option for you!

PADI's Open Water Diver materials cover what you need to know about basic scuba diving skills, terminology, and safety procedures. For each concept you'll read a description and watch a video demonstration. Then you'll jump in the pool (or pool-like environment) to practice these skills with your instructor.

Please make sure you give yourself a week or more of study time with the materials before your chosen class dates. 

All Classes are non refundable...Please check our rescheduling and refund policy on the forms and maps page.