Openwater Course

We are currently offering the PADI certification which is internationally recognized and allows you to dive to depth of 18 meters.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the PADI Openwater
course:

How long is the beginner course?

We run the courses on a part time basis which is sessions after working hours and on weekends, taking 3 to 4 weeks to complete the course. Part Time courses are run every month starting on the first Thursday of each month. We also run dive courses on a full time basis with daily sessions taking 4 days to complete the course . Full time courses are usually run during the school holiday periods and on request.

The next part time PADI Openwater Dive course will start on the first Thursday of next month at 6pm at the Durban Undersea Club. See "How to find us" for directions. Please send an e-mail to duc@mweb.co.za to book or phone the club on 031 3681199.


All courses can be done in sections to suit your schedule. They can be done over successive weekends, or whatever schedule suits you or your group. A lot of the theory work can be done at home which will save you lots of classroom time. You can also do all the theory on-line in the comfort of your home or office with PADI e-Learning. Check out www.padi.com for more info on this time saving option.

Does the course run on weekdays, weekends etc as I work?

Yes, Theory sessions for the part time course are in the evenings (currently Thursday evenings) from about 6.00pm to 8pm. We will need about three evenings in total for the theory. Pool sessions will be on the weekends, either on a Saturday or Sunday (preferably mornings but maybe afternoons depending on commitments). We will need about two pool sessions to complete the skills but this will depend on the group size and the watermanship ability of the group.

The best course for the working person or the person with an unpredictable schedule is the part time course with theory sessions and pool sessions in the evenings or weekends and sea dives on the weekends.
This course usually takes two to four weeks to complete depending on the frequency of the lectures and pool sessions. Qualifying dives are usually done on the reefs around Durban and Aliwal Shoal, 60km south of Durban but we can also offer you the option of completing your qualifying dives in Sodwana Bay. We do have regular Sodwana trips planned.

As mentioned above, we can also run the course on a full time basis. Our "full-time" courses usually take four days to complete and run on request. All our courses are run at our premises - Durban Undersea Club at Vetches' Pier. Our full time courses start in the mornings at 9am.
The first two days of the course you will be doing theory in the morning and the pool sessions in the afternoon. The third and fourth days will be the qualifying dives off Durban and Aliwal plus any outstanding theory requirements like the exam.

What is the cost of a beginner course?

As far as the course price goes, we are presently charging R1950 which includes the theory sessions, pool sessions, use of the SCUBA equipment [air cylinder, Buoyancy jacket and regulator} , 4 qualifying Openwater dives and your PADI certification on successful completion of the course

This price would exclude the manuals (R450 to purchase if you don’t have access to one). We don’t include the manuals in the course fee because some people have them before they come on course (beg, borrowed or bought somewhere else). The same applies to the mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuits and weight belts which you will need to buy, beg, borrow or hire from us for R 400 for the duration of the course.

Equipment – is this given to use for training purposes or do you have to by you own equipment up front?

We supply the equipment required to breathe underwater, cylinders, regulators and buoyancy jackets (the expensive stuff) , you need to either supply (buy, beg, borrow or hire from us) the personal equipment
- wetsuit, mask snorkel, fins and weight belt.


So if you come with nothing but a towel and a bathing suit the all inclusive price is R1950.00 + R450 + R400 = R 2800.00

Are dive sessions in the sea included?

Yes, four qualifying or "Openwater " dives are required to complete the course and are included in the course fee. All four are done in the sea
- conditions permitting.

What happens if I do not finish the course before I go on holiday or overseas?

With the PADI system you are able to be referred to another PADI centre worldwide to complete any outstanding requirements for certification should it be required. You have 12 months after commencement of your pool training to complete your course. It works through the "referral system" where the PADI instructor that does your pool sessions and theory refers you to another PADI instructor anywhere in the world (like Sodwana Bay or Mozambique) to complete your dives and course.

If you need more information, please keep in touch and check out the attachment. If possible, it would be great if you could come to the club on a Thursday and collect your manual so you can get started on the theory.

 

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