Open Water Scuba Certification
Earn your lifetime diving certification
The scuba certification course consists of three parts: home study, academic review and pool sessions, and open water training dives. You will enjoy practicing your skills in the comfort of our 90° pool that has both a four-foot shallow end and a 14-foot deep end.
Our open water diver classes have a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 8:1, for a personalized experience that focuses on scuba diver education and skill development. This course is available to those 12 years old and up. Children ages 10 and 11 may be certified through private classes at an additional cost.
Schedule:
April 4 -20, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
May 9 - 25, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
June 6 - 22, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
July 6 - 25, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
The scuba certification course consists of three parts: home study, academic review and pool sessions, and open water training dives. You will enjoy practicing your skills in the comfort of our 90° pool that has both a four-foot shallow end and a 14-foot deep end.
Our open water diver classes have a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 8:1, for a personalized experience that focuses on scuba diver education and skill development. This course is available to those 12 years old and up. Children ages 10 and 11 may be certified through private classes at an additional cost.
Schedule:
April 4 -20, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
- April 4 - Lecture/academic review and scuba registration at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- April 6, 11,13,18 - Four pool sessions at Charlotte Pool, Time: 6pm-9pm
- April 20 - Final lecture at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- Open Water Training Dives: Choose to finish the training dives May or June at Gull Lake OR on a Sub-Aquatic Sports dive trip OR on your person vacation.
May 9 - 25, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
- May 9 - Lecture/academic review and scuba registration at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- May 11,16,18, 23 - Four pool sessions at Charlotte Pool, Time: 6pm-9pm
- May 25 - Final lecture at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- Open Water Training Dives: Choose to finish the training dives on May 28 & 29 from 10am-3pm at Gull Lake OR on a Sub-Aquatic Sports dive trip OR on your person vacation.
June 6 - 22, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
- June 6 - Lecture/academic review and scuba registration at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- June 8, 13,15, 20 - Four pool sessions at Charlotte Pool, Time: 6pm-9pm
- June 22 - Final lecture at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- Open Water Training Dives: Choose to finish the training dives on June 25 & 26 from 10am - 3pm at Gull Lake OR on a Sub-Aquatic Sports dive trip OR on your person vacation.
July 6 - 25, 2022 Charlotte Aquatic Center & Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service
- July 6 - Lecture/academic review and scuba registration at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- July 11, 13, 18, 20 - Four pool sessions at Charlotte Pool, Time: 6pm-9pm
- July 25 - Final lecture at Sub-Aquatic Sports, Time: 6pm-9pm
- Open Water Training Dives: Choose to finish the training dives on July 30 & 31 at Gull Lake OR on a Sub-Aquatic Sports dive trip OR on your person vacation.
Class Locations:
- Charlotte Aquatic Center: This class consists of 4 pool sessions at the beautiful Charlotte Aquatic Center plus 2 classroom lectures/academic review at Sub-Aquatic Sports. In total, the course meets 6 sessions on Mondays & Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm over a 3-week period.
- How far is Charlotte? Check out this map: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Charlotte+Aquatic+Center,+1068+Carlisle+Hwy,+Charlotte,+MI+48813/@39.7851863,-162.6301897,3z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8822af2aa972ca11:0xd0ea114f851ba921!2m2!1d-84.8573171!2d42.5565038
- Battle Creek YMCA currently has a staffing shortage; we are still waiting to teach at this location.
- Kalamazoo Maple Street YMCA currently has a staffing shortage; we are still waiting to teach at this location.
- Kalamazoo College: Their new pool opened in January. Because of pandemic, they are only allowing college students to attend in the beginning.
Group Cost: $499
Save $100 off this class when you purchase your snorkeling and safety gear with us ....plus you receive bonus gear and benefits.
Includes:
Not included:
Save $100 off this class when you purchase your snorkeling and safety gear with us ....plus you receive bonus gear and benefits.
Includes:
- Registration and certification through Scuba Schools International (SSI) which is a worldwide recognized organization
- Classroom instruction as noted
- Pool instruction as noted
- Instruction for open water training: 2 days You need two days of diving in a real environment (not a pool) to be a certified diver. We usually do this training at Gull Lake. You may also complete the training dives on a store-sponsored dive trip at no extra charge. Do you already have a vacation planned? We can give you a referral form and help you find a dive instructor on location. They will charge an additional fee for their services.
- E-learning course for theory work
- Use of scuba equipment in pool: This includes tanks, regulators, buoyancy compensator vests, hood and gloves. Note: A sterilized regulator is assigned to you for the duration of the 4 pool sessions to avoid sharing of the breathing apparatus.
Not included:
- Snorkeling gear: Mask, fins, snorkel, boots and weight belt. Prices varies, ranging from $200-$400. It's important that your mask, snorkel and fins fit you properly and are appropriate for your specific diving needs.
- Safety Gear: Having your own safety gear and knowing how to properly use it is crucial. Therefore, these items are required for the course. This includes a surface marker buoy and reel.
- Optional scuba equipment rental fee for open water training dives of $75/weekend. If you do not purchase scuba equipment before completing the open water training dives, there is a $75 fee that covers use of wetsuit, hood, gloves, tanks, regulator, dive computer, buoyancy compensator vests and extra dive weights.
- Entrance fees into park
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I Miss a Class? Because each session covers essential information and that there is no sharing of scuba equipment, you will need to complete the entire class in sequence.
How old do I have to be? Just like the adult course, kids can take a junior open water diving course consists of three parts: home study, academic reviews and pool sessions, and open water training dives. These classes have a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 8:1, ensuring a safe scuba environment that focuses on education and skill development. Upon completion, the child will be certified to dive to 40 feet with a certified adult. This course is available to those 12-14 years old. Children ages 10 and 11 may be certified through private classes at an additional cost. Once the diver turns 15, they will automatically have their certification upgraded to an Open Water Diver.
Are there any health restrictions? You cannot have active asthma or emphysema. Other health conditions may be contraindications to diving; please contact Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service if you have any concerns.
It all sounds Greek to me!
Like most sports, there is terminology that comes with scuba diving which may be hard to understand.
What if I Miss a Class? Because each session covers essential information and that there is no sharing of scuba equipment, you will need to complete the entire class in sequence.
How old do I have to be? Just like the adult course, kids can take a junior open water diving course consists of three parts: home study, academic reviews and pool sessions, and open water training dives. These classes have a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 8:1, ensuring a safe scuba environment that focuses on education and skill development. Upon completion, the child will be certified to dive to 40 feet with a certified adult. This course is available to those 12-14 years old. Children ages 10 and 11 may be certified through private classes at an additional cost. Once the diver turns 15, they will automatically have their certification upgraded to an Open Water Diver.
Are there any health restrictions? You cannot have active asthma or emphysema. Other health conditions may be contraindications to diving; please contact Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service if you have any concerns.
It all sounds Greek to me!
Like most sports, there is terminology that comes with scuba diving which may be hard to understand.
- Snorkel Gear vs. Scuba Gear: Scuba gear includes tank, regulator and something called a buoyancy compensator vest that holds the tank. Use of these items are included in the cost of a class during the pool sessions. Snorkeling gear is different and not included. This includes a good quality mask, snorkel, scuba fins, boots and a weight belt. This are personalized gear which will last 10-15yrs if you buy right. Why do you need to buy it? A mask that fits your face may leak on someone else. Some people need prescription lens in their mask to see the cool fish while others have a mustache that causes leaks. We can help you find the right mask. A snorkel is not provided because, frankly, do you want to use a snorkel that's been in everyone's mouth? A weight belt is necessary to 'lightly' sink you while practicing the pool skills. Finally, you'll need scuba quality fins. Please do not buy snorkel fins. They are not strong enough to push you underwater with scuba gear on. The dive boots keep your feet warm in our Michigan waters plus protects your feet when doing beach entries. Snorkeling gear is needed by the first pool session. If you want to buy early, stop into the store and one of our highly trained staff will assist you. As a student of Sub-Aquatic Sports, you will receive a discount on snorkeling gear.
- Open Water Training Dives: It doesn't matter where you take a scuba class, you must complete two days of diving in a real environment verse a pool. This is called Open Water Training Dives. Most people complete these dives locally at Gull Lake. However, if you have more exciting plans, like vacationing in the Caribbean, we can give you a referral to an scuba instructor on location. Note, there will be an additional fee to that referral instructor but what a great way to complete the class! Finally, if you are taking a class during the winter, you may have to wait till spring when the water warms up, OR join us on a Sub-Aquatic Sports trip. We have a dive instructor on these trips so you don't have to pay a referral fee. FYI: People who take a trip immediately after the course, stay with diving for years to come. If you can afford to take a trip, do!
- SSI vs. NAUI vs PADI: These are the top scuba certification agencies in the USA. Regardless of the agency, the instructor is what makes a quality course. For over 41 years, we have set and kept our standards high. This is why we teach at all the local colleges and university in the area. We are not here to take your just take your money; we take pride in offering a through training experience and once completed your scuba certification is ACCEPTED WORLDWIDE and it is GOOD FOR LIFE.
SCUBA DIVING LESSONS & CLASSES
Jump into the deep end, fins first, and learn how to scuba dive, improve your skills, or get the training you need to dive in deeper! Learn more here! |