In the span of two weekends, you’ll go from your first introduction to dive theory, all the way to making free open ocean descents surrounded by the world famous kelp forests of California. Once you've completed your certification, you’ll be ready to start exploring the waters right off the coast on any of the dive boats that we charter regularly.

Who can participate…

Anyone 10 years of age or older in good health is qualified to begin Open Water training. For prospective divers between the ages of 10 and 14, they may participate in the Junior Open Water Program. You will be required to verify your health by signing the standard medical statement before class begins.

What is the class like…

The class is conducted over the course of two weekends. The first weekend is classroom and pool practice, the second weekend is ocean diving in Catalina.

You’ll begin in the classroom, meeting your instructors and receiving an introduction to dive theory. It’s nice to know why it is that we do certain things underwater, like equalizing our ears. Your work in the classroom is coupled with learning in the pool. We’ll cover everything from what each piece of equipment is called, to teaching you the basics of neutral buoyancy and how to stay safe.  Everyone is encouraged to participate and ask questions during the class so you’ll know how it all works inside and out by the end of that first weekend.

Once all the pool and classroom work is over, you move to the ocean for the second weekend. With your instructor watching, you'll demonstrate the skills you practiced in the pool and spend a part of each dive exploring the underwater world right off the coast in one of the top dive destinations in the world. On your dives you may see anything from schools of mackerel to sea lions, rock crabs to lobster and our famous Giant Black Sea Bass. The Open Water program requires you to complete four dives in the ocean, and we'll be with you the entire time, coaching you along the way and making sre you are safe. 

Where will you learn…

The knowledge development portion is conducted at our dive shop in Agoura Hills, CA. The pool training portions of your Open Water certification are all conducted at a pool close to our shop in Agoura Hills.

The ocean dives are done in Catalina Island at Casino Point Dive Park. This offers us the opportunity to complete the dives at the the easiest shore dive location in Southern California: concrete steps and hand rails right into water teeming with life! You don't have to worry about big waves, classes getting canceled due to big surf, or poor visibility upon entry. You get to spend the weekend in Catalina and have a weekend vacation while getting certified! We leave on the Catalina Express in Long Beach on Friday night, always the last ferry out. We return back to Long Beach Sunday evening.

Your ocean dives in depth...

By coming to Catalina for the weekend- there are no rushed mornings. Usually we are done early in the afternoon on Saturday, so you'll have time to get back to the hotel, shower, relax and grab a bite to eat. Students that participate in our Open Water Upgrade will start their Nitrox training right in the hotel conference room on Saturday afternoon. That leaves Saturday night free to go out and grab dinner and have a blast on the island! The ferry ride to and from the island is the only time spent on a boat, so divers sensitive to motion illness might want to consider this. It really is a vacation mixed with dive training!

When is the class offered…

Open Water classes are offered every other weekend year round with the exception of major holidays. We are never on the island during a major holiday but we will start class and pool that weekend. Summer classes tend to sell out fast, so booking a spot early is highly advised. All you need to get started are two weekends.

You will need to provide your own mask and snorkel (we can take care of this during the classroom portion. No need to purchase ahead of time. We need to make sure your mask fits so there is no leaking in the water. We offer a new student discount on all equipment in the shop) All of the rest of your equipment is provided in the class. That includes: fins, boots, wetsuit, regulator, computer and BCD.