There are 4 parts to your Open Water Course. When you do the Referral, the first 3 are done here, so you are ready to do your open water dives when you get to warmer waters! 

1 - eLearning

PADI eLearning makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology whenever, wherever it's convenient for you.

It's your course on your time. Study offline, or online using a computer or mobile device. Connect with your instructor whenever you have a question.

• eLearning time commitment: 5-10 hours

2- Classroom 

This will happen the same day as your pool session. You will go over your knowledge reviews from your e-Learning, write your quick review and go through the gear you will be using for the course. 

• Classroom time commitment: 1-2 hours

3- Pool Sessions

Once you have gone over all of the information you learned in e-Learning, you will head to the pool where you will put your new knowledge into practice! 

• Pool time commitment: 4-5 hours (This may be done in one day or split over 2 days depending on which course you select). 

4- Open Water Check Out Dives

These are done at your destination. 

FAQ

What is the minimum age requirement?
All students need to be 10 years old or older on the day they begin their course.

Do you offer e-learning?
Yes! We offer e-learning as the default; if you would like a more traditional format (paper textbook), please let us know.

Why are you more expensive than other dive stores in the GTA?
We limit our class sizes to 4 students, so our students can learn scuba in a safe environment and everyone gets the attention they need.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes! During the Open Water Diver course, your instructor will ask you to:

• Float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes
• Swim 200 metres/yards with no aids or 300 metres/yards with mask, fins and snorkel

Where do you conduct your courses?
Our pool training sessions are conducted at a private pool, and our open water training sessions are held at Sun Retreats Flamborough (Guillvers’ Lake) in Hamilton, ON.

What is included in the course price?

• Full scuba equipment rental (buoyancy compensator, wetsuit, fins, tank, weights)
• Certification fees

What is NOT included in the course price?

• Personal equipment (mask, snorkel) If you already own a mask, snorkel, and/or fins, bring them to your instructor before your first in-water session. Some snorkeling masks and fins are inadequate for scuba diving. We have masks and snorkels available for rent or purchase at the shop.  
• Open water referrals: certification dives at your destination
• Additional pool or open water training dives if deemed necessary by our instructors