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The course consists of knowledge development, confined water training sessions & open water dives. It teaches you all the basic skills you need to know for diving and qualifies you to dive to a depth of 18 metres. You can then dive with a buddy independent of an Instructor all over the world, so you can enjoy beautiful reefs, wrecks and the many inland dive sites and coastal wrecks around the UK.
For those aged between 10 and 14 the PADI Junior Open Water Diver program covers exactly the same skills and material as the Open Water course and qualifies you to dive with a parent or dive professional (to a depth of 12 metres for 10 and 11 year olds).
We have an excellent team of friendly and exprienced Instructors who will make sure that your course is suited to your needs, taken at your own pace and that you enjoy the course throughout. Learning to dive is one of the most rewarding things you'll do and we want to make sure that you get the most out of your course. All of our students have become great friends throughout their course and the majority have continued to dive around the UK and on holidays with us.

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification.
All you need to do is pop into the dive shop on Whiffler Road in Norwich to collect your Open Water Crewpack and book your first session. You can also complete the theory on-line if you prefer (see below).
What will I do?
When you sign up to the Open Water course you receive a 'crewpack' which contains the Open Water manual, dive planner and all other information you need for the course. It also includes the DVD which presents all the information in a more visual format. You are then free to study at home at your leisure and then meet up with your group and Instructor at the dive shop on Whiffler Road in Norwich to complete the multiple choice question quizes and exam.
The swimming pool sessions are where you will practice and refine all the skills you need for the course - from clearing your mask and buoyancy control to dealing with out of air situations. We have pool sessions every Wednesday and Thursday nights and offer a flexible schedule to meet your needs.
The course is then completed by making four open water dives, at home or abroad. If you are completing the full course in the UK you will do these at an inland dive site - either Stoney Cove (near Leicester) or Gildenburg (near Peterborough). These are both purpose built dive lakes - complete with cafe, changing facilities and lots of fun things for divers to look at in the water such as a submarine, tug boat, aeroplane cockpit and a double decker bus! Included in your course is also an additional dive to familiarise yourself with drysuit diving because all our students are provided with drysuits for the duration of the course. This means you stay dry and warm and your first dive experience can be a pleasureable one! This is a benefit that other dive schools do not offer - and dry suit diving is a great skill to have for diving in the UK, and we believe it makes you a better diver before diving abroad.
If you would rather do your qualifying dives abroad you can do them as part of a 'referral'. This option is very popular for those who do not wish to dive in the UK, and completing part of the course at home means that you are not spending valuable holiday time in the classroom doing your dive exams! We can help you find a suitable overseas dive centre or why not come with us and qualify on one of the many holidays that we offer?
How long will the Open Water course take?
It's entirely up to you! The course can be completed in as little as a couple of weeks, however we recommend spreading the course over 6 to 8 weeks so that you have plenty of time to take it in and progress at your own pace. We operate with small class sizes, which means that we can give you our full attention and ensure that you feel happy and comfortable every step (or fin!) of the way. Your course will be scheduled to meet your timetable, so if you are wanting to qualify before going on holiday in a few weeks time, or prefer to take a more leisurely approach to the course we can schedule your activities accordingly.
What equipment will I need?
All the equipment you need throughout the course is provided - including mask, snorkel, fins, full dive equipment, drysuit, wetsuit for use in the pool and your Open Water manual and certification card. All the school equipment is very high quality and regularly serviced to ensure it is in perfect condition.
Why should I learn to dive with Christal Seas Scuba?
Christal Seas Scuba is a very well respected and experienced PADI 5* dive centre which has been operating for many years. All our Instructors are very experienced in teaching all courses and are great at making your course relaxed and enjoyable. We fully comply with all PADI and HSE standards and requirements so you know that you are getting a safe and professional experience. We offer a great service at a great price and include many extras, such as use of a dry suit for your Open Water dives at no extra cost. We also provide an extra pool session to experience the drysuit before your open water dives which means you are fully comfortable for your qualifying dives. Also we encourage all our students to carry on diving, at home and abroad, and give you lots of support to do so, including a great social club full of local divers. This means that you can continue diving and exploring new dive activites for many years to come. But beware - it does get addictive!!
Can't wait? Sign up now with e-learning
E-learning is a great option if you are short of time or prefer the convenience of completing the theory on-line in your own home. E-learning allows you access to the PADI manual so you can study and complete the knowledge reviews, quizes and exams in your own time. You then just need to join us for the confined water sessions in the pool and then you're ready to go to Open Water - either here or abroad. There is a registration fee of approximately £70 when you enrol.
Simply click on the image below and get started today!
How can I find out more?
Please contact us to discuss your particular requirements and to book onto a diving course. We have Open Water courses starting every couple of weeks, so there is always a class that you can book onto. We operate on a flexible basis and courses can be scheduled to meet your needs and timescale. Please pop into the Norwich Whiffler Road dive shop, drop us an email or give us a call for a chat and we look forward to diving with you soon. |