St Paul’s Collegiate School has a Scuba Diving Club which works with students to achieve Open Water Diver rating through the training agency Scuba Schools International and is supported by Rev Rickman (PADI Instructor) and the team at GetWet Waikato.
The programme is open to all students:
- aged 15+ Open Water Diver
- aged 12-14 for Junior Open Water rating which automatically upgrades to full Open Water when 15
The SSI Open Water Diver certification is recognised worldwide; the course consists of three parts: Theory, Pool Training and Open Water Sessions.
Theory
Training materials and the online training program are designed so students can learn the theory at their own pace prior to the course commencement. The theory is online and will commence with a theory review session to discuss learning and give the opportunity to ask questions. These materials can be used in conjunction with another SSI Open Water Course at any SSI centre at a future date.
Pool training
Just before the weekend of open water diving, students spend one whole day practising the skills used in the ocean under the guidance of one of the experienced instructors. Learning is fun and gives the opportunity to perfect skills in preparation for open water diving.
Open Water Sessions
Based in Whitianga (Mercury Islands) students complete at least four Open Water Dives and have the chance to experience everything they learned in the pool. After successful completion of the open water training dives, students will become a certified open water diver. Diving will be from dive boats, not shore-based, to give our students the best experience possible of scuba diving in New Zealand’s amazing waters.
- Equipment: All equipment required for the duration of your course is provided by Get Wet Waikato.
- Cost: $699 per person including all course material and equipment required for the duration of the course. This fee does not include overnight accommodation, transport or food. Please budget a further $450. Note that part of this $699, $250 is non-refundable in the event of non-attendance.
- Prerequisite: Dive Medical completed within the last 12 months with your GP (the school doctor does not do diving medicals) before any pool or open water diving.
For more information and to apply, please click here
If you are already a qualified open water diver, there are spaces on the dive weekends. Click here for a registration form.
