PADI Open Water Gold

FUN FACT: Did you know that exploration is an integral part of diving as 7/10 of the surface of the world is covered by water (yes 70%!), much of it yet unexplored.

This programme is not only the first step on the diving education ladder but also the second. These two qualifications are recognised worldwide and qualify you and your buddy to dive without an instructor to a recommended maximum depth of 30 metres. Not only that, you will be comfortable doing so after the training you have received!

Minimum age: 12 years (this is the minimum age requirement for the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver part of the course; 10 and 11 year olds can book onto the standard PADI Open Water Diver programme)

Course prerequisites: Able to swim 200 metres and tread water for 10 minutes

What will I do?

Your PADI Open Water Diver Gold journey begins with learning the knowledge and skills from the PADI Open Water Diver course. This is run over either two weekends (Open Water Fastrack) or Five Wednesday evenings and one final weekend (Open Water Midweek Modular). Once this foundation is laid, additional skills are developed via the PADI Advanced Open Water course which are run over one further weekend.

The theory is completed at your own pace in the comfort of your own home before the course using the PADI eLearning materials.

As with the standard PADI Open Water Diver programme, your instructor will go over the basic academic principles of diving, then taking your first scuba sessions in a heated pool and you will learn the skills needed to allow you to dive safely. Next, you will move onto the open water dives at a local dive site where you will demonstrate your skills over four exciting open water dives. You will be using a drysuit for these dives to provide maximum comfort. As you will generally use a drysuit for all your future UK dives, why not start as you mean to go on?

We then move onto the PADI Advanced Open Water section, which consists of open water dives only and more diving experience focusing on the core skills you will need during your diving lifetime.

How do I get started?

Just pick your dates if you can and pay your £199 deposit and you will receive your PADI Open Water Diver eLearning login details. Don’t worry if you can’t commit to a date straight away. There are plenty scheduled throughout the year and you can get started on the home study as soon as you have received your eLearning code.

How long will it take?

You can complete your Open Water Gold Diver programme in as little as three full weekends or over a series of weekday evenings. Other options are available so there is no rush to complete. Aquasport offer unlimited pool training so we go along at your pace, not ours.

What will I need?

Just your eLearning login code to start you on your way.

All the equipment you need to complete the programme is included. We recommend that you buy your own mask and snorkel and have a wide range in store, which can be purchased at the start of your course. The fit of your mask is very important so your Instructor will be able to show you how to try on our sample masks and will help you to find one that fits the shape of your face. However, if you're not ready to buy your own just yet, we also have plenty in the school for you to use if needed.

For the Advanced Open Water dives you will also need your own dive torch, which can be purchased from the shop at the start of your programme. It is always a good move to buy your own dive computer, but we will supply one for the weekend if you prefer.

You will also need to fill out a self-certification medical statement. If you have any medical conditions that you think may prevent you from scuba diving, please feel free to contact us and we will try to be of assistance. At the start of the course you will be asked to demonstrate that you can swim 200m in your own time and in any style and perform a safety float (tread water) for ten minutes.

All the PADI materials and scuba equipment needed to complete the programme are included in the cost. You will need to pay for your entry to the open water dive site and any required air fills while away from the centre. This is approximately £20 for each day.

When can I start?

The Fastrack Weekend option starts at 9am on the first and third Saturday of every month.

The Midweek Modular option starts at 6.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

Where can I go from here?

The Open Water Gold Diver programme is just the beginning of your adventure. The PADI Advanced Open Water certification is the prerequisite qualification for the PADI Rescue Diver as well as several of the more in-depth PADI Specialties.

Aquasport International offer the whole range of continuing education programmes for divers, as well as club nights, trips to the coast or diving holidays abroad. So, whether you just want to dive on your holidays or progress to the professional levels and beyond, Aquasport has something for everyone.

The PADI Open Water Gold includes six months Club Aquasport membership worth £60.