LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE

Anywhere there is a body of water, you can dive, with proper permissions of course. For training dives, we favor the Twinsburg Fitness Center's indoor pool, and Nelson Ledges Quarry, in Garrettsville, OH. We also regularly make trips to White Star Quarry in Madison, OH and Gilboa Quarry in Ottowa, OH. 

Most dive-centered quarries have been loaded up with decommissioned vehicles, school-busses, airplanes, even helicopters, to allow divers to practice diving in an overhead-confined environment. You're also likely to see bluegills, freshwater trout, crayfish, and snails. 

Quarries in the summertime typically can get as warm as 75 degrees, but don't worry you WILL be wearing a wetsuit. 

Students have the option to do a split course, where they conduct the pool/classroom education where with us in Twinsburg, OH, and then take their referral paperwork to their dive destination to finish the course with their open water check-out dives somewhere warmer.

Your PADI certifications are valid for life and never expire. It is STRONGLY recommended, however, to enroll in a refresher course if it has been more than 12 months since your last dive. All professional level certifications require annual membership fees and training updates to remain current. 

Absolutely! Even though graduating your Open Water Diver course qualifies you and your buddy to dive on your own, your first trip outside the course can be intimidating. Hiring a guide to accompany you is an excellent idea until you get more comfortable with ocean dives. You can hire a guide through our shop, to help you navigate the booking process; you can usually hire a local guide for the afternoon from your chosen dive shop at your vacation site. Some shops even offer this service complimentary with your dive package. 

The dive industry is a service industry, and it is customary to TIP YOUR GUIDES, the same way you'd tip your waitress, bartender, or hairdresser for excellent service. These gratuities may be shared across the crew, or may go directly to your guide; this varies shop-to-shop. But the reality is, divemasters and instructors do this job because they LOVE it, not because it pays well. Your tip for the day may very well exceed their daily wages! 

PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, founded in 1966. It is the largest scuba training agency worldwide and is unparalleled in its standards for instructors. You may hear divers say, "I've got my PADI," meaning they've earned their Open Water Diver Certification. 

It is our professional opinion that PADI offers the most comprehensive, modern, and safe training programs. PADI is also the most popular agency world-wide, and enforces consistency across dive training.

As long as you have the proper documentation, your instructor can work with you to make the transition. You may choose to keep your existing certifications with another agency, but move forward with PADI for future certifications. Or you may choose to apply for a transfer of your existing certification, in which case your instructor will be able to assist you. This is really a small detail, don't sweat it!