The NHDC Team 

During the PADI Scuba Diver Course you will develop the basis of your future diving adventures. Learn from the best, most experienced and passionate instructors in the region and start your journey in the right way. We are committed to developing divers with outstanding skills and who share our attitude towards safe, fun and environmentally sensitive scuba diving.

NHDC & The PADI Scuba Diver Course

• Protect What You Love

  • We focus on buoyancy and trim a lot in our courses – way beyond the requirements. This fundamental skill takes time to master, but by the time you’re ready to dive at our open water dive sites, you will be a buoyancy expert!
  • You will be confident, competent and safe while also protecting the environment any time you dive.

• Our Community

  • We are family friendly and specialise in children’s courses. We’ve got equipment specifically for youngsters to keep them comfortable and warm.
  • We are passionate that Scuba Diving is a sport for everyone and anyone! We use ‘adaptive teaching’ methods for all our divers. Our course structure means you’ll have the time, space and confidence to relax and enjoy becoming a qualified diver.
  • We’re a small and friendly team who will strive to help make you feel welcome as soon as you get in touch or step through the door.
  • We are the only Dive Centre in the north of the UK to offer training with Deptherapy, a unique and special charity we’re proud to support. We’re proud to boast of being able to help these amazing individuals achieve their ambitions.

• Let’s Go Diving

  • We help divers achieve their goals; we’ll adapt our methods so you don’t have to!
  • We value all our customers and strive to give each one the best customer service you’ve ever experienced
  • Once qualified, you’ll be able to join us on all our dives and social events.

We’re A PADI 5* IDC Dive Centre

We are subject to PADI’s quality assurance program. This is a globally acclaimed and fully integrated approach to ensure PADI standards are maintained throughout all elements of all courses. You can rest assured that we go above and beyond the requirements of PADI.

As a 5* IDC centre, we’re able to develop the next generation of instructors and ensure our methods are at the very pinnacle of excellence!

Knowledge Development

As part of the PADI Scuba Diver Course, you’ll complete some Knowledge Development. This will be reviewed during a classroom session before your first Skills Development session, putting it into practice in the pool.

The theory side can be completed at your own pace and with electronic and physical manuals to choose from, you can select the format that’s right for you.

Skills Practice

Also known as ‘Confined Water’ sessions, you’ll practice and ultimately master the skills that will allow you to dive confidently and safely under the guidance of a PADI Professional anywhere in the world. Our Skills Practice sessions will take place at local leisure centres on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

You will enjoy a minimum of 4 hours in the pool, practicing these skills before completing a pool based drysuit orientation session. You’ll develop a new set of specialist skills ready to progress to the Open Water dive site.

Open Water Dives

Over the course of a day (usually on a weekend), you’ll complete two open water dives followed by a dive guided by one of our PADI professionals (if completing the Deluxe course). On successful completion, you’ll be recognised worldwide as able to dive with a PADI Pro anywhere and at any time!

Course Pre-Requisites

There aren’t very many pre-requisites; almost anyone can sign up to learn to dive!

• Min Age: 10 years old
• Medically Fit: Complete this Medical Statement and have a GP countersign it if required.
• Ability: You will need to be comfortable in the water and be able to complete a 200 metre swim (or a 300 metre snorkel) and may be asked to complete a 10 minute ‘float’. No previous experience is required.

We’ll provide everything you need. We pride ourselves on ensuring there are no hidden costs.

Comfort is everything in Scuba Diving, just like in any other sport. We recommend you purchase your own fins, mask and snorkel to enhance your comfort from the very beginning of the adventure. These are included on the ‘Standard’ and ‘Deluxe’ course options at over 15% discount!

Masks are designed to fit a range of face shapes – one size does not fit all! For that reason, we offer our course students discounts on all TUSA masks available, not just the Geminus mask. Some models can even be fitted with prescription lenses, adding to the feeling of confidence and comfort in the underwater world. Come in to try them for size when you start your PADI Scuba Diver course with us!

We offer a range of schedules, totalling a minimum of 4 hours of ‘confined water’ training plus another 2 hours drysuit orientation before heading to the open water dive site for a day of fun and adventure.

Each pool session lasts up to 4 hours (with up to 3 hours ‘in water’) and take place on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at Macclesfield or Congleton Leisure Centres.

Knowledge Development can be completed at your own pace but will be reviewed with the NHDC team at our Dive Centre before your first pool based confined water session.

Open Water dives are completed over a day, usually at a weekend, with days arranged each month.

New Horizons aims to be flexible with arranging the PADI Scuba Diver Course timetable to suit your schedule so if the scheduled dates are not convenient please give us a call to discuss suitable alternatives and develop a Tailor Made Package, just for you!

Knowledge Development

Completed in your own time, this can be started at any time and completed at your own pace. Choose from an electronic version compatible with desktops & laptops (eLearning) or tablet devices & smartphones (Touch). Physical manuals & DVDs are available for a small (£15) additional fee. Electronic versions can be issued via email whereas physical course manuals can be collected from the NHDC Dive Centre. Whatever option you choose, the NHDC team will be on hand to help you through and answer any questions as you progress. We will then meet you before your first confined water session to review things and give you chance to ask any questions you may have.

Skills Development

Confined Water sessions take place on Saturday or Sunday afternoons at local leisure centres. We offer standard schedules, with a minimum of 4 hours spent in the pool before progressing to a drysuit orientation session. Pool sessions last up to 4 hours, with up to 3 hours ‘in water’ on each. With a maximum depth of 3 metres, you’ll soon be able to experience what diving can truly feel like.

Payment Plans

A single £100 deposit will allow us to issue the relevant course materials. Further installment payments can be made with the final balance paid before the open water weekend. Talk to us about installment payment options.

Let us know you want to join us! Simply send us a Course Booking Form and completed Medical Statement. Once we’ve received your deposit we’ll issue your course materials, so you can get started straight away!

Get in touch for our bank account details or to make payment over the phone.

Your place will be confirmed on receipt of the Course Medical Statement (Countersigned by a GP if required). Please note, we will not be able to start any in water activities without one!