If you’re short on time but really want to become a diver, the PADI Scuba Diver course might be right for you. This course is an intermediate step for earning an Open Water Diver certification, allowing you to enjoy guided dives the world over.
Our focus is on helping you achieve your ambition – becoming a PADI Scuba Diver. From your first few minutes in the pool, we will help you acquire the skills required to make sure every dive you go on is fun, enjoyable and safe.
Following some ‘self study’ you’ll complete at home, you’ll meet the NHDC team to review your theory before getting on with the fun bits!
You will take part in ‘confined water’ sessions in a large swimming pool where you will learn the skills that you’ll need to dive safely and enjoyably. Class sizes are small and the pace is relaxed with plenty of time for practice.
Having mastered your skills you will participate in one further pool session wearing a Drysuit to learn its correct use. This is followed by one day at Capernwray (near Lancaster) to complete your two open water dives.
During these dives you will put into practice all the things that you have learnt in the pool but also get to experience what diving is really about, seeing some fish and visiting a wreck!
Price
Basic Course: £329
Standard Course: £453
Executive Option: additional £75 on Basic or Standard Course fee.
Elite Option: We’ll come to you! For an additional £125* on the Basic or Standard Course fee we’ll complete the training at your own facilities.
* Special rates apply for schools; please inquire for full details.
Pre-requisites
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 able to complete a 200 metre swim (300 metre snorkel) and 10 minute ‘float’. No previous experience required.
Reserve your place
Contact Us to Reserve your Place
Knowledge Development
As part of the PADI Scuba Diver Course, you’ll complete some Knowledge Development in your own time. 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 you 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 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, practising 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 at a weekend, you’ll complete two open water dives. On successful completion, you’ll be recognised worldwide as able to dive with a guide anywhere and at any time!
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’ option at over 20% discount!
Masks are designed to fit a range of face shapes – one size does not fit all! For that reason, we do not offer discounts on specific models, rather the whole TUSA mask range available. Some models can even be fitted with prescription lenses, adding to the feeling of confidence and comfort in the underwater world.
We offer both fast track and more leisurely schedules as standard, 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 at a weekend, with one arranged each month.
New Horizons aims to be flexible with arranging courses to suit your schedule so if the scheduled dates are not convenient please give us a call to discuss suitable alternatives.
On all of our PADI Scuba Diver course options you will receive…
- Coaching and on-going support from an experienced, passionate and professional PADI Instructor
- Equipment Orientation
- 2 hours (minimum) Knowledge Review (held at the NHDC Classroom)
- 4 hours (minimum) Skills Development (confined water)
- 2 hours Drysuit orientation (pool based)
- FREE rental of all required equipment (including, but not limited to: cylinders & air fills, dive computer, fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit, drysuit & undersuit, specialist equipment [e.g. marker buoys])
- Access to and instruction on the use of dive computers throughout your PADI Scuba Diver course
- Course materials (includes log book, and theory materials)
- PADI Certification
Please note, our course fees covers equipment rental, pool entry fees, PADI Certification fees etc, but do not cover entry fees to open water dive sites. These vary according to location; please ask for further details.
Basic Course
All of the above
Standard course
All of the above, plus a fins, mask and snorkel package for your to choose and use throughout your course and beyond!
Knowledge Development
Completed in your own time, this can be started at any time and completed at your own pace. Choose from using a physical manual with DVD or electronic versions compatible with desktops & laptops (eLearning) or tablet devices & smart phones (Touch).
Electronic versions can be issued via email whereas physical course manuals can be collected from the NHDC Dive Centre.
An initial £100 deposit will ensure course materials can be issued, allowing you to start as soon as you want!
What ever 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 allow you 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 lasts 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.
Basic Course
Complete the PADI Scuba Diver course using the materials of your choice and one of our standard schedules.
Standard Course
Complete the PADI Scuba Diver course using the materials of your choice and one of our standard schedules. While you’re with us choose and use your own fins, mask and snorkel set. This will truly mean you’ll be able to dive in comfort anywhere and at any time.
Executive Option
Our standard schedules are designed to offer flexibility, however, if these aren’t convenient, or if you feel you’d benefit from the more personal touch, we can tailor our schedules to a more bespoke timetable.
This executive option allows a 1:1 program, giving you the chance to work with a member of the NHDC team to become a master of scuba diving.
Elite Option
If you have access to your own facilities, we can come to you! We will work with you to make a truly tailor-made course schedule. Use the course materials of your choice and when you’re ready, we’ll complete the Skills Development at your own facilities. Choose to join us at our usual open water dive sites, or let us escort you overseas. There’s a whole world of possibilities.
Referral Option
If time isn’t on your side, we can help you complete the Knowledge and Skills Development sections before you travel overseas to complete the two Open Water dives with another PADI Dive Centre through the PADI Scuba Diver (Referral) program.
Payment Plans
A single £100 deposit will allow us to issue the relevant course materials.
Further instalment payments can be made with the final balance paid before the open water date (or final pool session if completing the Referral option). Talk to us about instalment 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!
