California Scuba Certification Requirements
To receive your Open Water Diver scuba certification in Oxnard, CA, you must be 13 years or older and in good physical condition. You should feel at ease in the water as well. During a typical certification course, students will have to tread water or float for the duration of 10 minutes and swim without stopping for 200 yards. Open Water Diver certification classes include classwork with exams and homework, practice dives in the pool and several check-out dives in the ocean, which include performing tasks that simulate dive predicaments such as removing your mask, turning off your air and removing your B.C.
Junior Certification
Younger ocean lovers are not excluded from experiencing the thrill of diving. Kids in Oxnard, California can choose a junior certification program, where young divers, ages 10 to 14 can receive diving certification without taking the entire Open Water Diver class. The Junior Open Water Diver certification allows the youngster to dive with a professional dive master or a scuba certified adult/parent. Younger children, ages 8 and up, can experience the fun of scuba within the safety of the pool in the Seal Team or Bubblemaker programs.
Scuba Certification Companies
There are five organizations that offer recreational diving certification courses in the United States. PADI, NAUI and SSI are three main ones. Formed in 1959, NAUI, National Association of Underwater Instructors, is the oldest of these groups. PADI, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, has been in business for over 40 years and is the largest, offering courses through more than 5,000 dive shops and resorts. SSI, Scuba Schools International, has also been around for 40 years and partners with more than 2,000 facilities to offer classes.
On-Line Scuba Certification Classes
PADI and SSI now offer the classwork portion of the certification process on-line, making it easier than ever for divers in Oxnard, CA to get certified. After taking an on-line course, divers-to-be will do their pool work and check out dives with a certified dive shop in Oxnard like the ones listed below.
No Respect Diving Charters
No Respect Diving Charters is based out of Oxnard, CA and is headed by Captain Lou Ciarimboli. The business offers courses from Open Water Diver to Dive Master and Assistant Instructor. Check out dives are offered aboard its spacious and comfortable boat, which sleeps eight, to the Northern Channel Islands. Find more information at: 3600 S. Harbor Blvd. #137, Oxnard, CA 93035, 805-443-8058
Pacific Scuba Center
Pacific Scuba Center offers group and private instruction in Open Water Diver certification. More information at: 3747 W Hemlock St, Oxnard, CA 93035-3023, 805-984-2566
Cal Boat Diving
Started by 29-year veteran Captain Ted Cumming, Cal Boat Diving in Oxnard, CA is known for their excellent Channel Island dive trips. More information at: 1575 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105B-75 Ventura Harbor, CA 93001, 1-866-CAL-DIVE
Sports Chalet
Sports Chalet (the outdoor/sports store) has a diving instruction shop with a professional team of divers with more than 40 years of experience. More information at: at 1885 Ventura Blvd.Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-485-5222
