Have you ever been on a tropical vacation but felt like something was missing during those uneventful hours spent on the beach? Do you find yourself staring at water bodies, contemplating what creatures call them home? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, it could be time to turn intrigue into adventure and find out why scuba diving is the best hobby.
Put simply, scuba diving opens a door to a new world. Whether you’re interested in exploring lakes, quarries or oceans, excitement lies ahead. Just imagine, beautiful corals, colorful fish and delicate plants, all found in a variety of underwater environments that elegantly move to their own rhythm. All of it will be yours to explore after you complete the PADI Open Water Diver course.
Why Choose the PADI Open Water Diver Course?
For first-timers, scuba diving can be intimidating. That’s why the PADI Open Water Diver course is the ideal introduction. It builds your confidence and teaches you all the skills you need to relax and enjoy underwater environments all over the world.
Watch the video below to find out more about the PADI Open Water Diver course.
It’s easy to feel inspired when you can see how diving can change your life, and the course is pretty fun, too. It’s a great way to build confidence and learn a healthy hobby. Plus, you’re sure to make plenty of new friends. You might even find a dive club to join. Get ready for your social calendar to fill up fast!
How Long Is the PADI Open Water Diver Course?
Generally speaking, the PADI Open Water Diver course takes an average student diver three or four days to complete. It is made up of three major components.
- Knowledge Development – Learn and understand the basic principles of scuba diving (via online, home study with PADI eLearning or in a classroom).
- Confined Water Skills – Learn basic scuba skills in a swimming pool.
- Open Water Dives – Review your skills and begin exploring!
After completing these steps, you’ll be a qualified PADI Open Water Diver.
Why Scuba Diving is More Than Just a Hobby
Diving into the blue can be more that just a fun activity, it can change your whole perspective. How you view the world, how you travel. Welcome to the other 70% of the world, a part that most people never get to see. Many divers agree that spending all that time underwater brings a sense of mindfulness and calm over them. It can be a transformative experience. A stress relief in a league of its own. Especially if some curious marine creatures join you on your dive. Every encounter, every dive can leave you with a greater appreciation for the marine world.
Not to mention you will create memories which last a lifetime. Imagine showing others the incredible photos from you last underwater adventure where you spotted a whale shark, or a manta ray, or even the vibrant coral. Collect your experiences and share them with others.
Your PADI Open Water course is more than a first step into diving, it’s a gateway to a new way of looking at the world. From discovering how coral reefs work, witnessing once in a lifetime experiences to meeting dive buddies from all over the world. The connections and skills you make during your open water will be cemented in your mind and pave the way for countless more underwater memories.
Explore the Unexpected Benefits of Scuba Diving
Ask any diver what their favourite aspect of being underwater is. I know quite a few of them will say the peace and quite. Diving can be an exceptionally calming experience. It can also improve your health, did you know that? This low impact exercise helps with circulation and breathing techniques for diving are great for your respiratory system in day to day life. All of this helps you reduce stress.
Did we mention travel? With your PADI Open Water certification, a whole world of unique destinations suddenly become accessible to you. There are whole destinations and accommodations designed with divers in mind. Take a look at some locations with PADI Travel.
More Reasons to Complete the PADI Open Water Diver Course
There is more than one reason to get scuba certified. Yes, gaining your certification gives you a way to explore the world below the water’s surface, but there’s more to it. Here are some best reasons to sign up for your PADI:
- To Experience a Unique Feeling – The feeling you get as you breathe comfortably under water for the first time is incredible. As the bubbles tickle your face and your body experiences the sensation of being virtually weightless, every one of your senses will be stimulated.
- To Get Closer to Nature – Some of the world’s most interesting flora and fauna exist in its waters. A life spent only above the water’s surface will mean you’re missing out on some of the best things to see.
- To Learn Something New – Learning how to scuba dive teaches you both new skills and knowledge. From using a regulator to calculating surface intervals, if you’re looking for something different to try, scuba diving could be the answer.
- To Boost Your Resume – A scuba diving certification is a great way to add an extra dimension to a resume. The hobby shows you’re interesting, adventurous and capable of learning.
- To Begin a New Career – Getting your PADI Open Water Diver certification could be the first step in a new career as a PADI Professional. It’s not unusual for people to fall in love with diving the second they sink beneath the surface.
Finally, an important warning — once you discover how amazing the underwater world is, be aware that life above the surface may never be the same again!
Ready to sign up to get scuba certified? Get started online with PADI eLearning or find your nearest PADI Dive Shop.