Fall 2024 Open Water Certification Course (PADI)

This Open Water class includes academic online training, two indoor pool sessions, and four open water dives. At the completion of this class, each student will receive a PADI Open Water Diver Certification.

Schedule

Pool – Sep 21 & 22 – using the Verona Natatorium pool both days.   

• Sat start at dive shop 9am ( paperwork )  and finish pool at 4pm. 
• Sunday, start 9am at pool and finish at 1pm.  

Lake – Oct 5 & 6 – Pearl Lake in S. Beloit IL both days. 

• The exact time for Pearl Lake and transportation options TBD

Course Overview

The Fall Hoofer Open Water SCUBA course consists of a self-paced eLearning web classroom where students learn about diving physiology and safety and the equipment and skills needed by every diver. This is followed by two indoor swimming pool sessions where students are able to apply their new knowledge in a controlled environment. Students must complete the eLearning prior to the pool sessions (no exceptions). Students will receive the link to sign up for our eLearning after signing up for the course. Once the eLearning and the pool training sessions are completed, each student will complete two open water dives over two days. 

Course Fee

The course fee of $475 (plus $60 due at the lake dives) includes your two pool training sessions, open water check-out dives, professional instruction by PADI instructors, all course materials, including access to eLearning, dive log and training record, and the use of all SCUBA equipment and tanks needed for class. You will also need to purchase a membership in Hoofer Scuba which costs $48 per year for students and includes heavily discounted gear rentals once certified. The fee is paid when you sign up for the course at the Hoofer Scuba Club online or at Outdoor UW Service desk at the Memorial Union.

Signing up here online, you will need to buy the $48 membership, then pay $475 to sign up. You will receive a code for the eLearning from the orientation.

We recognize that this is an expensive course, but hope that you understand the immense value and unique experience that SCUBA is and know that certifications last for life. There are no additional hidden fees or costs, and our courses include all education and dives required to become a PADI-certified diver. The total cost for students is $535 for current members or $583 for new members. Sign-up can be done online or at the Outdoor UW office. 

Prerequisites and Enrollment Conditions

You must finish the eLearning course, pool sessions, and open water dives. eLearning must be completed prior to the first pool session. No make-up sessions can be offered. If during the course under special circumstances you find out you cannot attend one of the dates, please let us know ASAP, so we can work something out. 

We follow the PADI health requirements, a copy of all the medical conditions that may require a physician's approval to be cleared for diving will need to be filled out under the PADI medical form. Note, that if you have one of these conditions, it does not necessarily bar you from diving. It does mean we would need a doctor to sign off that you are medically cleared for diving. If you do answer yes to any of the questions found on the form, please seek physician approval and provide the form to the event leader or your instructor. If you are not cleared but have already started or completed the online portion, we can only offer a partial refund. 

It is essential that course participants have strong basic swimming skills and be comfortable in the water. PADI requirements include a basic swim test and treat-water test. If you do not pass the swim test, we can only offer a partial refund of course fees. See below for more details. 

Course Refunds

Once the course has commenced, we do not offer any refunds past the first pool session, e.g. if you decide you can't make one of the dates. If you decide after the first pool session that SCUBA is not for you, then we can off you a partial refund of the course cost less the cost of materials, and a prorate fee for the portion of the class that you attended. 

For safety, individuals not able to satisfactorily perform all required skills in the pool will not be permitted to participate in the open water training. Our instructors will make every effort to assist you in becoming a certified diver, but certification is not guaranteed. 

Participants must be a University of Wisconsin-Madison student, faculty/staff, or Wisconsin Union Member. Union membership is open to everyone. Call 608-262-2262 or visit www.union.wisc.edu/membership to sign up for Union Membership. Current students are automatically given free Union Memberships. 

Last day to sign up for the certification course is 9/14/24 (Sat). 

eLearning: After purchasing the course, you will recieve a link to the PADI Online learning. This must be completed the online learning BEFORE the pool dates.