Training

This season's classes will start with a Discover SCUBA on Wednesday, November 7th, 2007, at the Owatonna Jr. High at 7:00 P.M. we will have a short orientation in the cafeteria for all those that wish to give SCUBA a try. We plan to be in the pool by 8:00 P.M. and give everyone there a chance to learn some basics and "blow some bubbles". All are welcome, limitations are only on numbers. First come (as in "sign up"), first served.

There is NO CHARGE for Discover SCUBA.

What have you got to lose? C'ya there!

The Owatonna Dive Club has offered classes for new divers for over 30 years! These classes have been conducted by club member instructors from several organizations over the years. Open water (O/W) classes have been offered through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), YMCA, National Association of SCUBA Diving Schools (NASDS), and currently from PADI. All of these organizations have very strict minimum standards that most all of the diving organizations must follow. Any student successfully completing all course requirements from any of these courses will be well trained, skilled, and safe beginning open water divers!

The Owatonna Dive Club classes are held in ten (10) week sessions, one session per week. Students and instructor meet every Wednesday, at the dive club, for a classroom session before going to the pool. The class session is where the students obtain the knowledge of SCUBA diving that is necessary to dive safely and confidently anywhere in the world!

After the classroom session, the class makes the five minute drive from the dive club on Front Street to the Owatonna Junior High School pool, on St. Paul Street. In the pool the students are shown and then practice the skills necessary to achieve a high level of confidence in the water with SCUBA equipment as well as snorkeling equipment. Students are expected to have swimming and watermanship skills, but are not expected to be life guards, Navy Seals, or Rambos with fins!

Classes are conducted in the fall and winter months from the first week in November through the last week in April. The first session, the "fall" session, typically begins the second Wednesday in November. The first Wednesday in November is dedicated to a "Discover SCUBA" night. On the Discover SCUBA nights, ANYONE can come down to the Junior High and learn a little about the sport of SCUBA and actually get into the pool and try it! Pre-registration and a spirit of adventure is the only major requirement.

Classes are conducted starting the second Wednesday in November and continue for ten (10) consecutive weeks. There is, of course, a break for Christmas Week, and of course for any "snow" or "bad" weather days. The fall session typically will end the last week or so in January. The very next week is another "Discover SCUBA" night to kick off the "spring" session which will start the week following for the next ten (10) consecutive weeks. The "snow" and "bad" weather day rule applies to this session also. This session is slated to be completed by the last Wednesday in April.

For students to earn their "c-card", or certification card, they must complete five open water dives with the instructor staff. The club has an "open water check-out" week end at Clear Lake, MN every year the week end before Memorial Day week end. Student may either camp out at the Golden Acres Campground or rent a motel room in nearby Stillwater, MN. The open water week end dives will include three dives on the Saturday (one snorkel and two SCUBA) and two dives on Sunday (two SCUBA). Upon successful completion the new open water diver will receive a diploma and their well deserved and highly coveted "C-Card"!

Advanced courses in SCUBA are conducted by the club based on desire of students to learn more about the sport of SCUBA and the desire to expand their horizons.