Becoming a scuba diver is like participating in one of the greatest scavenger hunts in the world. You never know what you're going to find when you go underwater, and even when you go back to the same place, things will be different.

Diving in an ongoing educational progress. Some of the learning is formal and takes place in a classroom, pool, or ocean. And some of it is informal and will be picked up without benefit of a formal class.

The process starts with what's known as an Open Water or Basic entry-level class. These classes are designed for people interested in earning a certification card so they can begin exploring and discovering our underwater world firsthand.

We haven't offered group Open-Water classes since we closed our brick-and-mortar store on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills
19 years ago because the logistics are just too daunting. Scuba diving instruction has changed radically since then with training today consisting of the academic portion being self-guided and on-line, a few pool sessions and a day or two in the ocean through a store, and then welcome to the certified diver club. Is doing it faster "better"? The jury's still out. But we'd be happy to refer you to a qualified facility if you want to get certified in a group setting. By the same token, we still deal with instructors who offer private scuba lessons and we're happy to refer you to them as well. Just give us a call and we'll set you up.

That all being said, in today's get-me-certified-quick environment (faster is NOT always better), you might not feel as confident on your own as you'd like to be. So we still do offer some informal classes (non-certificiation - except for NAUI Nitrox) aimed at folks who are now or newly certified and who want to improve their skills and learn more about this fascinating sport. After years of teaching thousands of divers, we've noticed that people seem to gravitate to certain classes in particular. They are:

• Surf Entries Made Easy (because most of you either stink at it, are terrified of it, or just weren't well-taught - done at Vets Palk in Redondo)
• Navigation Made Easy (since it's nice to know how to get back to where you started - done at Vets Palk in Redondo)
• Fish ID made Easy (since it's nice to know what you're seeing underwater - via Zoom)
• Photo Workshop (since a lot of people have cameras nowadays, both still &/or video - via Zoom)
• NAUI Nitrox (learn to do it right from someone who doesn't think it's a panacea - formal certification where you'll receive a card - via Zoom and in-person)
• Understanding Tables & Computers (gives you better insight of your bottom time and avoiding the bends - via Zoom)

We offer these classes regularly on a rotating basis. For more info and all the dates for a specific class, click on the CONTINUING EDUCATION button below. Plus you can keep an eye on TWARS (This Week at Reef Seekers) and this website for the latest information.

In the meantime, if you'd like to know a little bit more about basic Open Water Classes in general, click on the OPEN WATER button below, bearing in mind that there will be some variation store-to-store so take it as a guideline, not gospel.