Most people who contemplate learning to scuba dive already are fairly comfortable in water, like fish, and are looking for something to do on vacations that's exciting, yet safe. Some come with the idea that it is VERY easy to learn. This information generally comes from friends who dive, or a dive store sales person. Well, it is easy, but it takes 3 or four pool sessions spaced apart so you can reflect on what you learn each class. Also a minimum of 2 or 3 lectures (on physics and ocean environment) is a good idea! This is an important concept nowadays as many dive stores and instructors try to teach diving in 2 days. This can work for some folks who already can descend to 20 feet or so with mask, fins, and snorkel and equalize the pressure of the water on their ears. Learning to do this equalization is easy if you have enough pool sessions to practice. Some folks are just a bit intimidated by all the gear - tanks hose, valves, weight belts, wet suits, breathing regulators, masks etc. It takes some time to get used to swimming around with all this gear on.
     The good part is if you are not feeling rushed, it is serious fun to zoom around underwater in the pool till you reach a point where the plastic fish and the drain become a bit boring and you start craving to see living animals and plants in the ocean. This is the proper time to visit and dive in the ocean -- after you have built up your  confidence in your abilities and knowledge of the basic equipment. Again, to all who are reading this, wherever you are; to not take weekend "quickie" courses. The last three years have been tough on the scuba industry . Do not sacrifice good education. Scuba is an extremely safe, enjoyable sport UNLESS it is taught TOO quickly and you are rushed to the ocean. The dive resorts around the world are totally outraged by the quality of skills of many divers the last 2 years. Plus you will look bad  - no style points.

COST: Your education includes a full time Instructor and a weekend of diving instruction in Monterey. Also includes use of our pool, our SCUBA gear, a textbook and about everything else you could imagine except your own, personal snorkeling gear...
Total      $475.00   Sound more expensive than other SCUBA facilities?? Yup!!! -- a little  - but you get  more!!  See if you can figure it out !  Maybe the quality of the Instructors or    the quality of the gear you get to use  or our  warm, deep pool  and the ocean    or maybe how much fun you will have here  - those are hints    also only SCUBA instructors work in the Dive store!
DURATION:     2 weeks, and a weekend in Monterey

ADDITIONAL COSTS: Equipment (mask, snorkel, fins,) (boots, and gloves for Monterey).  Owning your own snorkeling gear is imperative   -- other costs - lodgings and food in Monterey -- motels usually charge 40-90 dollars a night for the dive weekend.   We have extensive list of Motels and current prices. Costs will vary depending on student needs and time of year. STUDENTS (or their parents) ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND LODGING FOR THE DIVE WEEKEND IN MONTEREY

Private Classes: We offer private instruction for students with difficult schedules.
Cost:  $600.00    Private students will do their pool and academic work in Berkeley, then make arrangements for Ocean Checkout dives.
Minimum of 2 students and class schedules are VERY flexible!

    Most people who walk in our store are a little intimidated by the gear involved and the creatures in the ocean. Well, don't be! The gear is less complex than your car  - by a lot - and the only dangerous animal in the sea is mankind (kind). Sharks won't eat your head, and you won't run out of air and drown because like in an airplane, there are important gauges    air    gas   etc. to keep track of.
The first class is an orientation class to give you an overview of what's to come including your ocean diving. We will teach you a few VERY important rules of physics that are easy to understand but you must be constantly aware of! If you drive a car at 60 mph on a 2-lane road and swerve into the traffic on your left ---  well, you're toast. We all understand this and drive without fear paying attention to which way the car is going. New laws of physics in diving must be understood and in the same way.
    You're first pool session is fun! A swim test is a reality check to see if you should participate in water sports. We use wet suits in our warm outdoor pool because even though the water can be 85 degrees, we talk a bunch and stand around in the shallow (4.5 ft.) end of the pool a lot. The hardest skill to master is mask clearing -purposely flooding your mask underwater and clearing the water out by exhaling through your nose.
    The next few pools are mostly about safety procedures like if some idiot runs out of air and wants YOURS! You will have been taught all possible trouble scenarios (twice). We (all SCUBA Instructors) want you to enjoy yourselves and NOT get hurt. If this all sound tough or scary, you're wrong. It's easy and VERY safe. Television documentaries always play up the drama of big fish and big storms --  why else would people watch. Think more like "Finding Nemo"  without the 12 stepping sharks. Big fish stay far away from humans!   WE are very dangerous.
    If you like sports, sea water, fish, assorted sea animals, quiet and adventure like none other SCUBA is probably for you.

     The basic requirements for entrance to beginning Scuba are 12 years of age, swim test 200 yards non-stop, float/tread 10 minutes and a stable personality!

     The most common course is 4 weeks long , meeting Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m.  After completion of pools and lectures, training will finish with a weekend trip to Monterey.  There are 4 ocean dives starting around 7:45 Saturday morning and finish about 4:00 PM.  We usually finish our final dives and lecture by 1:00 PM on Sunday.

     If you have a friend that wants to update their skills. They can take a refresher class with you while you take your beginning class.  Ask about this option at the store.

     We have our own warm water pool specifically designed for SCUBA instruction where instructors will be closely monitoring and helping you through all phases of your training. We at Cal Dive & Travel are proud of the reputation we have established in the 15 years we've been open. What started as a hobby has turned into the Bay Area's finest full service dive facility.  We hope to introduce you to the sport of Scuba diving.
 
 

Some skills you will learn include

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