Junior Open Water Diver Certification

Young adults ages 10 to 14 years old can be fully certified as Junior Open Water Divers. That means they read the same academic material, take the same tests, and perform the same scuba skills in both the pool and during their certification dives as do adults.

So what do you gain when you take a dedicated Junior Open Water Diver course? Kids get to learn with other kids instead of adults. Kids get to spend a little more time learning the material and performing the skills. And we can make it a lot more fun!

To increase safety standards, the instructor-to-student ratio for children ages 10 to 14 across all agencies is smaller than the adult ratio. That means we have dedicated more instructors to our kids' programs so your budding scuba divers can learn in a safe and fun environment.

Junior Group Classes

Number of Students: Maximum 6

Tuition: $375/person

Academic Materials Fee: $160

Total Cost: $535 + Tax

Schedule: See Scuba Scheduler

Duration: 16 hours

Custom Classes

Number of Students: Minimum 4

Tuition: $375/person

Academic Materials Fee: $160

Total Cost: $535 + Tax

Schedule: Your Choice

Duration: 14-16 hours

Semi-Private Classes

Number of Students: 2-3

Tuition: $400/person

Academic Materials Fee: $160

Total Cost: $560 + Tax

Schedule: Your Choice

Duration: 12-16 hours

Private Classes

Number of Students: 1 on 1

Tuition: $450

Academic Materials Fee: $160

Total Cost: $610 + Tax

Schedule: Your Choice

Duration: 12-16 hours

We welcome kids in our regularly scheduled adult classes as well, so make sure to check out our adult Open Water Diver Course offerings!

Minimum Age: 10 years old

Academic Material Fee Includes:

• Online downloadable interactive course
• Online certification card
• SSI Digital Logbook
• Travel dry bag

Required Documents:

• SSI Medical Statement and Guidelines (If you answer "yes" to any of the questions asked, the physician's release must also be filled out by a qualified physician, using the WRSTC Medical Guidelines)
• Liability Release for Entry-Level Training
• SSI Responsible Diver Code
  
• Privacy Policy

Course Includes:

• Use of all training equipment including mask, fins, snorkel, BC, regulator, & wetsuit
• FREE pool practices every Monday for all Open Water Diver students with one of our qualified instructors to get ready for your open water certification dives.
• FREE use of the pool once you are certified (Our Denver Divers students enjoy this benefit for a lifetime!)
• Low student to instructor ratio allowing for quality individual training and plenty of practice time underwater

Not Included: Certification Dives (see step 4 below)

Take your first step today!

STEP 1: SIGN UP AND ATTEND AN ORIENTATION

To ensure a smooth process, we recommend that you first sign up for the Junior Open Water Diver class before registering for the orientation. Here's how to begin your scuba diving journey:

1. Visit our Scuba Scheduler to create a student record and select the desired class. You can conveniently register online and make the necessary payment for materials and the class. Once registered, you will receive access to your online student materials.

2. We offer two options for the Junior Open Water Diver class and pool sessions. The first option is our weekend schedule, which includes sessions on Friday night (6-9 p.m.), all day Saturday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), and all day Sunday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), and takes place during the school year. We also offer Junior Open Water Diver Summer camps during the Summer months. If you have specific scheduling needs, we can accommodate them with a custom schedule that will be reflected in the pricing. Please contact us to discuss your preferences.

3. After signing up for the Junior Open Water Diver class, the next step is for the student to attend an orientation with a parent or guardian. It is mandatory for all students to attend a one-hour orientation session designed to provide important guidance and answer any questions students may have before starting their training. The orientation does not include any in-water activities. Our orientations take place every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. To secure your spot, it is important to schedule the orientation in advance. You can schedule it through the Scuba Scheduler or call us at 303-399-2877 to arrange a custom time if needed.

STEP 2: HOME STUDY

Once you receive the SSI link to access your online student materials, you can begin your home study for the class. This allows you to complete the coursework at your own pace, dedicating most of your time with us to the underwater experience. Plan to allocate approximately six to eight hours for this process.

For the best online experience, please ensure:

• You have an up-to-date internet browser (Google Chrome 29 or Mozilla Firefox 24) with Flash and Javascript enabled.
• If you use internet security software, add diveSSI.com to your trusted sites or follow the instructions in the user manual.
• Turn off pop-up blockers for diveSSI.com.

STEP 3: CLASS & POOL REVIEW

Your training includes an academic review in the classroom and in-water skills development training in our indoor, heated, saltwater pool at Denver Divers. The majority of your time will be spent in the pool, gaining essential diving skills and confidence. At the end of the course, you will take a 50-question written exam. Please plan to dedicate approximately 16 hours to this process.

STEP 4: CERTIFICATION DIVES*

To obtain certification, you will need to complete a minimum of four open water certification dives under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. These dives allow you to apply what you have learned during your academic and pool training in a real-world diving environment. You will gain practical experience and further enhance your skills.

Please note that if you plan to complete your open water certification dives after December 31, 2023, the dives must be completed with an SSI instructor. As of January 1, 2024, SSI will no longer support referrals to other training agencies.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to ensure your scuba diving journey is enjoyable and successful!

What are my certification dive options?

*Certification Dives not included in the cost above.

Course Schedule Options

upcoming classes

Why Denver Divers?

We are here to help you succeed. Our Training Philosophy is embodied in the SSI platform, "Comfort Through Repetition", where if you continue to learn, practice your skills and become comfortable in the water, you will have an amazing experience as a scuba diver. Our classes are built to give you the opportunity to learn at your own pace and practice your skills as much as possible. We want to make you a diver for life, so we look forward to you joining us on your journey to the underwater world.

Remember, we offer FREE pool practices every Monday to our students during your certification process to make sure you get plenty of practice before your certification dives.

What's Next?

Your graduated Junior Diver will have a number of opportunities to keep diving in confined spaces (in Colorado, this means the pool!)

And both Scuba Explorers graduates and Junior Open Water graduates can join us for our "Specialty Explorers" activities. Ask a Denver Divers staff member what the next kids events will be!