From paddler to PADI diver

Scuba diving adds yet another dimension to your boating, so immerse yourself in it!

One of the reasons we own boats, is to explore the seas - but why limit yourself to just two dimensions?

Lying just below the surface is a whole world of new opportunity; a world in which you can fly in three dimensions, a land where strange creatures and breathtaking landscapes are just waiting to be discovered.

It's oft quoted that we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the floors of our oceans - but the oceans are a damn sight more accessible! So what are you waiting for?

In order to start scuba diving, completing a training course is a prerequisite - as with many sports, scuba can be dangerous if you lack adequate training.

There are a number of training providers available, but by far the most popular are those run by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors - better known as PADI courses.

One advantage of gaining accreditation with the world's largest dive organisation, is that you'll be qualified to dive at thousands of accredited centres around the world.

We hooked up with the Pavilion Dive Centre, based in the splendid grounds of the Jumierah Beach Hotel, to complete our Open Water certification.

Ernst Van Der Poll, a leading dive master and instructor at the centre, explained the course content and booked us into the various classes required.

For those who labour under the load of many commitments, the modular structure of the course allows you to complete the various classroom, pool and dive sessions at times that fit your schedule.

In fact, you can take an intensive approach, or take up to a year to complete your PADI Open Water! With the sessions booked, Ernst also provided a multimedia DVD with instructions to work through the relevant sections prior to arriving in class.

For most of us it's been some considerable time since we tackled study homework, but thankfully education has improved dramatically in the meantime.

The teaching methods used by PADI are a revelation, and make learning truly fun. Each subject is approached methodically and simply, with several different information delivery formats used to ensure the salient points sink in.

Each section starts with a guide to which points should be noted, after reading each section a video clip re-emphasise the material, and a quick quiz ensures the info has been absorbed.

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