Cost: $380/$280*

If you've always wondered what lies beneath the surface, now's the time to find out! Start the journey of a lifetime with the PADI Open Water Diver course. It will change you forever!

In the PADI Open Water Diver course, your PADI Instructor takes you through the basics of learning how to scuba dive. You start in a pool and progress to the open water (ocean, lake, quarry, etc.) getting the background knowledge along the way.

Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification.

If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available. Minimum age is 10.

>> Download the Class Schedule HERE <<

The course encompasses three phases: Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives and Open Water Training Dives.

1. Knowledge Development – This develops your familiarity with basic diving principles and procedures. You learn things like how pressure affects your body, how to choose the best gear and what to consider when planning dives. You complete the Knowledge Development portion in one of two ways:

Classroom setting: You can complete the Knowledge Development on your own, reading each of five sections of the PADI Open Water Diver Manual and watching the corresponding section of the PADI Open Water Diver Video (which also previews skills you’ll practice in the pool). In a classroom environment with other students, we’ll briefly review what you studied, a Y-kiki instructor will elaborate on the information, demonstrate the various pieces of equipment and quiz you for comprehension. At the end of the course, you take a final exam that makes sure you’ve got all the key concepts and ideas down.

eLearning: Whether you're on the go or want to take it slow, now you can complete the Knowledge Development portion of the PADI Open Water Diver Course online with PADI eLearning. It's a great match for an active schedule. With PADI eLearning, you have convenient online access to knowledge development course materials for one year. You’ll read and complete each of five sections of the manual online, watching corresponding video clips along the way and completing the final exam online. Once you’ve completed all the segments, you can print your eLearning Record and bring it in to Y-kiki Divers to schedule your pool and open water dives.

Cost for eLearning: To start the PADI eLearning course, click here. The eLearning coursework is $120 plus the enhancement crew pak of $37. The confined water training is $140 and the open water training is $150. Purchase your personal equipment (mask, fins, snorkel and boots) from Y-kiki and receive a 10% savings. Mask, fins, snorkel and boots are required for this class.

2. Confined Water Dives – This is what it’s all about – diving. You develop basic scuba skills in a pool. Here you’ll learn everything from setting up your gear to how to easily get water out of your mask without surfacing. You’ll also practice some emergency skills, like sharing air – just in case. There are five confined water dives, with each building upon the previous. Over the course of these five dives, you attain the skills you need to dive in open water. Plus, you may play some games, make new friends and have a great time.

3. Open Water Training Dives – After your confined water dives, you and the new friends you’ve made continue learning during four open water dives at a local dive site. This is where you have fun putting it all together and fully experience the underwater adventure – at the beginner level, of course. You may make these dives locally or at a more exotic destination on vacation (called a referral).

Earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification is just the beginning. As a certified diver, fabulous dive destinations, exciting people, unparalleled adventure and uncommon tranquility await you.

Prerequisites: 10 years old for Junior Open Water Diver and 15 years old for Open Water Diver. Good health, reasonable fitness and comfort in the water.

Materials Needed for Classroom Setting: PADI Open Water Crew-Pak, PADI Open Water DVD and Log Book insert pages (provided in cost of class). Your personal equipment: mask, fins, snorkel & boots.

*Cost is $380. Purchase your mask, fins, snorkel and boots from us and we'll discount the class to $280. Mask, fins, snorkel and boots are required for this class.

See Our Course Schedule Below

Referral: Going on vacation and want to learn to dive? Why waste vacation time sitting in a classroom? Complete your knowledge development sessions (either in a classroom setting or with eLearning) and confined open water dives with Y-kiki Divers and then complete your open water training dives on vacation. Cost is $325. Purchase your mask, fins, snorkel and boots from us and we'll discount the class to $225.

Open Water Training Dives only: If you’ve completed your knowledge development sessions and confined open water dives with another shop and only need your four open water checkout dives to complete your certification, this option is for you. Cost is $150. Includes equipment rental (excluding mask, fins, snorkel and boots) and certification fees.

Scuba Tune-Up: A little rusty? Been awhile since you’ve pulled out your dive tables? Take a Scuba Tune-Up with Y-kiki Divers and review basic scuba skills. Dust off your gear and bring it to class. We’ll inspect it for potential maintenance concerns. Cost is $75 and includes a PADI refresher workbook, classroom and pool sessions. Includes equipment rental (excluding mask, fins, snorkel and boots). For a refresher of just the pool skills, cost is $50.

Private Open Water Scuba Diver Course: Contact Valerie Elliott at 314-469-8722 for more details.

NOTE: All classes are held at the 13001 Olive Blvd. location except where noted. SOUTH COUNTY is 9936 Kennerly Road, St. Louis, MO 63128.

 September 3, 2010 (36) – Weekend Class
 Class: Sept. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Sept. 4 & 5, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Sept. 4 & 5 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Sept. 11 & 12

 September 7, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekday Class
 Class: Sept. 7, 8 & 9, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Sept. 11 & 12 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Sept. 18 & 19

 September 10, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Sept. 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Sept. 11 & 12, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Sept. 11 & 12 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Sept. 18 & 19

 September 14, 2010 (37) – Weekday Class
 Class: Sept. 14, 15 & 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Sept. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Sept. 25 & 26

 September 17, 2010 (38) – Weekend Class
 Class: Sept. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Sept. 18 & 19, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Sept. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Sept. 25 & 26

 September 24, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Sept. 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Sept. 25 & 26, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Sept. 25 & 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 2 & 3

 September 24, 2010 – ST. PETERS RECPLEX Weekend Class
 Class: Sept. 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Sept. 25 & 26, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Sept. 25 & 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or schedule with Y-kiki Divers
 Must register for this class through the St. Peters Rec Plex

 September 28, 2010 (39) – Weekday Class
 Class: Sept. 28, 29 & 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Oct. 2 & 3 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 9 & 10 (OR on Bull Shoals Houseboat Trip)

 October 1, 2010 (40) – Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 2 & 3, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 2 & 3 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 9 & 10 (OR on Bull Shoals Houseboat Trip)

 October 4, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekday Class
 Class: Oct. 4, 11 & 18, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Oct. 6, 13 & 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 23 & 24

 October 8, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 9 & 10, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 9 & 10 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 23 & 24

 October 12, 2010 (41) – Weekday Class
 Class: Oct. 12, 13 & 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Oct. 16 & 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 23 & 24

 October 15, 2010 (42) – Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 16 & 17, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 16 & 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Oct. 23 & 24

 October 22, 2010 – ST. PETERS RECPLEX Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 23 & 24, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 23 & 24 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or schedule with Y-kiki Divers
 Must register for this class through the St. Peters Rec Plex

 October 26, 2010 (43) – Weekday Class
 Class: Oct. 26, 27 & 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Oct. 30 & 31 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Nov. 6 & 7 (weather permitting)

 October 29, 2010 (44) – Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 30 & 31, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 30 & 31 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Nov. 6 & 7 (weather permitting)

 October 29, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Oct. 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Oct. 30 & 31, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Oct. 30 & 31 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Nov. 6 & 7 (weather permitting)

NOTE: Due to local diving conditions starting in November, you can complete the Open Water portion of your training as a referral OR complete the dives locally in a dry suit which would require an extra pool session and training. Contact the shop for complete details.

 November 9, 2010 (45) – Weekday Class
 Class: Nov. 9, 10 & 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Nov. 13 & 14 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 November 9, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Nov. 9, 10 & 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Nov. 13 & 14 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 November 12, 2010 (46) – Weekend Class
 Class: Nov. 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Nov. 13 & 14, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Nov. 13 & 14 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 November 12, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Nov. 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Nov. 13 & 14, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Nov. 13 & 14 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 November 19, 2010 – ST. PETERS RECPLEX Weekend Class
 Class: Nov. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Nov. 20 & 21, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Nov. 20 & 21 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or schedule with Y-kiki Divers
 Must register for this class through the St. Peters Rec Plex

 November 30, 2010 (47) – Weekday Class
 Class: Nov. 30, Dec. 1 & 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Dec. 4 & 5 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 3, 2010 (48) – Weekend Class
 Class: Dec. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Dec. 4 & 5, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Dec. 4 & 5 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 3, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Dec. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Dec. 4 & 5, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Dec. 4 & 5 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 14, 2010 (49) – Weekday Class
 Class: Dec. 14, 15 & 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Dec. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 14, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekday Class
 Class: Dec. 14, 15 & 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
 Pool: Dec. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 17, 2010 (50) – Weekend Class
 Class: Dec. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Dec. 18 & 19, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Dec. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class

 December 17, 2010 – SOUTH COUNTY Weekend Class
 Class: Dec. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Dec. 18 & 19, 8 a.m. to noon
 Pool: Dec. 18 & 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
 Dives: Referral or in conjunction with Dry Suit Class