Learn to Dive!
The Austin area has quite a few dives shops that offer certification classes. You can do anything from introductory Open Water classes to Divemaster and advanced technical training.
Open-water classes (your first certification, if you've never dove before) start every single week and almost every weekend somewhere in Austin. Check the calendar for upcoming classes. If a standard schedule doesn't work for you or you'd prefer one-on-one training that can be arranged as well. There are several very experienced divers who work with USC and local dive shops with whom you can work. Feel free to email us if you have any questions.
Beginners:
The first step to becoming a SCUBA diver is to take your open-water certification course. This class typically takes place over two weekends and teaches you the basics of diving. You'll spend the first half of the class in a classroom/pool learning how to safely use your equipment. The second half of the class will be in the water, usually a local lake such as Lake Travis.
Oak Hill SCUBA
The University of Texas at Austin and the University SCUBA Club have had a close relationship with Oak Hill for quite some time. Oak Hill's personnel used to run UT's SCUBA program before UT shut it down. We certainly recommend you consider them for your classes. Oak Hill conducts weekend open-water classes beginning every two weeks and a wide range of advanced and technical classes as needed. For UT students Oak Hill offers Open Water classes several times per semester for an all-inclusive price of $300. That includes your mask/fins/snorkel so it's a damn good deal. Sign up for that at www.longhornscuba.com. Ask us about other discounts for club members. Oak Hill SCUBA certifies through NAUI.
6156 W Hwy 290, Ste. B
Austin TX, 78735
(512) 892-4900
www.oakhillscuba.com
www.longhornscuba.com
University SCUBA Club
The University SCUBA Club conducts safety classes a few times a year for its members including CPR and Diver O2 classes through NAUI and DAN.
1 University Station
A5800 Box 186
Austin, TX 78712
utscuba@gmail.com
www.utscuba.com
Scubaland
Scubaland has three locations in Austin and conducts night and weekend Open Water classes through PADI beginning every week. Open Water classes cost $250 plus park entry fees (~$30) which includes training, textbooks, and rental equipment with the exception of mask/fins/snorkel which you must provide yourself. Students are also given 10% off on gear purchases.
| Scubaland North 1001 W. Anderson Lane Austin, TX, 78757 (512) 323-6999 |
Scubaland South 3601 W. William Cannon Dr Austin, TX, 78749 (512) 891-6054 |
Scubaland at the Lake 11416 FM 620N Austin, TX, 78726 (512) 257-2000 |
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| www.scubaland.com |
Tom's Dive and Swim
Toms's Dive and Swim offers Open Water classes on Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday, and weekends beginning almost every week. Classroom/pool training is conducted at the store and certification dives are usually conducted at Lake Travis. The Open Water class will cost $265 plus park entry fees. However, Tom's also gives you a $50 credit plus 10% off on gear purchased for this class. That takes the total to ~$350, but you own your mask/fins/snorkel at the end of the class (which is a good idea anyway).Tom's certifies through SSI.
5909 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX, 78757
(512) 451-3425
www.tomsscuba.com