COURSE OVERVIEW
What is Andark Aquanauts?
Aquanauts is a Kids’ Scuba Course developed by Andark Course Directors and Instructors for children age 9-12, and is completely run in our pool. It runs on a Sunday morning during term time, and also as an intensive EXPLORERS ‘ScubaCamp’ available most school holidays.
Once completed students are well placed to start and internationally recognised course like PADI Junior Open Water.
Aquanaut DISCOVERY
Come and try before signing up to an Aquanaut EXPLORER course. It is a no obligation, 1 hour shallow end, taster session run on request, for up to 8 children. If you enjoy this session, have a look at signing up for our 6 week EXPLORERS course. These can be done on either a Monday or Wednesday evening while our other evening training is going on. Or on Sunday, these have to be pre booked, and only run when we have availability.
See the AQUANAUTS log book download for further info on course details. Download it HERE and once signed off you’ll get money off your EXPLORERS course.
Aquanaut EXPLORERS
So you love the water and want to explore the bottom of our pool? Maybe you’ve tried the Aquanauts DISCOVERY? Or just swim like a fish in water! No scuba or snorkelling experience necessary but you will need to be able to swim proficiently enough to float confidently in the deep end of our 3.4 metre pool.
We will teach you snorkelling basics and then take you through to being a confident self-sufficient diver. There are six consecutive weekly sessions by which time you and a buddy will be able to set up SCUBA kit and do core skills. ( Six weeks is an average length for completion). If you have to miss a session or find you need a little extra tuition you may need to buy a few extra private sessions before moving up to Aquanaut CADETS.
SEN – Students with special educational needs are welcome and have long benefitted from the Aquanaut program, but we ask you talk to us before signing up, so we can assess the correct level of help you need.
Before starting the EXPLORERS course and for general COVID security we ask that ALL students have personal equipment; mask, fins and snorkel. We can help you with that purchase if you don’t have kit and have a special student discount on student packs in our shop. We do include a complimentary handy Aquanauts mask strap in all packs.
Download your logbook HERE before you start and look at the full course content. This book will be signed by your instructor every week.
WHEN CAN I DO IT?
6 Week Course running Every Other Sunday
Aquanauts Explorers 9.45am – 11am
Cadets 11.45pm – 13.15pm
Next Course
Sunday 17th March
Sunday 31st March
Sunday 14th April
Sunday 28th April
Sunday 12th May
Sunday 26th May
ANDARK AQUANAUTS
If you are aged 9-12, like the water, and want to do something different on a Sunday, then this is the course for you. No experience required. You just have to be able to swim 25m unassisted, be taller than 1.2 m and be comfortable in deeper water. It’s a 6 session course which will take you through the basics of scuba diving in the comfort and safety of Andark’s own 3.4 metre pool. We’ll start with snorkelling techniques, then introduce you to scuba equipment. By the end of the course you should be able to put your scuba gear together, do a buddy check, clear your mask, perform regulator recovery, and practice safe buoyancy in the deep end. (If you are interested but can’t commit to Sunday afternoons we also run this entry level course as a ‘ScubaCamp’ most school holidays).
This course provides an excellent introduction to diving and lays down a solid foundation for children to then build on. Students can go on to Master Aquanauts or provided they are age 10+ progress to the PADI Junior Open Water Course.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dry T shirt or shortie wetsuit, so you don’t get cold. You also need to buy Mask, Fins, Snorkel for the sessions. This can be done before the sessions start or come to the shop early on the day to come into to the shop.
- Provided our instructors have passed you as being safe in the water you can join Andark Master Aquanauts
- You can also start a formal diving qualification such as a PADI Junior Open Water Course
If you have completed Aquanauts You get £10 off a PADI Junior Open Water Course or Open Water Referral
Aquanauts is a progressive programme so you will need to commit to all 6 sessions. We will do our best to accommodate children in event of unforeseen illness however it will be instructor’s discretion as to when you are able to re-join a course. Course contents may vary slightly dependent on Instructor, the equipment available and student ability.
Please let us know if you can not attend due to having any of the symptoms and are self isolating. We can reschedule your session at no extra cost or give you a credit note to use in store. We will not refund your session.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WHAT TO BRING
Dry T shirt or shortie wetsuit, so you don’t get cold. You also need to buy Mask, Fins, Snorkel for the sessions. This can be done before the sessions start or come to the shop early on the day to come into to the shop.
WHAT CAN I DO AFTER?
Provided our instructors have passed you as being safe in the water you can join Andark Master Aquanauts
You can also start a formal diving qualification such as a PADI Junior Open Water Course
If you have completed Aquanauts You get £10 off a PADI Junior Open Water Course orOpen Water Referral
PLEASE NOTE
Aquanauts is a progressive programme so you will need to commit to all 6 sessions. We will do our best to accommodate children in event of unforeseen illness however it will be instructor’s discretion as to when you are able to re-join a course. Course contents may vary slightly dependent on Instructor, the equipment available and student ability.
COVID-19
Please let us know if you can not attend due to having any of the symptoms and are self isolating. We can reschedule your session at no extra cost or give you a credit note to use in store. We will not refund your session.
ANDARK AQUANAUT CADETS
Aquanaut CADETS
This is the follow-on course from Aquanaut EXPLORERS. Students will need an underwater compass, before the course commences. Suitable compasses are available to purchase from our shop. Once enrolled students will be issued with a free CADET rash vest.
6 ‘specialty’ sessions including NIGHT DIVE, ECO, NAVIGATOR and WRECK, all completed in the pool.full course content is in your logbook HERE . Make sure all sessions are signed off to get money off your Junior PADI Open Water Course
What’s next?
Once completed Andark Aquanaut graduates, have an excellent foundation to start an internationally recognised course like PADI Junior Open Water at age 10.
Do you want something like this too?
When there is demand, Junior Qualified divers from all internationally recognised training agencies like PADI, BSAC and SSI, can join our Sunday dives. Please ring our shop to organise.
Dry T shirt or shortie wetsuit, so you don’t get cold.
Students must by their own Mask, Fins, Snorkel by Master Aquanaut level. We have a huge range of equipment available to purchase from the shop, all Aquanauts are entitled to Andark Student Discount prices.
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- Provided we have passed you as being a responsible Master Aquanaut you can become an Aquanaut Cadet.
- You can also start a formal diving qualification such as PADI Junior Open Water Course
If you have completed all 10 Master Aquanaut Specialties you get £25 off a PADI Junior Open Water Course.
All course contents may vary slightly dependent on Instructor, availability of equipment and student ability. For safety reasons we expect a certain level of maturity in our Master Aquanauts is and this will be at the instructors discretion. We can cater for children who don’t work well in groups and do offer private lessons that mirror the course. Just ask for more details when booking.
Interested? contact us here.
Please let us know if you can not attend due to having any of the symptoms and are self isolating. We can reschedule your session at no extra cost or give you a credit note to use in store. We will not refund your session.
CADETS
Andark Cadet status is eligible for those students who have attended all 16 sessions Aquanaut sessions and have shown themselves to be mature and responsible and safe divers. Cadets are able to purchase our specially designed CADET t-shirt. We will then pair up Cadets with the new Master Aquanauts. While they have no direct responsibility, they act as a mentor to the newer kids and help the instructors set up and clear away.
Due to the recent success of Aquauants and the number of kids who have gone on to Junior Open Water Diver Status we are launching Andark JQDs
for Junior Qualified Divers. This is open to any children already certified by PADI, BSAC and other recognised diver training organisations regardless of whether they have participated in Aquanauts.
The programme will be run in the pool once a month during the winter months for divers to fine-tune their skills and in the summer months we aim to have some open water dives tailored for the younger diver.
Interested? contact us here.
SUMMER SCUBA CAMP
See Summer Camp dates below
It’s an intensive 6 session course which will take you through the basics of scuba diving in the comfort and safety of Andark’s own 3.4 metre pool. We’ll start with snorkelling techniques, then introduce you to scuba equipment. By the end of the week you should be able to put your scuba gear together, do a buddy check, clear your mask, perform regulator recovery, and practice safe buoyancy in the deep end. The last session will be fun and games with the opportunity to try out some of out equipment like our underwater scooter!
COURSE DATES AVAILABLE
The dates below are 6 week sessions running every other Sunday and must be pre booked and paid for. No refund will be given if you miss a session.
Next Course
Sunday 17th March
Sunday 31st March
Sunday 14th April
Sunday 28th April
Sunday 12th May
Sunday 26th May
To discuss bookings call us on 01489 581755
COURSE PRICE
£300.00 – 6 sessions running every other Sunday must be pre-paid and pre-booked
Aquanauts Form
Aquanaut Logbook
Personal & group sessions arranged by appointment
PERSONAL TUITION
(for one person)
£120
Groups up to 12 for a shallow-end try dive, ages 8+ – 90 minutes
£300
Groups up to 12 for PADI Discover Scuba Diving session, ages 10+ – 90 minutes.
£350
Groups up to 24 for shallow end scuba, ages 8+ – 90 minutes.