Classes & More
Diverse Classes for Beginners to Advanced Technical Divers
At Aquatic Center of Ocala, we offer a range of classes tailored to divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced technical divers. Our experienced instructors provide comprehensive training in a comfortable, on-site heated pool and classroom.
Our Classes
Navigation
Will teach you how to accurately find your way underwater using a compass and the natural environment.
Deep Diving
Will give you more confidence in diving to depths up to 130 feet
Night and Limited Visibility
This course will give you your first experience with night diving and build confidence when diving in water that has less than perfect visibility.
Enriched Air Nitrox
This is your first course in mixed gas diving. Enriched air means the oxygen content in nitrox is higher than in regular air, although nitrox is a shallow water gas, it gives much longer bottom time with shorter surface time between dives.
Stress and Rescue
For the more advanced diver who wants to learn scuba rescue techniques but also, learn what causes stress in themselves and other divers while underwater.
Equipment Techniques
This is a course for the hands on person who wants to learn more about equipment maintenance and general service. It is a night at the work bench.
Dry Suit Diving
This course is designed to give you and understanding of the buoyancy control you will need to have and the thermal benefits of staying warm while diving dry in colder water.
Science of Diving
This course is required for someone who wants to become an instructor but also for someone who just wants a more in depth knowledge of the sciences of physics and physiology of diving.
Technical Extended Range or Tech XR
This is five different courses intended to take you from the fundamentals of advanced nitrox through all levels of decompression diving and trimix.
Assistant Instructor
To qualify as an Assistant Instructor you must be a dive master and have a minimal of 60 logged dives. This is preparing you for a leadership position as an open water instructor. You will also be required to take the Science of Diving specialty course.
React Right
This is a required course for SSI instructors but also to anyone who needs training in Oxygen First aid.
Medic First Aid: This is a course open to anyone wanting adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR and First Aid training.
Open Water Diver
– Is the first course you will need to become scuba certified. This course consist of online study, classroom & pool time prior to going to open water.
Advanced Open Water
You will have to complete 4 specialty courses and have 24 logged dives to earn this rating. The 4 specialty courses required are Navigation, Night and limited Visibility, Deep Diving and Nitrox
Master Diver
To qualify for this rating you must be advanced open water certified have 50 logged dives and have taken Stress and Rescue, CPR, First Aid and Oxygen first Aid.
Open Water Instructor
To start training as an open water instructor, you must be a divecon and have at least 100 logged dives. You will need to perfect your skills as a dive leader. Part of your performance evaluation will be pool skills and classroom presentation. This is a very prestigious certification to earn. This rating will allow you to obtain employment as a dive professional.
Open Water Evening Classes
One-Week Course Schedule
December 2024
Dates: Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
January 2025
Dates: Monday 6th – Sunday 12th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
February 2025
Dates: Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
March 2025
Dates: Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
April 2025
Dates: Monday 7th – Sunday 13th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
May 2025
Dates: Monday 5th – Sunday 11th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
June 2025
Dates: Monday 9th – Sunday 15th
Instructor: Paul Rhodes
Class Structure
Monday & Tuesday: Classroom sessions
Wednesday & Thursday: Pool sessions
Saturday & Sunday: Open water dives
Open Water Weekend Classes
Two-Weekend Course Schedule
December 2024
Dates: Saturday 14th – Sunday 22nd
Instructor: Craig Clark
January 2025
Dates: Saturday 11th – Sunday 19th
Instructor: Craig Clark
February 2025
Dates: Saturday 15th – Sunday 23rd
Instructor: Craig Clark
March 2025
Dates: Saturday 13th – Sunday 20th
Instructor: Craig Clark
April 2025
Dates: Saturday 12th – Sunday 20th
Instructor: Craig Clark
May 2025
Dates: Saturday 17th – Sunday 25th
Instructor: Craig Clark
Class Structure
First Weekend: Initial classroom and pool sessions
Second Weekend: Open water dives
Mermaid Instruction
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Try Mermaid – $60 (Group) / $125 (Private)
Dive into the enchanting world of Mermaids, Mermen, and Merfolk with our SSI Try Mermaid program. Perfect for beginners, this session will help you get comfortable with your monofin, tail, and breath-hold techniques in our dive shop pool. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, our mermaid instructor will customize your session to fit your needs and skill level.
Mermaid Certification – $180
Take the plunge into the exciting SSI Mermaid program and learn everything you need to thrive as a mermaid. This comprehensive training covers essential skills and techniques to help you become truly comfortable in the water and make the most of your equipment. After certification, consider advancing to the SSI Ocean Mermaid level with just two additional open-water sessions. Start your mermaid journey today!
Open Water / Ocean Mermaid Certification – $180
Experience the freedom of mermaiding in open waters with the SSI Ocean Mermaid program. This advanced training builds on your existing skills, helping you to maximize your underwater experience and enjoy the ocean to its fullest. Earn your SSI Ocean Mermaid certification and embark on unforgettable ocean adventures.
Model Mermaid Certification – $220
Capture stunning photos and videos of your mermaid moments with our Model Mermaid course. Learn the skills necessary to work effectively with photographers and videographers in and out of the water. This program is perfect for those looking to amaze friends and family with professional-grade mermaid images. Start your SSI Model Mermaid training today and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Upcoming Dates
Coming Soon
Our Expert Team
Meet Craig Clark Senior Instructor
Craig has been an open water instructor since 1999. He holds the rating of master open water instructor, and assistant instructor trainer. He is also certified as an instructor in all of the specialty courses like nitrox, deep diving and limited viz, but is also an instructor for the SSI tech XR program advanced nitrox and decompression diving. Craig teaches the react right courses for CPR First Aid and Oxygen first aid.
Meet Paul Rhodes Open water Instructor
Paul began diving at the age of 15 years old. He has always had a love of the water, water sports, and exploring the depths of the ocean floor. Paul is a recreational and professional diver, he has many hours logged from scuba diving in the Cayman Islands, The Key’s, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and various Springs here in Florida. In 1990 he became certified as an advanced open water diver, and in 2017 he started working towards being a professional diver by working his way up through the ranks as a Dive Guide, on to Dive Master, and Assistant Instructor. Paul is currently working with Craig at the Aquatic Center of Ocala to become an Open Water Instructor. He is certified in Emergency First Aid, CPR, and O2 Provider. He is looking forward to meeting, training, and diving with new Scuba Diving adventurist soon!
Meet Smokie West Mermaid Instructor
Smokie has spent most of her life in central Florida, exploring beaches, springs and lakes. You can find her swimming, free diving, snorkeling, Mermaiding or scuba diving throughout the state. She travels across the US for events promoting conservation of Florida Springs. She is an educator for the local school district and college as well as part of a global publication that promotes water/environmental safety. She became scuba certified in 2012 with Craig as her instructor. She became a Mermaid in 2013 and a professional mermaid/underwater model in 2020. She has since become a snorkeling instructor, swim instructor Mermaid instructor and water aerobics instructor. Smokie is also certified in CPR, emergency first aid and is an oxygen first aid provider.
Meet Cole Hanks sales staff and dive guide
Cole comes to Ocala from Fayetteville Arkansas and has been diving since 2006. Although Cole had been away from diving for a while, he got back into it in a big way when he started working for the Aquatic Center. He has since obtained the master diver rating along with the dive guide rating. He is certified in emergency first Aid, CPR, and is an O2 provider. He is currently working on his Assistant Instructor rating. Cole is always excited to dive and inspire new divers to discover and love the sport.
Meet Chad Patterson service technition
Chad is our service tech. He has been certified by all of the manufactures of dive equipment. Weather if it is your regulator or your buoyancy control device, Chad will get it repaired right the first time and get you back in the water as soon as possible. Chad is also a certified hydrostatic tank inspection technician.
Meet Keith Fales dive guide, dive master
Keith is the newest member to our staff. He has recently been certified as a Dive Guide and is currently working on his Dive Master rating. If you need a dive buddy and want someone experienced to take you diving, give us a call and we can put you in touch with Keith.
Connect Today
Are you ready to dive into the world of mermaids, or have questions about our dive classes and services? We’re here to help! Contact us today for more information personalized assistance, or to book your next underwater adventure. Get in Touch