Why Take Your Open Water Referral or Full Course in Vancouver Before Your Dive Vacation?

Planning a dive trip to Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia?
One of the smartest decisions you can make is completing your Open Water Diver certification in Vancouver before you leave, either through a referral program or by doing the full course locally.

At Diving Sports Canada, we train divers year-round in real Pacific Northwest conditions. Here’s why getting certified in Vancouver gives you a serious advantage on your tropical dive holiday.

🌊 1. Cold Water Training = Next-Level Confidence

Training in Vancouver means learning to dive in cooler water, lower visibility, full exposure protection (7mm wetsuit or drysuit), real ocean conditions.

When you learn in more demanding environments, warm tropical diving feels easy.

Divers who train in cold water typically demonstrate stronger buoyancy control, better situational awareness, more disciplined air management, greater comfort handling equipment.

If you can dive confidently in Vancouver, you will thrive in Cozumel, Maui, or Bali!

🏝️ 2. Enjoy Your Vacation — Don’t Spend It Studying

Many divers wait until they arrive at their destination to start their Open Water course. That often means you will need to study theory instead of relaxing...! You will also need to spend 3–4 days in confined and open water sessions and rushing skills because of limited vacation time.

Instead, complete your course in Vancouver and arrive already certified.

Your vacation becomes. You can have fun right away and do more dive days: advanced dives instead of training dives and no pressure.

🔄 What Is an Open Water Referral?

A referral allows you to complete:

✔ All academic theory
✔ Pool/confined water sessions

…here in Vancouver, then finish your 4 open water dives at your vacation destination.

This is ideal if:

• You want warm-water certification dives

• You have a short timeline before travel

• You prefer completing ocean dives in tropical visibility

At Diving Sports Canada, we prepare your referral paperwork and get you ready for your destination dive center.

🎯 3. Higher Training Standards = Stronger Foundation

We operate in a region known for excellent dive training standards. Our instructors certify through multiple agencies such as PADI, SDI, PFI, TDI

Pacific Northwest divers are often recognized worldwide for being technically strong, calm, and capable in varied conditions.

That foundation matters long-term, especially if you plan to pursue advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, Nitrox, Wreck or Technical training.

🌎 6. You Become a Versatile Diver

British Columbia offers: Giant Pacific octopus, Wolf eels, Kelp forests, Colorful anemones and so much more!

Many divers are surprised that Vancouver diving rivals tropical destinations, just in a different way.

Training here opens up local diving opportunities year-round, not just during travel.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact us to enroll in a full Open Water course or Set up an Open Water referral!

Train in Vancouver, dive the world with confidence!