One of the most exhilarating activities to experience in Grand Cayman is to learn how to dive. To truly engage with sea life, to look at a turtle face to face, to 
enjoy the majesty of an eagle ray swimming by…wow! Well, as this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the Discover Scuba Diving course at Red Sail diving school, so recently we caught up with Lowri Williams.
PP: Lowri, we’ve been hearing a lot about the Discover Diving course that so many folks are taking at Red Sail.
LW: Yes, the Discover Scuba Diving Course, also known as a Resort Course, is a fantastic experience for those who want just a ‘taster’ of diving, without the commitment to a full course. With your instructor at close proximity at all times, this experience is easy, fun and above all, safe!
PP: Do you need any experience to take this course?
LW: No certification, and no prior experience is required to participate on the course. It’s a great way to find out what scuba diving is really like! And we’ll have you diving on Grand Cayman’s beautiful reefs in just one day!
PP: Can any age participate?
LW: The minimum age for participating on this course is 10 years old.
PP: Tell us about the training one will receive.
LW: In the morning there will be a short theory session where you’ll learn the important basic rules for scuba diving (dealing with water pressure, breathing on scuba, etc.), followed by an introduction to the equipment and how it works before going into the swimming pool. You will practice some easy skills to help familiarize yourself with breathing underwater and using scuba equipment, so by the end of the morning session you’re ready to go for a real dive!
PP: Sounds great. How does the first dive work?
LW: That same afternoon the dive boat will then take you to a beautiful shallow coral reef. Your instructor will be with you at all times during your 30 minute dive to 40 feet, where you will be shown all the treasures of our underwater world! We offer Repeat Resort Course dives, which means you can dive as many times as you wish during your stay on Grand Cayman without repeating the pool and theory session again! You have the option to dive 
from Seven Mile Beach, the Kittiwake Wreck or even the at the famous Stingray City. All dives must be made with an instructor, are limited to 40 feet and are subject to instructor availability.
PP: That’s a lot shorter than the Open Water certification class we experienced.
LW: That’s right. The PADI Open Water certification course is 3 days long. This one day Discover Scuba Diving course is intended to introduce, but not certify, divers.
PP: But after this great introduction, we’ll bet many probably want to dive again!
LW: Yes, taking an introductory course like this and getting to experience some of the best reef diving in the world makes all the difference in the world for a beginner. Many go on to get certified.
PP: Are there any opportunities for children under 10 to get involved in scuba diving activities?
LW: There sure are! Red Sail Sports offers youth diving programs to children as young as 5 to introduce them to the adventurous world of scuba diving!
PP: Tell us about those youth programs.
LW: The Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youths (SASY) is the latest innovation in scuba equipment for young children, and allows 5-8yr olds to use a scuba unit so they can breathe from a continuous air supply and float safely on the surface in a confined water setting.
The Bubblemaker course for kids 8 & 9 is designed to provide youngsters with their first taste of scuba in a safe and controlled environment. The dive takes place in a confined pool to a maximum of 2m/6ft. Our PADI instructors are there to teach proper scuba techniques and fun activities are integrated into the course.
PP: Many folks are not aware that Red Sail Sports has a large team of Dive Instructors offering a wide variety of trips and courses. How long has Red Sail Sports dive department been in operation?
LW: Red Sail Sports was first established in 1987, and based at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites hotel (formerly the Hyatt Regency). Since beginning with just two dive boats, we now proudly boast eight dive boats that operate East, West, North and South of the island throughout the year, and we have dive shops located at all the major beach resorts on Grand Cayman.
PP: We hear that you have a number of Dive Packages available this summer. Can you tell us a bit about them?
LW: We offer a variety of Dive Packages to divers who would like to enjoy multiple days of diving. Among others, we currently offer our ‘Summer Spectacular’ package and our popular, year-round Dive & Sail Package, all of which provided fantastic discounted rates! Our packages begin at a minimum of three days of diving which include 2-tank morning dives, a 
complimentary Sunset Sail, a Red Sail Sports commemorative t-shirt, as well as multiple discounts on dive gear, night dives, Stingray City dives and more! A full list of our packages and inclusions can be found on our website www.diveredsailcayman.com.
PP: Can divers rent equipment at Red Sail Sports?
LW: Oh yes. Red Sail Sports has a wide range of excellent equipment that is available for divers to rent on our certified boat dives. We size you up at our dive shop and then the equipment is ready and set-up for you on the dive boat when you arrive for your trip! With the exception of Rescue Diver and other Specialty Courses, we also provide scuba equipment at no extra charge for all of our scuba diving courses.
PP: So there you have it, folks. A great way to get introduced to the thrill of scuba diving is through the Discover Scuba Diving course at Red Sail. Check it out!
P.O. Box 31473
Grand Cayman KY1-1206
Local: (345) 623-5965
Toll Free: (877) 506-6368