This is where you stop practicing and start diving.

The classroom is behind you. The pool is behind you. Now it's time to find out what scuba is really all about. Four open water dives stand between you and your PADI Open Water Diver certification.

Scheduling your checkout dives

One important note: the dates shown on this booking page are placeholders.

Unlike a traditional class with fixed dates, Open Water Checkout Dives are scheduled directly with you after booking. Once I receive your referral paperwork, we'll coordinate a checkout weekend that works for both our schedules.

Most checkout dives take place over a two-day weekend at Lake Phoenix Scuba Park in Rawlings, Virginia, about three hours from the Baltimore and Ellicott City area. Other locations may occasionally be available.

PADI requires every Open Water Diver to complete four open water training dives. Because training standards limit students to no more than three instructional dives in a single day, certification is completed over two days. Most weekends include three dives on Saturday and your fourth and final dive on Sunday.

After your required skills are complete, there's often time for an optional fun dive to explore Lake Phoenix's underwater airplanes, helicopters, platforms, and other submerged attractions.

Before you head home, we'll process your certification paperwork so you can officially call yourself a PADI Open Water Diver.

It's one of my favorite weekends to teach because I get to watch students go from "I hope I can do this" to "When's my next dive?"

By booking this program, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Dive With Frank Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Open Water Checkout Dives require advance planning, instructor scheduling, and coordination with third-party dive sites. Please review the cancellation policy before booking:

https://divewithfrank.com/cancellation-refund-policy/

After booking, you'll receive additional instructions for completing your Open Water certification. Before participating in your checkout dives, you'll need to provide your PADI Referral Form (and, if available, your PADI eLearning completion record), and complete any required dive site waivers or other course documentation.

Many students choose to arrive Friday evening and camp at Lake Phoenix. If you plan to arrive after the park closes, you'll need to complete the park's late-arrival registration to receive a gate access code.

Meet at 8:00 AM for orientation, equipment setup, and your first three Open Water training dives. We'll take breaks between dives, review skills, and enjoy lunch before wrapping up the day's training.

Meet at 8:00 AM to complete your fourth and final Open Water training dive. After certification paperwork is finished, there's often time for an optional guided fun dive to explore Lake Phoenix before heading home as a certified diver.