Three Young Ocean Explorers from Kavaratti Earn Their Junior Open Water Certification
Three girls from Kavaratti, Aisha, Shifa and Rena, have completed their PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification at Lak Scuba.
Growing up beside the sea
The girls grew up on Kavaratti, beside the sea. They had watched visitors and professional divers go out to the island’s reefs and come back with stories and photos, and they wanted to see it for themselves.
They were nervous when they started the course, and grew more confident with each dive.
Learning to dive
Junior Open Water is the PADI Open Water Diver course for divers aged 10 to 14: theory, five confined water sessions and four open water dives, with depth limits for their age.
In the classroom the girls learned the science and the safety rules of diving. In the water they learned to move slowly, breathe calmly, dive as a buddy team, and stay steady over the reef without touching it.
The reefs they had only heard about are now places they have dived themselves.
What the team remembers
The whole team remembers their laughter between dives, their questions about coral and fish, and their faces when they saw their certification cards for the first time.
Aisha, Shifa and Rena used to watch visitors dive their home waters. Now they dive them too.
Learn to dive with us
Children can start with us from age 8, with Bubble Maker or PADI Seal Team. Discover Scuba Diving and the certification courses start at age 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to start the Junior Open Water Diver course?
Ten years old.
How deep can Junior Open Water divers go?
The maximum depth depends on age:
- 10–11 years: Up to 12 meters (40 feet)
- 12–14 years: Up to 18 meters (60 feet)
How long does the course take?
3 diving days: theory, five confined water sessions and four open water dives.
How are children taught?
By PADI instructors, to PADI’s standards for junior divers. They learn each skill first in confined water, the shallow, sheltered lagoon, before the open water dives.
Is equipment included?
Yes. The course price includes the equipment for the course.