Fundraiser Happy Hour at Twisted Pine

Support ocean conservation while enjoying a local craft beer! On Friday, October 5th, $1 from every pint sold will go to Ocean First Institute, helping to support their research and outreach efforts.  Join us for our happy hour, hang with other local divers, and learn about how you can help the ocean, even from Colorado! Friday, Oct. 5th from 6-8pm.

Ocean First Photo Contest

Submit pics of where your Ocean First merch has taken you for a chance to win a $100 gift card! Email photos to marlee@oceanfirst.blue before December 2018. 

Weekend Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in two weekends. Classes generally meet on the first and second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month.

Upcoming Classes:

• Sept: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16
• Oct: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
• Nov: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
• Dec: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

Monday/Tuesday Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in three weeks. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesdays for three weeks.

Upcoming Classes:

• Sept: 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
• Oct: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16
• Nov: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
• Dec: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18

Private Weekend Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in two weekends with personalized private instruction for you and your family or friends. Classes generally meet on Friday-Sunday. 

Upcoming Classes:

• Sept: 21-23, 28-30
• Oct: 19-21, 26-28
• Nov: 16-18, 23-25

Accelerated Open Water Class

Complete your open water certification in one weekend! Ask about eligibility. Classes meet the last Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each month.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 21, 24, 25, 26
• Sept: 25, 28, 29, 30
• Oct: 23, 26, 27, 28
• Nov: 20, 23, 24, 25
• Dec: 25, 28, 29, 30

Open Water Practice Sessions

All current open water students are invited to our free open water practice sessions on select Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, where students can work on their comfort and skills in the pool before their open water dives. Please call ahead to ensure your space. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 26th 9-11am
• Sept 8th 1-3pm
• Sept 30th 9-11am
• Oct 13th 1-3pm
• Oct 28th 9-11am
• Nov 25th 9-11am
• Dec 8th 1-3pm
• Dec 23rd 9-11am

Scuba Skills Update

Refresh your scuba knowledge before your next open water dive. This three-hour class will re-introduce you to your dive skills so you can have a safe and worry-free dive trip.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 12th 6-9pm
• Sept 22nd 9am-12pm
• Oct 10th 6-9pm
• Oct 27th 9am-12pm
• Nov 14th 6-9pm
• Nov 24th 9am-12pm
• Dec 12th 6-9pm
• Dec 22nd 9am-12pm

Group Try Scuba Class

Get your feet wet in our exciting introductory two-hour Try Scuba class. Everything is included, just bring your bathing suit!

• Aug 19th 1-3pm
• Sept 5th 6:30-8:30pm
• Sept 16th 1-3pm
• Oct 3rd 6:30-8:30pm
• Oct 21st 1-3pm
• Nov 7th 6:30-8:30pm
• Nov 18th 1-3pm
• Dec 5th 6:30-8:30pm
• Dec 16th 1-3pm

Freediving Class

Learn how to safely explore the underwater world on a single breath in our Level 1 Freediving class. Class is generally held on the first three Thursdays of every month. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept: 6, 13, 20
• Oct: 4, 11, 18
• Nov: 1, 8, 15
• Dec: 6, 13, 20

Freediving Club

The Freediving Club meets to practice skills in the pool. No experience necessary. 6:00-9:00pm. The club generally meets on the first two Thursdays and the last two Saturdays of each month. Call to confirm or visit the Freediving Club Facebook page. 

Aurora Reservoir, Colorado

Complete your certification dives closer to home at Aurora Reservoir, only an hour from Boulder. Summer water temperatures are generally 65-70ºF. Available July through October.

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 18-19th
• Sept 8-9th
• Oct 13-14th

Blue Hole, New Mexico

Located in Santa Rosa, New Mexico along old Route 66, the Blue Hole is an 80ft deep natural sinkhole filled with cool, crystal clear springwater. Trips run year-round.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 22-23rd
• Oct 20-21st
• Nov 17-18th
• Dec 8-9th

Homestead Crater, Utah

Complete your dives in the geothermally heated Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah. The toasty 95ºF water makes this a truly unique dive experience. Trips run from the fall through the spring.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 6-7th
• Nov 3-4th
• Dec 1-2nd

Key Largo, Florida

Complete your certification dives in the warm waters of the Florida Keys. Fly in on Thursday, dive Friday and Saturday, and return on Sunday. Trips run quarterly. More information. 

Upcoming Dates:

• November 8th-11th

Looking for something more exotic?

Ocean First Travel offers a variety of group trips to exciting international dive destinations, and are able to help plan a custom trip for all types of divers.

Enriched Air Nitrox

Nitrox allows for longer bottom time and larger safety margins. One of our most popular con-ed courses, and can be completed without pool time. Class times are from 1-4pm

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 6th
• Nov 3rd
• Dec 1st

Ecology Programs

NEW IN 2018! These programs offer a wealth of knowledge about different aspects of the underwater world, including how to identify fish based on physical appearance and behavior, the life-cycles of sea turtles, the unique reproductive cycle of corals, and how human behaviors impact the marine environment.

• Coral Ecology: September 12th from 6-8pm

React Right

Learn the the basics of First Aid, CPR, AED and Oxygen administration in diving emergencies and how to properly evaluate an emergency situation. Required prerequisite for Stress & Rescue. Class runs from 5:30-9:30pm. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 13th
• Oct 11th
• Nov 8th
• Dec 13th

Stress & Rescue

Learn how to avoid, recognize, and solve problems on the surface and underwater and be prepared for an unexpected emergency. Class time is from 6-9pm for three days in a row. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 27-29th
• Sept 24-26th
• Oct 22-24th
• Nov 26-28th

Science of Diving

This program provides an in-depth and detailed study of physics, physiology, decompression theory, the aquatic environment and diving equipment. It is required training for most SSI Dive Professional programs.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 15-17th

Underwater Navigation

Learn how to use a compass, natural navigation skills, estimate distances, perform search patterns, and find your way back to the exit point. Class time is from 10-12pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 6th
• Nov 3rd
• Dec 1st

Waves, Tides, and Currents

The motion of the ocean can have a big effect on your enjoyment of a dive. This course will teach you how to interact with a variety of water conditions. Class time is from 10-12pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 21st
• Nov 18th
• Dec 16th

Wreck Diving

Wreck dives offer a glimpse into the past and a hearty history lesson. Learn how to stay safe while navigating these exciting nautical artifacts. Class time is from 10-12pm.

• Oct 20th
• Nov 17th
• Dec 15th

Night & Limited Visibility

This course will teach you about planning and conducting safe night and limited visibility dives. Class generally runs from 2-4pm

Upcoming Dates:

• Dec 2nd

Boat Diving

This course covers the knowledge you need to make your first boat diving vacation a true success, and how to prepare for diving from all sizes and types of boats. Class time is from 1-3pm. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 21st
• Nov 18th
• Dec 16th

Deep Diving

This course will give you the knowledge, skills, and experience to safely dive to deeper depths. Class time is from 12-2pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 7th
• Nov 4th
• Dec 2nd

Perfect Buoyancy

Proper buoyancy control is best mastered with proper training. The Perfect Buoyancy course will teach you how to reduce your effort and improve air consumption underwater, while preventing you from accidentally damaging the reef. Class time is from 6-9pm. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 23rd
• Sept 27th
• Nov 29th
• Dec 27th

Photo and Video

This program teaches you the skills needed to dive with an underwater camera, and provides the in-depth knowledge and experience required to properly use, maintain and store your equipment. Our goal is help you capture your amazing underwater experiences. Individually scheduled. 

Equipment Techniques

Become one with your Total Diving System. In this course, you will learn about equipment selection, care and maintenance of your gear, and proper gear storage. Your equipment will thank you! Individually scheduled. 

Altitude Diving

When diving at altitudes higher than 1000’, your dive table changes. Altitude Diving teaches you how to safely plan dives at high altitudes. Individually scheduled. 

Shark Diving

In scuba diving, it is considered lucky to see a shark on your dive. This class will help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to these magnificent and often misunderstood creatures, and will teach you how to react when you encounter sharks underwater. Individually scheduled.

Drysuit Diving

With a Dry Suit Diving speciality course, never fear cold water again! Learn the basics of dry suit diving in this specialty course, and ensure your comfort and safety underwater. Individually scheduled.