BENOFF: BLUE with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza

BLUE is a provocative journey into the ocean realm, witnessing this critical moment in time when the marine world is on a precipice. Introduced by Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza as a part of the Boulder Environmental / Nature / Outdoors Film Festival. Thursday, July 11th at 1pm at The Gordon Gamm Theater, Boulder. Get tickets here.

Freediving Try-It Weekend

Replace fears and fantasy with facts and knowledge. Learn about freediving before committing to a class.

• Classroom workshop: Saturday, July 13th 6:00 - 7:30 (all must attend)
• Pool sessions Time Slots: Sunday, July 14th (4 people per slot) 1:00 - 2:00, 2:30 - 3:30, 4:00 - 5:00

$50 per person. Cost can be applied to your Freediving Level 1 course. 

July Social: Disco Clams & Flashes of Color with Dr. Lindsey Dougherty

Join us on for our July social as we welcome Dr. Lindsey Dougherty for a presentation about how the flashing  'disco' clams produce their light display, plus underwater rainbows and how to take pictures of weird, wonderful, and just plain awkward animal behavior. Thursday, July 18th at 6:30pm. MORE INFO.

Summer Marine Science & Swim Mini Camp

Learn about the exciting world of marine science with games and crafts, then hop in the pool for a full swim lesson every day of the week! Monday-Friday from 1-3pm. Recommended for ages 4-8. Camp runs select weeks June - August. More info. 

OFI Marine Science Summer Camps

Ocean First Institute is running a selection of marine science camps this July. Available for ages 9-14, each camp is run by staff scientists who will share their knowledge of the marine world while instilling a sense of wonder for the ocean through interactive learning and fun! Camps include Girls in Ocean Science, Marine Conservation, Ocean Research & Technology, and Ocean Science. 

Monday/Tuesday Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in three weeks. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesdays for three weeks from 6pm-9pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• June: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
• July: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16
• Aug: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
• Sept: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24

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. Friday from 6pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-1pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• June: 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
• July: 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
• Aug: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
• Sept: 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15

Semi-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. Fri from 6pm-9pm, Sat & Sun from 10am-1pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
• Sept: 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

Accelerated Open Water Class

Complete your open water certification in one weekend! Ask about eligibility. Classes meet the last Tuesday from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Friday from 6pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm of each month.

Upcoming Classes:

• June: 25, 28, 29, 30
• July: 23, 25, 26, 27, 28
• Aug: 20, 23, 24, 25
• Sept: 24, 27, 28, 29

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:

• June 15th 1-3pm
• June 30th 9-11am
• July 13th 1-3pm
• July 28th 9-11am
• Aug 10th 1-3pm
• Aug 25th 9-11am
• Sept 14th 1-3pm
• Sept 22nd 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:

• June 12th 6-9pm
• June 22th 12-3pm
• July 10th 6-9pm
• July 20th 9-1pm
• Aug 14th 6-9pm
• Sept 11th 6-9pm
• Sept 21st 3:30-6:30pm

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!

• June 5th 6:30-8:30pm
• June 16th 1-3pm
• July 3rd 6:30-8:30pm
• July 21st 1-3pm
• Aug 7th 6:30-8:30pm
• Aug 18th 1-3pm
• Sept 4th 6:30-8:30pm
• Sept 15th 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:

• June: 6, 13, 20
• July: 11, 18, 25
• Aug: 1, 8, 15
• Sept: 5, 12, 19

Freediving Clinics

Our monthly freediving clinics are designed to help freedivers fine-tune their skills and learn new techniques and concepts emerging in the sport. Certified freedivers only unless otherwise specified. The drop-in cost is $20, or free for Freediving Club Members.  

Upcoming Clinics:

Scuba Rangers

Scuba Rangers is a five-session developmental scuba diving program built for kids ages 8+ that sets the foundation for scuba skills. Once your child has completed the first developmental program, they can participate in single-day Ranger Specialty programs to earn their Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Ranger certificates. Learn more.

Upcoming Program Dates: 

1. July 29th-August 2nd from 12:30-2:30pm
2. 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21 - Thursdays 5:30pm - 7:30pm

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:

• June 22-23
• July 27-28
• Aug 24-25
• Sept 28-29

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:

• June 29-30
• July 20-21
• Aug 17-18
• Sept 21-22

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:

• June 1-2
• Trips resume in the fall

Cozumel, Mexico

Complete your open water dives in the warm waters of Cozumel. Fly in on Saturday, have five days of diving, and return on Saturday. Open Water students who choose to complete their Open Water certification dives on this trip can apply the certification fee towards the overall trip cost. Trips run Jan/Feb and Sept/Oct. Visit our Upcoming Adventures page for more information.

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:

• June 1st
• July 6th
• Aug 3rd 
• Sept 7th

Ecology Programs

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. Class generally runs from 6-8pm.

• May 23rd - Marine Ecology
• June 19th - Shark Ecology
• Aug 21st - Sea Turtle Ecology
• Sept 18th - Marine Ecology

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:

• June 13th
• July 18th
• Aug 8th

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:

• May 28th-30th
• June 24-26th
• July 29-31st
• Aug 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:

• July 22-24th
• Sept 23-25th

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 10am-12pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• June 1st
• July 6th
• Aug 3rd
• Sept 7th

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 10am-12pm.

• June 15th
• July 13th
• Aug 17th
• Sept 21st

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:

• May 23rd
• June 27th
• July 25th
• Sept 26th

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:

• June 2nd
• July 7th
• Aug 4th
• Sept 8th

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:

• June 2nd
• July 7th
• Aug 4th
• Sept 8th

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. Individually scheduled.

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. 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. Typically individually scheduled. 

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, April 29th 6pm-9pm

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.