SSI Junior Scuba Diver

SSI Junior Scuba Diver

Start the Adventure. Become a Qualified Diver.

Imagine breathing underwater for the very first time… exploring a hidden world where you float weightlessly, move freely, and discover something completely new every time you dive.

The SSI Junior Scuba Diver programme is the perfect starting point for young adventurers aged 10–12 who want to begin their scuba journey in a safe, structured and exciting way.

Diving is often described as the closest experience to being an astronaut — weightless, calm and completely different from anything on land. For many junior divers, it quickly becomes a lifelong passion.

At Dive Rutland, we believe this programme offers the best introduction for younger divers because it aligns perfectly with international SSI standards for this age group:

• Maximum depth: 12 metres
• Must always dive with an SSI Professional or qualified adult
• Designed specifically for safe junior progression

Even if a young diver completes full Open Water training, these depth and supervision limits still apply for ages 10–12. The SSI Junior Scuba Diver route ensures training is paced correctly, confidence is built properly, and the experience is genuinely enjoyable.

This is not about rushing.

This is about building adventure, friendships, confidence and a passion for diving.

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A Journey, Not Just a Course

For many of our junior divers, this is the beginning of something much bigger.

Training is fun, relaxed and supportive, with a strong focus on teamwork and confidence-building. Along the way, divers become part of the Dive Rutland community — learning alongside instructors, club members and other junior divers.

This shared experience is what makes the journey so special.

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Open Water Adventure Weekend – Capernwray

Once pool training is complete and divers are ready, it is time for the real adventure — open water diving.

Many of our junior divers complete their open water dives during our Dive Rutland club weekends at Capernwray, particularly our popular first weekend in July trip. This is a highlight of the diving calendar, bringing together junior divers, families, instructors and club members for a full weekend of diving and shared experiences.

It is more than just training — it is a diving weekend away with friends.

During this experience junior divers will:

• Complete their open water training dives
• Experience real dive conditions in a safe environment
• Dive alongside instructors and club members
• Build confidence in open water
• Become part of the wider Dive Rutland diving family
• Create unforgettable memories

For many junior divers, this is the moment everything clicks — and they truly become divers.

Flexible Training & Additional Dates

We publish structured training dates throughout the year that align with our Capernwray weekends. These are designed to help junior divers progress together as part of a group experience.

Where needed, additional pool sessions and alternative open water dates can potentially be arranged, subject to instructor and site availability, but training sites for those who are 12 years are less are heavily limited.  Capernwray is one of our nicer sites for juniors, hence why we make our July trip to Capernwray the focal point for qualifying our junior divers.

Our goal is simple:
to make diving accessible, flexible and enjoyable for every young diver.

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What is the SSI Junior Scuba Diver Certification?

The SSI Junior Scuba Diver certification is an internationally recognised qualification designed for young divers aged 10–12.

It allows divers to:

• Dive to a maximum depth of 12 metres
• Dive with an SSI Professional or qualified adult
• Develop core scuba diving skills
• Gain real underwater experience
• Begin their journey toward Open Water Diver when older

It is the ideal first step into the world of scuba diving.

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Who is This Programme For?

This course is ideal for:

• Children aged 10–12 who love adventure
• Young divers wanting to explore the underwater world
• Families looking for shared experiences
• Junior divers who want to build confidence gradually
• Anyone curious about scuba diving as a long-term hobby

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What Do I Need to Start?

To begin your SSI Junior Scuba Diver journey, you need to:

• Be at least 10 years old
• Be comfortable in water
• Be in good general health and complete a medical questionnaire
• Be able to float for 10 minutes

No previous diving experience is required — just curiosity and enthusiasm.

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What Happens During Training?

Training begins in the pool, where junior divers learn in a safe, controlled and supportive environment.

Over a series of sessions, divers will:

• Learn how scuba equipment works
• Practise core scuba skills
• Develop buoyancy control and underwater movement
• Build confidence at their own pace
• Complete SSI digital learning modules

SSI training is performance-based, meaning every diver progresses when they are ready — not when a timetable says so.

Most divers complete training in around three pool sessions, though additional time is always available if needed.

Learning to dive is like learning any new skill — it may feel unfamiliar at first, but quickly becomes natural, fun and exciting.

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Drysuit Training – Comfort Comes First

Before open water diving, all junior divers have the option to complete a drysuit orientation session.

At Dive Rutland, all UK open water training is conducted in drysuits because comfort is essential to enjoyment and learning, but for our Juniors we accept that they may prefer to continue in a wetsuit, if that is the case, this is not an issue.

Warm divers:

• Learn faster
• Feel more relaxed
• Build confidence more quickly
• Enjoy the experience more fully

We do not believe in cold, uncomfortable diving — especially for junior divers.

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What Equipment is Included?

We provide all scuba equipment needed for training, including:

• Drysuits and fins or Wetsuits and fins
• Cylinders and air
• Regulators
• Buoyancy control devices
  
• Weights and accessories

All equipment is modern, regularly serviced and maintained to professional standards.

You only need to bring:

• Swimwear for pool sessions
• Warm clothing for open water weekends

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When Can I Start?

You can start your SSI Junior Scuba Diver journey immediately.

Once enrolled, we will:

• Register your SSI digital learning
• Arrange your pool training sessions - Published course dates
• Plan your progression schedule
• Prepare you for open water diving
• Support you through every stage of training

Our training is flexible and designed around school, family and availability.

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Why Choose Dive Rutland?

At Dive Rutland, we focus on quality, safety and experience — not just certification.

All training is delivered under the supervision of our SSI Instructor Trainer and experienced instructional team.

We provide:

• Excellent instructor-to-student ratios
• High-quality, regularly serviced equipment
• A strong junior diving programme
• Flexible training schedules
• A supportive, family-friendly environment
• A real diving community, not just courses

We don’t just teach diving.

We build divers.

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Not Sure Yet?

If you are unsure whether scuba diving is right for your child, we recommend starting with a Discover Scuba Diving session in the pool.

This gives a safe, fun introduction to breathing underwater before committing to the full programme.

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What Comes Next?

After completing the SSI Junior Scuba Diver certification, divers can:

• Continue diving with professionals and club trips
• Join Dive Rutland Explorers and junior diving activities
• Build additional skills and experience
• Progress toward SSI Open Water Diver when older
• Explore new dive sites and adventures

Because this is only the beginning of the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

1. What happens if we miss one of the dates of the published course?

SSI Training is progressive which means if you miss one of the weeks of a published course and there are other attendees then you will be out of line with that group and will need to step of the course or have a catchup session prior to the next planned session.

2.  If I miss a scheduled session then what?

If you miss a scheduled session and you notified us prior to the session it is not classified as a no-show but there will be a reschedule cost to cover the cost of rescheduling the session to allow you to catchup prior to your next scheduled session.

3.  If I can not attend one of the scheduled sessions then what?

If you can not attend one of the scheduled sessions and you notified us prior to the session it is not classified as a no-show but there will be a reschedule cost to cover the cost of rescheduling the session to allow you to catchup prior to your next scheduled session.