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Everything You Need to Know About Your Open Water Weekend

This is the third and final phase of your training where you will apply your new diving knowledge and skills. Open Water Dives will be conducted at Clear Springs Scuba Park in Terrell, Texas, on select weekends.

To ensure your spot, please be sure to sign-up at DTC no less than 7 days in advance.
Space is limited to 12 student divers per instructor.

2008 Open Water Dives:  September 27-28
                                        October 11-12, October 25-26
                                        November 22-23

A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF MINOR STUDENTS
(UNDER 18 YEARS OLD) MUST BE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES
DURING THE OPEN WATER WEEKEND.
Minors not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
will not be admitted entry into the scuba park.

Scuba Equipment

You will need to furnish your mask, defog solution, snorkel, and fins (open heel fins with dive booties preferred) for your open water weekend.

Rental of Regulator, Gauges, BCD, Gear Bag, Air Tank, and Weights are included with your course tuition. You may also use any scuba equipment that you already own.

What you need to do for Rental Equipment:

  • Fill out a rental worksheet with your sizes during confined water training.

  • Pick-up your rental gear at Divers Training Center between 10:00am and 6:00pm on the Friday before your scheduled open water weekend.

  • Work with the store staff to ensure ALL of your rental equipment is in good working condition before walking out the door. Hook everything up to a tank and inspect it as you would for a pre-dive safety check (BWRAF).

  • All rental scuba equipment is due back clean by 6:00pm on the Monday after your open water weekend. Failure to return the rental equipment clean and on the due date will result in additional rental charges.

    We strongly recommend you wear a wetsuit for your open water dives. (May-October: 3mm full wetsuit is recommended. November-April: Minimum 5mm full wetsuit with hood and gloves.) You may use your own wetsuit or rent one at the scuba park. Rental rate is $35 for the weekend. Call ahead to arrange your wetsuit rental at Clear Springs Scuba Park, 972-524-6820.

Days and Times

  • Please arrive at the scuba park at 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday.
    It is a 50 minute drive from Plano.

  • Orientation and pre-dive briefings will begin at 9:30am each day.

  • We generally finish around 5:00pm on Saturday, and around 2:00pm on Sunday.

  • Completion times may vary due to weather, class size, and other unforeseen events.

Location

Clear Springs Scuba Park
8131 County Road 346
Terrell, TX 75161
Phone: 972-524-6820

Automotive GPS units (Garmin, TomTom, Magellan, factory installed units, etc.) do NOT map this address correctly. Click here to get directions from Mapquest.com.

Directions from Plano

  • Take Hwy 75 to I-635, the "High Five".

  • Take the exit for I-635 East.

  • Go approximately 13 miles on I-635 east to Hwy 80.

  • Take the exit 6B for Hwy 80 east toward Terrell.

  • Go approximately 16 miles on Hwy 80 east, then take the Terrell ramp to your right to stay on Hwy 80.

  • Go approximately 7 miles, passing through downtown Terrell.

  • Turn left onto FM-429 north at the Pardner's Exxon station to your left.

  • Go 7 miles on FM-429 and turn right on to CR-346 (Cedar Grove Road).

  • Go 1 mile on CR-346 and the entrance to the park will be on your left.

  • You will see a boat parked just inside the gate. 

Checking-in

  • Upon arrival at the park, park in the gravel parking lot just inside the gate.

  • Go to the check-in table. Tell the staff that you are a Divers Training Center student.

  • You will sign-in on the DTC sign-in sheet and sign a release form.

  • Pay your $20/day park fee, cash only.

  • The park staff will issue you a parking permit for your vehicle and direct you to our designated location.

  • Our pavilion will be marked with a red Divers Training Center banner.

  • Park in the grassy area across the dirt road from the pavilion. 

Air Fills

Air Fills at the park are $8 each, cash only. Plan on 3 air fills for the weekend.

What to Bring

Personal Items

Scuba Equipment

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Weather appropriate dry clothing

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Mask

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Sunglasses

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Snorkel

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Hat

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Fins & Booties

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Towel

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Regulator with Gauges & Compass

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Sunscreen

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BCD

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Mask Defog

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Air Tank

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Logbook

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Weights

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Recreational Dive Planner

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Wetsuit

Money (CASH ONLY)

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Hood (November – May)

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$20 per day park entry fee

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Gloves (November – May)

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$8 per air fill, plan on 3 air fills

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Gear Bag

 

Food and Drink

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Please bring lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages with you.

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A cooler with ice is recommended.

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Plenty of drinking water to stay hydrated between dives.

 

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Divers Training Center • 1108 Dobie Drive • Suite 103 • Plano, TX 75074 USA
214-227-2494 • info@diverstrainingcenter.org

Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm, Closed Sunday

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