Learn Scuba Diving in Brisbane this Winter!
Breathing underwater for the first time can be a life-changing experience, and the SSI Open Water Diver course is the first step of a journey with many different destinations. Why wait until summer to turn uncertainty into passion? Many people naturally think about scuba diving more in the summer, but you can learn to scuba dive year-round in Queensland. In fact, there are more advantages to diving in winter than you might realise!
Why Winter is a Great Time to Learn
In Queensland, winter scuba diving offers some of the best conditions for beginners - learning new skills takes time, so it’s worth thinking about how you learn best. Being a little cold in the water is probably one of the few parts of diving you’ve already experienced before, and the benefits of cold water for our mental health are well documented. Winter class sizes are often smaller, which means more instructor attention and more time to ask questions. Scheduling your dives can be easier because dive shops have more flexibility outside of peak season. Brisbane winters are often sunny, with less chance of rain and storms which can cause dive sites to become unsuitable for beginners. Cold water is typically clearer, and better underwater visibility can help you see more wildlife and feel more comfortable. With less divers at the dive site in general, winter can make it feel like the underwater world is extra special, an adventure that is just for the chosen few.
Challenges of Winter Diving
Learning to dive in winter is less challenging than you might expect - you’re less likely to be overheating in your wetsuit, having your dives cancelled due to a storm or trying to juggle scheduling around holidays. Your initial in-water training will happen in a solar-heated pool, so you can get the hang of the basics without any complications. At our dive sites, winter water temperature ranges from 18-20°C, and a 5mm wetsuit is recommended for temperatures from 16-21°C. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own - a rental 5mm wetsuit comes included with our Open Water Diver course, and we can add a hooded vest for those who get cold. Towards the end of the dive, you may still feel the cold, so let your dive instructor know! Wrap your arms around yourself and move your hands up and down your arms – this underwater signal means “I’m cold”. During your training, you will always have the option to end your dive early if needed.
Equipment Recommendations for Winter Diving
Everyone’s internal climate control is different, so if you already know you’ll need more thermal dive gear than most, there are some options for you. Firstly, a wetsuit should fit closely to your body, it shouldn’t allow water to flow in/out or restrict your movement. If you decide to buy your own wetsuit, it will form to your body shape which can help keep you warmer – you could also opt for a thicker 7mm wetsuit. Secondly, you can add additional layers, like vests, hoods, gloves and booties. We lose 30-40% of our body heat through our head, hands and feet, so this can greatly increase your warmth. Finally, there are drysuits which keep you dry for an entire dive, however, this is very different from diving in a wetsuit and requires special training. Brisbane Dive Academy has a range of options that you can try out in the shop to help decide what’s right for you.
Safety Tips for Beginners
A very important part of learning to dive is developing good personal judgement, and this applies to cold-water conditions as well. You should be mentally prepared to evaluate the weather, the water conditions and your own readiness for the dive. If you’re unsure about something, ask your dive instructor about it – mutual trust and understanding makes the dive team stronger. Make sure you are physically ready to dive by getting plenty of sleep, and eating and hydrating well before your course begins. Bring more food and drinks than you would usually need to help keep your energy up, bonus points if you bring sweet treats or a thermos with a hot drink. Dress warmly, with layers and consider bringing a jacket that you can throw on over your wetsuit if it’s windy at the surface. Finally, try to plan your dive course with time to spare in case you are unable to complete your course within the planned timeframe. The competence-based nature of the Open Water Diver course means that you may need extra dive days to reach your goals, and a tight deadline such as a planned trip can be stressful and frustrating.
How to Get Started
Your winter scuba adventure can start today! Search for the mySSI website or app and create a profile to access the ‘Scuba Diver’ digital learning materials for free. This is the first half of the theory for the Open Water Diver certification, and allows you to learn more about the equipment, techniques and physiology of scuba diving. Book your Open Water Diver course online on our website to receive the full digital learning materials and save your dates. In addition to our intensive 2-day course, we will be offering some 3-day courses over winter – more time overall with your instructor, but less in-water time each day. You can also call us to chat more or visit our knowledgeable instructors at the dive shop on Wynnum Road to try on some winter scuba gear.
