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Reef Check California Training Course details:
The Reef Check California Training course is designed to provide participants with the skills and experience to complete the Reef Check California survey protocol accurately. In addition to direct survey methods, the training will address safe diving practices, techniques of research diving, sampling design and theory, general marine ecology including species identification and interactions, and the importance of monitoring to meet marine management needs. Trainings include a combination of online in-person training, recorded lectures and at-home work, and in-person ocean field sessions. Following completion of the training, all participants will have the skills necessary to complete the training examination allowing them to collect data that will be eligible to obtain a Reef Check California Specialty Certification (NAUI).
Course prerequisites:
- Rescue diver certification
- Minimum of 30 logged lifetime dives
- Minimum of 15 logged dives in temperate kelp forests
- Minimum of 6 dives within the last year
- Minimum age of 16 on the first day of class
- Completion of liability release
- Completed reading of Reef Check California training manual
Training and research materials will be provided, which include the Reef Check California training manual, indicator organism ID cards, dive slates, transect line, and underwater datasheets. Participants must provide all their dive gear, including weights and tanks. In addition to standard dive gear, you will need a flashlight, cutting device, and clips to attach your slate to your BC.
Recommended Dive Skills
- Comfortable swimming in and around kelp, both at depth and on the surface.
- Able to keep track of your buddy, your air, and your no-deco time while engaged in other tasks.
- Able to dive in a horizontal position within a foot off the bottom while maintaining proper buoyancy.
Click here for a detailed training course outline
What should I expect? A trainee’s perspective
2021 Training Classes for the General Public (new trainees only)
These trainings are for divers who meet the course prerequisites and have no prior Reef Check California experience.
Reef Check Diversity Scholarship
This year, Reef Check California is offering scholarships to qualified scuba divers from diverse backgrounds. These scholarships will cover the cost of a Reef Check California Training and offer the recipients volunteer opportunities throughout the year to utilize the skills they acquire from the course. Click here for details.
| Location | Online Training Sessions | Field Sessions | Note | Cost | Status | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Orford, Oregon | Mondays 6:30p - 8:00p, March 29 -April 19 | April 24 & 25, May 1 & 2 | Class sessions online; Two weekends of shore diving (8 dives total) | $149 | Closed | |
| Humboldt | Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 11- June 1 | June 5 & 6 (Humboldt), June 19 & 20 (Fort Bragg) | Class sessions online; One weekend in Humboldt, one weekend in Fort Bragg (6 dives total) | $99 | Open | Book Now |
| Fort Bragg | Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 11- June 1 | June 12 & 13, June 19 & 20 | Class sessions online; Two weekends of shore diving in Fort Bragg (6 dives total) | $99 | Waitlist | Join Waitlist |
| Monterey | Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 11- June 1 | June 5 & 6, June 12 & 13 | Class sessions online; Two weekends of shore diving (8 dives total) | $249 | Waitlist | Join Waitlist |
| Monterey | Wednesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, June 2 - June 23 | June 26 & 27, July 10 & 11 | Class sessions online; Two weekends of shore diving (8 dives total) | $249 | Waitlist | Join Waitlist |
| Los Angeles | May 25, 27, June 1, 3 : 6:30p - 8:00p | June 5-6; 12-13 | Class sessions online; Two weekends of shore diving (8 dives total) | $249 | Open | Book Now |
| Los Angeles | June 15, 17, 22, 24: 6:30p - 8:00p | June 26-27 | Class sessions online; Bottom Scratcher (6 dives) out of San Pedro | $399 | Waitlist | Join Waitlist |
| San Diego | June 29, July 1, 6, 8: 6:30p - 8:00p | July 10-11 | Class sessions online; Humboldt (6 dives) out of Mission Bay | $399 | Open | Book Now |
2021 Recertifications for Certified Reef Check California Divers
Each year, prior to participating in surveys, certified Reef Check California divers need to go through a recertification course to learn about any updates to the protocol and to recalibrate their survey skills. Click the Book Now link to log into the Reef Check Volunteer Tool to register for your recert.
| Location | Date | Note | Cost | Status | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt | Sat/Sun, April 24-25, 2021 | Trinidad (4 dives) | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Fort Bragg | Sat/Sun, May 1-2, 2021 | Van Damme State Park (4 dives) | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Monterey | Friday, May 7, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Friday, May 14, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, May 15, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, May 22, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, May 29, 2021 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Santa Barbara | Saturday, April 17, 2021 | Shore Recert at Refugio State Park | $39 | Closed | |
| Los Angeles | Saturday, April 3, 2021 | Bottom Scratcher to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Closed | |
| Saturday, May 1, 2021 | Bottom Scratcher to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Open | Book Now | |
| San Diego | Sunday, May 2, 2021 | Humbolt (3 dives) out of Mission Bay Sportcenter | $99 | Open | Book Now |
Institutional Partner Trainings
These trainings are closed to the general public and require enrollment or membership in the specified course or partner facility with prior approval from a Reef Check California regional manager. Click the Book Now link to log into the Reef Check Volunteer Tool to register for your training.
| Location | Date | Note | Cost | Status | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt State University | Fall 2020 | Training for HSU students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | |
| UC Davis and San Francisco State University | August 17-22, 2020 | Training for UCD/SFSU AAUS divers or students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | |
| California Academy of Sciences | Spring 2020 | Training for CAS divers only | $0 | Closed | |
| 2020[recertification] | Recertification for CAS divers only | $0 | Closed | ||
| Blue Endeavors - Alameda | TBD | Training for Blue Endeavors members | $0 | Closed | |
| UC Santa Cruz | Spring 2020 | Training for UCSC students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | |
| Summer 2020 | Training for UCSC students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | ||
| Moss Landing Marine Labs | Summer 2020 | Training for MLML students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | |
| CSU Monterey Bay | Spring 2020 | Training for CSUMB students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | |
| Fall 2020 | Training for CSUMB students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | ||
| 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for CSUMB students only | $0 | Closed | ||
| Monterey Bay Aquarium | 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for MBA divers only | $0 | Closed | |
| UC Santa Barbara | *Class/pool during semester; 2020 [field] | Training for UCSB students enrolled in AAUS diver course only; field session (six dives, overnight) on Peace out of Ventura | $149 | Closed | |
| Aquarium of the Pacific | Summer 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for LBAOP AAUS divers only | $0 | Closed | |
| Summer 2020 | Training for LBAOP volunteer divers registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Closed | ||
| California Science Center | Spring 2020 | Training for CSC divers registered only | $0 | Closed | |
| USC at Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies | Summer 2020 | Training for USC divers registered in AAUS course only. | $0 | Closed |
General Public trainings:
100% of training course fee is due at the time of booking.
REFUNDS GIVEN IF CANCELLATION OCCURS MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO CLASS DATE, MINUS $10 PROCESSING FEE. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IF CANCELLATION OCCURS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF CLASS DATE.
Recertifications:
100% of recertification cost due at time of booking.
CANCELLATION PRIOR TO 30 DAYS OF CLASS RECEIVES FULL REFUND.
Does my Reef Check Certification expire?
Yes. As part of our Quality Control/Quality Assurance procedures, your eligibility to submit data to our database expires within one year of your most recent training or recertification training.