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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 classroom and 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:
- Proof of dive certification
- Minimum of 30 logged lifetime dives
- Minimum of 15 logged dives in California or other temperate regions with water temp below 68° F
- 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
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.
*** Due to COVID-19, some or all of these trainings will be rescheduled or cancelled. We are still accepting registrations, but payment will not be due until the training is confirmed.***
| Location | Date | Note | Cost | Status | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt | May 23-24, 2020 [class/pool] & May 30-31, 2020 [field] | Class session at HSU Marine Laboratory, Trinidad; 4 dives in Mendocino, location TBD | $99 | Cancelled | |
| Fort Bragg | May 16-17, 2020 [class/pool] & May 30-31/June 6-7, 2020 [field] | Class session at Star Aquatic Center; 4 dives in Mendocino, location TBD | $99 | Cancelled | |
| Sonoma | May 23-24, 2020 [class/pool] & June 6-7 & 13-14, 2020 [field] | Class session at Sonoma State; Dives from shore along the Sonoma Coast [June 6-7], Monterey [June 13-14] | $99 | Cancelled | |
| San Francisco | June 27-28, 2020 [class/pool] & July 11-12, 2020 [field] | Class session at Cal Academy; 6 dives out of Monterey on the Escapade | $399 | Cancelled | |
| Monterey | May 30-31, 2020 [class/pool] & June 6-7 & 13-14, 2020 [field] | Class session at Monterey Bay Aquarium; Two weekends of shore diving (8 dives total) | $249 | Cancelled | |
| San Luis Obispo | May 2-3, 2020 [class/pool] & May 16-17, 2020 [field] | Class session at Central Coast Aquarium; Peace overnight boat trip (6 dives) out of Ventura | $299 | Cancelled | |
| Malibu | May 2-3, 2020 [class/pool] & May 16-17, 2020 [field] | Class session at Malibu Divers; Peace overnight boat trip (6 dives) out of Ventura | $399 | Cancelled | |
| Los Angeles | May 23-24, 2020 [class/pool] & May 30-31, 2020 [field] | Class session at California Science Center; Magician overnight boat trip (6 dives) out of San Pedro | $399 | Cancelled | |
| Orange County | June 13-14, 2020 [class/pool] & June 20-21 & 27-28, 2020 [field] | Class session at Aquarium of the Pacific; Two weekends of shore dives in OC (8 dives) | $249 | Cancelled | |
| San Diego | July 11-12, 2020 [class/pool] & July 18-19, 2020 [field] | Class session at Birch Aquarium; Humboldt (6 dives) out of Mission Bay | $349 | Cancelled |
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.
*** Due to COVID-19, these recertifications will be rescheduled for a later date or cancelled.***
| Location | Date | Note | Cost | Status | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Bragg | April 18-19, 2020 | Van Damme State Park | $39 | Cancelled | |
| April 25-26, 2020 | Noyo Harbor | $39 | Cancelled | ||
| Monterey | April 18, 2020 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Cancelled | |
| April 19, 2020 | Escapade (2 dives) out of Monterey | $99 | Cancelled | ||
| April 25, 2020 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Cancelled | ||
| May 16, 2020 | Escapade (2 dives) out of Monterey | $99 | Cancelled | ||
| May 23, 2020 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Cancelled | ||
| Ventura | April 4, 2020 | Raptor to Anacapa (3 dives) out of Ventura | $99 | Cancelled | |
| Los Angeles | March 28, 2020 | Magician to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Cancelled | |
| April 19, 2020 | Magician to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Cancelled | ||
| Orange County | April 11, 2020 | Seal Rock/North Cresent Shore Recert | $39 | Cancelled | |
| San Diego | May 9, 2020 | Marissa (3 dives) out of Mission Bay Sportcenter | $99 | Cancelled |
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 | Open | Book Now |
| 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 | Open | Book Now |
| California Academy of Sciences | Spring 2020 | Training for CAS divers only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| 2020[recertification] | Recertification for CAS divers only | $0 | Open | Book Now | |
| Blue Endeavors - Alameda | TBD | Training for Blue Endeavors members | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| UC Santa Cruz | Spring 2020 | Training for UCSC students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| Summer 2020 | Training for UCSC students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now | |
| Moss Landing Marine Labs | Summer 2020 | Training for MLML students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| CSU Monterey Bay | Spring 2020 | Training for CSUMB students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| Fall 2020 | Training for CSUMB students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now | |
| 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for CSUMB students only | $0 | Open | Book Now | |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium | 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for MBA divers only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| 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 | Open | Book Now |
| Aquarium of the Pacific | Summer 2020 [recertification] | Recertification for LBAOP AAUS divers only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| Summer 2020 | Training for LBAOP volunteer divers registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | Book Now | |
| California Science Center | Spring 2020 | Training for CSC divers registered only | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| USC at Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies | Summer 2020 | Training for USC divers registered in AAUS course only. | $0 | Open | Book Now |
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 TRIP RECEIVES FULL REFUND.Does my Reef Check EcoDiver 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 recalibration training.