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Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring Training Course details:
The Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring Training course is designed to provide participants with the skills and experience to complete the Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring 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 Kelp Forest Monitoring Specialty Certification (NAUI).
Course prerequisites:
- Rescue diver certification
- Minimum of 30 logged lifetime dives
- Minimum of 15 logged dives in the environment your training takes place in
- Minimum of 6 dives within the last year
- Minimum age of 16 on the first day of class
Training and research materials will be provided, which include the Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring 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
2022 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 experience.
Reef Check 2022 Training Scholarships <now closed>
Reef Check is offering scholarships to qualified scuba divers from diverse backgrounds. These scholarships will cover the cost of a Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA [Washington A] | Thursdays 6:30p - 8:00p, March 31 to April 28 | April 29 to May 1 | Class sessions online. Pool session April 21th, location TBD. Three days of shore diving (6 dives total) | $199 | Closed | |
| Seattle, WA [Washington B] | Wednesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, April 20 to May 18 | Saturday 5/21, Sunday 5/22 and Saturday 5/28 | Class sessions online. Pool session May 11th, location TBD. Three days of shore diving (6 dives total) | $199 | Closed | |
| Marysville, WA [Washington C] | Thursdays 6:30p - 8:00p, July 12 - August 9 | August 12, 13 & 14 | Class sessions online. Pool session August 2, Lake Stevens School District Pool. Three days of shore diving (6 dives total) | $199 | Open | Book Now |
| Oregon (Central to North Coast) [Oregon A] | March 9, 16, 30, April 6, 6:00p - 8:00p | April 8, 9 & 10 | Class sessions online; Pool session TBD, week of 4/4. Two days of shore diving, one day of boat diving (6 dives total) | $199 | Closed | |
| Oregon (Central to South Coast) [Oregon B] | March 9, 16, 30, April 6, 6:00p - 8:00p | April 22, 23 & 24 | Class sessions online; Pool session TBD, week of 4/11 or 4/18. One day of shore diving, two days of boat diving (6 dives total) | $199 | Closed | |
| Fort Bragg | Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 10 - June 7 | June 11 & 12, 18 & 19 | Class sessions online; Pool session June 11 followed by 3 days of shore diving in Fort Bragg (6 dives total) | $99 | Open | Book Now |
| Monterey [Monterey A] | Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 10 to June 7 | June 10 to June 12 | Class sessions online. Pool session May 31st, location TBD. One day of shore diving followed by two days aboard the Escapade out of Monterey (6 dives total) | $349 | Closed | |
| Monterey [Monterey B] | Wednesdays 6:30p - 8:00p, May 25 to June 22 | June 24 to June 26 | Class sessions online. Pool session June 8th, location TBD. Three days of shore diving (6 dives total) | $249 | Open | Book Now |
| Los Angeles [Los Angeles A] | May 2 ,5, 9, 12: 6:30p - 8:00p | May 21-22 | Class sessions online; Pool Session May 14th, Location TBD. Bottom Scratcher (6 dives) out of San Pedro | $399 | Closed | |
| Los Angeles [Los Angeles B] | June 6, 9, 13, 16: 6:30p - 8:00p | June 25-26 | Class sessions online; Pool Session June 18th, Location TBD. Bottom Scratcher (6 dives) out of San Pedro | $399 | Open | Book Now |
| San Diego | July 11, 14, 18, 21: 6:30p - 8:00p | July 30-31 | Class sessions online; Pool Session July 23rd; Location TBD. Humboldt (6 dives) out of Mission Bay | $399 | Open | Book Now |
2022 Recertifications for Certified Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring Divers
Each year, prior to participating in surveys, certified Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Saturday, April 9 | Newport (2 dives, location TBD) | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Sunday, April 10 | Garibaldi Charter (2 dives) | $99 | Open | Book Now | |
| Friday, April 29 | Winchester Bay (2 dives) | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, April 30 | Port Orford (2 dives) | $99 | Open | Book Now | |
| Sunday, May 22 | Garibaldi Charter (2 dives) | $99 | Open | Book Now | |
| Fort Bragg | Sat/Sun, May 14-15 | Shore Recert in Fort Bragg (4 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Sat/Sun, May 21-22 | Shore Recert in Fort Bragg (4 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Monterey | Saturday, April 9 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Saturday, April 16 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, April 23 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, May 28 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Saturday, June 18 | Shore Recert in Monterey (2 dives). Location TBD | $39 | Open | Book Now | |
| Santa Barbara | Saturday, April 9 | Shore Recert at Refugio State Park (2 dives). | $39 | Open | Book Now |
| Los Angeles | Saturday, April 2 | Bottom Scratcher to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Open | Book Now |
| Saturday, May 7 | Bottom Scratcher to Catalina (3 dives) out of San Pedro | $99 | Open | Book Now | |
| San Diego | Sunday, May 1 | 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Endeavors - Redmond, WA | Online training sessions: Tuesdays 6:30p - 8:00, March 22 to April 19 Field sessions: April 22 to 24 | Training for Blue Endeavors members. Class sessions online. Pool session April 12th, location TBD. Three days of shore diving (6 dives total) | $0 | Open | Book Now |
| Humboldt State University | TBD | Training for HSU students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | |
| California Academy of Sciences | Spring 2022 | Training for CAS divers only | $0 | Open | |
| Moss Landing Marine Labs | Summer 2022 | Training for MLML students registered in AAUS course only | $0 | Open | |
| UC Santa Barbara | *Class/pool during semester; May 21-22, 2022 or June 13-14, 2022 [field] | Training for UCSB students enrolled in AAUS diver course only; field session (six dives, overnight) | $125 | 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 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.