| Pool |
The pool is 12 meters long by 5 meters wide. At the shallow end it is 1.200 meters deep deepening to 1.400 meters before it drops into a 5.200 meter well. An ideal purpose built pool for teaching people to dive. The pool itself is constructed to strict engineering specifications. The construction is concrete, reinforced with steel, then plastered and painted with an epoxy two pot paint.
The sanitising of the pool is by a salt water chlorinator, and filtration is through a sand filter. Monitoring of chlorine and ph levels is done weekly and once a month a water sample is sent away for computer analysis.
The pool is heated and the water temperature is constantly between 26°c and 30°c. The pool is covered, with the walls and ceiling being insulated. A heater is run to keep the air temperature inside the building at or just above water temperature. This helps to stop undue condensation.
The facility has been built to cater for handicapped persons.
There are separate changing rooms for ladies and gents each with their own shower. A unisex toilet also has a shower installed.
For those who like a sauna there is a 2 meter x 2 meter room available. Very popular.
| Training equipment storage |
A spacious 46 square meter room is used to store all training equipment. This equipment is mainly made up of Dacor hardware and Moray wetsuits, all in good condition and of training standard.
| Lecture room |
The lecture room has a well lit and pleasant environment. It being 40 square meters in area and can seat 15 students in comfort. Lecture presentation can be with slide projector, overhead projector or by video player.
The complex is situated out in the country giving the place a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere thus ensuring a low stress learning environment.
| Sales shop |
Ron Opie Diving also has a retail outlet selling only top brands of diving equipment. The floor area of the office and shop facility is 76 sq metres
The filling of scuba tanks with fresh country air is another service provided.
Also the rental of diving equipment can be arranged.
| Accommodation |
Accommodation for twenty people is available within this complex, some in cubicle type rooms and the rest in dormitory style. Adjoining this room is a small kitchen with a dining room - lounge area.
| Boats |
This craft is a 6 meter Stessyl Yellow Fin and is built of aluminium. It is powered by a 175 hp Johnson outboard. All safety equipment, life jackets, flares, fire extinguisher, radios are carried at all times. There is a canvas soft top with clear plastic walls to shelter students if the winds are cold to ensure maximum comfort.
| Dive sites used for certification |
In the interests of student comfort and safety we endeavour to do the majority of our Open Water Sea Dives at Kapiti Island. We stay at very comfortable motels at Raumati and believe a good nights sleep is necessary when students are venturing into this unknown wonder. We have several dive sites that we use around Kapiti Island, depending on which direction the weather is coming from, to give good diving in sheltered waters.
I am a firm believer that you
always remember your first sea dives so why not make them good ones. We launch
our own boat from Paraparaumu Beach using the Kapiti Boating Clubs facilities.
Kapiti Boating Club have their own Coast Guard organisation which is a very good
back up should anything go wrong. They have up to date rescue facilities and
equipment.
The south coast in Wellington is also used. Here we can dive from the shore in nearly all winds. There is somewhere to find shelter.
Lake Taupo is another dive site if we get stuck for somewhere to go. Fresh water, altitude and the option to do a drift in the outlet to the lake (Waikato River) on scuba. We get out of the river before the Huka Falls.