Business Details
Your Trusted Diving Centre in Ripley, Surrey
Surrey Dive Centre is a PADI-approved 5 Star Instructor Development Centre with over two decades of expertise in scuba diving education and equipment services. Founded by Vernon Vas, a PADI Course Director with 20 years of diving experience, and Sue Talbot, a PADI Master Instructor with 11 years of teaching expertise, we provide comprehensive training from beginner to instructor levels. Our facility includes a retail shop stocked with leading brands like Scubapro and Cressi, offering equipment sales, servicing, and air fills. We organise escorted dive trips to global destinations such as the Red Sea, Maldives, and Galapagos, alongside UK-based boat dives and shore excursions. Our team of certified instructors specialises in technical diving, rebreather training, and underwater photography.The Surrey Dive Club, launched to foster community engagement, offers members exclusive discounts, loyalty bonuses, and regular dive events. With a focus on safety, education, and customer satisfaction, we combine hands-on instruction with flexible eLearning options to accommodate modern learners. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our ISO-standard equipment servicing and partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers. Whether you're a novice seeking certification or an experienced diver exploring advanced techniques, our team ensures a supportive, professional environment tailored to your needs.
Services
PADI Open Water Courses
Equipment Servicing
Dive Club Membership
Escorted Dive Trips
Rebreather Training
Highlights and features
- We offer PADI-certified courses from beginner to instructor level with 20+ years of expertise.
- Our team includes specialists in technical diving, rebreather training, and underwater photography.
- We provide ISO-standard equipment servicing and air fills up to 300 bar.
- Our dive club offers exclusive discounts, loyalty bonuses, and regular UK dive events.
- We organise escorted dive holidays to global destinations including the Red Sea and Galapagos.
Associations and certifications
- PADI
What people say
Experienced instructors
Well-organised trips
Comprehensive training
Expert equipment servicing
Loyal community
Services
PADI Open Water Diver Course
Our PADI Open Water Diver Course equips beginners with essential scuba skills through classroom theory, pool sessions, and open-water dives. Students gain confidence in buoyancy control, equipment handling, and underwater navigation. Certified divers can explore dive sites worldwide, joining a global community of underwater enthusiasts.
Equipment Servicing
We offer on-site servicing for regulators, BCDs, and dive computers from brands like Scubapro and Cressi. Our technicians perform annual inspections, repairs, and cylinder testing to ensure safety and compliance. Regular maintenance extends equipment lifespan and guarantees optimal performance during dives.
Escorted Dive Trips
Join our escorted trips to UK dive sites and international destinations such as the Red Sea and Maldives. Instructors provide site briefings, safety support, and local expertise. Trips cater to all skill levels, from shore dives to technical wreck explorations, ensuring memorable underwater experiences.
Dive Club Membership
Surrey Dive Club members enjoy discounts on courses, equipment, and holidays. Benefits include free pool sessions, loyalty bonuses, and access to special interest groups like technical diving. Regular dive days and social events foster camaraderie among local divers.
Rebreather Training
Specialised rebreather courses cover closed-circuit systems, gas management, and extended dive times. Training uses Poseidon and Inspiration units, focusing on safety protocols and equipment troubleshooting. Graduates gain skills for deep, technical dives with minimal environmental impact.
People
Vernon Vas
Course Director
With 20 years of diving experience, Vernon Vas oversees instructor training and equipment servicing. He specialises in technical diving and rebreather technology, ensuring students receive expert guidance. His hands-on approach extends to retail operations and customer support.
Sue Talbot
Master Instructor
Sue Talbot manages daily operations and teaches courses from beginner to advanced levels. Her 11-year teaching career includes UK and international experience. She organises dive trips and ensures the centre maintains PADI's high standards.
Paul
Master Instructor
Paul has 4,500 dives across the UK and destinations like the Maldives. He teaches technical diving, rebreather courses, and underwater photography. His expertise in equipment maintenance supports the centre's servicing department.
Janet
Master Instructor
Janet specialises in cave diving and rebreather training, with 13 years of experience. She mentors students from open water to instructor levels, focusing on safety and skill development. Her enthusiasm for UK diving drives local trip organisation.
Andy Osborne
IDC Staff Instructor
Andy, a former commercial diver, leads UK wreck and reef expeditions. He teaches IDC courses and shares expertise in cold-water diving. His weekly dives along the Sussex coast highlight his passion for local marine environments.
Questions
What PADI courses do you offer?
We provide PADI courses from Open Water Diver to Instructor levels, including specialities like rebreather training and technical diving.
Do you sell diving equipment?
Yes, our retail shop stocks Scubapro, Cressi, and Aqualung products, including regulators, BCDs, and dive computers.
Can I service my dive gear at the centre?
We offer on-site servicing for regulators, BCDs, and dive computers, with cylinder testing available for all grades.
Are there dive club benefits?
Club members receive discounts on courses, equipment, and holidays, plus loyalty bonuses and exclusive dive events.
Do you organise international dive trips?
Yes, we arrange escorted holidays to the Red Sea, Maldives, Galapagos, and other destinations with expert instructor support.
What are your opening hours?
We're open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10:30–16:30. The shop closes on other days for training activities.
