Rui Diving Centre

Basic Mermaid ~ Advanced Mermaid 

Course Policy

1. Course Validity

The PADI Basic Mermaid /  Mermaid / Advanced Mermaid Course is valid for one year from the date of registration.

Students must complete all online theory, confined-water training, and open-water training within this one-year period. Any incomplete portion of the course will expire at the end of this period, and all fees paid are non-refundable.

Students who wish to continue after the course has expired must re-register according to the course pricing and requirements in effect at that time.

2. Refunds, Transfers, and Exchanges

Once registration and payment have been completed, all course fees are:

• Non-refundable;
• Non-transferable to another person;
• Not exchangeable for another course;
• Not redeemable for products, gift cards, store credit, or account credit.
• Students are responsible for confirming their availability, physical condition, and ability to meet the course requirements before registering.

3. Course Levels and Training Environment

Rui Diving Centre offers different levels of Mermaid training depending on the student's experience, skills, and course selection.

• Basic Mermaid training is conducted in a swimming pool.
• Mermaid training is conducted in a swimming pool.
• Advanced Mermaid training includes pool training and open-water training.

The exact training sequence and environment may vary depending on the student's progression, instructor availability, facility availability, weather, and water conditions.

The instructor may determine when a student is ready to progress to a more advanced training environment.

4. Course Requirements

Mermaid training is skills-based and requires active participation and demonstration of the required skills.

Students are expected to:

• Participate in all required training sessions
• Follow instructor directions and safety procedures
• Demonstrate the required swimming and mermaid skills
• Demonstrate appropriate breath control, body position, movement, and water awareness
• Maintain appropriate safety awareness throughout the course
• Complete any required course materials or documentation

Completion of the scheduled training time does not automatically guarantee course completion.

The instructor will determine whether the student has demonstrated the required skills for their selected course level.

5. Equipment Included in the Course

The course fee includes rentals for:

• Mermaid tail
• Monofin

The following personal equipment is not included in the course fee and must be provided by the student:

• Mask
• Snorkel
• Weight belt
• Appropriate weights
• Any other personal equipment required for the course

Students are responsible for ensuring that all personal equipment is properly fitted, suitable for their size and ability, and in safe working condition. Any personal equipment not included in the course fee may be purchased or otherwise arranged by the student.

6. Equipment and Transportation

If rental equipment is required, students are responsible for confirming rental requirements and availability before their scheduled training.

Students are responsible for:

• Picking up rental equipment from Rui Diving Centre during business hours
• Transporting equipment to and from the training location
• Loading and unloading equipment
• Properly handling and caring for equipment during use
• Returning rental equipment to Rui Diving Centre as instructed

The course fee does not include equipment delivery, pickup, transportation, or handling services. Students are responsible for the safekeeping of their personal and rented equipment while it is in their possession. Rui Diving Centre is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal equipment.

Late returns, loss, damage, or misuse of rental equipment may result in additional charges.

7. Confirmed Course Dates

Once course dates have been confirmed, they generally cannot be changed. Students should review their work, school, travel, and personal schedules before confirming their course dates.

Course spaces, instructors, pool sessions, and open-water training must be arranged in advance. Therefore, approval of a rescheduling request is not guaranteed.

8. Complimentary Rescheduling

A course may be rescheduled without a fee under the following circumstances:

• The student is unable to participate safely due to a medical condition and provides a medical certificate or other supporting documentation when requested;
• Rui Diving Centre cancels or postpones the course due to extreme weather, dive-site closure, or unsafe water conditions;
• Rui Diving Centre or the responsible instructor determines that the course cannot proceed because of another safety-related issue.

Complimentary rescheduling does not entitle the student to a refund. The replacement date will be arranged according to instructor availability, pool or dive-site access, and available course spaces.

9. Rescheduling Fee

A $99 plus HST rescheduling fee applies in any of the following situations:

• The student requests a change within 48 hours of the scheduled session
• The student arrives late and cannot safely participate
• The student is absent without sufficient notice
• The student cannot attend due to work, travel, transportation, scheduling, or another non-emergency personal reason
• Required course documents are incomplete
• Required medical clearance has not been obtained
• Required personal equipment is missing, unsuitable, or not functioning properly
• Required rental equipment has not been collected or is not available for the scheduled training

Payment of the rescheduling fee does not guarantee a specific replacement date. All replacement dates are subject to instructor, pool, dive-site, and course-space availability.

The rescheduling fee does not extend the original one-year course validity.

10. Course Preparation Requirements

Students must complete all required PADI course preparation and knowledge development before attending the applicable in-water training sessions.

Students are responsible for completing any required course materials and documents on time.

If required preparation has not been completed and the student cannot safely participate in the scheduled training, the session may need to be rescheduled and the applicable rescheduling fee may apply.

11. Medical Statement and Physician’s Clearance

Students must accurately complete the required diver medical statement and all other course documents before participating in any in-water training.

If any response on the medical questionnaire requires a physician’s clearance, the student must provide valid written medical approval before the course begins. The student may not participate in confined-water or open-water training until the required clearance has been received.

Students are responsible for the risks and consequences resulting from an undisclosed medical condition, inaccurate health information, or failure to report a relevant change in their physical condition.

12. Late Arrival, Absence, and Participation

Students must arrive at the designated location at the specified time and allow sufficient time to prepare their equipment.

Late arrival may affect course safety and the progress of other students. Depending on the length of the delay and the course circumstances, the instructor may refuse the student’s participation in that session. This will be treated as a late rescheduling, and a $99 plus HST rescheduling fee will apply.

13. Open-Water Training

Open-water training applies to the Advanced Mermaid course.

Open-water sessions are subject to appropriate weather, water conditions, visibility, temperature, and site availability.

The instructor may change the training location, postpone the session, or return to confined-water training when environmental or safety conditions are not suitable.

Students must bring or arrange all required personal equipment that is not included in the course fee.

14. Instructor’s Safety and Certification Decisions

Diver safety is always the primary consideration. Based on the student’s medical condition, theoretical preparation, swimming ability, skill performance, equipment, risk awareness, and water conditions, the teaching instructor has the authority to determine whether the student may:

• Participate in or continue a training session;
• Progress to open-water training;
• Repeat training or an evaluation;
• Receive Open Water Diver certification.

All safety and certification decisions made by the teaching instructor will be based on the applicable training standards and the student’s demonstrated performance.

15. Acceptance of Policy

Rui Diving Centre reserves the right to reasonably update its course schedules, fees, and related policies.

The policy accepted by the student at the time of registration will apply to their course, subject to applicable law and PADI standards.