For anyone who is curious about learning how to scuba dive, an introduction class will be taking place on 12 August at the Rainier III Nautical Stadium. The activity is open to the public aged 8 and over.
Organized by the Monaco City Hall, the event will be supervised by professionals from the Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine Monaco (Monaco Underwater Exploration Club) or CESMM.
“A first dive is a fulfilling experience,” says the CESMM, who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and have been supervising the introductory event for the past three years. The event is free, however, participants must pay the Stade Nautique’s entry fee.
How to participate
No medical certificate is required to participate, however, prior consultation with a specialist may be advisable for certain chronic or temporary health conditions, including respiratory issues or pregnancy.
Minors who wish to participate must have a completed parental authorization form, which is available on the CESMM website.
“Come dive in and enjoy a friendly atmosphere….The equipment provided is top-of-the-line, in perfect condition, and regularly inspected for your safety,” says the CESMM.
Inspired by Cousteau
The CESMM was founded in 1951, at a time when scuba diving was gaining popularity thanks explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau (who was always seen wearing his iconic red cap). Cousteau left his mark on several generations in Monaco, the home base of the Calypso ship (a famous former British Royal Navy minesweeper converted into a mobile oceanographic laboratory) which set off to explore all the world’s oceans with Cousteau and his team. The scuba diving pioneer and explorer served as director of the Oceanographic Museum for over thirty years, from 1957 to 1988. Today, the CESMM’s honorary president is HSH Prince Albert II.
