PADI has teamed up with some of the top dive equipment manufacturers to launch a diver referral programme through which the agency hopes to drive growth within the industry.
The new ‘Refer A Friend’ campaign is similar to previous PADI initiatives encouraging scuba divers to recruit friends and family, with the incentives this time around taking the form of scuba gear and trips as well as course discounts.
‘PADI is investing in creating more business for our members and the diving industry as a whole, this time inviting scuba diving gear manufacturers to take part, which they have enthusiastically joined,’ said Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide.
‘It’s a true testament to the strength and solidarity of the diving industry when so many stakeholders come together to support the need to stimulate business for all. We are stronger together, and the latest diver referral campaign demonstrates it.’
PADI says that a survey of its new divers indicated that word-of-mouth is the primary influence in a person’s decision to start diving, with 52 per cent of new PADI divers citing a friend or family member as their source of inspiration.
‘The referral programme taps into the genuine excitement divers feel about sharing the underwater world with others,’ says Valette Wirth.
‘We’re making it easy and rewarding for divers of all levels to invite friends and family into the world’s largest community of ocean lovers and rewarding them every step of the way.’
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How the referral programme works
Beginning in June 2025, referrers and referees will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win equipment from dive equipment manufacturers including TUSA, Fourth Element, SUUNTO, Garmin International and Shearwater Research.
Divers who refer a friend or family member will also be entitled to a 20 per cent discount off continuing education programmes, and those that they refer will receive a 20 per cent discount off the Open Water eLearning course.
‘Garmin’s cutting-edge dive products provide the technology and support adventurers need to explore below the surface,’ said Audra Ratliff, Garmin Director of Product Marketing.
‘We remain committed to helping people pursue their passions and are proud to collaborate with PADI to create even more momentum and awareness for the diving industry and give divers the tools to reach even greater depths together.”’
The newly updated global referral programme means as of June 2025, PADI Divers can log into their PADI Account to send referral links to friends and family.
The referring diver will be entitled to:
- Receive 20 per cent off PADI continuing education eLearning when a friend enrolls in an Open Water Diver eLearning course
- Earn one entry into a monthly prize draw for new scuba gear for each friend referred.
Those new diver candidates that are referred will then:
- Receive 20 per cent off a PADI Open Water Diver eLearning course when activating the referral link
- Earn one entry into the monthly prize draw of scuba gear
- Be eligible to refer others and earn additional entries.
As an extra incentive, all divers who refer a friend will be automatically entered into the grand prize competition, in which the diver who refers the most new PADI Divers in 2025 will win a dive vacation for two to any Sandals St Lucia property of their choosing for five days.
For more information or to start referring your friends and family, head to padi.com/dive-together
