Council of Divers will offer shoreside classes

Free shore diving education on Saturday mornings is making a splash at local beaches for divers and snorkelers who want to learn more, enter the water with retired lifeguards and instructors, and tour popular diving sites.

The “Rips, Rocks and Reefs – 3R’s” program is led by the San Diego Council of Divers as an opportunity for participants to learn how to identify reefs and underwater rocks by observing surf and water movement.

Paticipants will also be briefed on how to recognize safe places to enter and exit the water, how to avoid hazardous areas, what to do when encountering long shore and rip currents, and how to use tides to plan dives.

The workshops will also cover surf, swell, and how to take advantage of the ocean’s natural wave motion.

Swimming experience is recommended, and all attendees must sign a liability waiver as part of registration. Participants younger than age 17 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver.

SCUBA certification is not required for the class and gear (including regulator, tank and buoyancy compensator) is not used during 3R’s events.

Bring a mask, snorkel, fins, full wetsuit (recommended) and gloves. Spring suits are OK, and weights are discouraged.

Donations are gladly accepted.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. for all listed dates and mandatory briefing begins at 8:15 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. water entrance time.

— July 14 at Goldfish Point (La Jolla Caves), meet at 1325 Coast Blvd. Session host: Dive Animals.

— July 28 at Marine Street, meet at 244 Marine St. Session host: San Diego Rainbow Dive Club.

— Aug. 11 at Shell Beach, meet at the top of the stairs at 1000 Coast Blvd. (Ocean Lane is nearest cross street). Session host: San Diego Freedivers.

— Aug. 25 at Hospital Point, meet at 400 Coast Blvd., south of Cuvier. Session host: San Diego Sea Dogs.

— Sept. 8 at Sunset Cliffs/Ocean Beach, meet at the parking lot at the 1200 block of Sunset Cliffs Blvd., cross street Osprey. Session host: Total Immersion Divers.

— Sept. 22 at Children’s Pool/South Casa, meet at lifeguard tower 850 at 850 Coast Blvd. Session host: San Diego Dive Club.