Eligibility
The 2026 PADI Individual Member Master Scuba Diver Rating Challenge (“Challenge”) is open to PADI Individual Members worldwide (“Entrant”). Entrants must be renewed for 2026 and must not have an open Quality Management action. No purchase required and void where prohibited. This Challenge is administered by PADI Worldwide Corp.
General Rules and Conditions
The goal of the Challenge is for Entrants to increase their continuing education certifications and ultimately PADI Master Scuba Diver ratings. PADI will compare certifications obtained between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026 to the same calendar period of 2025 (“2025 Comparison Period”). Only ratings received by PADI by 15 January 2027 will be counted. Growth will be determined by the percentage increase of Master Scuba Diver ratings over the Entrant’s 2025 Comparison Period.
Entrants must register for the Challenge.
Entrants will compete in one of four categories, based on their 2025 Comparison Period results. Entrants in each group will compete only against others in their category.
- Entrants with 0 MSD ratings
- Entrants with 1 MSD ratings
- Entrants with 2-4 MSD ratings
- Entrants with 5+ MSD ratings
Application Fee Waived Through 2026!
We’re pleased to share that the PADI Master Scuba Diver application fee has been waived for 2026. This is a great opportunity for you to encourage divers who are nearing completion of their training to apply for this recognition at no cost.
You can leverage this benefit to inspire more of your students to take the final step in achieving the prestigious Master Scuba Diver rating, removing a common barrier and adding value to their diver journey.
Remind your divers to submit their applications before 31 December, 2026, to take advantage of the waived fee.
Prizes
Each first place winner in each category will receive the following:
- One (1) complimentary PADI Professional Membership renewal for the 2027 membership year
- Recognition in Surface Interval
- One (1) official MSD Challenge Certificate
- One (1) MSD Challenge Digital Winner Badge
- One (1) PADI Merchandise Bundle
Note: The 2027 Member Renewal value is subject to the actual 2027 Membership Renewal Fee.
By participating in the Challenge, Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules. Winners will be required to sign and complete a Publicity Release and Affidavit of Eligibility, where legally permissible, and return it to PADI within ten days of notification. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the prize and selection of an alternate Entrant.
Winners grant PADI unlimited rights to use their name, picture, likeness, and testimonials globally in advertising and publicity for this Challenge and for any other PADI use, without further compensation where permitted by local law. This may include but is not limited to PADI YouTube channels, scuba related YouTube channels, PADI Pro Blog, Facebook, Instagram, padi.com, Surface Interval, and press releases. All taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. No prize substitution is permitted.
Winner Selection
PADI will determine the winners, in its sole and absolute discretion, once the Challenge concludes on or about 15 January 2027. The Entrant with the highest percentage increase in certifications compared to the same calendar period last year wins the prize. In the event of a tie, the Entrant who has been a consecutive PADI member for the longest period will be selected.
Winners must be affiliated with a PADI regional office as of 1 January 2026. Winners will be notified by email on or about 1 February 2027. PADI is not responsible for late, lost, delayed, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, or unintelligible entries. Incomplete or illegible entries are not eligible. PADI or its affiliates may rescind any promotion found to contain errors without liability at their sole discretion.
To request a copy of the Official Rules and winners’ names, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to PADI, Attn: Marketing Department 2026 Individual Member Master Scuba Diver Certification Challenge, 30151 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 USA or contact Adrianne Miller at [email protected]. PADI’s decisions are final.
Additional Terms
This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook. This promotion may be available on Facebook in English, Spanish, and Portuguese only.
This Challenge is governed by the laws of the State of California, exclusive of its choice of law principles. The California state courts of Orange County or the United States District Court for the Southern District of California shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Challenge.
