PADI new diver survey data consistently shows word-of-mouth remains the #1 influencer of new diver certifications. We know that 52% of newly certified PADI Divers cite friends or family members as key influencers in their decision to learn to dive. For this reason, we’ve launched the PADI Refer-A-Friend Challenge* to stimulate new diver certifications in 2025.
Every PADI Diver and Pro can now invite friends and family to start their underwater journey and get rewarded with gear prizes, discounts, and even a dream dive trip to St. Lucia.
By leveraging word-of-mouth, PADI members and gear manufacturers are tapping into a 30 million-strong diver base to drive new certifications and energize dive businesses around the world.
As a PADI Pro, you can win prizes simply for doing more of what you love – creating more divers! The 2025 Refer-A-Friend Challenge is officially live – giving you exciting ways to grow the dive community and win gear or even a dream dive trip!
PADI has partnered with gear manufacturers, including TUSA, Fourth Element, SUUNTO, Garmin, Shearwater, and others, for a new chance to win gear each month from June through December 2025. And that’s not all, refer the most new divers by year-end and win a dream dive trip to Sandals St. Lucia.
How To Enter To Win
To get started, generate your unique referral link and share it with friends. When they sign up for PADI Open Water Diver eLearning™ (at 20% off thanks to your referral link), you’ll unlock the opportunity to win prizes.
- Invite a friend – Click the button below, sign into your PADI account, and we’ll give you a referral link to share with anyone you think would love scuba diving. Plus, you’ll be able to enter the Refer-a-Friend Challenge then and there for your chance to win the gear prize of the month.
- Share some savings – Anyone who uses your referral link will get 20% off the PADI Open Water Diver eLearning course on padi.com.
- Unlimited referrals – Elevate your status as a PADI Pro and create more divers by regularly sharing your passion on social media, email, and direct messages. Remember the person who refers the most divers by the end of 2025 wins a trip to St. Lucia!
Win The Grand Prize
To win the grand prize – a dream dive trip for two to a Sandals Resort in St Lucia – refer more friends than anyone else by 31 December 2025. Read more and start referring your friends now!
