Keeping It Clear: RGDS updates, New Course Names, and Upcoming Events

Hey RAID Pros and Dive Centres!

Welcome to your Q2 2026 training update. As always, these newsletters aren’t a definitive guide to every single rule, but rather a quick quarterly snapshot of what’s happening in the RAID UK training realm.

We’ve got some major updates, streamlinings, and exciting events on the horizon. Let’s dive straight in.

🚀 The Big One: RGDS Version 60.1 Updates

A massive amount of work has gone into the RGDS Version 60.1 updates, and this quarter, getting familiar with them is your top priority.

When you log into the system, you’ll be required to check a box confirming you have read and thoroughly familiarized yourself with these documents. Please take this seriously. We want to support you, but moving forward, our team will gently (and in our own inimitable RAID style) remind you to check the docs if you ask questions that are already clearly answered right there in the text. Read up and stay ahead!

🏷️ Course Name Changes: Simplifying for Success

We’ve made some strategic name adjustments to align better with international standards and simplify our offering.

Goodbye "Open Water 20"

To put it simply: ISO alignment. Other training agencies weren’t thrilled that our marketing highlighted a 20m depth limit, which gave us a competitive marketing edge that caused a bit of unrest. To keep the peace and play nice, we are now fully aligned with ISO 24801–2 and RSTC terminologies.

Streamlined Junior Programs

Historically, RAID had a fairly complicated junior structure that never quite gained the traction we hoped for. We’ve stripped away the noise to make it highly logical and easy to sell:

• Ages 8 & 9: The only cadet program available is Try-Dive (Cadet).

• Ages 10 & Up: All other junior programs now start here. This includes Indoor Diver, Scuba Diver, and Open Water.

• Age 14: Once your young divers hit 14, they can officially upgrade their qualifications.

📅 Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming RAID Events

We need your support! Head over to www.diveraiduk.com and click on Events right now. There are two major dates you need to book:

1. RAID Connect Event

• Where: The Waters Edge, Shrewsbury

• The Scoop: This is our third RAID Connect event, and to be blunt, our centres haven't supported these the way we’d hoped. We really encourage everyone to attend. Let’s get together, network, and strengthen the UK RAID community!

2. Instructor & Photography Training Weekend

• Where: Delph Watersports Centre

• When: October 2026

• The Scoop: We are running a dedicated photography and action camera training weekend. Divers and instructor qualifications are available. It’s going to be a brilliant, fun weekend to help you focus—pun fully intended—on expanding your training offerings.

🤝 Welcome to the Team

Please join us in giving a massive welcome to Stuart Girdler, who is joining the RAID UK Examiner team! We are thrilled to have him on board. You can read all about Stuart's background and what he brings to the team in his dedicated post here.

👀 Coming Soon: Upgrade & Level-Up Credits

We know you're eager for details on the new Upgrade and Level-Up credit structure. It is absolutely worth your time to understand how this works, so keep your eyes peeled—we will be dropping a standalone blog post breaking it all down very shortly.

What are your thoughts on the new streamlined junior courses? Are we going to see you at The Waters Edge? Let us know in the comments below or drop us a message!