What Scuba Schools International does

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is the world's largest professional business-based diving training agency, founded in 1970 and operating as a privately held subsidiary of HEAD Group (HTM Sport GmbH, Austria) through its operating entity HEAD Watersports GmbH (Germany). SSI delivers standardized diving and aquatic education programs — recreational scuba, extended range/technical diving, freediving, mermaid, swim, lifeguard, and public safety diving — from beginner through Instructor Trainer levels, backed by 15+ ISO certifications and founding membership in the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC). The company distributes training through a network of 4,000+ authorized Training Centers and Resorts in 150+ countries, supported by 100,000+ SSI Professionals and training materials in 40+ languages. Robert Clark serves as founder and chairman.

SSI's core technology is the MySSI digital platform and mobile app, which provides digital certification cards, a GPS-enabled dive logbook, learning materials, equipment management with service reminders, and Pro Rewards tracking for professionals. The company monetizes through (a) recurring affiliation and certification processing fees from 4,000+ Training Centers, (b) annual Professional memberships and renewals from 100,000+ dive professionals, (c) transactional sales of digital kits and training materials through the divessi.com webshop, and (d) affiliate/referral revenue from the embedded DiveAssure insurance partnership (StartDive free coverage plus paid upgrades). In 2025 SSI expanded its footprint by acquiring Aqualung and Apeks, joining sister brands Mares, rEvo, and Zoggs within the HEAD Watersports portfolio, and operates complementary consumer platforms Scubago (booking marketplace) and LiveAboard.com (liveaboard vacations).

Name

Scuba Schools International

Legal name

HEAD Watersports GmbH

Website

https://divessi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a private, global diving training agency founded in 1970, operating under HEAD Group. It certifies divers through 4,000+ Training Centers in 150+ countries via the MySSI digital platform, serving recreational divers, technical divers, freedivers, and diving professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Scuba diving certification
• Dive education programs
• Underwater training services
• Professional dive instruction
• Marine recreation training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Center Affiliation Fees: SSI generates revenue through fees charged to 4,000+ Training Centers and Resorts for affiliation, certification processing, and access to SSI training materials and brand
2. Professional Memberships and Renewals: SSI Professionals pay membership fees and renewals. Professionals can use Pro Rewards to offset renewal fees or purchase Professional Kits online
3. Digital Product Sales: SSI sells digital kits and training materials through its webshop at divessi.com, including course materials and professional equipment
4. Professional Kits Sales: Professional Kits sold online that professionals can purchase using Pro Rewards points earned through certification activities
5. Insurance Partnership Referrals: SSI partners with DiveAssure for insurance products, with StartDive free coverage for students and paid upgrades for comprehensive coverage

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a global diving training and certification agency that develops standardized education curricula for recreational scuba, extended range/technical diving, freediving, mermaid, swim, and lifeguard programs. SSI licenses these programs to a network of 4,000+ authorized Training Centers and Resorts in 150+ countries, supported by the MySSI digital platform that delivers digital learning materials, certification cards, and GPS-enabled digital logbooks. The company also operates the Scubago booking platform connecting divers with training centers worldwide.

Product overview

Scuba Schools International (SSI) operates as a digital-first training platform with the MySSI App as its central hub, supplemented by a network of over 4,000 Training Centers in 150+ countries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of diving and aquatic training programs including Scuba Diving, Extended Range/Technical Diving, Freediving, Mermaid, Swim, Lifeguard, and Public Safety Diving programs spanning beginner to Instructor Trainer levels. SSI's product ecosystem integrates digital certification cards, digital logbooks with GPS tracking, equipment management features, and course/event booking capabilities through its mobile app and web platform. The company also offers environmental conservation through its Blue Oceans initiative and children's programs via SSI Explorers. As part of HEAD Watersports GmbH, SSI's product portfolio extends to sister companies including Scubago (booking platform), LiveAboard.com (liveaboard cruises), and equipment brands Mares, Aqualung, Apeks, rEvo, and Zoggs. Professional rewards are managed through the Pro Rewards and Experience Points system. Insurance services are provided through DiveAssure partnership, including free StartDive coverage for students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MySSI: Digital platform providing digital certification cards, learning materials, logbook, and training management for divers
• Scubago
• Blue Oceans
• SSI Explorers
• SSI Pro Rewards

Products and services

• SSI Scuba Diving Programs Comprehensive scuba diving training and certification programs from beginner to instructor levels, delivered through SSI's global network of Training Centers. Programs cover knowledge, skills, equipment, experience, responsibility, and environmental awareness for recreational scuba divers.
• SSI Extended Range / Technical Diving Advanced technical diving training programs allowing experienced divers to go beyond recreational diving limits, including decompression diving, Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) diving, and advanced technical configurations. ISO-certified across CCR levels.
• SSI Freediving Programs Freediving certification programs teaching breath-hold diving techniques for underwater exploration, sport, and competition. Available at beginner to instructor levels.
• SSI Mermaid Programs Mermaid certification programs enabling participants to learn monofin swimming and underwater mermaid skills for recreation, fitness, and aquatic activities. Available for all ages.
• SSI Swim Programs Training programs for swim instructors, teaching essential water skills and swimming techniques to individuals of all ages. ISO 13970 certified Snorkel Instructor program.
• SSI Lifeguard Programs Lifeguard certification programs for individuals working in water rescue and aquatic safety roles, providing professional credentials for occupational lifeguarding.
• SSI Public Safety Diving Specialized diving programs for public safety professionals including law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency response teams requiring underwater operational capabilities.
• DiveAssure Insurance Partner insurance offering travel and diving accident insurance plans including StartDive (free basic coverage for SSI students during training), comprehensive accident and travel plans, and General Liability coverage for SSI professionals and dive center operators.

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AqualungcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Aqualung is one of the world's leading brands for high-quality diving equipment and a pioneer in recreational diving since the invention of the first modern diving regulator by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As part of the SSI Group since 2025, Aqualung brings decades of expertise and commitment to advancing the sport of diving.
• ApekscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Apeks is renowned for its high-performance regulators and specialized diving equipment, trusted by technical divers, military personnel, and commercial diving professionals. Since joining the SSI Group in 2025, Apeks has strengthened the group's offering with cutting-edge solutions for demanding underwater environments.
• DiveAssurecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSSI and DiveAssure partner to provide insurance coverage for diving activities. Every SSI student automatically receives StartDive - free DiveAssure coverage during training. The partnership includes Dive Leader Partners (DLP) program for Dive Masters and Instructors, and Operator Partners for dive centers and resorts. Automatic integration activates StartDive and tracks referrals.
• MarescoreOthersMares is a well-established brand in diving and snorkeling equipment industry, known for innovative and high-quality products including masks, fins, wetsuits, and dive computers. Part of HEAD Watersports group alongside SSI.
• rEvominorOthersrEvo specializes in design and manufacturing of high-quality rebreathers for technical and exploration divers, known for safety, reliability, and cutting-edge technology. Part of HEAD Watersports group.
• ZoggsminorOthersZoggs is a brand dedicated to swimming, offering swimwear and swimming accessories for all ages. Known for innovative goggles with advanced lens technology. Part of HEAD Watersports group.
• HEADcoreOthersHEAD is a global sporting goods manufacturer with significant presence in aquatic sports market. The company's diving segment under 'HEAD Swimming' brand offers swimwear, goggles, snorkels, and fins. HEAD is the parent company of HEAD Watersports GmbH which operates SSI.
• ScubagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerScubago is the smart all-in-one reservation platform connecting divers with SSI Training Centers worldwide. It enables booking of diving courses, packages, dive & stay options, and community events directly with providers. Supported by travel content, wildlife insights, and detailed dive site information.
• LiveAboard.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLiveAboard.com specializes in providing liveaboard diving and adventure cruise vacations worldwide, offering packages for divers to stay on boats for multiple days to explore remote diving destinations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques): International federation governing recreational and competitive underwater activities; issues ISO-aligned diving certifications recognized across 130+ member federations. Competes with SSI on standards recognition, particularly in Europe and emerging markets.
• PSAI (Professional Scuba Association International): Scuba training agency offering recreational, technical, and instructor certifications through an affiliated center network. Directly comparable to SSI across the full certification stack with a smaller global footprint.
• PADI Worldwide: The world's largest recreational scuba training agency, operating a near-identical model of certification-based training delivered through authorized dive centers globally. Directly competes with SSI on every program level from Open Water to Instructor Trainer.
• NAUI Worldwide: One of the oldest non-profit recreational scuba certification agencies, offering diver and instructor certifications through affiliated dive centers and resorts. Competes with SSI for the same professional and recreational training market.
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): UK-based scuba training organization with club-affiliated instructor network; competes with SSI in European recreational diving certifications and shares the ISO/RSTC standards umbrella.
• TDI / SDI (International Training): Specializes in technical and recreational diving certifications including rebreather, cave, and extended range — directly overlapping with SSI's Extended Range and CCR programs. Operates through an affiliated dive center and instructor network.

Emerging players

• GUE (Global Underwater Explorers): Specializes in high-end technical, cave, and rebreather diving certifications with a reputation for rigorous standards. Competes with SSI's Extended Range and CCR programs in the technical diver segment.
• RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers): Diving training agency offering recreational through technical certifications including rebreather programs. Smaller and more specialized than SSI but competing for the same dive-center affiliation market.

Broad incumbents

• PADI Travel: PADI's dive-travel booking platform, comparable to SSI's Scubago subsidiary. Both aggregate dive-center and liveaboard inventory for consumers and act as a downstream monetization layer for the parent certification agency.

Others

• Liveaboard.com: Specialty booking platform for multi-day diving cruises; listed as a minor GTM partner of SSI/HEAD Watersports and a sister property within the group — relevant as a downstream distribution channel for SSI-certified divers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/divessi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/divessi1
• Facebookfacebook.com/divessi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssi-scuba-schools-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/ssi_international/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@ssi_international

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scuba Schools International