Explore the Ocean Longer This Summer: Learn the Mares Horizon SCR

by Robert Diaz on Sep 01 2025

Learn the Mares Horizon SCR with Tony and Bob

When you think about scuba diving, you probably imagine colourful reefs, haunting shipwrecks, schools of fish, or the quiet beauty of drifting through kelp forests. But what if you could experience all of this for longer, in silence, and with the very latest diving technology designed to make your dives more immersive, more efficient, and more memorable?

That’s where the Mares Horizon Semi-Closed Rebreather (SCR) comes in. And if you’re considering learning this revolutionary way of diving, you couldn’t be in better hands than with Tony and Bob at Central Coast Divers.

Between them, they represent decades of teaching excellence, technical know-how, and an unrivalled passion for pushing diving technology forward while making it accessible to recreational divers.

This summer, the opportunity is right in front of you: step into the future of diving and learn the Horizon SCR with two of the most experienced Horizon instructors in Australia.

Why Choose the Horizon SCR?

Before we talk about the benefits of learning, let’s set the stage by understanding what makes the Mares Horizon SCR such a game-changer.

Unlike traditional open-circuit scuba, where every exhale is released as a stream of bubbles into the water, the Horizon SCR recirculates your breathing gas. It scrubs out carbon dioxide and replenishes the supply of Nitrox as you breathe. The result?

Extended dive times: More time exploring, less time worrying about your gas running out.
Quieter diving: Marine life comes closer when you’re not scaring it away with noisy bubbles.
Stable breathing gas: A smoother, more consistent mix of oxygen and nitrogen that helps reduce fatigue and extend bottom time.

It’s the perfect bridge between recreational open-circuit diving and the more complex world of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR). Designed specifically for recreational and extended-range divers, the Horizon is intuitive, reliable, and far more affordable than traditional CCR systems.

Extended Bottom Time: The Real Luxury in Diving

Every diver knows the feeling: just as the dive is getting good, your pressure gauge says it’s time to turn back. With the Horizon, that limitation is drastically reduced. The system’s efficiency means you can explore reefs, wrecks, and underwater landscapes for longer, maximising every precious minute beneath the surface.

Tony often says:

“The greatest gift the Horizon gives you isn’t technology — it’s time. More time with the fish, more time inside the wreck, more time enjoying why you came diving in the first place.”

Bob adds:

“When our students surface after their first Horizon dive, the first words are almost always: ‘I didn’t want it to end.’ That’s the magic of SCR diving.”

This isn’t just marketing talk — it’s a lived experience, and Tony and Bob have logged more Horizon dives than nearly anyone else in the Southern Hemisphere.

Learning with Tony and Bob: Why Experience Matters

There are instructors who can take you through the basics of rebreather diving. And then there are instructors who live and breathe this equipment, who know its quirks, its strengths, and its hidden potential.

Tony and Bob fall into the second category. With decades of experience in technical, recreational, and extended range diving, they’ve spent thousands of hours underwater refining their skills, trialling equipment, and perfecting the art of safe, enjoyable rebreather diving.

Here’s what sets them apart:

Pioneers of Horizon training in Australia: Tony and Bob were among the first instructors certified to teach the Mares Horizon system, meaning they’ve been teaching it since day one.
Hands-on insight: They don’t just follow the manual — they’ve written much of the local “know-how” that makes Horizon diving smooth, efficient, and safe for diving conditions on the Central Coast with their many varied dive site.
Mentorship, not just instruction: Their teaching style goes beyond ticking boxes. You’ll gain personal insights, stories, and lessons drawn from real dives, in real conditions, across a lifetime of experience.
Passion for community: At Central Coast Divers, training isn’t a transaction — it’s an invitation to join a community. When you learn with Tony and Bob, you become part of that legacy.

As Bob often says:

“Diving isn’t just about gear and skills. It’s about confidence, connection, and curiosity. That’s what we teach.”

The Personal Touch: Why Students Thrive Under Their Instruction

Most divers who have trained with Tony and Bob will tell you the same thing: the difference is in the personal approach.

They don’t just show you how to set up a Horizon unit; they share the little tricks that make diving seamless. They don’t just explain gas management; they tell you how to think like a rebreather diver. They don’t just hand you a certification card; they give you the confidence to explore the ocean safely and independently.

Tony’s calm, methodical teaching style ensures even nervous divers feel at ease. Bob’s energy, enthusiasm, and encyclopaedic knowledge of diving history and equipment add richness to every lesson. Together, they create a learning environment that is both structured and inspiring.

It’s this blend of professionalism, experience, and passion that makes students not just certified, but genuinely transformed as divers.

The Horizon Advantage: More Than Just a Rebreather

Let’s take a closer look at the virtues of the Horizon SCR, explained the way Tony and Bob do in class:

Extended Dive Times
- Real-world benefit: Instead of 35–40 minutes on a wreck, you might get a full hour or more, depending on your dive plan. That’s the difference between seeing a wreck and truly exploring it.
Silent Exploration
- Fish, turtles, and sharks are less disturbed when you’re not bubbling away. Horizon divers regularly report closer encounters with marine life.
Ease of Use
- With its plug-and-play design, intuitive controller, and auto-calibration, the Horizon is far simpler to learn than other rebreathers.
Affordability
- CCR units often cost $14,000–$18,000. The Horizon comes in at a fraction of that, making advanced diving accessible.
Versatility
- From shallow reef dives to extended range wrecks, the Horizon adapts to your diving goals.

The Challenges (and Why Training is Critical)

Of course, no rebreather system is without its complexities. The Horizon demands a higher level of awareness, careful gas analysis, and a deeper understanding of dive planning. But this is where learning with Tony and Bob is invaluable.

They don’t just prepare you for the exam — they prepare you for real-world problem-solving. Equipment checks, emergency drills, gas management — you’ll practice until it becomes second nature.

Bob often says:

“The Horizon isn’t difficult. But it does demand respect. Our job is to make sure you’re not just certified, but confident.”

Training Pathways at Central Coast Divers

If you’re ready to dive into the Horizon experience, here are your options:

🌊 SCR Diver Program

The complete certification course that qualifies you to dive the Horizon SCR to 30m. Includes:

Classroom theory and practical workshops.
Pool/confined water sessions.
Open water dives under Tony and Bob’s direct supervision.
Real-world dive planning and gas analysis training.

By the end, you’ll be a confident Horizon diver, certified to explore deeper, longer, and with greater comfort than ever before.

🌊 Try SCR Diving Experience

Not ready to commit? Join Tony or Bob for a Try Dive with the Horizon SCR. One dive, one unforgettable experience. Most divers are hooked instantly.

Testimonials: Voices of Past Students

“I’ve been diving for 15 years, and learning the Horizon with Tony was the most exciting training I’ve done. I felt a real rush again — in the best way.” – Mark G.
“Bob doesn’t just teach you how to dive the Horizon. He teaches you how to think like a Horizon diver. That’s priceless.” – David B.
“The combination of Tony’s calm instruction and Bob’s technical depth was brilliant. I never felt rushed, always supported.” – Simon L.

Why Now? Why This Summer?

Summer on the Central Coast is the perfect time to embrace rebreather diving. Warmer waters, longer days, and a packed calendar of dive opportunities make it ideal for learning and practicing new skills.

Imagine spending your summer dives staying down longer, exploring further, and surfacing with stories no open-circuit diver can match. That’s the gift of Horizon diving.

Take the Plunge with Central Coast Divers

The ocean is waiting. The technology is ready. And the best instructors you could ask for are right here.

Tony and Bob have devoted their lives to diving, teaching, and sharing their passion. Now they’re ready to guide you into the world of rebreather diving.

👉 Make this the summer you finally dive further, stay longer, and experience more.
👉 Book your SCR course or Try Dive today with Central Coast Divers.

Because diving is about more than just being underwater — it’s about how long you can stay there, how much you can see, and who you trust to guide you.

And with the Horizon SCR, guided by Tony and Bob, that experience is second to none.

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