In Reply to: Diving Question & Photography Question posted by Dugite on Friday, 18. March 2005 at 19:02 Bali Time:
Certainly to complete any recognised diving course you must be able to swim. I can't imagine that doing just a 'discover scuba' type thing would mean that this requirement was any less necessary. Having said that, before doing my proper training, I did 3 'discover scuba' day trips on various holidays and was never asked if I could swim. So, it may be worth asking one of the dive operators what their view is. I did my training with the Bali International Dive Professionals (based in Sanur), who were extremely good. They provide an instructor of dive master for every student/diver, so you feel absolutely safe. Try their website.
I have also noticed that there is somewhere in Sanur where you can go 'bottom walking'! (sorry can't remember where, but someone esle may know). That is, in very shallow waters with some kind of glass helmet on your head with an air supply from the surface - kind of like diving in the days of old!
Anyway, good luck with sorting something.