How long have you been diving? I have not heard of a sidemount certification. Have you taken any course in technical diving at all?" PADI; OR,PUT ANOTHER DOLLAR IN", is a money hungry weak excuse fo an organization. They will try to issue a certification for wading if they could.....Tom ....padi instr.
Why would there be a requirement for a technical diving course? It is recreational diving in sidemount. Nothing more, nothing less. A shutdown drill is not the sole preserve of tec divers.
It isn't PADI requesting a certification, it is the resort. Do keep up