Salty smiles from our Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction Students as they reach the halfway point!
As the course calendar hits the halfway mark, our February 2025 intake of Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction students have already dived deep into a variety of theory and practical components. They are well on their way to completing their year-long course and becoming certified as PADI Specialty Instructors, opening opportunities to have an office anywhere in the world! The group has tackled an exciting schedule of both pool and open water training, classroom sessions, and dive-world application.
The course began with spending time in the water and building a solid foundation in buoyancy control, equipment handling, and general dive skills. Next up was the Advanced certification where they were introduced to new depths, underwater search techniques, recovery procedures, night diving and elevating their navigation skills. With a solid foundation as individual divers, the class undertook their Rescue certification. They learned how to spot issues before they happen and became equipped with knowledge to prevent and manage dive emergencies.
Wrapping things up last term was the first step into the professional side of things: the Divemaster certification, it's a game changer! At this level divers start thinking like professionals which includes helping with courses, leading dives, and learning the ropes of site management and supervision. It’s more of the real-deal stuff and is all about furthering confidence, expanding their awareness, and laying a solid foundation for a future as dive professionals. The Divemaster course is a solid launchpad for anyone looking to turn diving into a career, the group celebrated this with a visit to Northland Dive where they dived the HMNZS Canterbury. The group explored the 113m long wreck which was scuttled in Deep Water Cove in 2007 and has become an impressive artificial reef, home to a variety of schooling and pelagic fish life, crayfish and impressive Jewel Anemone colonies. This is just one of various away trips during the year and are great ways for students to experience a broad range of varying dive operations and types of diving.
With a solid foundation behind them, the next few months promise even more! They start their instructor training and preparation for their final exams. There’s still plenty of classroom learning ahead covering dive theory, standards, and teaching techniques. Just as much time will be spent underwater, fine-tuning their demonstration skills and mastering effective student engagement techniques.
It’s been an epic year so far, but this committed group of students continue to grow into capable, safety-conscious divers ready to progress their skills further. This bunch of Coromandel dive legends are just getting started!
We have another intake of the same course starting in August of this year! If the above sounds like a bit of you, get in contact with Dive Zone Whitianga and email darrell@divethecoromandel.co.nz. We would love to hear from you!
