Hello Dive Buddies: The PADI Blog

He bailed on banking and took the Go PRO Challenge

2009-11-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

Are you going for the DOXA dive watch or a Winner’s Circle jacket in the 2009 Go PRO Challenge Professional Rating contest? Get tips on winning from a “Pro”-- A PADI Pro, of course! Read about how Paul Leland Faulstich III, last year’s winner, left a career in banking, became a PADI Pro and racked up enough points to take home the DOXA dive watch in the 2008 Go PRO Challenge Professional Rating contest.

Remember, you are automatically entered in the 2009 Professional Rating Contest when you get your first professional level rating in 2009. You rack up the ratings – PADI tracks your points.

WANTED: IMAGES OF THREATENED MARINE SPECIES

2009-10-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

PADI and Project AWARE are calling on divers and underwater photographers for their help in gathering images of the world’s threatened marine animals and plants by contributing their images to ARKive, the UK-based charity whose mission is to promote conservation through wildlife imagery. Threatened marine species make up just ten percent of the current material held in ARKive, reflecting just how hard these films and photographs are to collect, so the divers underwater images are urgently needed to help fill the watery gaps in the rapidly growing library. Many divers, amateur and professional alike, take fabulous photographs of a broad range of threatened species, so this is an opportunity to work with ARKive and help the wide variety of amazing animals and plants that give pleasure to so many divers. Photographs and video give these threatened species a face, they give those who won’t ever be lucky enough to see them in the wild the chance to understand their characteristics, their biology and the threats they are currently facing. “Underwater photos can describe the beauty and diversity of our underwater environments as well as highlight the urgent need for conservation. It’s crucial that divers contribute their photos to a good cause and help bring attention to the plight of the world’s endangered marine species” says Suzanne Pleydell, Project AWARE Foundation (International) Director. “It’s hard to raise support for an animal that has no face in the media and good underwater images can make a huge difference” adds Suzanne.

PADI International Limited Director, and passionate underwater photographer, Mark Caney, comments “Divers are so fortunate and privileged to be able to experience the beauty and wonders of the underwater world. I encourage divers to donate their images to give ARKive the best means possible in their quest to raise awareness for the world’s underwater creatures”.

ARKive promotes conservation and builds environmental awareness through wildlife photographs, films and sound clips – which are being pledged by many of the world’s top photographers and filmmakers. The aim is to produce a global, centralized record of all 16,928 species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This will provide an invaluable conservation tool - a quick, easy and free online source of information for anyone keen to learn more or to help with conservation efforts.

A list of the ‘most wanted’ images is published on the ARKive website http://www.arkive.org/ and to check out if your species appears on the Red List see http://www.redlist.org/. Anyone wishing to donate images can e-mail ARKive’s media research team – arkive@wildscreen.org.uk, or upload to www.flickr.com/groups/arkive using the tag ‘marine’. For more information about underwater photography visit http://www.projectaware.org/ and the 10 Tips for underwater photographers.

So far around 38,000 films and images have been given a safe-haven in the ARKive digital vault. More than 3,000 media donors are actively contributing to the project, from major broadcasters, film and photo libraries to conservation organizations and academic institutes, as well as many individual filmmakers and photographers. All media is donated freely on the understanding that it will be used as a resource for scientists, conservationists, educators and the general public, and not for commercial purposes.

Notes:

ARKive is a not-for-profit initiative of Wildscreen, a UK-based charity whose mission is to promote conservation through wildlife imagery - http://www.arkive.org/ .

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. For more information, see www.iucn.org/redlist.

Dive Borneo - Check out the New Video from Borneo Divers

2009-10-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video from Borneo Divers and see why PADI Diving Society is headed to Sipadan, Borneo in 2010.

PADI Diving Society's Ocean Safari is 24 June - 3 July 2010. Visit www.padi.com/borneo for all of the details.

Take Action during European Shark Week 2009:

2009-10-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

PADI and Project AWARE is urging all PADI divers to take action during European Shark Week 2009 by:

Signing the shark petition: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish
Downloading the paper version of the petition and help collect signatures in your dive centre or work place: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish

Sharing this information with your fellow divers, friends, family, and work colleagues
Posting a link to your website / blog if applicable
Making a donation to support Project AWARE
Upgrading your PADI certification card to the Project AWARE Limited Edition “Shark on a Reef” card

Your voice counts. Please help Project AWARE and the Shark Alliance promote shark conservation including urgently needed revisions to the EU finning ban. European Shark Week is a unique opportunity for European citizens around the world to demonstrate their support for shark conservation and effect urgently needed changes.

European Shark Week 2008 saw the collection of more than 100,000 signatures. This was a huge success for the Shark Alliance and more importantly for shark conservation not only in Europe but worldwide. Let’s make it even bigger this year to ensure European Fisheries Ministers follow through on the Shark Plan’s initiatives and truly safeguard sharks.

Thank you for your support.

Vote for your PADI Diving Society Photo!

2009-10-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all participants! Your response has been overwhelming.

In the past, images for the PADI Diving Society membership card have either been generated from PADI offices’ internal collections or they came from renowned underwater photographers. However, with the growth of Digital Underwater Photography, and more and more divers capturing their underwater experiences, we decided to do something different for 2010 and created a worldwide search!

View the top 10 finalists and vote for your favorite Society card image. Your vote counts! The final winner will be announced in November 2009 and will receive a certificate, global recognition, plus bragging rights!

Share this link with your friends. Voting closes on 30 October 2009 at 11am PST.

Did You Know?
Each year, the PADI Diving Society produces a limited-edition Society membership card. More than 175,000 Society members worldwide use their card proudly in PADI Dive Centers and Resorts to redeem their Society membership benefits.

PADI Diving Society keeps divers active by providing you with additional incentives while you continue your diving adventures, purchasing new equipment or going on more dive trips! More importantly Society members share one thing in common: the love of the underwater.

Want to enjoy Society membership benefits? JOIN TODAY!

Maldives President and His Cabinet Go Underwater

2009-10-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Maldives President and his Cabinet are going to meet underwater on October 17th and sign a document ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December calling on all nations to cut down their carbon emissions.

Read the full article.

Giant Stride for Sharks

2009-09-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

President of the Republic of Palau, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, announced today that the waters off their coast have officially been reserved as a shark sanctuary! Encompassing 230,000 sq. miles, this sanctuary will be the world’s first refuge for more than 130 species of sharks that frequent the waters near the island of Palau.

With an increasing number of threatened species, acts of conservation like this are the key to maintaining a healthy underwater environment. Check out the Palau Shark Sanctuary’s blog for more details on this recent announcement.

Wedding on the Great Barrier Reef

2009-09-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

PADI Instructor, Martin Edwards married his bride, Thassanee, onboard the luxury diving vessel, SeaQuest.

July 16, 2009 turned out to be a perfect day for the wedding, which took place on a trip to Norman Reef – located 90 minutes out of Cairns in Queensland. Local celebrant, Nicola Beulke, had prepared their unique wedding ceremony in two parts commencing on the bow of SeaQuest. Thassanee dazzled in a traditional handmade Thai wedding dress her parents had sent from Thailand. The captain, Greg Brooker, gave her away.

For the second stage of the ceremony, Thassanee wore a beautiful white wedding gown, also handmade in Thailand - sent from her sister, Sumarlee. Over this went her scuba gear and still looking every bit as stunning alongside Martin, they took the plunge together from SeaQuest to 15m below.

Captivating divers on the way to “Troppo’s Lounge” dive site, they exchanged wedding rings and signed the Certificate of Marriage. Martin recounts, “The dive was great fun, seeing the expressions on other divers’ faces when they came across us underwater made the day...for everyone.”

Martin is a passionate diver, inspired by the early TV series, Sea Hunt and later, Jacques Cousteau underwater documentaries. He considers himself fortunate to have shared with a diverse range of people what diving and the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

But when Martin first met Thassanee, swimming and diving were not pastimes she was into. “14 months ago Thassanee couldn’t swim and was scared of the water to say the least, so many things were - and still are - new to her”, says Martin. “With the help of excellent PADI Instructors from Deep Sea Divers Den in Cairns, her confidence and competence grew.”

Thassanee is now a certified PADI diver and recently completed her 100th dive.

“Coming to Australia has been a big thing for me and my family, so many things are different here”, relates Thassanee. “Martin wanted me to make up my own mind as to whether I would learn to dive. All of the crew were very helpful and supportive. Now I love diving and I am learning how to take underwater photos as well”. Martin adds, “Going out on SeaQuest is the highlight of our week, we enjoy working with the rest of the crew, each other and diving together. It seemed natural that we would share our commitment whilst doing something we both enjoy.”

Please join everyone at PADI in wishing Martin and Thassanee a long and happy life together and many more wonderful diving experiences on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.

Photo’s courtesy of Lauren Sando, Vili Baleilevucha and Greg Brooker.

What's Your Ocean IQ?

2009-09-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Do you know what four marine resources make the ocean important to life on earth? Or if humans have seen much of the ocean? Test your knowledge in this 10 question quiz from the Life on an Ocean Planet textbook.

Take the Quiz Now!...then leave a comment on how you did!

EUROPEAN SHARK WEEK 2009 SHARK ALLIANCE, PROJECT AWARE AND PADI join forces

2009-09-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

PADI would like to draw your attention to this year's European Shark Week, 10 – 18 October. Most European shark populations are declining from overfishing. This event is a unique opportunity for shark advocates and European citizens around the world to demonstrate their support for shark conservation and effect urgently needed changes.

PADI and the Project AWARE Foundation have been members of the Shark Alliance for many years contributing to the coalition’s great successes for shark conservation. Project AWARE is a member of the coalition’s Steering Committee since 2009.

The Shark Alliance currently counts 72 members and is more than ever before committed to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving shark conservation policies.

At the beginning of 2009, the European fisheries ministers debated over the European Commission's Plan of Action for sharks and adopted it thanks in large part to support from Shark Alliance Members including PADI divers and Project AWARE supporters who took action during last year's European Shark Week.

European Shark Week 2008 saw the collection of more than 100,000 signatures. This was a huge success for the Shark Alliance and more importantly for shark conservation not only in Europe but worldwide.

Let's make European Shark Week 2009 even bigger to ensure European Fisheries Ministers follow through on the Shark Plan's initiatives and truly safeguard sharks. This year's European Shark Week petition is calling on Spain's Prime Minister Zapatero (Spain takes over the EU presidency from January 2010) to promote sustainable shark fisheries management including urgently needed revisions to the EU finning ban.

Shark Facts:

Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year
Most European shark populations are declining from overfishing
1/3 are threatened with extinction
Even the world's fastest shark, the shortfin Mako, can't out-swim fishing fleets on the high seas
The lucrative market for shark fins is estimated to be increasing by 5 per cent each year
Restrictions on international trade are in place for only three shark species - basking, whale and white sharks
Europe includes some of the most important shark fishing nations in the world
In 1997, Spain reported the world's largest catch of sharks (followed by France, the UK and Portugal)
There are no limits on the amount of blue sharks taken in European or international fisheries

Runner Up for PADI's Go PRO Challenge Contest shares his story!

2009-09-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

Simon Bowen was a runner up in the PADI's Go PROChallenge Ratings Contest in Asia Pacific for 2008.

Here's his story.....

After doing most of my dive training up to Divemaster with a UK based PADI Dive club (Submission Scuba in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire), and realising the benefits of the excellent training that I had received there from both Darren MacNamara and Katy Bloor, it was important for me to ensure the final stages of my training as a PADI Instructor met the same criteria for me wherever in the world I was going to complete it. ·

I had already decided to finish my diving courses after months of being unhappy in my position as a Corporate Sales Executive for a major UK national organisation, and now it was a matter of finding the right place on the planet for me to fulfil my dream of becoming a PADI Dive Instructor. I purposefully looked worldwide for a PADI IDC centre that had an excellent reputation and offered a quality IDC, as well as an internship that would allow me to gain invaluable work experience to hone my instructor skills in a busy environment.

I left my job and all things familiar in the UK in April 2008 to move to Koh Tao in The Gulf of Thailand. I had contacted a few friends in the industry concerning the strengths of the various businesses on the island, and decided to go with Bans Dive Resort located on Sairee Beach. The two Course Directors, Jonas Samuelson and Tim Hunt, were both extremely helpful with regular email contact prior to my arrival, and I was able to utilise my “free diving for life” offer that came as part of my IDC package to further my Divemaster skills, guiding groups of fun divers, and sitting in on Divemaster Trainee lectures prior to the start of my IDC with them.

This proved to be invaluable, as there are structured and scheduled lectures in all areas for Divemaster Trainees, and also regular skills circuits in the pool, to fine tune your skills presentation and knowledge to IDC standard. All of this vital preparatory work is given freely, and you start to meet some of the Senior Instructors within the business, who are more than happy to answer questions and assist in any way they can.

Then in July came the IDC. I was told that Jonas Samuelson was a highly awarded Padi Course Director prior to coming here, but to see him in action confirms this completely. Tim Hunt (Course Director) has the most amazing presentation skills ever, and is able to hold your interest in all areas of the IDC constantly. I found this combination of people awe inspiring, and made me personally strive for the best that I could achieve. There is a lot of information to assimilate on an IDC, and these people made it that much easier for me and the others that I studied with. After passing my mock IE exams, and with all of the study that had been done in the previous weeks, I was certain that I could pass my Instructor Exam with flying colours, and qualified with high scores in all areas

With this vital phase now out of the way, and as a qualified Instructor, I then went onto the Ban’s MSDT Internship program. This course enabled me to teach Padi Specialties, which was again hosted by the resident Course Directors. Some people feel totally confident when they leave the I.E. as a qualified Instructor to start teaching immediately. I wanted the benefit of teaching in a busy environment that I was not likely to experience anywhere else in the world, alongside seasoned instructors that had been working at Bans for between 5 and 12 years. This has proven to be a great decision, and I am sure that I am a far better and more confident Instructor than I ever could have been without this invaluable experience.

I have been able to watch some brilliant instructors at work first hand and benefit from all of their differing teaching techniques and individual styles. I now have the Instructors ask me what parts of the course I am assisting on that I would like to teach! I regularly instructed large groups of up to 25 people in the classroom theory sessions, and up to 8 people in Open Water. All of this has come about because I have done back to back course instruction in one of the busiest dive centres in the world.

I have also had the pleasure of certifying over 200 students during this time personally, something that not too many businesses can offer potential instructors. I feel that I have gone from a good instructor to an excellent instructor as a direct result of this program. I believe that you will not gain this experience – with all of the problems that you see, all of the solutions that are offered, along with a wealth of excellent skills and technique resources to draw on from a team of brilliant instructors – unless you do an internship with a world leading instructional

So what happens from here for me? I sit my Staff Instructor rating this year and then Staff my first IDC to count towards my Master Instructor rating in two years time. I am then off out to the big wide world, armed with all the experience that I have amassed since the end of April last year at Bans, to find a company that wants what I have to offer the world of diving.

And the good news? I know that the intense instruction and training that I have received over the 6 months I was in Koh Tao has made me an all but bullet proof dive instructor, and that I am totally ready for that challenge.· · · Simon Bowen

POSEIDON - THREE GENERATIONS OF DIVERS

2009-08-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

I don’t know too many people that want to go diving with their boss, but at Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises in Port Douglas the crew are always looking for an excuse to take a Sunday off and go out on a play day. Sundays are the day that Poseidon owner Peter Wright heads out on his weekly dives. Why are the crew so keen to go? Well, Pete has a bit of influence, so when he’s on board there is always the possibility of a few exploration dives, drift dives and the chance to visit diving sites less frequented by other divers.

Peter Wright started diving way back in 1958 in Mombasa, inspired by diving legend Hans Hass and was certified in 1988 as a PADI Divemaster. For over 28 years, Pete has owned diving charter vessels in Far North Queensland including the liveaboard 'Scheherazade' from 1981 to 1994, which ran extended dive trips to the Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea, many of them exploratory. For the last 15 years it has been on the daily Agincourt Reef charter boat “Poseidon” running out of Port Douglas. Pete has built a reputation within the local community of offering reef trips at exceptional standard for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef.

With over 45 different dive sites to choose from, both snorkelers and divers are catered for and for those visitors who just can’t get enough of the Reef - there’s a huge variety of dive sites on offer.

Poseidon is a true family business. Pete’s eldest daughter Shelly is a formidable freediver and regularly joins the diving group above the water for adventure drift snorkelling along the outer reef walls. Shelly’s husband, Neilo is a PADI Instructor and commercial diver and has spent years skippering at the helm of Poseidon.

On some of those early liveaboard trips while on working holidays - Pete’s youngest daughter Katrina learnt to dive as a teenager and now with husband Steve, owns and operates sailing vessels, Sailaway and Shaolin. Both vessels visit the World Heritage Listed ‘Low Isles’ (a coral cay) on daily snorkelling and sailing charters. Diving, snorkelling and sailing are in the blood!

But on July 11th, 2009 the third generation of the Poseidon family earned their stripes. Pete’s grandson David Munro, (Shelly and Neil’s eldest son) at age 13 went through his paces with Poseidon Master Instructor, Heidi Taylor and completed his PADI Junior Open Water certification. David grew up spending many Sundays on the boat with the family, snorkelling and freediving and learning about the Reef.

The day after David achieved his certification happened to be a Sunday - so the first dive of the day saw three generations of the Poseidon family jump in together to do a drift dive at Agincourt Reef.

How many people can say they go diving with their dad and grandpa at some of the best dive locations in the world!

For more information about diving the Great Barrier Reef with Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises visit http://www.poseidon-cruises.com.au/

Photo Credits: Oak Beach Productions.

Society's Photo Contest Continues

2009-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

You’ve spent all summer diving, or possibly sorting through your underwater images from past dive trips. What’s next? A scrapbook of images? Or possibly choosing the best photo for your family holiday card? Or how about entering an underwater photo contest?

PADI Diving Society is looking for the next Society membership card photo and it could be yours!

Each year, the PADI Diving Society introduces a limited-edition Society membership card. In the past PADI offices have used photos from our own collections or invited renowned underwater photographers to provide striking images. However, with the growth of Digital Underwater Photography, and more and more divers capturing their underwater experiences, PADI Diving Society decided to do something different for 2010 and create a worldwide search!

Judges from PADI will select three regional winners. Each PADI Diving Society office will then submit their regional winners in the 2010 Member Card Online Voting Contest. Voting will be open to everyone in October– look for opportunities to vote on this page, MySpace and Facebook pages.

The final winner will be announced November 2009 and will receive a certificate, global recognition, plus bragging rights!

How can you participate?
Submit up to three photos of your best underwater or diving lifestyle photos as high resolution images minimum 300 dpi; in a horizontal digital image in proportion to 9.56 x 6.4cm or 3.75 x 2.5 inches.

How to Submit Your Entry:
1. Email all entries (maximum of three photographs) to your affiliated PADI Diving Society office with subject header: 2010 Society membership card entry. – Society office details below
2. Include your name, mailing address, contact number and Society membership number, if applicable.
3. All entries must be accompanied with a signed Photo Release document.

To find your local office- visit http://www.padidivingsociety.com/ and look for the 2010 PADI Diving Society membership card icon or link. Or find your office below!

PADI Americas/ Sport Diver Readers:
Visit www.padi.com/societyphotocontest for details or email aja.smith@padi.com

PADI Asia Pacific/ Scuba Diver AustralAsia Readers:
Click here for more details or email padidivingsociety@padi.com.au

PADI International/ Sport Diver UK Readers:
email pds@padi.co.uk

Drop Zone Tahiti Debuts on Fuel TV

2009-08-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

Drop Zone Tahiti Rides Media Wave into 33 Million Households

Epic surf and dive adventure captures attention of Fox Cable Network’s Fuel TV channel.

On 20 August 2009, more than 33 million households will watch perfect waves meet ideal dive conditions as Drop Zone Tahiti debuts throughout the US on action sports channel, Fuel TV. Produced by PADI, Body Glove and Sport Diver magazine to attract Gen Y members to diving and PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, the film captures the adventures of three pro surfers and friends – Alex Gray, Holly Beck and Cheyne Magnusson – as they catch the best waves and explore Tahiti’s breathtaking reefs.

“Drop Zone Tahiti’s debut on Fuel TV – the only action sports cable and satellite network in the US – is great news for PADI Members and the dive industry,” says PADI Americas’ Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Valette. “The cable network’s exposure strongly supports the goal of this effort, which is to cross market the two closely intertwined sports and encourage members of the surf community to check out what lies beneath the waves.”

Owned by media giant, Fox Cable Network, Fuel TV pipes the lifestyle and culture of skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle motocross, and wakeboarding into millions of homes throughout the US every day.

“The film’s prominent positioning in the action sports arena represents a major coup for diving,” continued Valette. “All divers know a great dive is a huge adrenaline rush; but it’s often difficult to convey the action behind the rush on film. Drop Zone captures it all -- the adventure, the rush and the lifestyle of diving – and shares the adventure with action sports cultures around the world.”

Drop Zone first premiered during the DEMA Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and continues to air at consumer shows throughout the United States, as well as at dive, travel, eco and adventure shows internationally, including Italy, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and the United Kingdom, to name a few.

Catch the television debut of Drop Zone Tahiti, airing on Fuel TV on 20 August 2009:

Summer = Family Vacations

2009-08-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

"Give them a week they will remember forever"

When I was younger my parents took my sister and I on family vacations. We’d go on a cross-country drive from California to Florida to go to Disneyworld, or skiing in Mammoth or relaxing on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, my parents always made a point to take family vacations.

As an avid scuba diver, I’m looking forward to taking my own family on vacations... We’ll explore the underwater world in Palau, dive and ski in Australia and snorkel with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic. My parents showed me the importance of taking family vacations, whether it’s a road trip or scuba diving expedition, its significant part of growing up - traveling with family.

I’m definitely looking forward to participating in a Kids Sea Camp adventure. Since I don’t have kids of my own yet, and I’m anxious to go, I may just have to borrow my cousins!

Check out the 2010 Kids Sea Camp Calendar.

Don't miss out on 2010 early booking discount! Send your deposit before Aug 15 2009 and receive a 10% discount on 2010 Kids Sea Camp week!

Contact Margo@kidsseacamp.com
http://www.kidsseacamp.com

Leave a comment:
What is your most memorable family vacation or where are you and your family headed to next!?

PADI eLearning - Now Available in 7 Languages!

2009-07-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

Check out the different languages now available for the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online:

-English
-Spanish
-German
-Japanese
-French
-Italian
-Dutch

See what PADI eLearners have said regarding their online experiences:

"I will certainly use the PADI eLearning system again! It was at my pace, concise and easy to understand. I can’t wait until I get to move to the next level!”

“PADI eLearning was such an enjoyable experience. I am much more apt to continue my diver education due to availability of online courses. With my work schedule, classroom courses would be very hard to attend on a regular basis. Thanks for the opportunities!”

You can now also sign up for the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course online and the PADI Enriched Air Diver course online.

More from Mandy

2009-07-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Making the dream, reality.

March, 2009

After a week long trip filled with incredible diving in Roatan, Honduras with my good friend Wing Man I decided that this would be the place that I would finally put the wheels in motion. I was going to do it. The economy had gone to the dogs in Toronto and it was now or never. What better way to ride out the struggling economic state than by packing up and taking off to a tropical island to become a PADI Scuba Instructor?! Hard part over, my mind was set. I won’t lie, what came after was not all that easy, the packing, the lugging, the government offices, the paperwork for healthcare, insurance and the tedious job of selling my car and getting out of my apartment lease BUT I was moving to a tropical island!!! OK, ok, ya, I was terrified. I knew no one, I was leaving all my loved ones behind, I would have no income, and I might even have to live on pb sammies for a little while but again…..um…DIVING OFF A TROPICAL ISLAND!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!! *insert happy dance here*

AOW in my PJ’s??

Thursday July 2^nd, 2009

There I was 2 days before leaving Toronto to fly down to Roatan, Honduras. With my OW under my belt I had to complete my AOW next. I sat there brewing my morning tea and wiped the sleep from my eyes. I hopped back under the covers and turned on my laptop. Off to the PADI website I went, signed into my account and began the theory section of my course. It was unbelievably easy to navigate from section to section gathering the knowledge I needed and completing the quizzes. I breezed through the deep dive, navigation, boat diver, wreck diver as well as the other courses needed to complete the AOW. Each section came with detailed information, photos and quizzes to insure that I was learning what I needed to know. I had planned to do it over a few days but as I sat there I couldn’t seem to drag myself away. 5.5 hours and still in my pj’s, I had them all done!!! I couldn’t believe it! I will admit that my mind had been stuffed like a fully loaded baked potato but we all know how delicious those are with all the fixings! I would totally recommend it to anyone. At the end it provides you with a print out that you then bring to your dive centre so you can complete your actual AOW dives. Bottom line, it was a perfect way to spend my morning.

Look boss the plane, the plane!!!

July 4^th , 2009

4am, the taste of a well deserved goodbye party still on my breath, and butterflies in my stomach that were celebrating a much overdue plan. I picked up my bags and headed to the airport. My 6am flight was on time and everyone seemed as excited as I was to be there. The flight into Roatan went well and when I stepped off the plane I was greeted with a heat I had not been prepared for! It was like a slap in the face and I instantly wondered if I had brought enough deodorant. The dive centre that I had made my arrangements with was waiting for me. I hopped in the van and headed to West End to settle into my new digs. The West End Hotel is simple, clean and perfect and will be my new home for the next 6 months. I couldn’t have been happier to see that it had air conditioning, as I’m sure I lost half my body weight in sweat in the short ride from the airport. I unpacked my things and decided to brave the heat and walk over to my dive centre. Sueno Del Mar Dive Centre is about a 7 min walk from my hotel along the only road in West End. It’s made of sand and my flip-flops were like 5-year-old kids flapping against my heels. Once there (after a short stop for a very large bottle of water) I met the owner Ray and the instructor Stuart who will be doing my course. I decided to give myself one day off before starting my AOW dives so I could lay on the beach and get used to my new surroundings so I booked my first AOW dives for Monday. If I had to sum up this day in one word it would be “STOKED!!!” Oh, and by the way, I had a pb sammy today. ;)

Enriched Air Diver Course NOW ONLINE!!

2009-07-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Great news! The most popular PADI Specialty course - Enriched Air Diver – is now available online. With the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course Online, your can complete the knowledge development portion of the course on your own time and at your own pace. This innovative new program provides a dive-computer only option, which simplifies the learning process and allows you to get back in the water sooner.

Visit the PADI eLearning page to start today or get more information about the online course.

Introducing Guest Blogger Amanda (Mandy)

2009-07-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

In the beginning stages of our social media endeavors we were contacted by a soon to be diver that had been captivated by our industry. She was eager to get certified and ready to move to a far-off location and live the dive-life. As life tends to get in the way, her travels were postponed.

Now, just shy of 3 years and an Open Water Diver Course later, Mandy has packed up and moved to Roatan, Honduras. She will be featured on our blog as regularly as she can get internet connection. And through her stories, we will hear first hand how the scuba diving industry can transform lives.

To give you a little history on Mandy’s story, we are re-posting some of her personal blogs going back to decision day.

Friday, September 08, 2006 Realization

I arrived at Pearson International Airport in Toronto at about 4pm August 12th, 2006. After a 6-hour delay and an 8-hour flight from Europe, my now fuzzy slippered teeth were in great need of a good toothbrush. I rummaged around my bag to find mint-flavored lip-gloss...that would have to do the trick for now. I collected my backpack from the conveyor belt and headed toward the exit. I pushed my way through the crowd of people waiting for loved ones and worked my way outside. There I was greeted with the sounds of car horns, people arguing over taxis and the stench of rotting pollution in the mushroom colored sky...*sigh* I'm home. After about an hour trying to find a cab that didn't want my first born in return for taking me home, I jumped into the backseat of a lovely town car and made myself comfortable. The ride home was horrendous. How is it possible to sit in traffic that doesn't move on a Saturday afternoon?? Where are all these people going? I closed my eyes and nodded off. I'm not sure what happened for the next couple of days...seemed a bit of a blur due to the fact that I was jet lagged and seemingly still hung-over from my vacation, however, I do know that a good teeth cleaning was had as soon as I got into my one bedroom apartment.

Monday morning...the worst of all days....I awoke to my screeching alarm clock and dragged my sorry butt out of bed at around 7:30am. As if in a trance, I got dressed, put my face on and trudged out the door. Not to my surprise I was greeted with an hour stuck in rush hour traffic. Once at work I moved to the kitchen like a zombie and poured my morning tea. To my desk I went...the chain was waiting. As I sat down I could see the chain from my desk wrap around my ankle and I swear I heard it say something to the effect of "Mwuh ha ha...I have you for another day" By about noon my morning caffeine buzz had worn off and I was daydreaming. How nice it was to be in Europe. They really know how to live. Here in North America you are lucky if you get 2 weeks vacation and you definitely live to work. I mean really, I do like my job and have been a graphic designer for about 10 years now. But as I looked around at the surrounding beige walls I had no idea whether it is sunny or if my car has been taken hostage by a tornado due to the lack of any windows. I am forced to wonder if there is something more... It was then that I realized something had to change...

Friday, September 08, 2006 The PLAN

After adjusting to jetlag and the ever so familiar monotony of my day job, it was time for a new plan. How could I find a job that would allow me to wake up every morning with the sun on my face and a skip in my step as I raced to work to start the day? I turned to the biggest source of information I could find...the internet. I Googled "jobs in the sun", "dream jobs" and various things of that sort on my lunch break. It was then that I stumbled onto the life of a scuba instructor! How perfect?! I mean, at first I would have to uproot myself from my life as I had known it and delve into something completely different. I won't lie, it was a scary thought. I mean, I'm 29 years old, my mother would have a heart attack when I told her and what would I do with my cat? I continued to research. It was then that I found the PADI website. They made diving sound like the dream that I wanted and something inside me fluttered with excitement. This was it. This was what I was going to do. Period. The plan consisted of the following: 1. Sign up for my Open Water course. I mean really, I should at least see if I like it before running into my boss screaming "I QUIT!" 2. Do my first open water dives in Dominican Republic on my Christmas holiday with my family. 3. Find an internship to work my way up to my PADI instructor’s certification 4. Pack my bags, sell my car, put my material things in storage, QUIT MY JOB, kiss rush hour traffic goodbye and head off to explore my new life. Decision made. Now to put it in motion....

PADI Forms New Partnership with The Underwater Channel

2009-07-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

A new partnership between PADI and The Underwater Channel, which is powered by Babelgum, will help bring scuba diving and ocean conservation video content to a much wider audience. Visit www.padi.com/scuba/video to see some of the terrific videos. The Underwater Channel has shown their commitment to the diving industry and the future of our world’s oceans. You can now view many exciting and inspiring films both about the sport of scuba diving and marine conservation. One of PADI’s newest films, THE DROP ZONE, which is sponsored by PADI, Body Glove and Sport Diver Magazine, will now also be distributed to a much wider audience.

Who travels in a recession? I do, I do!!

2009-07-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

For most people, a recession means you reprioritize spending. You tend to eat in more often, you only buy the two for ones at the grocery store (or even revert back to college days where you can sustain off of cereal and soup), you shop the clearance racks and/or ride your bike or walk everywhere.

Not me! I’m going on a dive trip! Everywhere you look there are deals on flights and affordable trips to anywhere you want to go around the world. With the stress of daily life on top of the US economy, my husband and I are taking advantage of the lowest travel prices in years and taking a second honeymoon. What could be better than getting away for a few days, descending on a colorful reef, getting back to nature and de-stressing?

Some of the great offers I’m referring to:
• Super discounted trips to Mexico
• Great exchange rates in Fiji and Australia (at least dollar exchange rates)
• New flights being introduced – Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Bonaire

PADI Travel Network has been on top of the latest travel specials to all your favorite dive destinations. If you are planning on getting away, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort or contact PADI Travel Network today.

Ten Great Reasons to Join PADI Diving Society

2009-07-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

Discover new adventures and dive buddies with PADI Diving Society. As a member, you’ll enjoy more than $94,500 US in special offers. All offers are posted to PADI Diving Society's online benefits directory. If you’re not a Society member – join today and take advantage of these great ways to save.*

1. Interested in digital underwater photography? –Enroll in a PADI Digital Underwater Photography Specialty course and receive up to $100 US back from Olympus USA and SeaLife Cameras.

• Purchase Olympus underwater products and receive a $50 or $100 US rebate.
• Receive $25 - $100 US back from SeaLife, with the purchase of a Digital Camera Kit.

2. Enjoy more than $200 US of savings from participating liveaboard dive boat operators. Select Liveaboards from the drop down menu.

3. Save on your next car rental from AVIS Worldwide – Society members receive special rental benefits throughout the year.

4. Take 15 percent off your next stay with Choice Hotels® at more than 5000 participating properties worldwide.

5. Traveling to Mexico? Receive an a free five day equipment rental package or two free night dives, with purchase, from Dive Paradise in Cozumel, Mexico. Look for other offers from PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in Mexico.

6. Take 15 percent off from Sport Chalet when you purchase any regular BCD, regulator and computer or gauge from locations in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah, USA.

7. Bring your dive buddy for free to Florida Underwater Sports in Sarasota, Florida, USA, when you buy a PADI Enriched Air Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy or Night Diver Specialty course.

8. Thinking about becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver? Save $250 AU when you take the Master Scuba Diver Challenge at Abyss Scuba Diving in Sydney, Australia.

9. Buy one PADI Specialty course and get one free when you complete your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or Rescue Diver course with Nautilus Diving School in Cyprus, Turkey.

These are just a few of the 700 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts worldwide offering savings on dive training, travel and more. Join PADI Diving Society so you can enjoy savings from your local dive center or resort - visit www.padi.com/pdsbenefits.

And one more great reason to join PADI Diving Society

10. Enjoy additional savings, information on dive gear and travel from PADI Diving Society Member-only publications; Sport Diver, Sport Diver UK, or Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine.**

Don’t wait – join today and discover your dive life.

*Some rebates and savings valid only for residents of the United States and Canada. See the terms and conditions for each offer.
**Magazine publications vary by region

What image would you like to see on your certification card?

2009-06-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

As the Limited Edition Wyland Cards are quickly running out of stock, we'd like to find out what you'd like to see on the next Limited Edition Cards. Are you into sharks? divers? artwork? Post your opinions to let me know!

World's Largest Floating Dump

2009-06-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Before I worked at PADI, the environment used to be the furthest thing from my mind. Throwing cans in the regular trash and using plastic bags was a normal and regular thing for me. Then I started working here. There were separate bins everywhere for recyclables and filtered waters for using cups rather than plastic bottles. Project AWARE would show videos of the long term effects of plastic on the ocean and its sea life. Being environmentally friendly not only became easy, but a priority. So, needless to say, now I try to pay attention to my actions in the environment and their long term effects. I also receive emails and alerts regarding the ocean and environment. Recently, with the discussion of the UN possibly banning plastic bags, there has been more attention to the Ocean’s trash problem and the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch. Many people are unaware of what the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch is. I know I was. The Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch is a patch of floating trash that has floated thousands of miles to make up several islands and zones of trash in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of plastic bags, bottles and other consumer goods. This causes seals, sea turtles and other sea life to get caught up in it and drown. When looking up the garbage patch, I saw some devastating photos. Photos of sea turtles caught in plastic and masses and masses of debris floating in the water. http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/what-is-the-great-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch. There was information as to what caused this and what a huge effort it would be to clean up. So, in short, I write this to draw attention world’s lack of knowledge of environment and the effects that has had on the ocean. If we all join together to change just a couple of daily habits and educate those around us of their actions, we can make a huge difference. Don’t wait for the UN to ban plastic bags. Do it yourself. Buy reusable canvas bags and bring them to the stores with you. Whenever possible, use cups, not plastic bottles, and when you have to use them, please recycle. If you’d like to find other ways to help and protect the environment, visit the new Project AWARE blog at http://projectaware.wordpress.com/ And if you have any environmentally responsible tips that you’d like to share with us, please do!

Project AWARE Foundation - NEW Blog

2009-06-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Project AWARE Foundation has launched a new blog to keep you up to date on all underwater conservation activities. Check it out at http://projectaware.wordpress.com/