Diving in Indonesia
February, 2013 Girl Power on PADI IE at Gili Trawangan
January 2013 finished on a high note for 4 new PADI Instructors, Silvia Peter, Jenna Barnham, Sian Williams and Signe Damgaard when they successfully completed their Instructor Exam on Gili Trawangan, Indonesia on 31st January.
And a rare occasion it was indeed. Not only were the four candidates female, but also the PADI
IDC Staff Instructor, Donna Gallagher; PADI Course Director, Ayala Cohen; PADI Regional Manager, Emma Hewitt and Manager Trawangan Dive, Sarah Best. Right from the start PADI Instructor Examiner, Danny Dwyer could hardly believe his luck!
"To be honest, I was a little apprehensive before the Instructor Development Course started,” says PADI CD Ayala Cohen, “but from day one it was a wonderful experience. To have four women from different countries and backgrounds working to help each other achieve a goal was an amazing thing to be part of."
Following on from the IDC and IE, the new instructors were happy to share their recent experiences..
PADI Instructor Sian Williams explains, “Mastering classroom work such as physics and physiology was always a challenge at college but school is somehow a little easier when you are living on a tropical island!” The best thing for me was the group of lovely girls I met during the IDC, and Ayala, the Course Director. Everyone was happy to support and help each other, whilst having a hilarious time in the classroom and in the sea. It was the best experience ever and so satisfying knowing what we all accomplished. Ayala’s teaching was amazing and helped all of us reach our full potential.
To focus on one single subject for three whole weeks from morning ‘til night time was somewhat of a challenge for me” adds PADI Instructor Silvia Peter, “but I enjoyed being with an awesome group with good team spirit. We had an amazing Course Director and IDC Staff Instructor: Ayala and Donna. Thanks for everything, I had the best time!
“The biggest challenge for me, says PADI Instructor Jenna Barnham was defeating myself - I am my own worst enemy when it comes to stress. Whenever I had problems preparing or studying, I would get super stressed out, usually over nothing as well! The IDC was close to what I had expected but the IE certainly was not! It was actually fun. Either way, we were all happy with everything we had done and accomplished and the IDC/IE was somewhere in between taking forever and being over way too fast!
So look out dive industry!”
Congratulations to the 4 new PADI Instructors at Trawangan Dive, Gili Trawangan!! GO GIRLS!!
Photo Caption - Left to Right: Manager Trawangan Dive, Sarah Best; PADI IDC Staff Instructor Donna Gallagher; PADI Instructor Silvia Peter; PADI Instructor Jenna Barnham; PADI Regional Manager Emma Hewitt; PADI Instructor Sian Williams, PADI Instructor Signe Damgaard, PADI Course Director Ayala Cohen and PADI Instructor Examiner, Danny Dwyer.
Are you interested in becoming a PADI Instructor? Visit padi.com to find your nearest PADI IDC Centre. PADI Members in Asia Pacific certified more divers in 2012 than any year in PADI’s history. 2013 is a great time to be a PADI Pro.
Diving in Indonesia
February, 2013
AquaMarine Diving – Bali continue to develop local PADI Divemasters
Following the success of their 2012 initiative, AquaMarine Diving - Bali is again conducting an 11 .png?n=4121 "Khotaman at Tulamben Bay, Bali")
Month Divemaster Internship for Indonesian citizens.
The program provides training from PADI Open Water Diver through to PADI Divemaster (professional level) and the opportunity to work side-by-side with AquaMarine's experienced Instructors and Divemasters. The interns have the opportunity to develop the skills and experience to become an outstanding dive guide, both above and below the water.
The 11 Month Divemaster Internship for Indonesian citizens is just one of many initiatives that AquaMarine uses to "give back" to the local community.
AquaMarine has accepted one applicant for 2013 - Khotaman from South Sumatra joined the program at the beginning of January. While Sumatra is not known for diving, Khotaman's interest in marine biology and conservation led him to apply for the traineeship. Khotaman has previously worked as a Volunteer and Freelance Surveyor for a USA-based NGO (Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia) and as an Assistant Instructor with a canyoning centre near Bedugul, the mountainous area of central Bali.
Khotaman has already completed his PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced Open Water courses, and is well underway with his Rescue Diver training. As part of his AOWD training, Khotaman completed all available electives - not just the three required by PADI - thereby gaining extensive dive experience.
"This is the best opportunity for me to be a professional diver and I wish to develop diving and marine conservation in my homeland, South Sumatra", Khotaman.
Diving in Indonesia
January, 2013
AquaMarine Diving – Bali, farewells 3 Indonesian Divemaster Interns 
At the beginning of 2012, AquaMarine Diving in Bali began an 11 month Divemaster Internship for Indonesian citizens. Ismail (from North Sulawesi), plus Dede and Gede (from Bali) completed the program from PADI Open Water Diver to Divemaster certification and went on to build their experience working alongside the experienced AquaMarine dive guides.
Dede is visiting Australia and is very excited about his first overseas trip, Gede is returning home to Amed to work and Ismail has decided to remain in Bali as a dive professional.
Annabel Thomas, founder and owner of AquaMarine said: “It was very satisfying to see Ismail, Dede and Gede build their skills and confidence over the 11 month program. I believe it is very important for dive operators to be contributing to the community and building the local dive industry. This program is one way in which AquaMarine can give back to Bali”.
AquaMarine Diving is offering the program again in 2013.
Diving in Indonesia
November, 2012
Indonesia World Underwater Photo Contest (IWUPC) 2013
PADI is proud to support the Indonesia World Underwater Photo Contest 2013, the largest and most prestigious underwater photo contest ever to be held in Indonesia by The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia.
Taking place from January to November 2013, the IWUPC 2013 is the first photo contest to be held nationwide in Indonesia and is open to entrants of all skill levels.
Contestants will submit their entries through “Participating Dive Operators” and all Dive Operators in Indonesia are invited to become a PDO. Registration of Participating Dive Operators is required - please see PDO Rules and Regulations.
To enter the contest - which is free of charge - divers must dive with a Participating Dive Operator (PDO). You can choose the PDO based on the area where you want to dive. To choose the area, please use the search area on Participating Dive Operator page.
With 6 Underwater Categories and 1 Conservation Category, the contest also invites entries from non-divers and Junior divers under the age of 15 years. All images submitted must be taken in Indonesia between 01 January and 30 November 2013.
To view detailed Rules and Regulations for entry - please visit the IWUPC website
PADI encourages all divers to enter IWUPC 2013. Have fun with your photos and happy snapping - we wish you all the very best of success!
October, 2012
Diving in Indonesia
Successful development of local PADI Divemasters in Bali
Early in 2012, three young Indonesian citizens commenced their 11 month Divemaster Internship with AquaMarine Diving - Bali. Dede and Gede, from Bali, and Ismail from Sulawesi, were assigned individual Senior PADI Instructors to act as their mentors during their training. The interns have completed the programme from PADI Open Water Diver to Divemaster certification and are regularly guiding AquaMarine guests.
Ketut Suarta, Senior PADI Instructor, said "I am happy to see young Indonesians become Divemasters. When I was young, I had a mentor and now I can help others to become DMs."
On 16 September, the AquaMarine staff gathered to celebrate the company's 13th birthday and on that occasion Dede, Gede and Ismail were presented with their PADI Divemaster certificates. Annabel Thomas, owner of AquaMarine, commented "It was wonderful to have everyone together to celebrate the 'boys' receiving their certificates. You could see how proud the Interns were to become PADI Professionals and how happy all the AquaMarine staff were for them. This DM Intern Programme for Indonesian Citizens provides the opportunity for AquaMarine to contribute to our local dive community. We plan to conduct a similar programme in 2013."
Dede, Gede and Ismail are building their experience as Dive Guides and continue to benefit from the opportunity 
to work with AquaMarine's dive staff.
AquaMarine Diving – Bali are seeking two candidates for their Divemaster Internship Programme in 2013. The deadline for applications is 4th November, 2012.
The basic criteria for candidates is
Be available for an Interview at AquaMarine in Bali
Minimum age, 20 years
Must speak English
Must be Indonesian
Must be a strong swimmer
Able to socialize with tourists
Pass a medical examination
For more information on the programme, please contact Annabel Thomas at AquaMarine Diving, Bali, email: Annabel@AquaMarineDiving.com
October, 2012
Diving in Indonesia
Miss Scuba International 2012 – Bali, Indonesia 
Miss Scuba International was held for the very first time in 2011. There has been many a beauty pageant held in the past, many embracing great causes, however none yet have focused on our oceans. Life on Earth as we know it today began with our oceans. Thus, the organisers of Miss Scuba International decided that it was time that an event such as this is produced to celebrate, not only, the inner beauty and courage of today’s modern women, but also to simultaneously advocate worldwide marine conservation.
The Miss Scuba International Organisation was founded by Mr Robert Lo, who is also the proprietor of the Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART) and Mabul Water Bungalows in Malaysia and as such is a strong believer in sustainable development within the realms of our marine environment. He hopes that by sharing the beauty and wonders of the underwater world via women who are beautiful, it will enable more people to understand how fragile our oceans are and how much more we all need to play in our individual little roles to make a big difference to protecting it.
The winning delegate of the Miss Scuba International competition undertakes a year of ocean conservation campaigns to educate, and inspire the desire in all of us to do our best to safeguard our oceans. The pageant will also offer her a unique and comprehensive platform to launch her career and personal development. 
Additionally, the aim of the organisation is to promote safe diving practices through worldwide professional training organisations, and elevate international tourism and cultural appreciation. As people travel to far off destinations to dive, they also learn to appreciate the cultural diversity that makes our world such an interesting tapestry.
Although this is the first endeavor in such an event and a gamble, the organisers are hopeful in garnering support from those who are determined to see our Oceans - and thus this Earth - survive for many more generations to come.
The next Miss Scuba International 2012 pageant will be held in Bali, Indonesia on 30 November with contestants from 20 different nations.
More information regarding the pageant can be found at www.missscuba.com or http://www.facebook.com/MSIInt or you may contact billietan@missscuba.com.
PADI Asia Pacific is a supporter of Miss Scuba International 2012.
September, 2012
Diving in Indonesia
Minni Vangsgaard, PADI Platinum Course Director and owner of Crystal Divers in Sanur, Bali, was recently featured
in Bali Expat – a bi-weekly magazine for expatriate readers - in their regular ‘Meet the Expat’ feature.
Click here ›› to view Minni’s interview with Bali Expat’s Editor in Chief, Angela Richardson.
March, 2012
Diving In Bali, Indonesia
11 Month PADI Divemaster Internship for Indonesians
AquaMarine Diving in Bali recently offered local Indonesians the opportunity to be part of an 11 month PADI Divemaster Programme.
Bali’s three Indonesian Divemaster Interns joined the centre at the beginning of January 2012. Dede, Gede and Ismail are now PADI certified Advanced Open Water divers and are already preparing for their Rescue Diver course. The Interns' programme is structured so that they dive at all of the sites around Bali, exploring in depth and detail, ready for the day when they are conducting trips as PADI certified Divemasters.
Annabel Thomas, owner of AquaMarine Diving in Bali explains,
"I am delighted with the progress that each of our young interns has made in just two months. Day by day, week by week, the young men are learning new skills. Each intern came to us with different skills and different personalities and it is thrilling to see them blossoming as divers and individuals. As the interns join our team on dive trips they are not only building their dive skills and knowledge of
the sites but also learning how to take care of guest divers, both under and above water."
Dede, Gede and Ismail are now preparing for their PADI Rescue Diver course which will be conducted at the end of March, before continuing on to their Divemaster course.
Dede, Ismail and Gede at Nusa Penida. "This is the best thing that has happened in my life!" Dede
