Screw university, diving is way better

Corina joined the team at Trawangan Dive a few months ago, after doing her PADI Divemaster and PADI Instructor Development Course with us. As well as being a semi-permanent fixture at any party at the Irish bar, she’s also keeps guests entertained with her quick humour and funny stories. We love her to bits and hope she never leaves!
 
Tell us about yourself Corina..

Young, sexy, big boobs, nice bum. That kind of sums it up!

Quite! Ermm.. anything else?

I’m from Switzerland, I’m 21 years old and I speak English, German, Italian and a weird local dialect called Romanch. There are only 15,000 people that speak it. So super useful.

How did you end up on the island?

I was on a bus in Bali at 6am and I met Sarah one of the dive instructors at Trawangan Dive. She seemed really friendly and she knew I was on my way to Gili Trawangan. She basically dragged me to the dive shop.

Had you been here before?

No. But I heard about it from a best friend who visited it two years ago. It sounded like a lot of fun.

How long have you now been here for?

Since May last year .. almost one and half years.

What made you decide to stay?


I originally came to do some fun dives. But Sarah, with her great sales technique, sold me the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. After one week and lots of diving, I tried to leave. My boat and flight to Singapore were booked. After a big night out at a snorkel test, and a little encounter with one of the Divemaster trainees, I was ready to leave, bags packed and everything. I paid my bill. But Adam, Sarah’s boyfriend and also a great salesman, told me to stay and to do my PADI Divemaster.

A group of friends at the dive centre then created a pros and cons list on the whiteboard. The pros list for staying was much longer (of course) and so I decided to stay. The boat, by that point, had left anyway. I crawled back into my room and started my PADI Rescue Diver course the following day. The course lasted ten days because I was in no rush and it was so much fun.

Do you remember your PADI Divemaster course or is it all a blur?!

At that point, my English wasn’t so great and it took me a long time to read the books and study for my exams. My mentor helped me though. Otherwise, it was great fun. I learnt so much and did almost a hundred dives during the course. This was invaluable for when I became an instructor.

Did this mess up plans you might have had at home?

Totally. I was meant to study Geography. I went home after my Divemaster course. I was depressed and cried a lot and I didn’t want to see my friends. I started university but quit two weeks later because I couldn’t be bothered. My heart wasn’t in it. I booked a one way ticket back to Indonesia with the intention of staying for a few months.

And then you did your PADI Instructor Development Course!

Admittedly, I was a bit of a star student because I had done my PADI Divemaster training at Trawangan Dive and all the others had done theirs at different dive centres. It made me realize what a high standard we have here.

What was your diving experience before coming to the island?

I did my PADI Open Water Diver course when 14 in Egypt. When I arrived on Gili Trawangan, I had about 20 dives. As well as Egypt, I’d also dived in Australia and Turkey.

What are you doing now?

Sitting in the office all day and drinking coffee!

I occasionally teach but my main job is now Marketing Manager. I’m responsible for administration of the accommodation at Trawangan Dive. I organize bookings, and travel arrangements for people and make sure all of the rooms are looking lovely.

What are your plans for the future?

Taking over the world. Why not! I’m staying for a while. It’s very difficult to leave. I hope to teach some more. Party some more. Find a rich husband. You know, what every girl dreams of…

If you'd like more information on how to follow in Corina's footsteps, please contact us!

This article originally appeared on www.idc-gili.com.

 

Protecting our reefs for generations to come

 
Trawangan Dive is proud to be hosting part of the 2012 Biorock training workshop. It will bring professional coral restoration experts and lecturers into the classroom to engage participants in all aspects of coral reef restoration using the definitive Biorock method.
 
Coral reefs are the rainforests of the world’s oceans. Just like their earthly counterparts, they occur in tropical and sub tropical environments and support a huge variety of species. They are also diminishing at an alarming rate.

Decline of the Great Barrier Reef

A study published just a few weeks ago revealed that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years. Researchers analysed data on the condition of 217 individual reefs that make up the World Heritage Site. The results show that coral cover declined from 28.0% to 13.8% between 1985 and 2012. They attribute the decline to storms, a coral-feeding starfish and bleaching linked to climate change.

Asia’s Coral Triangle is also under threat 

Another report has warned that more than 85 percent of reefs in Asia’s Coral Triangle are directly threatened by human activities such as coastal development, pollution and overfishing. Launched at the International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns, it said the threat was substantially more than the global average of 60 percent and urged greater efforts to reduce destructive fishing and run-off from land.

“When these threats are combined with recent coral bleaching, prompted by rising ocean temperatures, the percent of reefs rated as threatened increases to more than 90 percent,” the report said.

The Coral Triangle covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, The Solomon Islands, and East Timor and contains nearly 30 percent of the world’s reefs and more than 3,000 species of fish.

Marine biologists are trying reverse the trend

Marine biologists across the world are desperately trying to protect our remaining reefs. Some are building repositories of the known coral species so that future generations can at least get to see them in aquariums. Others are constructing artificial reefs in areas of significant damage.

Biorock method yields quick results

The biorock method was developed by architect and marine scientist Wolf Hilbertz and marine biologist Tom Goreau. They found that by running a small electrical current through a structure in seawater, a hard shell of calcium carbonate would form on the cathode. You could then attach small pieces of natural coral to the structure. The corals seemed to love these substrates, achieving growth rates often five times faster than normal.

Gili Trawangan – a paradise under threat

Gili Trawangan is one of three tiny coral atolls off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia. It is increasingly a compulsory side trip to any Bali holiday, thanks to its white beaches, diving and snorkelling sites and absence of motor vehicles.

The Gili Islands are dependent on a healthy marine habitat for their fisheries, tourism, shore protection and marine biodiversity. This habitat has been largely damaged by combinations of coral heatstroke, disease, storms, global sea level rise, over-fishing and direct physical damage from destructive fishing practices, boats, anchors and tourists.

Without large-scale restoration of degraded habitats to make them capable of supporting larger fish and shellfish populations, there will be fewer fish in the future.

And without healthy growing corals, there will be fewer beaches or tourism income, affecting all business owners on the island.

Tourist attraction

“Right now we around 60 biorock structures around this island,” says Delphine Robbe. “By the end of this year, we should have one hundred.” Since coming to Gili Trawangan in 2005 with a plan to get her PADI Divemaster certification, this Frenchwoman has become the driving force behind the island’s many eco programmes.

Besides stimulating biodiversity, the Biorock structures also combat beach erosion, which became a serious problem with the destruction of the natural reefs. Increasingly, they are an attraction for tourists too. Divers and snorkelers can now see underwater sculptures of a manta ray, trident, dolphin, turtle, octopus, snake, moon and even a komodo dragon.

2012 Biorock training workshop

Gili Trawangan is proud to be hosting the 2012 Biorock training workshop. It will bring professional coral restoration experts and lecturers into the classroom to engage participants in all aspects of coral reef restoration using the definitive Biorock method.

Workshop sessions will cover all aspects of theory and practice including design, construction, installation, monitoring, maintenance and repair of Biorock sites. Additional lectures will cover the basic principles of coral reef ecology, threats to coral reefs, and environmental restoration.

Over the course of the seven day workshop, participants will have the opportunity to use their knowledge as they plan and invoke all the steps involved in constructing, deploying and populating Biorock structures with coral fragments.

After accomplishing the Biorock workshop, certified PADI instructors can apply to PADI to be able to teach the PADI Distinctive Specialty: Introduction to Biorock process.

If you’d like more information about the Biorock workshop and ways in which you can combine the course with PADI professional courses, please contact us at Trawangan Dive.

This article originally appeared on www.idc-gili.com.

Thinking about becoming a PADI professional?

Pick up any diving magazine or surf the web for dive related websites, and you’ll find lots of images taken in exotic destinations combined with interactions with aquatic life. In certain people, this often stimulates the dream of working full time as a dive professional.

There are few professions in the world where you can spend a Monday morning commuting to your work place on a boat, enjoying beautiful weather with customers who admire you for the job you do.

You’ll never forget your first breath

Most divers never forget their first breath underwater during their initial confined water training. For the majority of scuba participants, the entry level certification opens a whole new world. For some, it creates the dream and goal of becoming a scuba diving professional.

Build your self esteem

Scuba diving is a sport that builds self esteem and improves physical fitness. It also creates an environmental awareness and shows individuals how to make a positive contribution to the aquatic world.

Unlike many other sports, scuba diving is non-contact, three-dimensional and multi sensory. The competition is with each individual to better themselves as a diver, not over others. Whilst many divers enjoy the silence and serenity of the underwater world, scuba diving is also a very social activity and fosters camaraderie amongst participants and leads to lifelong friendships.

You’ll make a positive difference 

As a scuba diving professional, you get to make a positive difference to other people’s lives and to the environment. Whether an individual seeks scuba instruction to learn about the environment, as a self fulfilment goal or to challenge themselves, you become a facilitator and help them dive safely and have enjoyable experiences.

The PADI system of education

The PADI system of diver education has some of the most comprehensive educational products. It’s a system that enables the instructor to work more on individualized instruction as most students are free to learn at their own pace.

This allows for you as the instructor to focus on individual needs, remediation and delivering the course in a fun and effective manner.

These materials can be used anywhere in the world to teach a standardized course. However, the instructor will need to adapt each course to the local environment and culture, which is something you will be taught to do.

Work wherever you choose

PADI instructors can choose to work part or full time in tropical resorts or local dive centres. Many instructors also have their own full time jobs and work in their spare time or weekends as either freelance instructors or through a local PADI dive centre.

In the resort environment many instructors enjoy teaching on tropical islands in warm waters on beautiful coral reefs with an abundance of fish and other aquatic life. It’s obviously this dream lifestyle that motivates many individuals to switch careers.

Join the tribe – become a PADI Divemaster

There are different methods of completing the Divemaster course; it can be done through a local dive centre, on a part time basis, either interning on classes or via practical simulated training components. Many candidates choose to take time out and intern on a program over several weeks in the tropics, and get real world hands on exposure whilst training.

Take the plunge – become a PADI Instructor

The next step after the PADI Divemaster course is to enrol in either the PADI Assistant Instructor course, or the complete PADI Instructor Development Course.

To have the best chances of employment within the dive industry, and to make a reasonable pay, then the instructor rating is a logical progression after the Divemaster course.

What you can teach

As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you can conduct introductory programs such as Discover Snorkelling and Discover Scuba Diving, and certification courses from the PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver and the PADI Divemaster course.

It is also possible to teach specialty classes such as Enriched Air/Nitrox, Digital Photography, Deep, Wreck or Fish Identification upon taking a specialty instructor class or with sufficient experience.

Sounds amazing! What’s the catch?

PADI instructors seem to have the dream job. They get to work in exotic locations, they dive for a living, they interact with nature, and their students look up to them like heroes. In addition, they get paid for all this.

But teaching requires a special set of skills including patience, adaptability, open mindedness and basic business principles in customer service and marketing.

Often, the job of a PADI Divemaster or instructor has long hours. It can require the person to truly multitask and there may be significant periods without days off.

However if you talk to an instructor at the end of a bad days work, the majority would not swap it for anything else in the world.

It’s not all about the money, money, money

Whilst the job may not have the highest pay scales and most instructors do not work solely for money, the pay can be enough to allow good savings after a season. This could be used to finance a flight to the next destination, purchase new equipment and reinvest in additional training, or simply to bank.

If wealth could be measured in job satisfaction, then PADI instructors would probably be the wealthiest professionals on the planet, and with a life they could look back on with the biggest of smiles.

Branch out and discover new avenues

Many instructors work for a period of a few years teaching recreational classes then advance into more senior positions.

Friends who I have worked with now hold prominent positions in the scuba diving industry – from working as PADI Regional Managers, to owners of live boards, to PADI Course Directors. Others own or manage dive centres and resorts, and some specialize in technical diving and exploration.
When I think back to the career path I had originally chosen, in international financial institutions, I never for one day regret my choice – where it has taken me, the people I have met, and the memories I have.

If you'd like more information about the courses we offer at Trawangan Dive, please contact us.

This article originally appeared on www.idc-gili.com.

Gap year diver rocks the world

Trawangan Dive’s BioRock Distinctive Specialty Course attracts divers from around the world who want to work on a long-term project with a beneficial environmental impact. It is also a very popular choice for many gap year students. One of our latest arrivals is Pippa, from the UK. She joined us a few weeks ago and has captivated us all with her stories, her diving skills and her professional attitude.
 
Tell us about yourself Pippa…

I’m an 18 year old originally from Hampshire, United Kingdom but I now live in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Yes, where the cheese comes from! I’m currently on my gap year before starting a BSc in Marine Biology with Oceanography at Newcastle University next year.

What made you come to the Gili islands?

I wanted to do something conservation and science-oriented in preparation for my studies next year. At a gap year event at my school, I met Ben from Gap Year Divers and he gave me some information about the Gili islands, Trawangan Dive and the BioRock specialty course. It all sounded so perfect.

I’ve been a diver since completing my PADI Junior Open Water Diver at the age of 10. Since then, diving has been a big part of my life and I’ve had my sights set on becoming a PADI Divemaster for a long time.

In addition, some friends had been to the islands before and had amazed me with stories about the culture, the diving and the parties!

What are your first impressions of the Gili islands?

I’d never been to this part of the world before – this is by far the furthest east I’ve been. Everything is so different – the culture, language and cuisine – but you get used to it very quickly.

The Gili islands themselves are beautiful. In one word – paradise! They really are paradise islands, with white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and crystal clear seas. It’s great that there is no form of motorized transport allowed – it’s makes for a very peaceful environment.

Everyone is so friendly and I’ve felt very welcomed since day one. The locals are always smiling and greet you whenever you meet them, even if you’re just walking down the road. It feels a very safe place.

How are you finding it at Trawangan Dive?

It’s very much a home from home and I felt part of the team straight away. When we arrived, we were met by Adam, one of the managers, down at the harbour. He greeted us with a smile and a hug and then bundled us into a horse cart.

It only took a few minutes to arrive at Trawangan Dive and I have to admit I was impressed. It sits right on the beach, overlooking the crystal waters with Gili Meno on the other side of the channel. It looks professional, clean and welcoming. Which was a relief because you can never really tell from looking at pictures on the internet!

I’ve got everything I need here. The food at the restaurant is delicious and there’s lots of variety, from English breakfasts to Mexican fajitas and Indonesia rice dishes. The backpacker rooms are simple but clean. I’ve got a bunk bed room to myself so I have some privacy.

The diving side of things is very well organized and everyone works together as a team. There are so many nationalities working here – English, Scottish, Kiwi, Australian, Swiss, German, French, etc.

Tell us about your previous diving experience

My father is a scuba diver and as a family we go to Mauritius every year for our family holiday. I always really enjoyed snorkelling on the reefs and when I was 10 years old my father enrolled me in the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and even got to dive with a pod of wild dolphins on my last dive!

I also completed my PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver in Mauritius when I was 15 and then my PADI Rescue Diver course back in the United Kingdom. It was certainly a different experience! I did it at Vobster Quay, a quarry in the south of England. The water was cold and murky and there wasn’t an awful lot to see. I had to wear an 11m wetsuit which is neither comfortable nor flattering!

In addition to those places, I’ve also dived in the Red Sea and the British Virgin Islands.

You’re also a PADI Master Scuba Diver! Congratulations!

I’m pretty proud of myself because I worked quite hard for it. I did most of my PADI specialties including Night Diver, Digital Underwater Photography, Research Diver and Underwater Naturalist, at a company called Action Quest in the British Virgin Islands. In addition, I became an Enriched Air Diver.

How is the PADI Divemaster course going?

I love it! It’s really broadening my knowledge and giving me a whole new take on diving. I’m learning to look at dives and divers from a different perspective.

I’ve already been assisting on a variety of courses, from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses. Over the last few days I’ve also been given the opportunity to play the victim on a Rescue course. I’ve been getting a lot of the theory done and have already completed my first theory exam.

I really appreciate the mentor relationship and am learning a lot from Instructor Jo, but I also like that I get to work with all of the instructors. It’s interesting seeing how each instructor has a different style.

What about some of the cool things you’ve seen underwater here?

I saw my first ever shark at Shark Point the other day! We saw a total of three white tip reef sharks swimming in hundreds of circling jack fish and it was so cool.

There are loads of turtles on the dive sites which is brilliant because they are my favourite marine animal. You can’t go on a dive without seeing at least a couple of them.

I’ve also got to see lots of nudibranch that I’ve never seen before and I spent a good 10 minutes watching a cuttlefish lay some eggs the other day. Amazing!

Your BioRock specialty course is starting soon! Are you looking forward to it?

Absolutely. It’s a new concept that I’d never heard of before. Like most people, I’d heard about the decline of coral reefs around the world, and about coral bleaching and the warming of the ocean. I’d even witnessed this decline first hand having dived in Mauritius for so many years. So I became quite excited when I realized I could work on a project that is designed to combat these problems and help the reefs regrow. I can’t wait until we start building our own structure and then get to sink it and attach the coral. So exciting!

It goes without saying that the course will also massively benefit my university course and give me a lot of material and experience to share with others.

Where else are you going on your gap year?

I’m planning on heading back to Mauritius and I’m going to do my PADI Instructor Development Course with the dive centre where I learnt to dive. It’s like going full circle!

Once that’s completed and I’ve got some teaching experience, I’m going to go back to the British Virgin Islands as I’ve been offered a position as part of the dive staff at Action Quest.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

My dream has always been to work with the BBC on a series similar to the Blue Planet. I would love to be a research assistant on a program like that, making brilliant television while getting the chance to see nature’s wonders up close and for real. It would also be quite cool to make David Attenborough a cup of tea…

Best of luck with realizing your dream Pippa! 

If you’re interested in improving your diving skills and learning to become a PADI Divemaster or Instructor on a beautiful tropical island, get in touch with us at Trawangan Dive.

This article originally appeared on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses: www.idc-gili.com

Dive against debris

During the month of April, Trawangan Dive campaigned for sharks in order to raise awareness for their plight. Some of the activities we organized were screenings of Shark Water and various other conservations documentaries, a trivia night dedicated to Project Aware and lots of signatures were collected for this worthy cause.

This month, Trawangan Dive hopes to generate a similar level of interest in Project AWARE’s Dive against Debris campaign.

Since the beginnings of Trawangan Dive, we have organized cleanups to protect underwater habitats and marine species around the Gili islands. Historically, these have been a great success and help to address debris issues on a local scale.

But we realize that cleanups alone are not the answer. Now, in cooperation with Project AWARE, we’re introducing Dive Against Debris to our divers, a year-round data and debris collection effort to reduce the devastating impacts of debris each time we dive.

For the month of September, as well as a making a further donation to Project AWARE so that all of our students receive a special Project AWARE version of their certification card, we’ve also organized lots of exciting events:

• Once again our popular trivia night included an different observation rounds to increase awareness in a fun way
• We’ve been encouraging all divers to collect a least one piece of rubbish on each dive.
• Our PADI Course Director Ayala is offering free AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty to all interested instructors
• The debris we collect will be recycled and transformed into a land-based sculpture which will raise awareness of the volume of debris in our local waters.

Of course, at the end of the month, we’re going to use the Dive against Debris data card to submit information about all of the debris we’ve collected.

Join the movement, come down to Trawangan Dive and help stop the ocean’s silent killer.

Originally published on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses: www.idc-gili.com/dive-against-debris/
 

Save the sharks - AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Speciality Course

Sharks are crucial to marine ecosystems. They maintain a balance in populations of prey species and keep the ocean healthy by removing ill or diseased animals. They are an important resource supporting local economies through fishing and as an attraction to dive tourists.

Speciality Instructor Sarah Best (Right) with Roxy, Jill, Sian and Tom

But sharks are in global decline. Overfishing has reduced many shark populations around the world to levels that threaten their continued existence. Shark numbers have fallen by more than 80% in many cases and the continued existence of some species is at immediate risk in some regions.

The Gili islands are no different. Numbers of black and white tip reef sharks have dwindled over recent years due to destructive fishing practices including cyanide and dynamite fishing. In an attempt to reverse this trend, recent changes in legislation have created a marine protected area around the three Gili islands. In addition, the Gili Eco Trust has reached an agreement with local fishermen to designate legal fishing areas and appropriate methods.

Sian supporting Project AWARE

Last month, a group of shark advocates came together to study the AWARE Shark Conservation Dive Distinctive Specialty. Tom, Sian, Jill and Roxy, (who won the course at the AWARE quiz night in April).

The slides were accompanied by some clips from the movie Sharkwater which together produced some horrifying facts and figures, enough to reduce some of the group to tears.  It wasn’t all harsh information though; the slides included some tips on how to identify sharks, the evolution of sharks and pictures of many different species of our aquatic friends.

The first dive of the course was to Deep Turbo.  A dive site known for its amazing formations, healthy coral and changeable currents.  It used to be famous for regular sitings of white tip reef sharks and leopard sharks.  However the group was not lucky enough to see them that day.  We used it as an excuse to clear up some debris and take photos of fishing boats spotted in the marine protected area, which were photographed and reported to the government.

The second dive of the day was to Shark Point.  Donning the shark hats, we embarked on our mission, but again, no sharks were spotted.  A sad realization where two dive sites previously notorious for being home to many sharks are now home to far less, and encounters are becoming a rare treat.

In good news though, all of the shark hats survived the current and are ready for the next course!

Sian & Jill Diving at Shark Point 

The AWARE Shark Conservation Dive Distinctive Specialty is available at Trawangan Dive on request. It’s perfectly suited to those who are passionate about the aquatic realm and who want to learn more about the threats faced by our shark friends.

From above to below the waves

Angie first arrived on our doorstep over a year ago to complete her PADI Open Water Diver course. As a surf instructor near Perth, Australia, we knew she wouldn’t have any problems in the water. What surprised us was how addicted to diving she became. It didn’t take long to realise she had her sights set on going the whole way to PADI Divemaster.

So Angie, you’re pretty confident in the water. How come?

I guess so. I’m an Australian and I was born in the water. Literally. Dad had built a house and outside in the garden he installed a hot tub. And Mum gave birth to me in that. I guess it means I’ve always had a natural affinity to water.  My Mum says that I learnt to swim before I learnt to walk though I don’t remember, obviously. I know I had swimming lessons at age 4 but everyone did.  And to be honest, it’s not such an uncommon thing in Australia. The ocean is such a big part of our culture. We all live close to the sea and we all spend lots of time on the beach. It’s only natural that we should be comfortable in the water.

When did you learn to surf?

I was taught to surf by my Dad who bought me my first board at the age of 10. He used to write notes to my teachers at school so that I could get time off to go surfing with him! I soon became addicted to surfing and spent all of my free time on the beach.

How did you end up as a surf instructor?

When I finished school, I wanted to work with kids and the most obvious activity was to get involved with teaching them how to swim.  After six months, I travelled to USA where I worked in a summer camp with kids. I was an Outdoor Education leader and I took them hiking, canoeing and bike riding. Afterwards I spent some time travelling through the States and then I hung out in the UK for a few months. When I came home I studied to become an Outdoor Education teacher and it’s a job that combines well with working as a surf coach.

What made you take the plunge and become a diver?

I became interested in scuba diving because I was intrigued by the life that exists beneath the waves. As a surfer, I obviously tried to spend most of my time on the surface.
Also, I wanted a hobby that wasn’t my job. In the past, all my hobbies have ended up becoming work.

Why aren’t there more surfers that are divers?

In Australia, diving can be an expensive sport. Added to this, surfers can be kinda lazy. They are so used to just grabbing a board and heading to the beach, that the thought of having to rent lots of gear and spend time planning dives doesn’t interest them. I think there is also a common misconception that the training takes ages.

Why did you come to Gili Trawangan?

Like many Australians interested in surfing, I’d been to Bali many times before. I came to Gili Trawangan after a recommendation from a friend who had said the diving was really good here. I arrived and instantly began the hunt for a dive shop to do my PADI Open Water Diver course. I chose Trawangan Dive because everyone was nice and friendly. They weren’t at all snobby.

How did the Open Water course go?

We went to Meno Wall on our first open water dive and I remember being fascinated by all the fish and the coral. I was so mesmerized that I completely forgot to pay any attention to my Instructor, Adam. We had a gentle telling off during the debriefing!

What made you decide to return and complete your PADI Divemaster?

It’s a relatively cheap way to get lots of diving experience. When you do your PADI Divemaster course on Gili Trawangan, you get free fun diving. So by the end of the course, I’d managed to rack up more than 90 dives.

What was your favourite part of the PADI Divemaster course?

I really liked assisting on courses and seeing people’s reactions after the thrill of their first open water dive.

How did your snorkel test go?

It was hilarious! I was dressed up as a Care Bear because it was 80s night at the Irish Bar. The IDC finished on the same day so it was a massive party. After many years of training in University, I managed to skull the jug with no hiccups. I don’t really remember much of what happened later in the evening!

What do you think about Gili Trawangan?

It’s like being in Alice in Wonderland. It’s a beautifully weird place that sucks you in. The people are so lovely and the climate is perfect. Life is super easy here. Food and accommodation is cheap and the locals are really welcoming. Ramadan can be noisy with the mosque going non-stop all day. But you just accept it for what it is.

What’s the plan for the future?

I’m going to stick around for the rest of the high season and help out around the dive shop. I’ll be heading home for summer in Margaret River and I’ll no doubt carry on with surf coaching. I’ve no plans at the moment to complete my PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) but I’m not ruling out in the future. I just want to get a bit more experience first.

If you’d like to learn more about how to change your life and the path to becoming a PADI Divemaster or PADI Open Waster Scuba Instructor, check out our courses, our prices, or just contact us!

Originally published on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses including PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDC)

From fun diver to PADI Divemaster

Nina arrived on Gili Trawangan a few months ago and started diving with us here at Trawangan Dive.

First she did a few fun dives, then her PADI Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response (EFR) course and then decided to go all the way and become a PADI Divemaster. She blew us all away with her infectious laugh, her enthusiasm and high level of professionalism.

Tell us about yourself, Nina.
 
I’m from London, I’m 28 years old and I studied Interior Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. I finished my Masters degree in 2008 and had my sights set on becoming a Designer. Due to the financial crisis and ensuing recession, I ended up managing a bar in London!

In May 2010, I started travelling. I went to South and Central America for a year, then to Australia for a year and then back to Argentina for two months. Then I flew into Bali around May 2012 where I spent a couple of weeks and travelled to Lombok with some friends. I celebrated my two year anniversary since my departure from the UK on the Gili islands.

Were you already a diver before you arrived here?

Yes. I did my PADI Open Water Diver course in Koh Tao, Thailand in 2004. Quite a while later, I completed my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in Utila, Honduras in 2011. Then I did my PADI Rescue Diver and EFR courses here at Trawangan Dive.

What made you want to become a PADI Divemaster?

It was a pipedream from many years ago when I first became a diver but the real world got in the way. However, after a few fun dives on the Gili islands and after my PADI Rescue Diver course, I really didn’t want to leave. The perfect solution was therefore to start my PADI Divemaster course.

What made you choose Trawangan Dive as the place to do your PADI Divemaster course?

I made friends with all of the Divemaster Trainees when I was doing my fun dives and PADI Rescue Diver course and really liked the atmosphere at the dive resort. The island itself was also a big part of the decision. It’s a beautiful place. Although I’ve dived in some amazing places, I’ve never felt as comfortable or relaxed as I feel here. The island is so chilled and surprisingly, given its size, it doesn’t get boring. There’s always something to do, another party to go to and another celebration to be had.

What was the most challenging part of the course?

At the beginning, I was daunted at the prospect of having to guide divers around the dive sites here. Which is ironic considering that this is now my job! Also, I hadn’t really dived in strong currents before so that was an added challenge. Especially since it doesn’t depend on your own technique so much as the technique and ability of the divers you’re guiding.

What was the most enjoyable part of the course?

After so long travelling it was so nice to be learning something new. At the end of every day, I felt as though I’d achieved something. And every morning, I looked forward to new challenges.

What are your plans for the future?

No idea! We’ll see what happens! I’m going to go home in September but I’ve realized I could have a career in diving if I wanted. What’s fantastic about diving is that it’s not just about becoming a PADI Instructor – ultimately, there are so many other options such as conservation work, research, videography, etc.

Are you considering becoming a PADI Instructor?

At this point no, because I don’t want to teach at the moment. I’m too selfish and don’t have enough patience! However the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification can open a lot of doors and it’s often required for other areas such as research, so for this reason, I might complete the PADI IDC at a later date.

If you’d like to learn more about how to change your life and the path to becoming a PADI Divemaster, check out the courses we offer, our prices, or just contact us!

Originally published on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses:

http://www.idc-gili.com/from-fun-diver-to-padi-divemaster/

Our next PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) begins on 13th August

Do your PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) with the best!

Check out some of the reasons you should choose Trawangan Dive for your instructor level training:

• You’ll benefit directly from the real-world diving industry experience of our PADI Course Director. Ayala Cohen has many years of work experience as an PADI Instructor in Thailand and Indonesia. Ayala’s background means that she has experienced many of the situations you can expect to meet as an instructor. She shows you how to apply what you learn and handle successfully the challenges instructors face every day.
• You’ll become highly employable, worldwide. Dive centres seek instructors who know how to balance the needs of guests, colleagues and management, and who can deliver high-quality courses, sell and promote diving. Ayala will help you to develop and apply the skills that make you attractive to employers.
• You’ll gain teaching experience, by shadowing one of our staff teaching a PADI course. You see for yourself the practicalities of running a course, and make a smooth transition to teaching students of your own.
• You’ll benefit from Trawangan Dive’s IDC Staff instructors who will assist, advise and support you. They are ready to share with you their experiences of working in diving, and the challenges and rewards of being an instructor.
• You’ll enjoy the same high level of professionalism, high-quality facilities and friendly atmosphere that we offer to everyone diving with us. There is a maximum of six candidates per IDC group, allowing each to receive individual attention.

And if you're not convinced, how about some more reasons:

• We are the only PADI 5 star IDC dive resort on Gili Trawangan with a full-time PADI Course Director running regular IDCs.
• Our Course Director, Ayala Cohen, has enviable 100% pass rate.
• Our modern IDC facilities include an air-conditioned classroom with up-to-date materials, large visual aids, DVD players and interactive teaching aids. Our swimming pool meets all of the requirements for teaching PADI courses. We also have all the materials you need to conduct successful teaching presentations such as descent lines, lift bags, first aid mannequins and oxygen kits.
• Rental of all diving equipment is included. 5% off equipment purchases for IDC candidates.
• Our open water training site is located minutes away from the dive centre on Halik Reef, one of our most beautiful dive sites.
• Lunch is included on each day of the course.
• Extra workshops included, such as a Rescue workshop, Ascents/Descents workshop, CESA workshop, DSD workshop, Navigation workshop and Search and Recovery workshop.
• Emergency First Response Instructor, Enriched Air Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor are included.
• Course Director and IDC Staff Instructors are present at the Instructor Examination for support.
• Backpacker accommodation is included.
• Free wireless internet access is available.
• Travel and visa assistance provided.

For more information, please check out our new website for PADI professional courses at Trawangan Dive, or simply contact us!

How an Essex lad became a dive guru

Anyone who has been to a Trawangan Dive quiz night will be familiar with James, our quizmaster and one of the lead PADI Instructors at our dive resort on Gili Trawangan.
His story from office job to dive god is a familiar tale to many of us in the dive industry. At one point, we all decided to say goodbye to the usual nine-to-five in order to take a leap of faith into the world of diving. And just like the rest of us, James has no intention of ever going back…

What was your previous job?

After studying accountancy at college in Essex, I started my first job with a construction company in East London. I was 18 years old at the time, and I stayed there for 3 years. It was awful, really awful.
The daily commute was mostly spent sitting in someone’s armpit listening to some idiot chatting rubbish on his mobile. The late night’s journey home was inevitably on public transport, trying to avoid catching anyone’s eye in case they had a knife and an attitude.
To be honest, I hated England. It was cold, boring and it never stopped raining. If my family didn’t live there, I could happily never step foot in the country ever again.

Not your happiest moment then! So what did you do?

I saved up some dosh and booked myself on a six month trip around Africa. It was an overland trek in a bus with a bunch of other people who were disillusioned with the real world. It was my first trip outside of Europe so it was big eye opener. We started in Cape Town and I learnt how to dive there. But blimey, it was cold. The water was 13 degrees – we had to wear a 7mm semi-dry and I was still freezing! Despite this, it was an amazing experience and I continued to dive throughout trip.
Lake Malawi was my first taster of diving in fresh water. Lots of different fish and also different planning was required because it was also altitude diving. In Zanzibar I had my first dive in warm water and I couldn’t believe the change it makes. I saw loads of stuff – turtles and lots of different reef fish. In between, the trip included numerous safaris, white water rafting, trekking to see gorillas, etc. It was fantastic. And for six months, I lived in a tent and learnt how to make a fire, how to cook for the group and got in touch with my inner caveman!

Did you head back home at the end of the trip?

Absolutely not! When the trip ended I flew to Bangkok, Thailand and celebrated New Years Eve at a full moon party Koh Pha Ngan. Mental. After a month or so of partying in Thailand, I made my way to Borneo where I volunteered at a wildlife centre called Matang Wildlife Centre. This involved helping with the orangutans, helping to build enclosures and lots of trekking into the mosquito-infested jungle.

After that, I made way round the South-East Asia backpacker circuit including Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Singapore. I dived whenever I got the chance. In particular, Sipadan blew my mind. There was so much going on during each dive that I didn’t know where to look.

And then, did you head home?

Nah! I applied for a working holiday visa and headed to Australia. I’d always wanted to experience life down under. Rather than making a beeline to Sydney like everyone else, I went to Melbourne. I was worried that Sydney would just be London-on-Sea.
And for the first time in what seemed like ages, I got myself a proper job as an accountant again. It was the easiest way to earn some decent money. After all the travelling I had done, it was nice to enjoy some of the comforts of the developed world again. I had a good group of mates that enjoyed a drink or two, so every night was spent down the pub. And at the weekend, I would try to get away. On one occasion, I headed up to Cairns for a dive trip on the Great Barrier Reef, which was cool, but not really what I expected.

Did you continue your PADI education there?

Actually, it was on the way home that I stopped off in Malaysia and did my next course in the Perhentians islands. I had planned two weeks of chilling on sun-drenched, palm tree lined beach before heading back to the UK. But I was bored after a couple of days so I signed up for my PADI Rescue Diver course with Emergency First Response. It was a fun course with loads of people pretending to pass out underwater or drowning on the surface. I had to tow a fat guy for what seemed like miles. It was good workout.

Were you excited to be going home after so long away?

You would think so. But no, not really. Of course it was nice to see friends and family. But the main reason I went back was because I had run out of money, not because I wanted to return to office life.

Nevertheless, I did get an accounting job again. I figured it was time to grow up and stop running away from responsibilities.

After three months in the job, I realized I didn’t actually want to grow up so I saved up some more money to go travelling again and then quit my job! Again!

How did you find out about Trawangan Dive?

I did a Google search for ‘diving in Indonesia’ and the Gili islands popped up. I emailed various different dive centres and the reply from the manager at the time, Amy, was the quickest and the funniest. That’s all it took! I booked my flight the next day and a month or so later I arrived on the island.

What do you think of the Gili islands?

When I arrived, I was really pleased with my choice. It has the best balance of social life and diving of any island I’ve been to before. Sometimes you arrive in a diving destination and while they are picture perfect, there’s absolutely nothing to do in the evening.

If you don’t want to dive the Gili islands (which would be damn shame) you could still do lots of things – kayaking, sunbathing, snorkeling, horse riding, trek up a volcano in nearby Lombok, etc. Some girls even sunbathe topless so it provides the guys with a nice pastime between dives!

How was your PADI Divemaster Course?

I honestly loved every moment of it. I had Philip as my mentor and it stood me in good stead for the rest of my diving career. I assisted on lots of different courses from – Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver courses. Every Divemaster’s favourite is the assist on a Rescue Course – fainting, screaming, puking, bleeding, panicking! So many opportunities to channel my inner drama queen!

I’ve seen you in a fair few costumes since you arrived…

I do love a costume party! I’ve been dressed as Tarzan, a school girl, a go-go dancer, the Hoff, and many more besides. And who can forget the teenage mutant ninja turtles? That was for my snorkel test at the end of my Divemaster course – another mental night I can barely remember!

How did the find PADI IDC?

Ayala is an fantastic PADI Course Director. The two weeks went by so quickly because we were so busy. I was under the impression we would be locked in the classroom all the time, but there were so many workshops, we never seemed to be out of the water.

I think I surprised many (including myself) with my knowledge development presentations. My Essex accent is a constant source of amusement for the people I work with, but in the classroom presentations, apparently I changed my accent and became a polite Englishman speaking the Queen’s English. It’s never happened again since!

And what about the PADI Instructor Examination?

For my PADI IE, we went to Bali. The conditions were much different to those around the Gili islands. We had 5 metre visibility and raging current that made the open water presentations kinda challenging. In comparison to the other groups there, we seemed to be much better prepared and this showed in the final marks – I passed with flying colours!

And so you began your new life as a PADI Instructor…

When I came back I helped out doing some diving and then they offered me a position as a permanent dive instructor at the dive resort. Financially things are much easier now. I can make ends meet without having to dip into savings. In fact, I’m even managing to save a bit as well. I love teaching and the variety it brings. One day I’ll be conducting a Discover Scuba Diving session and the next day I’ll be teaching Deep Specialty or Enriched Air.

What are your plans for the future?

I really want to stay on the island long term and would like to invest some money in property at some point. The island is slowly getting busier as more people are venturing outside of Bali and there are lots of good investment opportunities.

Obviously, I’ll continue to work at Trawangan Dive as well though. This place really is home now. I’m going to continue hosting the weekly quiz night until I get thrown off it! It’s a good laugh. Some people commented the other week that it was the least serious but most entertaining pub quiz they had ever been to. Job done!

Originally published on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses:

http://www.idc-gili.com/how-an-essex-lad-became-a-dive-guru/

Meet Matt, the adrenaline junkie

As scuba divers working in the industry, we all like to think we’re living life to the max. There is a fair amount of excitement in our daily lives – a new dive site to discover, new marine life to marvel at, new conditions to master and obviously new students to teach. Each day brings challenges, fun and stories to tell at the end of it.

And then we met Matt and we realized that our lives were comparatively boring. He arrived at Trawangan Dive nine months ago and it was instantly obvious that he wasn’t your average guy. For a start, he jumps out of planes and off high buildings for fun. As a sky dive instructor and base jumper he really lives life on the edge. Give him a sport and he’ll master it. Motorcross, speed bike racing, Judo, Jiu-jitsu. He pushes himself to the limit in everything he does.

But in his previous line of work, there were many dangers. And after a few too many close calls and reminders that he was still very young, he left Canada to begin a different life. The plan was to travel the world but he got as far as his first destination, Indonesia, and was amazed by life here. And decided to stay…

Were you already a diver?

No. I arrived in Bali and headed to Sanur and completed my PADI Open Water course and PADI Advanced Open Water course. I knew from the first dive that I would take it further. How much further wasn’t clear at that time. But as always, whenever I start a new sport, I want to become the best at it. Diving was the perfect sport for me at this stage in my life. Done properly it has a calming effect. It’s like meditation. And the feeling of weightlessness is like flying but unlike skydiving, everything is a lot slower!

And then you came to the Gili islands…

Yes, I heard about the Gili islands from some people I had met in Bali. I planned to stay for three nights but when I arrived I instantly wanted to stay longer. I’ve realized since that this happens to lots of people! It ticks all the boxes of what people expect of a paradise island – no motor traffic, picture perfect beaches, clear warm seas, amazing marine life and happy people. Also, there’s enough happening on the island to not get bored and enough tranquility to relax. It’s the perfect combination.

What made you choose Trawangan Dive?

I visited many of the dive centres on the island but it was at Trawangan Dive where I felt the most at home. I spoke to all the Divemaster Trainees and asked them about how their course was going. It was obvious they were loving every minute of it. As a French Canadian, I was worried that I would have problems with doing the course in English. But at Trawangan Dive they have an English instructor who speaks fluent French after having lived in France for years and he reassured him he could translate where necessary. That closed the deal.

And so you carried on your education and completed the Emergency First Response (EFR), PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster courses. Which was your favourite?

I think the PADI Rescue Diver course was my favourite course. The course made me consider not only my own safety but also others. It expanded my awareness and taught me a whole new set of skills. It’s obvious why it’s a compulsory step to becoming a PADI Divemaster because it teaches you the appropriate response to such a wide range of situations, some of which you encounter when you start working with student divers. I can’t thank my instructor enough for his sharing his experience with me – his amusing stories, his insights into the psychology behind rescue situations and his commitment to proper technique.

What did you think about your PADI Divemaster course?

The PADI Divemaster course was a lot of fun! I learnt a lot about the dive industry and how it works. I took every opportunity to dive and logged well over 80 dives during the course. I improved my dive skills and learnt how to deal with customers whether they are students or certified divers. I realized that what makes me tick is helping people overcome fears. I love seeing their faces when they master a skill they were afraid of, such as mask clearing skills. It makes my day when I show new divers their first turtle or bumphead parrotfish. New experiences is what it’s all about.

And you worked as a Divemaster for a while. How was that?

Once I completed my PADI Divemaster course, I knew that I had to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. If I could have done it sooner I would have done. But I needed to be a diver for at least six months before I completed my PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). So I worked as a Divemaster in various places to get the experience. In retrospect, it was definitely needed as I learnt so much during that time. No matter how much studying you do or how much time you spend under the watchful eye of an instructor, you don’t really learn until you’re doing if for yourself, every day, with real customers.
 
How did you find the PADI IDC?

The PADI IDC was tough! Mentally it was exhausting because there was so much information to process. Ayala was firm but fair. She was very helpful, she really pushed us and she really prepared us well. Not only for the PADI Instructor Examination but also for the real world. It was obvious why she has a 100% first time pass rate.

How did you feel when you passed the PADI Instructor Examination?

I was so relieved and happy. I felt like I had achieved something amazing. I’d made my way up the PADI ladder and was able to teach another of my passions.

What’s the plan now?

I’m spending the next couple of weeks team teaching with the amazing instructors at Trawangan Dive to learn how they schedule courses. The quality of the instruction is so high that I can learn a lot from these guys. I already have a good idea about scheduling because I assisted on many courses during my Divemaster course. But now I’m obviously looking at things from a different perspective.
I am in the fortunate position of being able to speak three sought-after languages – English, French and Spanish, so I don’t think I’m going to have too many problems finding work. Especially when I’ve got some experience under my belt. And I’m working with Ayala to get my five specialties so I can become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer once I’ve got my first 25 student certifications.
And then we’ll see. There are so many amazing places to work as a dive instructor. I can’t wait to begin exploring the possibilities!

Originally published on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses:

http://www.idc-gili.com/meet-matt-the-adrenaline-junkie/

PADI Courses & Specialities at Trawangan Dive

Here at Trawangan Dive we offer a range of courses starting from beginners who have never experienced diving, right the way to Instructor Development Courses.

Discover Scuba Diving Program

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breather underwater. If you want to find out but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving will let you try scuba to see if you like it.

Discover Scuba Diving only takes half a day during this experience you will learn how to Scuba equipment first in our pool in shallow water giving you a quick and easy introduction into the underwater world. Once you know all the basics from the pool our Instructors take you into open water to 12 metre around one of many Gili Island dive sites. The Gili's has a lot to offer in terms of marine life! There is a high chance to see Turtles in the shallows, along with moray eels, Lion Fish, Bumphead Parrot fish, Angel Fish and so on!

Although the Discover Scuba Dive does not result in a certification you will receive a certifcate stating that you have participated and completed the program. If you wish to carry onto the Open Water Certification, you do so as it can count as one dive towards the Open Water Course in which you will then be certified to dive anywhere in the world up to 18 metres!

PADI Open Water Course

Looking for a new adventure? Been snorkelling but find that's not quite enough, or you have already completed the Discover Scuba Diving and loved it? Then the Open Water Diver certification is just what you were looking for. 

The course itself generally takes 3 to 4 days it consists of theory whereby you watch 5 videos and read the Open Water book and then complete the knowledge reviews . There is also 5 pool dive training sessions and 4 actual dives in the open water, the first two dives are to 12 metres and the second two are to 18 metres. Your Instructor will go through all the knowledge reviews with you, and they will take time to explain and elaborate on any aspect that isn't quite clear for you. You will learn about your Scuba equipment, how to set it up and check it, different aspects of safety in diving and how to behave under the water. During the training pool sessions you will be introduced to different skills that you will practice and then later repeat in the ocean during your open water dives. 

After finishing the Open Water Course the certification allows you to dive with a buddy, independently, up to 18 metres. You will be able to plan, conduct and log no decompression dives. 

Instructor Phil (centre) with his fresh Open Water Students

Advanced Open Water Course

As you carry on in your underwater adventure you will soon discover that it is more than just fun, there is also a wide range of activities and interrelated skills that are now within your reach, which will make you become a better more experienced diver!

To become a PADI Advanced Open Water you have to accumulate 5 "adventure dives" 2 of which are mandatory, Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation Dive. You then get to choose the 3 remaining adventure dives. This includes the list below:

Altitude | AWARE Fish Identification | Boat | DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) | Drift | Dry Suit | Multilevel-Computer | Night | Peak Performance Buoyancy | Search and Recovery | Underwater Naturalist | Underwater Navigation | Underwater Photography | Underwater Videography | Wreck | Nitrox | 

 The Advanced Open Water Course is a simple and effective way to gain new knowledge and increase your diving experience and confidence while having a lot of fun!

Dive Instructor Julius taking his student Barry on his Adventure Deep Dive to Shark Point

Rescue Diver Course

The Rescue Diver program will expand your knowledge and experience beyond the recreational level and is a lot of fun at the same time! 

Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. 

During the course you will cover:

-Self rescue & diver stress

-AED & emergency oxygen delivery systems

-Dive first aid

-Swimming and non swimming rescue techniques

-Emergency management and equipment

-Panicked diver response

-Underwater problems

-Missing diver procedures

-Surfacing the unconscious diver

-In water rescue breathing protocols 

-First Aid procedures for pressure related accidents 

-Dive accidents scenarios

This course gets you to look beyond yourself and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence, as it will give you an entire new prospect on the world of diving!

Instructor Phil with Rescue Divers Sacha and now Dive Instructor Julius

Diver Accident Scenario

Divemaster Course

Divemaster Trainees at Trawangan Dive

Just to qualify to enter the Divemaster course is an accomplish! It already shows that you have learnt a great deal through training and through experience. 

The Divemaster rating is where your adventure as a dive professional begins. If there is a common characteristic of a Divemaster it would be responsibility. The Divemaster is responsible for people, responsible for planning, responsible for orientation, and at some time, responsible for nearly every aspect of safe diving. 

The Divemaster Course consists of 3 modules:

• Knowledge Development 
• Water Skills and Stamina
• Practical application

Here at Trawangan Dive you will probably progress through all 3 modules simultaneously, based upon the course schedule you and your instructor agreed upon. Being one of the busiest Dive Resorts on Gili Trawangan, there is always a course to help out on and you will never be waiting for someone to come in! 

In the knowledge development you will cover 12 topics through independent study, projects and discussions. You will learn more about physics, physiology, equipment, skills and environment, decompression theory and the Recreational Dive Planner and how to use the PADI Instructor Manual.

The water skills and stamina has 2 goals:

• To develop and evaluate your overall water skills and stamina 
• To improve upon your existing scuba skills

You will complete timed swims and other exercises in confined water and you will refine your basic scuba skills. You will also refresh your rescue skills. 

The practical application allows you to learn and practice Divemaster skills by applying what you learn during the first 2 modules. 

You will begin by completing 3 required training exercises:

• A mapping project
• An underwater problem solving exercise
• Divemaster conducted programs training 

After the required training exercises you will have a chance to develop and practice Divemaster skills with actual student divers, under the direct supervision of your instructor. 

Once you become a certified Divemaster you are able to do:

• Work at local dive centres, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
• Assist PADI Instructors with students
• Lead PADI Scuba divers on guided dive tours 
• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers 
• Teach PADI Discover Snorkelling programs 
• Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
• Lead Certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences

We always have a lot of Divemaster trainees here therefore making the experience more fun and enjoyable both during the day and when out at night! The Instructors are always around to speak to if you require any additional information or support. We have a lot of experienced Instructors who can tell you about their own experiences and how to deal with certain situations. 

Divemaster Snorkel Test Celebrating completing the course!

Instructor Development Course


The Instructor Development Course (IDC) takes both Assistant Instructor Course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor Course and combines them with EFR Instructor Course for a full package. At Trawangan Dive we run the course over a 16 day period, where you will work with our Course Director Ayala Cohen and other staff members. We have a fun, professional and detail orientated way of guiding you through your training. The training focuses on helping you to organise and teach all PADI courses as well as the Project Aware Specialties. Your Rescue Skills are assessed and fine tuned, confined water skills are taught to presentation quality, and workshops are done on all possible Advanced Open Water Dives so that as a new instructor you are ready to teach as soon as the exams are completed and certification has been registered by PADI. As part of the IDC package we are now offering Nitrox and Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor specialities for free. You will just have to pay directly to PADI for the certification fee at a date of choice. 

Course Director Ayala marking Confined Water Presentations

There is not a great deal of self-study required for the IDC, having good diving skills its the key element, however, having a better understanding of Divemaster theory will be of benefit to you. During the IDC you will cover part of the theory form the Divemaster Course as well as more in depth information on certain topics, including physics and physiology. During the course two days are set aside to ensure each candidate has a full understanding of all topics.

Happy IDC candidates after completing the course!

For anymore information required about the following Courses please visit our website or email us. 

To keep up to date with all the latest happening at Trawangan Dive visit our Facebook page.