The Dive Master Training course officially began with an introduction to the three Instructors who will each be managing a team of three. Justyna is in my group, along with 19-year old Bianca who only just started diving a few months ago and is planning to go all the way up the ranks.
I must admit that the Dive Instructors are all very young, yet very professional. They are fit and enthusiastic, and all maintain a high degree of professionalism. I remind myself that they know many things that I don’t and have huge admiration for them. The majority of Dive Master Trainees are the “Blue Shirts” who have been interning at Coral Divers for the past few months. A couple of them are fresh out of school. The three 30+ trainees are called the “Externals”, but we are all getting along fabulously.
After a couple of class sessions we all hit the pool for fitness training. This included a timed 400m swim, a 15-minute water tread with hands out the water for the final 2 minutes, and an 800m snorkel (that’s 80 lengths of their bigger training pool). I’ll admit that as someone who has been rather sedentary since my SE Asian travels, I was surprised that I managed to get reasonable times that count as a pass!
The following week became quite repetitive, with half day class, half day pool sessions, as well as evening studies. That includes weekends. 7am to 5pm, day in day out. There are 24 skills that you get scored on during these pool sessions. I would say that the most challenging one was having to swap equipment with a fellow diver while remaining neutrally buoyant underwater. If your head kisses the surface or a fin tickles the pool floor, then it’s F’s for you! It took a number of tries before getting that right…
The evenings are generally very pleasant after a day of training. Coral Divers is a mix of resort-seekers and serious divers. Many people come and go, and many just choose to lay by the pool, drink, and have the odd fun-dive or snorkel, but it’s generally quite vibey. The Blue Shirts doing Dive Master Training have their own staff quarters, but at the main outdoor restaurant, I overheard one conversation between a father and son (who must be around 15 years of age).
“My boy, while you are here, just learn as much as you can. If this is something that you really want, then I will pay for everything. Ask what the best gear is for you and go all the way if it feels right.” Bless.
We don’t know what’s next or when we will actually be diving in the ocean again, but I believe a Dive Master Training exam is coming up.
Next: Coral Reef Mapping Like Fish in Water!
Previously: Rescue Diver Achievement Unlocked
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Hi Galen, having started my career in conservation at Sodwana in 1974, I can confirm that you are living in a unique paradise at the moment. Sodwana in those days was a very remote, very isolated place. Scuba diving had not reached there. I got to know Coral Divers in later years and it ranks with the best as far as I am concerned. I have eaten there often, have used their facilites while escorting journalists on sea turtle excursions along the beaches at night. You have chosen well. May great good fortune attend you there!
Thanks Jeff. That’s wonderful to hear! It’s great that Sodwana has grown in popularity while maintaining it’s status as a Marine Protected Area. The reefs are in pristine condition, and I haven’t seen a single piece of litter anywhere. Such places are always at risk of decline due to over tourism and increasing popularity, but you can feel the strong sense of community here – comprised of people who truly care.