• The world-wide partnership will see diving products made available on Klook
• Klook is currently the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) in Asia Pacific collaborating with PADI
• PADI and Klook will give 33 lucky winners the opportunity to earn a scuba diving certification 

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) and Klook, Asia’s leading travel and experiences platform, today announced a world-wide partnership that will see PADI’s diving products globally integrated on Klook’s platform. Today, PADI has more than 7,200 diving products that span from certification courses, snorkeling, fun dives and more across the world. 

PADI is the world’s largest purpose-driven diving organization and Klook is currently the only OTA in Asia Pacific collaborating with the organization. Consumers can now book diving experiences in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, China and Singapore on the Klook platform, with more destinations to come online in the following months. 

Every year, about one million people go through the lengthy, detailed and technical process of planning a dive trip to get certified – from selecting the perfect dive site and haggling for dive packages to coordinating travel and no-fly times. The integration of diving products on Klook’s platform through API will help shorten a booking journey that could have taken days to just under 5 minutes. Consumers will be able to easily compare prices, check availability, read reviews, book and receive immediate confirmation – in a seamless way on one platform.

“Joining forces with Klook is set to simplify the journey to becoming a certified PADI Scuba Diver” says Manuel Kraemer, Vice President of Business Development for PADI Worldwide. “With 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in 184 countries worldwide and with more than 7,200 products already bookable online on PADI.com, our collaboration is poised for an exciting expansion. As we progress, this extensive selection will become available for booking on Asia’s leading booking platform. Today, on Klook, you can seek adventure and save the ocean on nearly any holiday destination around the world”.

With a willingness to spend more on experiences, specifically nature and outdoor activities, young Asian travelers will want to make the most of their vacation and seek to include experiences like scuba diving into their plans. In 2023, China, Japan and Korea recorded the highest number of new PADI certified divers in Asia. In 2024,  the Asia Pacific diving tourism industry is set to not only fully recover but exceed the market size in 2019, and as demand continues to grow, the region’s revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2022 – 2030.

Chuan Sheng (C.S.) Soong, VP, Corporate Development, Klook said, “We’re excited to announce this strategic partnership with PADI, and to bring greater access with a seamless booking experience to the diving community. There is tremendous enthusiasm and dedication for diving across Asia Pacific and we want to bring more joy to this community with our platform. At Klook, we continue to expand our offerings to create more exciting, unique and holistic experiences for our customers. This presents the perfect opportunity to inspire a completely new segment of travelers to the captivating beauty of the underwater world.”

In line with PADI’s mission to explore and protect the underwater world and Klook’s goal to bring the world closer together, PADI and Klook are launching UNIVER-SEA-TY, a pilot program to inspire newcomers to dive and give them the ‘fins’ to explore the magical underwater world. To kick start the program, 33 lucky winners will be given a chance to earn an Open Water Diver certification with PADI in their dive location of choice. 

There are three ways to enter the contest: 

• Via Tik Tok – Use the “Let’s Dive” scuba diving filter to take a video of yourself showing/telling us how much you want to dive 
• Via Instagram – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends
• Via Facebook – Comment on Klook’s post and share why you want to dive and tag 3 friends

Winners will be notified in December 2023 via the respective social media channels and receive an E-gift card to book their complimentary Open Water Dive Certification that they can redeem within the year. 

PADI Pros train with OceanShot partners for underwater coral reef panel at the Global Citizen Forum at COP28

PADI^®. is joining OceanShot co-founders for the historic underwater panel on positive ocean change at the Global Citizen Forum, which is taking place alongside COP28 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE December 6-7 2023. The first-of-its-kind underwater panel will dive deep on the importance for coral reef protection to elevate the urgent need for ocean action.

PADI’s CEO and President Drew Richardson will join Dr. Brosnan and Mr. DeJoria at the Global Citizen Forum’s first-ever underwater panel to purposefully descend beneath the surface in the hopes of calling people around the globe to positive ocean action and inspiring them to both explore and save the ocean.

OceanShot is a coral reef ecosystem restoration project co-founded by globally-recognized marine scientist and climate risk expert Dr. Deborah Brosnan, and global philanthropist, environmentalist and entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, launched in partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative uses technology that mimics the design and shape of natural reefs to restore coral and invite back marine life, as well as protect nearby coastal communities from storm surge and sea level rise.

Dr. Richardson is one of the most influential people in scuba diving and has transformed PADI’s mission to create a billion ocean Torchbearers^TM.  who are taking local action for global impact and united by a shared vision to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean.

OceanShot’s first living-lab hub, designed to be a place where innovators can test their technologies aimed at environmental protection, was deployed in Antigua and Barbuda. In June 2021, the Global Citizen Forum adopted OceanShot as one of its supported flagship initiatives. This year, OceanShot’s co-founders invited PADI as a partner in its world-class restoration model.

“Coral reefs are among the most ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems that drive our blue economy,” says Dr. Richardson. “Scuba divers can not only explore beneath the surface and fuel ocean change as Torchbearers, taking part in a range of meaningful diver citizen-science actions driving real results. As global citizens, we have the opportunity to be  changemakers that inspire more innovative and positive solutions for the health of coral reefs, the ocean and our shared blue planet.”

“We’re doing this work because our oceans need us and we need them,” says Dr. Brosnan. “Humans have mapped the human genome, landed astronauts on the moon, and in less than twelve months developed a viable vaccine to combat a global pandemic. It is time to focus the same attention on our oceans with bold, ambitious, and achievable initiatives.”

PADI recently conducted a special underwater training session with Dr. Richardson, Dr. Brosnan and Mr. DeJoria in preparation for the upcoming underwater panel in December where they will share their knowledge and passion for ocean conservation with the world.

To learn more about the first underwater panel at the Global Citizen Forum visit globalcitizenforum.org/ocean-shot/

OceanShot is managed and operated by Dr. Deborah Brosnan. For more information, visit https://www.deborahbrosnan.com/oceanshot.html

In response to the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii this week, PADI® is committed to supporting those in the scuba diving community whose livelihoods have been uprooted. 

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” says Drew Richardson, CEO and President of PADI Worldwide. “United above and below the surface of our shared blue planet, we stand together with the dive community to provide strength and speed in recovery efforts.” 

To help the local diving community in Maui recover, PADI has teamed up with the Ako’ako’a Foundation, creating a relief fund to directly assist members in Maui get back on their feet and in the water as soon as possible. 

The Ako’ako’a Foundation is based in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, whose passion and purpose is to unite the stakeholders of Hawaii’s nearshore marine environments and work together to create positive ocean change. 

Join PADI and the Ako’ako’a Foundation with your support of relief efforts for the diving community.  

100% of all donations to this relief fund will be distributed directly to dive professionals in Hawaii in need of recovery from the devastating fires. 

If you are an individual or business in Hawaii who wishes to extend or receive support, contact PADI Regional Manager Kyle Ingram at kyle.ingram@padi.com.

More information about Ako’ako’a Foundation Inc (the Akoakoa Foundation): 

Our mission is to bring stakeholders of Hawaii’s nearshore marine environment together to encourage sustainable interactions, support conservation efforts, further scientific understanding, and increase access to related education. We’re a new federally recognized non-profit organization and are working with PADI and the local dive community in Hawaii to support our dive industry family.

Following the popularity of the PADI Club trip to Belize at the end of July, a second “dive trip of a lifetime” has just been announced by PADI Club to Bonaire this  September 23-30, 2023.

Offered exclusively for PADI Club members as part of their yearly benefits, attendees will get to seek adventure while staying at the all-inclusive Buddy Dive Resort, one of PADI’s premier members on the island. Other PADI Members in Bonaire – including Toucan Divers, Divi Flamingo, Wanna Dive, Dive Friends and Scuba Do – will also be hosting various dive experiences throughout the week.

“Bonaire is a unique and beautiful gem in the Dutch Caribbean and we want to show our Club Members this little island looms large as a dive destination,” says Zach Pavkov, PADI Club Operations Manager. “This trip offers participants a chance to not only explore a world-class diving destination but do so through some of the very best PADI Operators.”

PADI Club members will receive a generous discount for this seven-day diving adventure, with packages starting at $1,739 per diver for double occupancy. Included in the package are:

• Social events that include hosted dinners, cocktail parties and live music
• Transportation in Buddy Dive Resort’s famous pick-up truck
• Daily shore diving and boat diving
• Accommodation, with the option to share a room with another solo diver or rent out one, two and three-bedroom apartments to host larger groups of divers
• Surface interval activities that include PADI Seminars and island excursions like hiking and bird-watching

“Because the water surrounding Bonaire has been an established marine park for 44 years, Bonaire is now a top-ranked destination with abundant marine life that includes scorpionfish, flounder and frogfish, moray eels, hawksbill turtles and eagle rays, ” continues Pavkov.

With limited spots available, the list of participants will be decided on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are not yet PADI Club Members but are interested in joining the trip can sign-up, which will also give them access to:

• 20% of PADI eLearning® programs and PADI Gear
• A free ReActivate® online refresher
• A free DAN® Prepared Diver course
• A subscription to Scuba Diving® magazine
• Access to the PADI Club Celebrity Speaker Series webinars
• Brand partner benefits from GoPro, Uber, Salt Life and more

To further support ocean lovers to create positive ocean change, five percent of the PADI Club membership fee will go towards supporting conservation efforts around the globe.

“PADI Club benefits are designed not just to empower divers to explore the ocean, but also enable them to play a pivotal role in saving the ocean too,” says Pavkov. “This year’s additional expedition to Bonaire gives our community the chance to come together and explore our shared blue planet in a truly meaningful and connected way.”

Click here to sign up for PADI Club and reserve your spot here to join the Bonaire dive trip.

After adding more than 300 new Dive Centers and Resorts over the last year to its ranks, nearly half of which joined PADI® in 2023, PADI Retail and Resort Membership continues to grow.

These new members amplify PADI’s vast global presence in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas. As new PADI Retail and Resort Members – many of whom are now exclusively aligned with PADI — they join the world’s largest purpose-driven training organization committed to empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action to protect our shared blue planet.

Key drivers for numerous business owners’ decision to align with PADI include the desire to future-proof their operations in line with the growing demand of training more divers and instructors. This alignment provides them with PADI’s superior business support, enhanced training products and a globally-respected brand that engages with new audiences – all offered through the direct assistance of a designated PADI Reginal Team.

“PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are the critical hubs that create and drive the world’s largest diver community, leading the charge by nurturing the next generation’s shared passion for underwater adventure and hands-on ocean conservation,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide.

“PADI supports its entire global membership by heavily investing in ongoing diver acquisition and retention initiatives including public relations outreach with world-class media, the #LiveUnfiltered campaign, ongoing business consultations and tools, world-class marketing materials, unparalleled educational programs and materials, and effective programs and policies to create positive ocean change.”

With the real challenges that business owners face, PADI is committed to helping members tackle issues with various problem-solving techniques. Some recent success stories and problems that were solved for newly acquired PADI Members include:

1. Filling a Cost-Effective Pipeline of Customers:

PADI worked with Mars Scuba and Steel City Scuba in Pennsylvania, USA to customize a plan that would allow the operator to crossover without disrupting their business model, as they were looking to shift their membership during the global pandemic.

“When we were forced to shut down because of the pandemic, PADI shined with weekly seminars, training and collaborating,” says Chris Lobozzo, owner of Mars Scuba and Steel City Scuba. “We knew we had a real team behind us. They helped us with Facebook advertising and marketing campaigns.  As a result, even during Covid, our business grew overall.”

Now operating as PADI Five Star IDC Dive Center, both Mars Scuba and Steel City Scuba are able to fulfill customer demand.

“Both our centers are working well, systems are easy to use, and we’ve maintained a steady increase in new customers who find us through PADI.com or another PADI vehicle, with referral traffic to our website tripled compared to our previous training agency,” continues Lobozzo.  “You need to account for the incredible marketing and training services layered into the e-learning cost.  Naturally, we’re willing to pay a bit more to have PADI backing us.”

 2. Enticing Customers to Instructor Courses: 

PADI worked with Dive36 in Kuwait to support the growth of their Instructor Development Course. “Marketing the instructor course was not easy, but when we switched to PADI, they helped with advertising and preparing a student to enter the Instructor Development Course,” says Faisal Albayan, owner of Dive36.

Since switching to PADI and becoming a Five Star IDC Dive Center, Dive36 has seen the power of the PADI brand in helping their business acquire new IDC candidates and putting them on track to break previous records and exceed business plan expectations.

 “PADI’s reputation regarding the Instructor Development Course is amazing, with registrations for the IDC requiring minimum effort from us,” continues Albayan. “PADI is the easiest training organization to work with, especially at the pro levels as their curriculum of courses supports the students’ professional development.” 

3. Building a Stronger International Business Strategy:

PADI Dive Resort High Gili Dive Gili Gede in Indonesia streamlined its business strategy to better serve the diverse set of consumer needs, as 90% of their customer base are international holidaymakers looking for unique dive experiences.

“One of the main benefits of PADI is we can offer training materials in many different languages,” explains Neil Barrow, owner of High Gili Dive Gili Gede.  “PADI helps us offer a superior learning experience to our customers no matter what nationality they are. We also gained an increase in our visibility via PADI’s various marketing opportunities like the listing on the PADI travel website, features in their magazines, and promotion on social media. Most importantly we are introducing more people to the wonders of the ocean and sustaining our environment for future generations.”

 “As our organization continues to elevate the demand for diver certifications around the globe, there has never been a more opportune time to be a PADI Retail and Resort Member,” continues Valette Wirth. “These industry-leading dive operations have joined the global membership of 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in 184 countries that empower more divers worldwide to seek adventure and save the ocean.”

To learn more about the benefits of PADI Membership and join the world’s largest purpose-driven diving organization contact your PADI Regional Office.

PADI® (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) and Swiss prestige watchmaker,  Blancpain are combining resources to work towards saving 30% of the ocean by 2030 – with the two organizations teaming up to create the Vulnerable Marine Species Program. Blancpain’s support will be key in funding the Global Shark & Ray Census, a new citizen science initiative that is slated to launch Earth Day 2024 and is designed to help protect vulnerable marine species around the globe from extinction.

PADI and Blancpain have been kindred spirits in Ocean conservation starting over two decades ago with a whale shark identification project.  This latest evolution comes one year after both organizations announced an expanded commitment to partner and increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe.  As a founding partner of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, Blancpain accelerated the creation of PADI’s MPA Program and its flagship citizen science program Adopt the Blue–    Millions of recreational divers now have the direct ability to choose to be Ocean Torchbearers and directly engage in meaningful marine conservation activities while exploring the Ocean.

“Blancpain has long been committed to real engagement in Ocean Conservation issues. Working together, will be a force multiplier in achieving our shared Ocean Conservation goals” says Dr. Drew Richardson, CEO of PADI Worldwide and Chairman of PADI AWARE Foundation. “Blancpain’s expanded support of PADI’s Vulnerable Marine Species Program forges a juggernaut combining the Blancpain Ocean Commitment with the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action  in advancing  positive ocean change.”

Now, with the generous support from Blancpain, PADI and global non-profit partner PADI AWARE Foundation^TM will build and deploy the largest underwater citizen science program designed to protect sharks and rays from extinction. In addition, PADI AWARE Foundation’s Mission Hub Community Grant Program will include support for both MPA and Vulnerable Marine Species Grantees internationally and at a local level. These grants support critical conservation initiatives in local communities all around the world.

PADI AWARE Foundation is among the world’s most successful shark and ray conservation organizations, with a 30-year track record of groundbreaking conservation measures for the oceanic whitetip shark, great hammerhead, giant manta ray, whale shark, and mako sharks – along with  many other vulnerable species. Last year at CITES (the Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Panama City. PADI was invited to CITES and asked to provide specialist advice and research to all attending government representatives. This helped secure support for a critical vote to double the amount of protected shark and ray species. To date, the PADI AWARE Foundation and PADI have helped secure protection measures for over 105 species of sharks and rays.

“With a growing base of divers interested in shark conservation, the Global Shark and Ray Census enables divers to function as diving citizen scientists in order to collect high-quality data and information on vulnerable shark species. Engaged divers across the planet who choose to participate will directly help accelerate national and global protection measures where they are needed most,” continues Richardson.

If you would like to personally support the  PADI AWARE Foundation and Blancpain in creating positive ocean change, donations can be made to the PADI AWARE Shark Appeal. Blancpain has generously agreed to match donations 1:1, which will go towards supporting the development of the Vulnerable Species Program.

About Blancpain

​​Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in the Swiss Jura, Blancpain is known as the world’s oldest watch brand. Loyal to its tradition of innovation and confirmed by countless horological complications invented over the years, the Manufacture is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to take this art to places where it has never been before. Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment program pays homage to the brand’s significant historical links with the ocean, having launched the world’s first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, in 1953. This milestone moment in Blancpain’s near 300-year history marked the starting point of its collaborations with the ocean community, which have typified the 70 years since, as has its support for ocean conservation initiatives.  www.blancpain.com

About PADI 

PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) is the largest purpose-driven diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 29 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean Torchbearers^TM, to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive^®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARE^TM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.^SM  www.padi.com

Aotearoa, New Zealand has revealed a magical world beneath the ocean’s surface for International Mermaid Day, in partnership with PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®), the world’s largest purpose-driven diving organization.

Mesmerising underwater footage released today showcases official PADI Mermaid team members from around the world exploring renowned international dive site, the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, in the country’s Northland region.

Combining elements of freediving with wearing a ‘monofin’ or mermaid tail, the art of ‘mermaiding’ is making waves worldwide as an accessible and captivating way to connect with and explore beneath the surface.

PADI’s Mermaid Program launched globally in 2021 and has since built a strong wave of momentum capturing the imagination and curiosity of all ages and genders. Anyone over the age of six can start their mermaid journey, and learn to breath-hold, swim with a tail, read ocean conditions, and respect and protect marine life.

Certified PADI Mermaids have a unique passion for ocean advocacy, along with a deep care and connection to the ocean and all life that calls it home.

With expansive coastlines, marine reserves*, abundant wildlife, and hundreds of offshore islands, Aotearoa New Zealand boasts a plentiful paradise for inquisitive travelers looking to immerse themselves in the natural environment.

“The waters of Aotearoa are a special place for me personally, having had the privilege to explore above and beneath the surface as both an adventure seeker and a diver,” says Drew Richardson, PADI President and CEO. “I’ll never forget the first time I experienced the Poor Knights Islands–the crown jewel of the Tutukākā coastline. From the dramatic topography to the thick kelp forests teeming with the unique combination of cold and subtropical marine species brought in by the Eastern Australian Current, not many dive sites have ever rivaled this one for me.

Imagine what our shared blue planet would be like if we had 10,000 more success stories** like the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve?

”The unique geography of the South Pacific destination creates a diverse underwater playground to explore from twinkling, sub-tropical waters and islands of the far north, to wild and wonder in the fiords of the deep south. “It’s no secret our natural environment is part of what makes us an extraordinary destination to explore. But there is more here than meets the eye; our unique geography and climate create wondrous worlds above and below the surface for those travelers curious to discover all that Aotearoa, New Zealand has to offer,” says René de Monchy, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive.

“We are proud to team up with Tourism New Zealand this International Mermaid Day. TNZ is a like-minded partner devoted to the Tiaki Promise–the commitment to care for the people, place and culture of Aotearoa,” says Drew Richardson, PADI President and CEO.

For more information about New Zealand’s unique marine tourism opportunities and underwater-inspired experiences and travel inspiration, visit www.newzealand.com. For more information about PADI and the PADI Mermaid Program, visit www.padi.com/mermaid-centers

*New Zealand has 44 marine reserves, which are protected areas of ocean within which it is prohibited to fish, remove, or disturb any marine life in order to preserve our species and habitat.*

PADI is on a mission to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through its Adopt the Blue program, which is the world’s largest network of underwater sites that the organization, alongside Ocean Torchbearers, is rallying to turn into marine protected areas

Scuba divers rally to protect an unprecedented 60 threatened species

PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) is celebrating a major win today in their fight to save sharks. At the 19^th meeting of CITES (the Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Panama City, government representatives agreed to restrict international trade for all requiem sharks, one of the biggest family of species, all hammerhead sharks, and all guitar sharks adding an extra 60 species to the list of shark species protected by CITES on Appendix II.

This positive outcome follows PADI being asked by the host nation of Panama to provide specialist advice and research to all attending government representatives to help secure support for a critical vote to double the amount of protected shark and ray species.  In the lead-up to this important vote, PADI actively mobilized their global community of 128,000 PADI Professionals, 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, and the over 29 million certified PADI Divers to take part by urging their own local governments to take action at CITES – and asking all ocean torchbearers (whether a diver or not) who are passionately committed to creating positive ocean change to sign the petition that urged governments to vote “YES”.

“Today’s decision to restrict the unsustainable global trade in some of the most threatened species on the planet provides us all with a hope and optimism that we are not too late to end the dramatic declines in the ocean’s most iconic, and critical, animals,” said Ian Campbell, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns for the PADI AWARE Foundation^TM, which is PADI’s global non-profit. 

“The listing of requiem sharks, an iconic group of species that includes diver favorites such as the blacktip reef shark, bull shark and grey reef shark sends a strong signal that healthy populations of these animals are economically important far more than just the trade in their harvested fins, meat and organs.”

Shark tourism generates hundreds of millions of dollars globally, contributing to the economies of countries around the world and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Previous studies of the tourism sector indicate shark-based tourism is on track to generate over three-quarters of a billion dollars a year over the next decade.

With the global pandemic having a significant impact on the economies of island nations such as Fiji, the Maldives and the Bahamas, the growth in shark tourism is likely to play a significant role in the financial recovery of countries with healthy shark populations around the world.

“This result, to limit the international trade in shark species that are found at the world’s most popular dive spots, will bring a huge economic boost to communities across the globe,” says Julio Salvatori, the South America Regional Manager for PADI and technical adviser to the Panamanian government. “The prospect of diving with sharks in their natural environment is a major attraction for the recreational dive sector, many of which made their concerns known to the decision-makers. We are optimistic that this can be a turning point for shark populations worldwide.”

Recent studies have indicated that sharks – and their close relatives the rays – are one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Over a third of all species are classed as facing an increased risk of extinction, mainly due to overfishing, habitat loss and unsustainable trade.

“We commend the strong leadership and commitment to conservation shown by the government of Panama, supported by many others, to secure this much-needed trade restriction,” continues Campbell. We also realize that this decision is only the start of the recovery for many shark species, and the revenue-generating recreational diving sector is primed to play its role in implementing the commitments made today.”

Protecting sharks is a core component of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, with the established goal of reducing the number of sharks and rays facing extinction by 25% in the next decade. To date, PADI has already helped secure protection measures for 51 species of sharks and rays, with today’s vote more than doubling that number to a total of 105 species. 

To learn more about how to support PADI’s continued conservation efforts to save vulnerable marine species like sharks, visit https://www.padi.com/aware

PADI^® is thrilled to announce an exceptional PADI AmbassaDiver: Indian actress, singer and PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Parineeti Chopra.

“A PADI AmbassaDiver is someone who is passionate about using their force for good to encourage others to protect our blue planet,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer. “We could not have found a more respected and authentic partner as Ms. Chopra, a long time ocean lover, to advance our shared mission of saving the ocean. She is unmatched as a shining example of how to protect what you love – and inspire others to do the same.” 

Chopra, who has always loved the ocean, experienced the magic beneath the surface in 2013 when she took her first breath underwater in Bali. As soon as she surfaced from that dive, she was hooked – and protecting the ocean became very personal for her, receiving her PADI Open Water Diver certification later that year in Palau. Since then she has inspired others around the world–from her family and friends to fans in India– to try scuba diving so they can join her in seeking adventure and saving the ocean.  

“The first time I came up to the surface after diving, I was crying because it was such a life-changing experience,” says Ms. Chopra. “It is now something I can’t live without. I make sure I do a diving trip every three months despite my work schedule because it is my form of meditation. And it is the place I am immensely passionate about protecting.”

“We are all equal underwater and all speak the same language. Over the years I have seen the changes that have taken place beneath the surface. During my time as a brand ambassador for Tourism Australia, I witnessed the bleaching and damage that has occurred to the Great Barrier Reef.  I was so sad to see this and am now committed to being a diver with a purpose. I have also seen first-hand how marine reserves, like the ones in Sipadan, Malaysia and Palau, prove how valuable marine protected areas are. As a PADI Diver, I want to make sure that our entire blue planet gets the protection it deserves.” continues Ms. Chopra.

With over 67 million social media followers and having recently starred in the Netflix movie The Girl on the Train, Chopra joins an elite group of celebrity influencers determined to take personal action and create real change for healthier oceans. Spending nearly all her free time diving around the world, Chopra shares her love for the ocean with her fans, as diving is an important part of her life that allows her to return to nature and reset. She will work with PADI to encourage others to experience the beautiful world underwater as PADI Divers and join her in helping to achieve balance between humanity and the ocean. 

“PADI created the AmbassaDiver program to support extraordinary divers who dedicate their lives to illuminating the path that leads from curiosity, exploration, and discovery to understanding, stewardship and action. Ms. Chopra is playing a very important role in ocean conservation, lighting the way for others to become divers themselves and mobilizing communities worldwide to seek adventure and save the ocean with her,” continues Valette Wirth. 

Ms. Chopra has big plans for 2022 – including becoming a real-life PADI Mermaid and taking part in citizen science projects during her dive trips around the world!

Follow Chopra’s dive adventures, projects and hands-on conservation efforts with PADI on her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

To learn more about Chopra and the rest of the PADI AmbassaDiver team visit www.padi.com/ambassadivers

Two of the world’s most respected marine-focused organizations – PADI® and SeaLegacy – have joined forces to accelerate much-needed ocean protection. The first initiative of this multi-year collaboration kicks off this month, with a grassroots campaign developed to spark immediate and meaningful change for our blue planet.

The Role of 30×30 in Advancing Ocean Conservation

Scientific research indicates that protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 (i.e. 30×30) is critical to restore the health of the ocean, reverse existing adverse impacts, increase resilience to climate change, and sustain ecosystem services to humanity. But despite the clear need for increased protection, less than 5% of the global ocean is fully protected in no-take reserves.

The ocean is facing growing challenges triggering a global advocacy movement urging immediate and lasting change to protect it for current and future generations. Illustrating the power of partnerships to amplify exponential change, PADI and SeaLegacy are harnessing one another’s strengths–leveraging the power of media, storytelling, and advocacy to compel ocean activists across the planet to take action and urge world leaders to step up to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. 

“PADI is fueling a movement of one billion torchbearers to create ocean change, and we are thrilled to partner with like-minded organizations to scale this critical mission,” says Drew Richardson, CEO of PADI Worldwide. “Working with SeaLegacy not only allows us to rapidly grow the global torchbearer community, but also empower us allwith meaningful ways to take real, positive action to protect our blue planet – and all life that calls it home.”

Global Petition to Inspire Action Amongst World Leaders

This April, PADI and SeaLegacy will launch a joint 30×30 campaign designed to generate immediate action from a combined global audience that includes millions of ocean enthusiasts, divers, snorkelers and conservationists looking for means to protect what they love.  

The goal of the PADI and SeaLegacy 30×30 campaign is to urge world leaders to adopt the 30X30 target, calling for conservation of “at least 30% of sea areas globally through effective, equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas.” PADI and SeaLegacy will be pushing for an agreement to be reached at the UN Biodiversity COP15 in the third quarter of 2022 in Kunming, China.

“In a time when so many people around the world are concerned about climate change, biodiversity loss, sea level rise, and so much more, we need to channel that anxiety into action,” says Cristina Mittermeier, president of SeaLegacy. “People everywhere are looking for hope and opportunities to have real impact, and one great way to get involved is to sign our petition to have the 30×30 target adopted at the Convention of Biodiversity.”

Long-Term Partnership Goals 

With their shared 30×30 goal, SeaLegacy and PADI will work to increase meaningful marine protection around the world, including the creation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and biodiversity conservation, while collaborating with local communities and leaders on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

“The ocean offers so many of the critical climate solutions we need, and MPAs are a major piece of that. MPAs not only protect local species and ecosystems, but sequester carbon, increase coastal resilience, and revitalize local economies. We know that change is possible in this decade, and this kind of action will help us make major strides toward healing our ocean and saving our planet,” says Mittermeier.

To sign the petition, visit only.one/ocean30. To learn more about the SeaLegacy and PADI partnership, and ways to get involved, visit padi.com/conservation.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®(PADI^®), the world’s largest dive training organization, and Swiss prestige watchmaker, Blancpain are joining forces with the aim to fundamentally increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe over the coming decade.

The organizations unveiled their collaborative partnership at the 9^th Annual World Ocean Summit, the flagship event of the Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative, attended by the world’s top thought leaders from business, science, governmental and non-profit sectors – to tackle the greatest issues facing our blue planet. 

“Blancpain and PADI have rich histories rooted in exploration and ocean conservation, inspiring both organizations to become powerful catalysts of planetary change,” says Drew Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of PADI Worldwide. “Protecting our oceans is not only core to our ethos, but critical for our very survival. The world must pull together to stem the urgent crisis in our ocean and we have an immense opportunity to bring about change. We’re proud to work alongside such a prominent partner who shares our optimistic outlook on the future and a deep commitment to further empowering our global community to seek adventure and save the ocean.”

Together, PADI and Blancpain will work with local communities across the globe to expedite the establishment of MPAs. At the heart of the multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative is the flagship citizen science program, Adopt the Blue in which 6,600 registered PADI dive centers and resorts will be activated to develop the largest network of marine protected areas on the planet, enabling millions of PADI recreational divers to proactively engage in marine conservation at every opportunity.

Another keystone of the partnership is the formation of the Blancpain/PADI Community Grant, which funds critical conservation efforts in local communities. These grants will drive both ocean preservation as well as indigenous community support, serving as a force for good for both humanity and ocean.

“With our almost 70-year legacy of the Fifty Fathoms diving watch, Blancpain has developed not only a passion – but a deep commitment to our oceans,” says Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain. “We’re extremely proud of the role we’ve played in advancing global marine protection efforts and we are thrilled to be collaborating with PADI – and its community of divers – to bring about even more positive change.”

The successful implementation of marine protected areas is critical to the health of the world’s largest and most important ecosystem and has been proven to restore biodiversity, build resilience to climate change and re-establish vulnerable species’ populations. 

“It will take a unified, dedicated effort to improve the state of the oceans. Together, we are directing the power of our organizations towards one of the most important – and urgent missions on the planet,” states Richardson.

About PADI

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the world’s largest and most popular diver organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide. Issuing more than 29 million certifications to date, PADI enables people around the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive®, maintaining its high standards for dive training, safety and customer service, monitored for worldwide consistency and quality. With a longstanding commitment to environmental conservation, PADI is leading the way for millions of people to actively explore, steward and protect the ocean through its course offerings and partnerships with like-minded, mission-driven organizations. PADI embodies a global commitment to ocean health with its mission to create a billion torchbearers to explore and protect the ocean. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.^SM  www.padi.com

About Blancpain 

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in the Swiss Jura, Blancpain is known as the world’s oldest watch brand. Loyal to its tradition of innovation and confirmed by countless horological complications invented over the years, the Manufacture is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to take this art to places where it has never been before.

Exploration and preservation of the world’s oceans is at the core to Blancpain. With its legacy of the Fifty Fathoms – the first modern diver’s watch – extending over almost 70 years, Blancpain has become close to the explorers, photographers, scientists and environmentalists who treasure the precious underwaterresource. With that affinity has come a determination to support important activities and initiatives dedicated to the oceans. 

To date, Blancpain has co-financed 21 major scientific expeditions, celebrated its role in significantly extending the surface area of marine protected areas around the world, and presented several award-winning documentary films, underwater photography exhibitions and publications. This dedication to supporting ocean exploration and preservation is called Blancpain Ocean Commitment. 

www.blancpain.com

After nearly three years of collaborative campaigns from ocean advocates around the world, the 51 countries and the European Union have agreed to place an immediate two-year ban on catching and retaining Atlantic shortfin mako sharks at the most recent meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).  

“The recent critical protection measures coming out of the ICCAT annual meeting are a direct result of a global, collective effort by numerous organizations and individuals all working toward the common goal of protecting mako sharks in the Atlantic,” says Ian Campbell, Associate Director, Policy and Campaigns of PADI AWARE Foundation. 

“Mako sharks, classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, are particularly vulnerable to overfishing, especially in the North Atlantic, where we have witnessed populations decline severely. This ban is monumental and marks an important turning point for both the health of the mako shark population and, ultimately, the health of the ocean. We hope it will be the foundation for a much-needed recovery plan.” 

Since 2018, PADI AWARE Foundation has been collaborating with the Shark League NGO coalition to push countries to support the science to ban the retention of makos in the Atlantic, largely focusing on mobilizing PADI® Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals in the key countries of Brazil and South Africa, as well as supporting efforts across the European Union and the US. Campaign efforts included the global #Divers4Makos petition that earned nearly 30,000 signatures and the launch of the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation course, enabling PADI Members to build local support in their communities for the global protection of mako sharks in their local waters. 

The main goal of these campaigns was to create a tidal wave of support from the public calling upon their governments to back the mako shark fishing ban, as well as illustrating the importance of a healthy ocean for marine tourism operators. By empowering PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals, the PADI AWARE Foundation was able to help create a powerful groundswell of letters, emails and social media movements directed at the respective governments in target countries. Efforts in Brazil and South Africa were particularly effective with locally-based operators able to advocate for mako shark conservation directly to their government representatives.  

“Not only did we shift people’s perceptions of sharks and the important role they play in the ocean, we were also able to get mako sharks the urgent protection they need, providing hope for their – and our oceans’ – futures,” says Campbell. 

In total, there were over 400 participants in the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation course, which resulted in over 500 photos of divers taking action, who also contacted their government to demand immediate action to protect makos.

“The effort and level of support shown by the diving industry exceeded our expectations, and the recent mako shark fishing ban in the Atlantic was directly affected by everyone who took part, and demonstrates how local action really can create global impact. The positive outcome of these efforts further fuels our drive to protect more endangered and vulnerable marine species,” says Campbell. 

PADI AWARE Foundation has a comprehensive portfolio of programs that support the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and are currently working to reduce the number of shark and ray species threatened with extinction by 25% by deploying more localized conservation campaigns.

Learn more about PADI AWARE Foundation at: https://www.padiaware.org

PADI^® and National Geographic Pristine Seas have partnered together with the goal to protect at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 through the creation of new marine protected areas (MPAs).

In 2020, Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, approached PADI with the idea to join forces to protect the ocean, combining his vision and proven track record of successfully creating MPAs with the global footprint and extensive reach of the PADI community around the globe. PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are critical stakeholders in their local economies and their leadership, together with the influence and expertise of Sala and his team at National Geographic Pristine Seas, can be a catalyst for lasting change for a return to a healthy ocean and balanced marine ecosystem.

“Ocean conservation benefits everyone, especially the diving sector. We are excited to partner with PADI and all their dive centers worldwide to foster the protection of popular dive sites all around the world,” said Enric Sala.

Initiating this partnership is a global Dive Industry Economic Evaluation Survey to measure the economic benefits of the dive industry on local communities, using data from PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in 186 countries. In cooperation withresearchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Simon Fraser University, this analysis will be used to inform governments how the creation of MPAs can create jobs and produce important economic outputs locally.   

PADI will engage its Mission Hubs, the 6,600 Dive Centers and Resorts who are the heart of the organization’s save the ocean mission, in a survey to provide the data necessary to complete this study. The information gathered through PADI Mission Hub participation in the survey will be an integral component of the study that will be used to influence local and national governments to establish marine protected areas and protect marine environments for divers and other stakeholders.

“PADI Mission Hubs play a critical role in our Blueprint for Ocean Action and are key stakeholders in the push for increased protection measures for the underwater world,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “Each PADI operator brings unique insights, local expertise, community leadership and passion for our ocean. By coming together as a unified force, the PADI community in partnership with National Geographic Pristine Seas will provide an unprecedented global voice to influence long-term ocean protections.” 

Over the last 12 years, Pristine Seas has completed 32 expeditions around the world and helped inspire the creation of 24 marine reserves, protecting over 6.5 million square kilometers of ocean — an area more than twice the size of India. They work with local communities and governments to survey their environments, identify their goals and protect vital ocean areas.

The Dive Industry Economic Evaluation Survey will be available to PADI Dive Centers and Resorts through the remainder of the year. To learn more about PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action and other ways you can join the community of PADI Torchbearers in protecting the ocean, visit padi.com/conservation

About PADI  

PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) is the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization, operating in 186 countries and territories, with a global network of more than 6,600 dive centers and resorts and over 128,000 professional members worldwide. Issuing more than 1 million certifications each year, and with over 28 million certifications to date, PADI enables people around the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive^®, maintaining its high standards for dive training, safety and customer service, monitored for worldwide consistency and quality. With a longstanding commitment to environmental conservation, PADI is leading the way for millions of people to actively explore, steward and protect the ocean through its course offerings and partnerships with like-minded, mission-driven organizations. PADI embodies a global commitment to ocean health with its mission to create a billion torchbearers to explore and protect the ocean. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.^SM   

www.padi.com

About National Geographic Pristine Seas

​​National Geographic Pristine Seas is an exploration, research and media project founded and led by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala. The Pristine Seas team is comprised of determined scientists, policy experts and filmmakers who work to inspire the creation of protected areas where marine life can thrive—while ensuring effective management for years to come. Pristine Seas has helped to inspire the creation of 24 marine reserves, an area totalling over 6.5M square kilometers. Learn more at nationalgeographic.org/pristineseas.

PADI^® Members around the world are helping veterans heal, both physically and mentally, through the techniques learned in the PADI Adaptive Support Diver and Adaptive Techniques Specialty courses. This week the PADI organization honors active-duty military personnel and veterans across the globe, along with the many PADI Members who offer dive programs to support them. In addition to the confidence building and life changing aspects training as a PADI diver offers, diving can also heal.

“We are committed to increasing access to the underwater world for everyone and believe that the transformational power of learning to dive can benefit the emotional and physical well-being of all humanity,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer of PADI Worldwide.  “Promoting health and wellness through diving is a key focus area of PADI’s People and Humanity Pillar of Change, with the primary objective to remove barriers and increase access to diving for all.” 

According to the World Health Organization, there are around one billion people on the planet who are living with some sort of disability—mental or physical. PADI’s courses have always allowed and encouraged adaptive techniques, but with the launch of PADI’s Adaptive Techniques Specialty Course in 2018, the inherent flexibility of PADI courses for people with disabilities was better highlighted. This has helped instructors learn how a simple technique change can allow more divers to meet performance requirements and earn a PADI certification. Instructors learn how to implement techniques to leverage the strengths of their students and help each one overcome their unique challenges, thereby providing greater access to diving for all.

This summer, PADI teamed up with Patriots for Disabled Divers, a non-profit organization founded by Jeff and Merial Currer, who own PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center Patriot Scuba in Virginia, USA, to certify retired U.S. Army SGT Bryan Anderson as a PADI Open Water Diver. Anderson completed his course in Catalina Island, California on the 20^th anniversary of his deployment to Iraq, where he was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that resulted in the loss of both legs and his left hand. Bryan received rehabilitation for a period of 13 months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is one of the few triple amputees to have survived his injuries in Iraq. Anderson was awarded the Purple Heart because of his injuries.

It was Robert ‘Bob’ Taradash, Bryan’s former Battalion Commander in Iraq, that first introduced the idea to Bryan and was instrumental in helping Bryan become a certified diver, serving as both an instructor and dive buddy throughout Bryan’s certification journey. Now an active PADI IDC Staff Instructor and the Executive Director of Patriots for Disabled Divers, Bob wanted to recruit Bryan into diving because he knew that showing the world that Bryan could dive would be a powerful motivator for many people. 

“Our relationship, that camaraderie, that desire to be there for each other is what brought us together to dive in Catalina,” explains Taradash. “Just by the fact of him doing this, it might inspire others – disabled or not – to put on a tank, take their first breath underwater, and enjoy the undersea world. I think Bryan’s story, in his adventure to breathe underwater, is going to be part of the lasting legacy in Bryan’s journey to inspire others.”

“You always have that thought in the back of your head, ‘Well, maybe you’re not going to get there. Maybe something will limit you,’” says Anderson. “But I worked through it, didn’t panic, and being a triple amputee, I completed everything that I needed to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver. If you’ve had the thought like you might want to try diving and you’re stopping yourself because your mind is stopping you and you think you can’t, I want to show you that you can.”

Anderson’s recent journey with Patriots for Disabled Divers is just one of many around the world, with PADI Dive Centers and Resorts increasingly training their instructors with the PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Course and offering the PADI Adaptive Support Diver Course to those in the dive community. 

“Scuba diving can have a tremendous impact on individuals diagnosed with PTSD. I see this transformation on a daily basis.  Many of our PADI Pros have PTSD and there is a noticeable difference in them when they are actively diving.   They have told me that when they get underwater, all the noise in their head is quieted.  They are happier and more social when they get out.  Scuba diving is also very freeing for our students who spend a good bit of time in a wheelchair. They get underwater and experience a feeling of freedom they haven’t felt in a long time and in some cases, ever,” says Merial Currer. “For us working with people who never thought they could dive due to a disability, has been incredibly rewarding.”

Read more about other PADI Members who are champion adaptive diver training on the PADI Pros Blog.

“Through the continued work of PADI Members supporting veterans through adaptive diving, their heroic journeys to become divers inspire us all. They prove that anyone can overcome barriers and try something with the power to transform their life,” says Valette Wirth. 

Triple Amputee, Bryan Anderson is committed to sharing his story in order to help others overcome personal limitations and live their best life. By becoming a PADI Open Water Diver, Bryan hopes to inspire others to follow his example and experience the underwater world. “If you’ve had that thought like you might want to go dive and you’re stopping yourself because your mind is stopping you and you think you can’t, I want to show you that you can.”

Global Event Invites Divers and Ocean Advocates to Join Citizen-Science Program Collecting Critical Data on Underwater Marine Debris and Other Efforts to Protect Ocean Health

PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®), the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization, together with the newly created PADI AWARE Foundation, a non-profit public charity dedicated to driving local action for global ocean impact, announces the fourth annual AWARE Week. Hosted by PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals around the world September 18-26, AWARE Week empowers and inspires the dive community to take part in events, activities and courses – virtual or in person – to advance conservation awareness and engagement at the local level. 

“AWARE Week 2021 brings together eco-conscious divers and ocean enthusiasts to advance PADI’s conservation blueprint, charting a decade of ocean action to achieve a balance between humanity and ocean,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “By uniting as a community of PADI Torchbearers who explore and protect the ocean, we work as a global force for good, taking meaningful action for the ocean to drive lasting change.”

The weeklong event leverages the collective influence of divers and dive industry professionals, as well as the general public, to address key threats facing the marine environment through citizen science, public policy and education. AWARE Week 2021 will take the organizations’ current programs to the next level and build on them by tackling additional marine conservation issues such as: climate change, marine protected areas and coral reefs. These new programs, coupled with the flagship programs – that address marine debris and vulnerable marine species – represent the five key components of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, in direct support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development.

One of the key highlights is PADI AWARE Foundation’s flagship citizen-science program, Dive Against Debris^®, the only program of its kind, which helps divers not only remove debris from the ocean but also report data that can inform ocean friendly policy change to prevent further pollution from entering the ocean.

As a proud sponsor of PADI AWARE Foundation’s marine-debris program, Seiko joins PADI to amplify PADI AWARE Week to its audiences, helping to build awareness. The annual week invites the global dive community to make a concerted effort to gather this critical survey data so they can be used by marine researchers and policymakers for conservation action.

“Protecting the ocean requires the actions of everyone around the globe working together,” says Valette Wirth. “Together with PADI AWARE Foundation, Seiko and our other partners in conservation, we recognize that anyone with passion for the ocean can become an ocean ambassador and contribute to worldwide efforts to save the ocean as a PADI Torchbearer. AWARE Week 2021 will inspire people with a clear and effective path to action for the planet.”

Throughout AWARE Week 2021, divers, ocean advocates, water enthusiasts and the global community at large may also support and protect the ocean by participating in AWARE specialty courses, which educate participants on the importance of a clean and healthy ocean, via fundraising, donating and taking part in local conservation activities hosted by PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals.

To take part in AWARE Week 2021, visit padi.com/awareweek2021. For more information about the PADI AWARE Foundation, the community of PADI Torchbearers and how to get involved year round, visit padi.com/conservation.

Seventh annual event invites people everywhere to seek adventure and save the ocean through one common day of shared passion 

PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®), the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization, today announced that PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and Professionals will host divers from around the globe for the seventh annual PADI Women’s Dive Day on Saturday, July 17. With the overwhelming support of the dive community over the last six years, PADI Women’s Dive Day has grown into a worldwide celebration of shared adventure, passion and ocean advocacy. The annual event is dedicated to fostering a global community that encourages divers of all genders, ages, races, backgrounds and abilities to safely and confidently explore and protect the underwater world. Year after year, Women’s Dive Day activities have addressed ties between diversity, inclusion and environmentalism – with this year’s events scaled accordingly for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“PADI Women’s Dive Day is an opportunity for divers everywhere to unite as a community with the common goal of creating balance between humanity and ocean,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer of PADI Worldwide. “PADI has a wonderfully diverse and inclusive community of members and divers in 186 countries around the world.  We celebrate this diversity, as it is embedded in the ethos of our organization. We take pride in the progress we’ve made to increase diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in our sport and constantly challenge ourselves to do more.”  

Since its inception in 2015, the event has contributed to the significant growth in the number of female divers and subsequently, PADI Torchbearers who have shared and inspired passion for ocean conservation. The dive community is teeming with female divers who are marking remarkable contributions for improved ocean health and connecting their communities to local waters. Throughout the month of July, PADI will spotlight the stories and perspectives of incredible #PADIWOMEN around the world who are leading change by example and opening doors for countless others to experience the ocean firsthand, including Zandile Ndhlovu, a PADI Freediver Instructor from Johannesburg, South Africa, who founded the Black Mermaid Foundation to make the oceans more inclusive.  

“Together as a global dive community we can save our oceans,” says Ndhlovu. “Once people get to experience the ocean, it changes everything around how they’ve always looked at it. It begins to also feel like home, a place that they will always protect. And that is why it is important that there is always diverse representation in the ocean.” 

Other notable women include Xochitl Clare, a PADI AmbassaDiver and marine biologist from California, United States, researching the effects of climate change on fisheries species; Cody Unser, a PADI AmbassaDiver who is working  to introduce more people with disabilities to diving and promote the sport’s therapeutic benefits; and 13-year-old Julia Aveline Rabenjoro a PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. 

“Learning to dive really transformed my life because it introduced me to a whole new intricate world that makes me feel at peace and it taught me how much we really depend on our ocean,” says Aveline Rabenjoro. “My greatest hope for the next generation of female divers is for them to grow in numbers and never doubt the difference they can make no matter where they come from or who they are. Together as a global diving community, we can further this by sharing our passion and love for diving with others who haven’t yet been lucky enough to explore beneath the surface.” 

Divers and non-divers alike can connect with the motivating stories of PADI women and learn how they can join the community by visiting padi.com/women. They can find PADI Women’s Dive Day events in their area or participate virtually through social media conversations utilizing the #PADIWOMEN hashtag. 

Year-round, people worldwide can access PADI’s recently launched Conservation Activities Locator to find local events in their community. From joining an underwater lake cleanup in Connecticut to taking part in a week-long conservation workshop in Belize, ocean enthusiasts have a variety of experiences to choose from on Women’s Dive Day and beyond.  

To learn more about how you can participate in PADI Women’s Dive Day, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort, or visit www.padi.com/women. For information about learning to dive, visit www.padi.com/education/learn-to-dive.  

Combining advanced environmental technologies with the world’s largest dive community to inform long-term solutions to rid the oceans of plastic from the surface to sea floor

The Ocean Cleanup, PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) and PADI AWARE Foundation announce a global partnership to tackle ocean plastic pollution. Together, the organizations will mobilize divers on a local level to take action for global impact through the implementation of citizen science research. The joint project pairs The Ocean Cleanup’s advanced technologies with the passion of the global dive community to inform ocean-friendly waste management policies in countries worldwide through data collection.

“We’re excited to be working together with the world’s leading diving organization,” says Dan Leahy, Chief Development Officer of The Ocean Cleanup. “Their passion for clean oceans creates a natural fit between our organizations, and I’m delighted we can scale our data and research capability through their dedicated community of divers.” In addition to its ocean cleanup efforts, the organization is developing solutions to intercept plastic pollution in the top 1,000 most polluting rivers emitting waste into the ocean. Through the installation of Interceptors in these rivers, The Ocean Cleanup aims to stop 80 percent of riverine plastic pollution from entering the ocean.

“By combining the ingenuity of The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptors, which remove floating plastic, with the passion and perspective of the global dive community working to save the ocean below the surface through citizen science, this monumental partnership is poised to inform waste management solutions that will significantly reduce marine debris from the surface to the sea floor,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI. “The success of preventative and lasting solutions on a global scale will only be possible through local community engagement.”

PADI’s vast network of dive centers, dive professionals, divers and other ocean advocates will drive the joint citizen science effort through regular debris surveys both at the surface and underwater in areas near The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptors and the surrounding oceanic dive sites. The data collected, including the amount and type of waterborne plastic pollution found, will be invaluable in providing insights to governments around the world as they establish and evolve policy regarding solid waste management. 

The joint citizen science campaign will be trialed in Malaysia this year, working closely with PADI dive shops in the vicinity of the Klang River where an Interceptor will be placed. Working together with local partners and the government, the PADI dive community in the region will collect data in local waters through regular river surveys, ocean surface surveys and Dive Against Debris^® surveys on the seafloor. The PADI AWARE Foundation’s Community Grant program will help provide critical resource support to PADI Dive Centers and Resorts during the implementation of the project. 

This project in Malaysia will set the precedent for future efforts worldwide in one of the most ambitious citizen science projects ever taken on by the dive community. Following a successful pilot project, PADI and The Ocean Cleanup will establish future efforts near heavily polluting waterways around the world, including areas of Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, the United States, Jamaica, and Thailand, and ultimately in the 186 countries around the world where PADI operates.

To stay informed about how you can get involved in this global citizen science project above and below the surface, join the community of PADI Torchbearers united in the effort to explore and protect the ocean at http://www.padi.com/conservation.

World’s largest scuba diver organization aims to restore ocean health and support coastal communities globally, driven by local efforts 

In celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) today announced the creation of  PADI AWARE Foundation. The non-profit public charity is dedicated to driving local action for global ocean conservation. The new PADI AWARE Foundation shares PADI’s mission to expand advocacy and achieve critical ocean conservation goals in the years ahead. Leveraging  PADI’s vast membership network of Mission Hubs across the world, the PADI AWARE Foundationä will operate as an independent non-profit organization supported by the PADI^®  brand and organization.  

In support of PADI’s mission to create one billion PADI Torchbearers to explore and protect the ocean, the new foundation will build citizen-led conservation and activism programs, as well as expand current ones, to address key ocean threats, such as marine debris, climate change, marine habitat loss and vulnerable species protection across the planet. 
 
“Saving the ocean requires all of us around the world acting together in thousands of ways on local and international levels, united by our passion to provide balance between humanity and the ocean across the planet,” said Drew Richardson, president and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “As we enlist PADI Torchbearers and encourage them to become global ambassadors in the movement to save the ocean, it is critical that we provide a clear pathway to action.” 

As one of its first projects, PADI AWARE Foundation will launch a Community Grant Program  in 2021, providing much-needed financial resources to enable local ocean protection initiatives hosted by PADI Dive Centers and Resorts – “PADI Mission Hubs.” To facilitate and enable localized efforts, on Tuesday, June 8, PADI will launch a PADI Conservation Activities Locator on PADI.com, empowering divers and non-divers alike to search, discover and engage in ocean conservation activities, events and courses—in and out of the water—with PADI Members across the planet.  

Through their joint Blueprint for Ocean Action, PADI and PADI AWARE Foundation will work to:  

• Rid the oceans of marine debris: Reduce marine debris by 50% in targeted countries through strategic partnerships and the PADI AWARE Community Grant Program 
• Multiply the number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Protect 30% of the ocean through partner collaboration and expansion of the Adopt a Dive^® Site program 
• Protect endangered and vulnerable marine species: Protect 20 vulnerable shark and ray species by deploying in-country conservation campaigns 
• Accelerate coral reef recovery and restoration: Restore 5% of coral reef habitats through citizen science programs and project funding for key coral reef habitats 
• Reduce and offset the carbon footprint of the diving industry: Achieve carbon neutrality across the PADI organization’s supply chain and mobilize PADI Torchbearers to restore, protect and fund seagrass habitats to offset carbon 

“To achieve these goals, we will unite the largest network of dive centers and resorts, dive professionals, and citizen divers the world has ever seen in order to take action as PADI Torchbearers in their communities, linking local action to global impact,” adds Richardson. “The vision for the Conservation Activities Locator tool is to enable divers and other ocean enthusiasts to turn their passions into purpose and bring forward a new era of ocean stewardship and sustainability.” 

For more information about the PADI AWARE Foundation, PADI Mission Hubs, or the PADI Torchbearers community and how to get involved, visit padi.com/conservation

On April 28, 2021, the Atlantis Sanya Resort in China completed the challenge of the Guinness World Records title of “The Largest Underwater Mermaid Show”.

Sanya Atlantis joined together with PADI^®, the world’s leading diver organization, and with the combined efforts of 110 PADI Mermaid Divers and safety officers recruited from all over China, they completed the unprecedented challenge.

110 PADI Mermaid Divers were invited to gather, bringing an unparalleled beauty to the world. 90% of the mermaid performers were PADI Mermaid Instructors, and dozens of PADI professional safety officers escorted the underwater performers. Professional medical and rescue teams were also on standby.

The Sanya Atlantis and the PADI China teams completed the planning, execution and logistical support in the months leading up to the show. After intensive underwater training, joint rehearsals and exercises, and constant adjustments and corrections (from the director to the actors, security officers, camera team and logistics), everyone was ready. All involved displayed the most professional ability and attitude.

The challenge was held in the most distinctive area of ​​Atlantis in Sanya – Ambassador Lagoon. The transparent acrylic viewing curtain wall is 16.5 meters long, 8.3 meters high, and 0.65 meters thick. It contains 13,500 tons of sea water – and, on April 28, 110 mermaids. Performers needed to enter the water at the same time and successfully complete the challenge of the Guinness World Records title of “The Largest Underwater Mermaid Show”. 

On the morning of April 28, all the participants had completed preparations. Ms. Wu Xiaohong, the first Chinese certification officer of the Guinness World Records, read out the challenge rules, and under the witness of everyone, the challenge began at 9:30am. The changing formation, beautiful posture, and shocking performance created an atmosphere of amazement. 

At the end of the performance, Xiaohong announced the challenge result: “Atlantis Sanya successfully challenged the title of ‘The Largest Underwater Mermaid Show’ in the Guinness World Records!”

The PADI Mermaid program, which was introduced in late 2020, is designed to provide water-enthusiasts an additional outlet for exploring their underwater passion. 

“Mermaid, in its root-grass form, has been around for very long, but it was not until recently (3-5 years ago) that it started to become more systemized. It took off in China like wild fire,” says Yan Lou, president of PADI China. “Within four short months after the official release of the new PADI Mermaid program in China, mermaid now accounts for 30% of local PADI certifications in China.”

For more information on how becoming a PADI Mermaid Diver, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort.

Over recent weeks, there has been speculation about the possibility of the Maldivian government lifting the ban on shark fishing in the country’s waters. PADI^®, and the dive industry at large, were instrumental in establishing these protections over a decade ago.

With concern for the continued protection of sharks in the Maldives, the PADI organization and Project AWARE^®, along with 200 concerned local and international stakeholders opposing the lifting of the shark fishing ban, called on the government to continue to enforce the legal protections of sharks. PADI staff met with Maldivian Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture Zaha Waheed to reinforce the position of the dive community and critical role sharks play in dive tourism.

In those meetings, Minister Waheed assured PADI that the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture has no intentions to lift the ban on shark fishing. She affirmed that they remain committed to sustainable and responsible management of fisheries and marine resources in the Maldives. On 20 April 2021, the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture released a statement asserting that “the Maldives does not intend to permit a targeted shark fishery in the Maldives.”

“Sharks are a dominant force in dive tourism in the Maldives. We congratulate the Maldives’s commitment to their ongoing protection,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “The Maldives continues to lead by example, among the most progressive countries on this critical issue.”

There are currently 17 shark sanctuaries in the world; the first established in Palau in 2009 and others in popular dive destinations including French Polynesia, Honduras, The Bahamas and several others in the Caribbean. The Maldives shark sanctuary was established in 2010 and covers 916,000 km² (353,000 square miles). 

Tourism accounts for an estimated 25 percent of Maldives’ GDP (according to 2014 figures), with diving and snorkeling being the most popular tourism activity. Prior to the formation of the Maldivian sanctuary, shark fishing was worth US$0.7 million to the Maldives’ economy, compared to US$2.3 million from shark tourism. In 2018, the shark sanctuary increased dive-trip demand in the Maldives by 15 percent, raising an additional US$6 million. Consumer research indicates that any re-opening of a Maldives shark fishery could potentially decrease dive tourism demand by over 50 percent, which could result in a loss of US$24 million.

Sharks are some of the most endangered species in the ocean, with recent research showing that the global number of oceanic sharks has declined by 71 percent. Over a third of shark and ray species are threatened, facing an increased threat of extinction, primarily due to overfishing.  There are an estimated 600,000 shark watchers globally spending $314 million per year and directly supporting 10,000 jobs. Research indicates these figures are expected to rise as global tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels.

As part of its commitment to ocean conservation, PADI will continue to stand up for sharks and advocate for their protection. For more information on responsible shark tourism, read Project AWARE’s Guide to Best Practices. To learn more about PADI’s efforts and how you can join the community of PADI Torchbearersä working to save the ocean, visit padi.com/conservation

The new PADI Dive Guides make it easier than ever for divers to discover, explore and plan their next adventure by providing the tools needed to research and book dive experiences or training anywhere in the world. PADI Dive Guides are the go-to resource whether planning a local dive or seeking inspiration and information about far-off destinations. 

“Dive destination information has been integral to padi.com for years,” says Lisa Nicklin, Vice President of Consumer Marketing for PADI Worldwide. “This next evolution provides more detailed guides that will continue to grow in global coverage and bring unprecedented value to PADI Members and divers alike. Leveraging new system capabilities, the guides combine PADI’s global expertise with the immense local knowledge of PADI Members around the world. PADI Dive Guides enable divers to plan and book adventures near home or wherever their future travels may take them – all through one convenient platform.” 

Now available at padi.com/exploration, the collection of thousands of guides offers marine life calendars, seasonal weather data and travel information. Users can learn about dive opportunities by continent and country, or drill down to specific dive destinations and dive sites. They will find a mosaic of dive sites to explore in each location with insight provided by local experts, as well as dive site reviews from fellow explorers. Users can easily contact PADI operators and book dives, snorkel excursions, holidays and courses through the integrated PADI Adventures platform. 

Start exploring and planning your next adventure at padi.com/exploration.

PADI®, the world’s leading scuba diver organization, is teaming up with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef on a first-of-its-kind citizen science project to help protect the earth’s largest reef system. The Great Reef Census provides opportunity for divers everywhere to impact the long-term health of one of the most iconic dive destinations on the planet through online image analysis.

“As the impacts of climate change and other threats accelerate around the world, there is an urgent need to scale-up conservation efforts globally, which requires everyone to take part,” says Andy Ridley, CEO of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. “The  global dive community is in a unique position to support these efforts with the skills, passion and knowledge needed to support marine conservation efforts.”

From October to December 2020, divers, dive boats, marine tourism operators and others in the reef community were mobilized to create a makeshift research flotilla. Their mission: to capture large-scale reconnaissance data and images from across Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Dive crew, scientists, tourists and conservation groups volunteered hundreds of hours and surveyed more than 160 reefs from the tip of Cape York to the remote southern Swains. Over 13,000 images were captured and uploaded to the Great Reef Census platform to be analyzed.

“As PADI scuba divers and professionals, we are all ambassadors for our oceans,” said Michelle Barry, a PADI Master Scuba Diverä Trainer based on the Great Barrier Reef. “The Great Reef Census is a ground-breaking idea for ocean conservation that is inclusive of anyone with access to the internet. This allows people all around the world to visit the Reef virtually and to be part of an important project to protect it.”

PADI and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef are calling upon divers worldwide, and all who care about the future of the ocean, to help turn these images into meaningful data, helping scientists and managers better understand the health of the reef system. Each image can be analyzed by anyone, anywhere, with internet access and a few minutes to spare.

“This is the future of conservation on the Great Barrier Reef. This is where anyone can show that they care,” says Russell Hosp, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Environmental Manager and Master Reef Guide at Passions of Paradise, a PADI dive operator in Cairns, Australia. “If people are really serious about saving the Great Barrier Reef, this is their chance to go to greatreefcensus.org, stick their hand up and say, ‘Yes, I want to be part of the solution.’”

The Great Reef Census is the first to test the effectiveness of mass-scale engagement in a significant underwater research project. If proven successful, the model can be rolled out across the world, providing real-time status updates for the planet’s treasured reefs. And, ultimately, serving as an influential tool to establish greater legal protections for coral reefs worldwide. 

“Divers have long understood the value of citizen science and their unique ability to witness and report changes to underwater environments,” says Kristin Valette-Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. Programs like Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris® continue to effectively provide data to influence policy changes for increased ocean protections.

“Many of us may not be able to travel to or dive the reef right now but, regardless of circumstance, we can contribute to its future – and ultimately the future of other reef systems around the world,” continues Valette-Wirth.

From climate change to marine pollution and deforestation, the pressures on global ecosystems are accelerating rapidly. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced three mass coral bleaching events in the last five years, meaning traditional management and monitoring resources are becoming increasingly stretched. 

“One of the greatest challenges to the Great Barrier Reef is that much of the world believes it’s already gone. But the Reef is massive, the same size as Germany, so the reality is it’s a patchwork system of incredibly healthy, degraded and recovering reefs,” said Ridley.

Only five to 10 percent of the Great Barrier Reef is regularly surveyed, the Great Reef Census is designed to help fill critical gaps in our knowledge of how individual reefs are coping with stresses and has already returned valuable data.

All are encouraged to get involved in the survey at greatreefcensus.org.

To learn more about issues impacting ocean health and ways to be part of the solution, join the community of PADI Torchbearers uniting to save the ocean at padi.com/onebillion.

PADI® announces new AmbassaDivers on the 2021 team. In their unique ways, these individuals are sharing their love for diving, acting to safeguard ocean health and exciting others to pursue their own passions. Together, they are a motivating force in their communities and across the globe, leading and encouraging others to seek adventure and save the ocean.

PADI launched the AmbassaDiver program in 2015 to help amplify the stories of divers who inspire others to love and care for our ocean planet. PADI AmbassaDivers are part of a team committed to elevating diving, bringing awareness to social or environmental issues and encouraging more people to explore, protect and experience the underwater world. PADI welcomes the following individuals to the 2021 AmbassaDiver roster:

Paris Norriss

Paris is an outdoor enthusiast and host of the adventure travel show Guy in Dubai – with scuba diving and freediving playing central roles in his adventures throughout the show. To date, more than 15 million people tune in annually on Amazon Prime, OSN, and inflight entertainment systems on Emirates and British Airways. Originally from the UK, now based out of Dubai, Paris aims to inspire people to discover the world (above and below the surface), and to take action to follow their passions.

Taylor Walston

Originally from California, USA, Taylor now lives on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where freediving has powerfully changed her life. As a professional photographer and an ambassador with One Ocean Diving, she works to spread awareness about the importance of shark conservation and ocean preservation. In 2020, Taylor encountered more than 10 different species of sharks while exploring the underwater world, and reached a three-minute static breath hold.

Doudou

Doudou is an adventurer, diver, filmmaker and conservationist with more than 1 million followers on social media in China. As a child she was scared of the water, and it wasn’t until she came across diving in 2009 that she actually overcame her fears and discovered the beauty of the sea. Since then, she has become a certified freediver and has launched an incredible career in underwater photography and filmmaking. Doudou is the first female National Geographic Explorer from China, having worked on projects like Planet or Plastic and Extreme China.

Yukie Higashinita

Based in Japan, Yukie became obsessed with the charm of the ocean the very first time she went diving in Guam at the age of 20. Since then, she dives as often as possible, with her favorite experience diving with a massive school of hammerhead sharks off Mikomoto Island. Yukie earned her PADI Rescue Diver certification at the age of 24, and hopes to share the charm of the ocean with as many people as possible. 

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Miranda has been traveling and diving the world for more than 20 years as a TV and radio wildlife presenter for networks like FOX and BBC. When she learned to dive while studying zoology at Bristol University, she had no idea that diving would become such a major part of her career. When she’s not traveling, Miranda is a mother of two and loves diving the chilly waters around the UK. Through her work on and off screen, she hopes to connect people with nature and the need for conservation.

Francisco Delgado

Born and raised in Patagonia, Francisco is a lover of all outdoor sports and has worked in theater, radio and TV throughout his career. After winning the TV show Big Brother in Argentina in 2015, he toured the Riviera Maya and dedicated himself to studying marine conservation. He currently resides in Cozumel, Mexico, with his two children, where he works as a PADI Instructor and an adventure lifestyle social media influencer for brands in Latin America. Francisco’s mission is to introduce younger generations to the underwater world and teach them how to respect and protect it.

Tom Park

Tom is a photographer and filmmaker with a passion for creating underwater films and marketing materials for tourism boards and ocean-focused businesses. His work has been featured in an array of international magazines and galleries. He also regularly works with marine biologists to help safeguard his local Sydney waterways, and volunteers his time to support non-profit ocean-conservation groups. Tom continuously aims to inspire others to protect the ocean, and hopefully experience the underwater world for themselves.

Martyna Skura

Born and raised in Poland, Martyna has spent the last 10 years traveling and working overseas. Thailand is where she found her passion for diving and ocean conservation, and since then she’s become a PADI IDC Staff Instructor and EFR Instructor Trainer. She’s now living in the Maldives, and is working toward becoming a PADI Master Scuba Instructor. Martyna’s mission is to share her love of diving, the beauty of the oceans and the importance of protecting them with others.

Kaoruko Inou

Kaoruko has created a profession of her own: underwater reporter. After graduating from university in Japan in 2010, she has traveled around the world to report on and share her underwater explorations, and has appeared on many popular Japanese TV programs. In 2019, Kaoruko became the first female Japanese certified whale swim guide in the Kingdom of Tonga.

“This esteemed group epitomizes what it means to seek adventure and save the ocean,” says Kristin Valette-Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “They are true torchbearers, dedicated to exploring and protecting the underwater world. And we are committed to amplifying these AmbassaDivers’ stories to inspire more people around the globe to deepen their connection with our water planet.”

Learn more about the PADI AmbassaDiver team here. Follow PADI on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date on their ongoing projects, dive adventures and conservation efforts throughout the year.

PADI Gear’s new recycled plastic face mask designs, available for purchase on PADIGear.com

Eco-friendly, adjustable face masks with an optional filter pocket. Three, tightly woven layers with an antimicrobial treatment. Made from reclaimed ocean plastic + organic cotton. One mask contains the equivalent of 3 plastic bottles!

• Breathable, with a cooling technology
• Durable, comfortable elastic with a silicone adjuster to ensure a good fit on most adult faces
• Three layers of tightly woven protection; created in accordance with local, national and international health organization protocols
• Antimicrobial treatment on outer layer
• Reusable + washable at high temperatures
• Contains an optional filter pocket for standardized PM 2.5 filters sold separately.
• For reasons of hygiene, the face mask cannot be returned once purchased

Learn more and buy online at: https://www.padigear.com/collections/recycled-plastic-face-masks

Nothing since the devastation of the Spanish flu in 1918, has the world seen since the arrival of the lethal virus COVID19. This killer virus has infected all walks of life. Worldwide, deaths are staggering. Countries around the world have scrambled to produce a vaccine. The diving industry which relies on travel, sales, and many more related offshoots of the business has also felt these impacts. Liveaboards/dive travel came to a screeching halt during this pandemic. In many places, local diving picked up but with strict regulations put in place.

PADI members from across the world put together a positive video to tell us that “Things will get better” in 2021 and encourage us to look forward to better times in 2021 in the diving industry. Their message stresses the loyalty of PADI to its members and the diving industry and their trust in all the talented people who work in the industry.

Learn more about PADI at: http://www.padi.com

PADI is excited to announce the launch of the new PADI Mermaid program designed to provide water-enthusiasts an additional outlet for exploring their underwater passion. With consumers showing a desire to imitate the underwater abilities of mythical mermaids, this is an excellent opportunity for PADI dive centres and resorts to attract and gain an entirely new customer base.

Did you know that the word “mermaid” is of Chinese origin and roughly translates to “human fish”? In many Asian cultures like China, Japan, South Korea & Vietnam, the word “mermaid’ is not gender-specific and therefore, the words “man” or “woman” need to be added to specify a particular gender.

The PADI Mermaid program is a stand-alone program like the PADI Freediver program, it doesn’t require scuba or freediver instructor ratings as an underlying certification.

The PADI Mermaid program consists of four student and three instructor level ratings

PADI Mermaid Student Levels

• PADI Discover Mermaid Experience – no prerequisites
• PADI Basic Mermaid Course – ability to swim at least 25m and float comfortably at the surface for at least 3 minutes
• PADI Mermaid Course – ability to swim at least 50m and float comfortably on the surface for 5 minutes
• PADI Advanced Mermaid Course – ability to swim at least 100m and float comfortably on the surface for at least 10 minutes

PADI Mermaid Professional Levels

• Basic Mermaid Instructor – can teach Discover Mermaid experience and Basic Mermaid course
• Mermaid Instructor – can teach Discover Mermaid experience, Basic Mermaid course, Mermaid course and Advanced Mermaid course
• Mermaid Instructor Trainer – can teach Mermaid Instructor course and orientation

Currently, the program is available in English and Simplified Chinese and additional details can be found in the 1^st Quarter 2021 Training Bulletin.

With interest in state-of-the-art mermaid training is growing globally and as a result, jump on board today! For further information contact your Regional Training Consultant or Regional Manager

Learn more about PADI at: http://www.padi.com

Now more than ever, it is important to ensure that your holiday booking is fully flexible. It is with this in mind that PADI Travel have launched their brand new Book with Confidence collection.

• PADI is offering a special collection that conveniently allows users to book their dream dive trip with confidence.
• As low as a 5% deposit required to secure your booking, with the balance due 17 days before travel.
• Travel dates are unrestricted, so users can book for now, 2021 or beyond.
• Receive a full cash refund up to 8 days before your trip on bookings made before the end of 2020.

Learn more and book your next dive holiday at: https://travel.padi.com/c/book-with-confidence

Participants Around the World Can Use #UnderwaterSelfieDay to Raise Awareness and Enter to Win 

PADI^® and GoPro are teaming up to rally people around the world to dive in and make a statement for ocean conservation with the world’s first-ever Underwater Selfie Day on 7 November 2020. 

By flooding social media with amazing underwater photos and videos for one day, divers, water lovers and action sports enthusiasts will put a spotlight on the human connection to the ocean – showing millions of people around the world just how incredible it really is and why it’s worth protecting. 

“PADI is committed to growing its community of Torchbearers who explore and protect our ocean,” says Kristin Valette-Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “We’re thrilled to partner with GoPro to inform, excite and empower people everywhere to seek adventure and save the ocean on Underwater Selfie Day and year-round.”  

“At GoPro, we often say that the company really took off when our founder, Nicholas Woodman, decided to turn the camera around and capture himself. The wide-angle views inherent to GoPro are perfect for capturing not only your expression but whatever experience you are immersing yourself in. So, kicking off an international #UnderwaterSelfieDay, which also celebrates protecting the environment, is something we are thrilled to be a part of,” says GoPro Vice President of Global Marketing Rick Loughery. “Participants will also notice that the HERO9 Black they are vying for is the first GoPro to be sold in plastic-free packaging—one more step we are taking to protect the environment.” 

How to participate

 Dive below the surface and take your best underwater selfie with your GoPro, or share one from a past adventure, showcasing the world you want to save so you and future generations can continue to seek adventure. Post your selfie photo or video to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter on 7 November 2020. Tag PADI and GoPro with #underwaterselfieday. A panel of judges will identify the top post based on performance and style, composition and framing, and overall creativity. The winning entry will earn $2,000 US and the recently launched GoPro HERO9 Black. Two runner-up participants will also win the GoPro HERO9 Black. This GoPro is the first to offer a 23.6MP sensor to deliver 5K video with 14.7MP frame grabs, 20MP photos, next-generation 3.0 features and more. 

For official rules and to learn more, visit padi.com/underwaterselfieday. To learn more about the community of PADI Torchbearersä coming together to save the ocean and to join the movement, visit padi.com/conservation.  

Want to be featured on the PADI Dive Stories Podcast? Share one of your most memorable dive stories with us for a chance to be featured in the listener DiveLog segment of an upcoming episode.

To record and submit your dive story, click the ‘Record Your Dive Story’ button below, then follow the steps. Please limit your recording to a maximum length of one minute (60 seconds). We look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to “Record Your Dive Story”

Thank you for being part of our global community of PADI divers and ocean-lovers working together to seek adventure and save the ocean. We love featuring epic listener dive stories from around the world in the DiveLog segment of the show.

You can listen to Dive Stories Podcast in your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Feel free to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with your ocean-loving friends. New episodes, hosted by Ocean Allison, launch on the 15th of each month. Thanks for diving in with us!

Learn more about the PADI Dive Stories Podcast at: https://blog.padi.com/2020/06/25/dive-stories-podcast/

In October 2020, we’ll start accepting applications (and nominations) for new PADI® AmbassaDivers. We’re looking for people who champion their local dive environment and actively share their passion for the underwater world.

Do any of the scenarios below describe you or someone you know? If so, you may be in the presence of a future AmbassaDiver:

• Learning to scuba dive (or freedive) was a turning point in their life.
• Whenever you hang out, the conversation inevitably turns to diving.
• They can’t walk (or swim) by a piece of debris without picking it up.
• Their social media feed is full of underwater adventures, marine life memes and conservation messages.

PADI AmbassaDiver FAQs

What information do I need to apply or nominate someone?

The application is a short, online survey. Here’s what you need to know:

• There’s no minimum age, but we require an active social media presence. In many countries, the minimum age for a social media account is 13.
• There is a field for certification level. If you are not a certified diver or freediver, simply write “not certified.”
• Be prepared to list relevant achievements and experience, and (briefly) explain how you, or the person you’re nominating, will inspire others to try diving and become ocean stewards.

What if I’m not an instructor or a professional photographer?

We love looking at beautiful images from around the world (who doesn’t), but pretty photos alone aren’t enough to be a PADI AmbassaDiver. As the name suggests, we’re looking for people who are ambassadors for diving. An AmbassaDiver should inspire others to try diving, dive locally, and be a voice for the ocean.

A PADI Instructor who teaches a lot of students doesn’t automatically qualify to be an AmbassaDiver either. PADI Pros who aspire to become AmbassaDivers should make an exceptional effort to promote diving in their area and/or support conservation.

What if I’m not a certified diver?

You don’t have to be a certified diver or freediver to be a PADI AmbassaDiver; however, one of the questions on the application is, “how will you inspire others to try diving and become ocean stewards?” If you’re not already a diver or freediver, consider how you will answer this question.

If your social media followers are passionate about conservation, travel, and/or ocean sports, we’d love to introduce them (and you!) to scuba diving. In your application, tell us how you’ll encourage others to try diving once you’re certified.

How many social media followers do I need?

We look for applicants with a strong and active social media following, but there isn’t a minimum follower number to apply. We recognize a small but passionate group can be more influential than a large, disconnected one.

That said, saving the ocean will take billions of us in a united effort. So, if all other factors are equal, the size of an applicant’s active following may determine who gets selected.

Learn More About Our Criteria

When will PADI start accepting new AmbassaDiver applications/nominations?

The next application period begins in October 2020. Applications will be reviewed in October/November and new AmbassaDivers will be notified in December.

What’s the difference between a PADI Torchbearer and a PADI AmbassaDiver?

PADI Torchbearers are 100% focused on saving the ocean. They seek to bring about meaningful change and restore the balance between the oceans and humanity.

A PADI AmbassaDiver is passionate about ocean conservation, but it may not be their primary activity. For example, 2020 AmbassaDiver Alex Rendell started an educational program in Thailand to teach children about marine science, scuba diving and how to be an advocate for the environment.

What are the benefits of being a PADI AmbassaDiver?

• Increased visibility and amplification of messages
• Greater awareness of your programs and initiatives
• The opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals (other AmbassaDivers)
• New friendships with people around the world

Ready to apply or nominate someone?

Apply now by clicking here

PADI® and the Project AWARE® team are joining forces to empower people everywhere to carry the torch for ocean protection with the third annual AWARE Week. Taking place 19-27 September 2020, AWARE Week will encourage the global dive community to lead or take part in conservation activities and courses for a clean and healthy ocean. AWARE Week will provide opportunities to support ocean health, fins off and fins on, in a variety of ways so anyone can get involved in whatever capacity they can during these times.

The week will emphasize PADI’s Torchbearer 5 framework – five key goals to guide community actions during AWARE Week and into the future. The goals are set to ensure individual contributions play into a wider movement that will ultimately turn the dial toward a healthy future for people and planet. Throughout AWARE Week, PADI and Project AWARE will provide specific and tangible actions that people can make to drive progress for each goal collectively, including:

1. Stand Up for the Ocean. Advocate for the protection of sharks, one of the most vulnerable marine species on the planet. Project AWARE is promoting and tracking support from Atlantic fishing nations to tackle one of the world’s most pressing shark conservation crises: the dangerous decline of Atlantic shortfin makos. If your country is not on the Mako Champions Map, you can help change that at www.projectaware.org/sharkleague.
2. Assume Responsibility. Divers are drawn to develop a deeper understanding of the ocean’s ecosystems so we can understand key ocean threats, identify ways to take action and give tips to be responsible ocean adventurers. Host or take the Project AWARE Specialty course to sharpen understanding with the “Top 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet.”
3. Dive with a Purpose. Every dive is an opportunity to collect vital data that can be used to create future protection measures for the ocean. By downloading the Dive Against Debris® App and reporting what you find, you join the largest underwater citizen science movement on the planet. You can directly inform marine debris research, thereby mitigating the impacts of pollution on the ocean planet.
4. Reduce Our Carbon Footprint. Coastal sea beds are the most powerful CO2 and carbon filters on the planet, storing upward of 50 percent of the CO2 trapped by the ocean and providing the foundations of life in the ocean. Contribute to the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows and mangrove swamps, and amplify awareness about the issue and how divers can help with the Project AWARE Specialty course. 
5. Make Sustainable Choices. During AWARE Week, reinforce sustainable habits by choosing to be especially mindful of what you are supporting with every purchase you make, and share those choices that are supporting a brighter future.

Here are just a few of the many ways PADI Professionals, Dive Centers, Resorts and divers all across the industry can lead these efforts in their community and maximize the impact of AWARE Week:

• If you haven’t done so already, start by joining PADI’s growing community of torchbearers for ocean protection. The PADI Torchbearer community is a critical ally to the ocean planet – a force for good that can be mobilized to restore ocean health and support our coastal communities around the world.  
• Offer Project AWARE specialty courses, including the revised Project AWARE Specialty, Dive Against Debris Specialty, and AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty. From learning about tips to protect the ocean planet to understanding how underwater citizen science and marine debris data can help affect policy change, each course gives ocean enthusiasts the power to protect the ocean. Visit the Project AWARE Online Teaching Hub for more information about conducting Project AWARE specialty courses virtually during these times. Visit the Project AWARE website for information on teaching eligibility and course materials. 
• Take part in a Dive Against Debris® or join an AWARE Week event near you – or host your own for your local community. Add your AWARE Week actions to Project AWARE’s Action Map and My Ocean, Project AWARE’s online community of agents of positive change. 

Hosts can list their events, activities and courses on the PADI Adventures app to elevate awareness with divers near them. Learn more about AWARE Week 2020 at www.projectaware.org/news/aware-week-2020.

Don’t let lockdown or COVID-19 stand in the way of your next scuba diving adventure.

PADI has been able to transition several of its in-the-water dive courses to eLearning courses as a means of keeping people safe, busy and adventurous during these times.

The following courses are now available via the PADI eLearning platform:

• Diver propulsion vehicle (DPV)
• Search & Recovery
• Boat
• Drift
• Wreck
• Night
• U/W Navigator
• Deep
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Equipment
• Dry suit

Learn more and start planning your next eLearning course at: https://www.padi.com/courses

Divers from across the United States and around the world are coming together in an attempt to break the world record for the largest underwater cleanup. More than 700 divers are expected to take part in the record attempt in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, on 15 June 2019. 

Sponsored by local dive centers, PADI® and Project AWARE®, the event brings together the local and international dive communities with dozens of teams including dive centers, clubs, university groups and members of the dive industry participating. Marine debris removed during the event will be recorded via Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris®, an underwater debris data-collection program that improves the health of ocean ecosystems through localized citizen-science efforts and provides valuable information to help inform policy change.

“This event will be environmentally and socially beneficial for the community as a whole,” says Arilton Pavan, event organizer and owner of Dixie Divers, a PADI Five Star Dive Center in Deerfield Beach. “The cleanup will bring together divers, volunteers and local businesses, and further supports ocean health by doing our part to keep our local waters clean and raise awareness about ocean conservation efforts on a global scale.”

A judge will be present to make the record for Most participants in an underwater cleanup in 24 hours (single venue) official during the event. The title is currently held by Ahmed Gabr, who organized 614 scuba divers for a cleanup in Egypt on 5 June 2015.

In 2018, 386 scuba divers in Deerfield Beach were awarded with theGUINNESS WORLD RECORDSä title of Longest human chain underwater. At the record-breaking event, participants rallied to clean up the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, which supports an abundance of marine life but is normally closed to divers because of fishing. More than 300 volunteers collected one-half ton of lead weights, 52 pounds of wood, 161 pounds of fishing line, 104 pounds of metal, and 102 pounds of miscellaneous debris, which were removed from Deerfield Beach shores. Additionally, 219 miles of fishing line were removed from the pier’s pilings. With hundreds of additional divers participating, this year’s event is expected to generate an even greater impact.

“As divers, we have a unique perspective, seeing first-hand the underwater world’s wonder and fragility, and likely some of its challenges,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “We have a responsibility to serve as the oceans’ ambassadors to help others see and understand the problems, and demonstrate how we can make better choices to protect our environment. This event will exemplify what can be accomplished when we, as a global community of divers, act together as a force for good.”

All certified divers, whether new to diving or highly experienced, are invited to register to be part of the record attempt. Non-divers are encouraged to get involved as volunteers or to take the PADI Open Water Diver course prior to the event to join in the underwater cleanup. Participating divers are encouraged to take the PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty course with their local PADI Dive Center or Resort in advance of the cleanup to learn about marine debris and how to establish a Dive Against Debris survey.

The event is free to the public; however, a $30 administration fee is charged to be part of the record attempt to help pay for the official judging and other expenses of an undertaking of this magnitude. Advance registration to be a diver or volunteer (free) is required. Those who choose to participate in the attempt will receive a long-sleeve wicking shirt, a small gift bag and will be eligible to apply for an official certificate of world record attempt participation. Volunteers who are not in the attempt will receive a free event t-shirt and goodie bag.

Leaders in the dive industry are encouraged to rally their divers to participate in the world’s largest underwater cleanup as a team.

Visit https://www.racersignup.com/world-record-attempt-largest-clean-up-underwater/for additional event details and to register as an individual participant, team or volunteer.

PADI® announces plans for PADI Women’s Dive Day 2019, the largest single day of organized diving, on Saturday, 20 July. For the fifth consecutive year, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts will host thousands of divers for a global celebration of shared adventure and passion for the ocean at hundreds of events around the world.

Committed to fostering a global community that encourages divers of all genders, ages and experience levels to safely and confidently explore the underwater world, PADI launched the first PADI Women’s Dive Day in 2015. Growing year over year, PADI Women’s Dive Day swelled to more than 1,000 events in 104 countries in 2018, further strengthening female participation in scuba diving worldwide. 

It has become evident the positive influence of these events extends beyond gender. Since the inception of PADI Women’s Dive Day five years ago, events around the globe have taken on conservation and community-minded causes at their core, giving divers the opportunity to take action, give back and be a force for good both above and below the surface. A few examples from last year’s events include:  

• Fifth Point Diving Centre in England transformed the one-day celebration into a weeklong event filled with education programs like fundamentals of underwater photography and the Project AWARE® Dive Against Debris® Specialty course, as well as snorkeling and diving excursions. The week culminated with a Dive Against Debris on PADI Women’s Dive Day.
• The Perry Institute for Marine Science collaborated with Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas to teach the PADI Reef Rescue Diver Distinctive Specialty course. The course teaches about corals, the threats they face and what can be done to assist their recovery including the practice of establishing coral nurseries. Divers participated in two dives learning how to maintain coral trees and how to plant their own coral with personalized tags so they can monitor them over the coming months.
• In honor of PADI Women’s Dive Day and progressive changes being made in their society, women in Saudi Arabia drove themselves, for the first time in their lives, to do a night dive.
• Blue Corner Dive in Bali supported the local community by offering two free professional-development internships to local Indonesian women. The female-led mentorship program took them from PADI Open Water Diver to PADI Divemaster.

This year, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts across the globe will again host dive events to build a strong community that encourages people – male and female alike – to discover (or rediscover!) their love of diving and become active stewards for our oceans. 

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, plan your PADI Women’s Dive Day event and register it now on the PADI Pros’ Site registration page. 

Interested in taking part in PADI Women’s Dive Day 2019? Contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort or visit padi.com to learn more (additional information coming soon).

Learn more about PADI at: http://www.padi.com

PADI® and Project AWARE® announce the launch of the updated Project AWARE Specialty course to coincide with the first global AWARE Week, 15-23 September 2018. The newly revised course provides information and encouragement to help individuals take responsibility for ocean health.

Building on the success and popularity of the Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet – the backbone of Project AWARE’s philosophy – the Project AWARE Specialty focuses on guiding participants toward personal commitments and actions they can take to help the environment. With a shared belief that no action is too small, PADI and Project AWARE collaborated to revise the specialty and shift its focus to encourage and increase to concrete actions (fins on and fins off) for ocean protection, specifically:

1. Be a Buoyancy Expert
2. Be a Role Model
3. Take Only Photos – Leave Only Bubbles
4. Protect Underwater Life
5. Become a Debris Activist
6. Make Responsible Seafood Choices
7. Take Action
8. Be an Eco-tourist
9. Shrink Your Carbon Footprint
10. Give Back

“Over the past quarter of a century, Project AWARE has been at the forefront of emerging ocean issues, amplified divers’ voices on the international stage and brought together a worldwide community tackling some of the most pressing ocean challenges,” says Danna Moore, Director of Global Operations for Project AWARE. “When updating the content of the Project AWARE Specialty as part of our new mission to connect the passion for adventure with the purpose of marine conservation, the focus was on understanding what inspires and motivates the dive community to take concrete actions that bring about positive change for the ocean.”

PADI and Project AWARE believe in the power of people to help address threats facing our ocean today, and that large-scale transformation starts with individuals acting locally for global impact. To this end, the Project AWARE Specialty course can be adapted to the local environment, including the integration of local conservation issues and solutions.

As a “fins off” course, meaning no dives required, participants need only have an interest in the aquatic environment or a desire to take action for a clean and healthy ocean – there is no minimum age or experience requirement. As such, scuba divers and nondivers taking the revised Project AWARE Specialty can become true agents of positive change for the ocean by not only pledging to follow the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet but also deepening their knowledge and understanding of how they can make a difference for ocean protection every time they dive and travel, and throughout daily life.

AWARE Week is an opportune time to get involved in the movement to be a voice for the ocean and act for change. The global dive community is rallying together to focus on making a difference in the health of the underwater environment. Contact your PADI Dive Center or Resort to take part in AWARE Week activities and sign up for the new Project AWARE Specialty course – or a number of other courses developed to help divers protect the ocean, such as the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, Dive Against Debris®, AWARE Shark Conservation or Coral Reef Conservation specialty courses.

For PADI Professionals interested in teaching the revised Project AWARE Specialty, teaching status PADI Assistant Instructors and Open Water Scuba Instructors are automatically eligible to teach the course. PADI FreediverÔ Instructors may qualify by submitting a PADI Freediver Specialty Course Instructor Application. PADI Divemasters who have completed Specialty Instructor training with a PADI Course Director and had their applications verified at their PADI Regional Headquarters also qualify to teach this course.

Learn more at: http://www.padi.com and http://www.projectaware.org

On Saturday, 21 July, PADI® Dive Centers, Resorts and Professional Members hosted more than 1,000 events in 104 countries across the globe for the fourth annual PADI Women’s Dive Day. With record-breaking participation, the day brought together thousands of female and male divers of all ages and experience levels. A few highlights from this year’s festivities include:

1. Fifth Point Diving Centre in the United Kingdom transformed the one-day celebration into a weeklong event filled with education programs like fundamentals of underwater photography and the Project AWARE® Dive Against Debris® Specialty course, as well as snorkeling and diving excursions. The week culminated with a Dive Against Debris on PADI Women’s Dive Day, during which BBC joined in to film the group’s environmental efforts.
2. In Grand Cayman, Divetech celebrated by bringing together 84 women to set the world record for longest underwater female human chain. The empowering event raised over $3,000 US to support breast cancer research.
3. In support of the local community and in honor of the great accomplishments women have made in diving, Blue Corner Dive in Bali offered two free internships to local Indonesian women. The female-led mentorship program will take them from PADI Open Water Diver to PADI Divemaster starting in August. Selected applicants were chosen based on a short video or essay explaining why they hope to become true dive professionals.

“One of our main goals has always been to remove any barriers divers may face when entering the sport – particularly for women and young people,” said Nic Emery, co-founder of Fifth Point Diving Centre, which crossed over to PADI this year. “We know this isn’t always the easiest atmosphere to break into as a newbie diver, or even as a seasoned pro looking for somewhere new. Our week of celebrations served as a culmination of our efforts to change these perceptions.”

Media coverage of PADI Women’s Dive Day events exceeded 236 million viewers worldwide and engaged millions of people via social media, increasing awareness and excitement for diving across diverse audiences. PADI Members and divers all took to their social channels to proudly share their #padiwomensdiveday experiences. For a snapshot of events around the world, check out the PADI Women’s Dive Day 2018 Facebook photo album.

PADI Women’s Dive Day began in 2015 out of the PADI organization’s commitment to fostering a global dive community that encourages and empowers females of all ages to safely and confidently explore the underwater world. Each year since, PADI Women’s Dive Day has seen increased adoption of the event and support from every sector of the dive industry, growing from 335 events in 65 countries in 2015 to 1,066 events in 104 countries in 2018. Year over year, the dive community has rallied together around PADI Women’s Dive Day to reduce the gender gap in diving, strengthen bonds, get more people actively diving and create more stewards for the ocean.

Thank you to all who took part in this year’s celebration to inspire new divers and build a stronger, more active dive community.

Mark your calendars: Next year’s PADI Women’s Dive Day is scheduled for Saturday, 20 July 2019.

Learn more at: https://www.padi.com/women

WHAT

Divers from across the state of Florida and around the world are coming together in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest human chain underwater. A judge from Guinness World Records will be present to make the record official during the event. Participating divers will also join forces in an underwater cleanup of the Deerfield Beach Pier.

WHO

More than 400 divers are expected to take part in the record attempt. Hosted by Dixie Divers, a PADI® Five Star Instructor Development Center, the event brings together the local and international dive communities. Dozens of teams including dive centers, clubs, university groups and members of the dive industry will be participating. All certified divers, whether new to diving or highly experienced, are invited to register as links in the human chain. Non-divers are encouraged to get involved as volunteers or to take the PADI Open Water Diver course prior to the event to join in the underwater activities. All participants will receive a moisture-wicking long sleeve UV shirt and a certificate of world record attempt participation.

WHY

The event is organized to celebrate the dive community and bring together divers who share a passion for adventure and love for the ocean. The current record for longest human chain underwater is 308 divers and was achieved in Cesenatico, Italy, in May 2017. Attempting to break this record will literally unify 400 divers and, in doing so, strengthen and support the dive community. The pier, which is normally closed to divers because of fishing and supports an abundance of marine life, will get a cleanup by the participating divers.

WHEN

Saturday, June 16
Pier cleanup: 9:00-11:00 am | World record attempt: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

WHERE

Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier
200 NE 21st Ave, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33073

Learn more about the event and register here

Divers who earn the highest distinction in recreational diving will be entered to win an unforgettable dive trip to the Bay Islands.

PADI Americas kicks off the 2018 Master Scuba Diver Challenge. Divers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Caribbean who earn their PADI Master Scuba Diver rating from 1 May through 30 September 2018 will have the chance to win a dream dive vacation for two to Anthony’s Key Resort in Roatan, Bay Islands.

The prize package includes round-trip economy airfare to Roatan, airport transfers, seven nights’ accommodation and a dive package at Anthony’s Key Resort. The winning diver and one guest will explore the dramatic drop-offs, lively reefs and boulder formations of Roatan.

With fewer than two percent of divers earning the distinction of PADI Master Scuba Diver, this rating is the ultimate achievement in recreational scuba diving – validation that divers have accumulated significant experience and training that allow them to maximize their ability for underwater exploration and adventure. To qualify for this elite distinction, a diver must be a PADI Rescue Diver (or qualifying certification), have earned five PADI specialty diver certifications and have logged a minimum of 50 dives.

To learn more about the 2018 PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge and how you can win, contact your PADI Dive Center or Resort or click here.

Special thanks to Anthony’s Key Resort for sponsoring the prize package.

Learn more at: https://www.padi.com/msdchallenge

Artificial Reefs International – U.S.S. Clamagore (ARI) and lifestyle brand Salt Life announced PADI’s (Professional Association of Diving Instructors^®) support of the U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project. A Cold War-era submarine, the U.S.S. Clamagore will be relocated from Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina, and converted to an artificial reef off the coast of Palm Beach County, Florida.

Under the supervision of CRB Geological & Environmental Services, Inc., the submarine will undergo intensive cleaning processes to ensure it is environmentally sound, and panels will be removed from one side to create an underwater museum and artificial reef. Once established, artificial reefs provide food, shelter, protection and spawning areas for marine life, as well as recreational opportunities for scuba divers.

“The PADI^® organization is committed to being a force for good, and we’re passionate about improving the health of reefs on local, national and international levels,” said Drew Richardson, president and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “We are honored to support ARI and Salt Life with this project to provide divers with a new site to explore, while simultaneously giving them a glimpse into the past and hope for the future of ocean health.”

“PADI is the largest recreational diver training organization in the world, and their support of the project is invaluable,” said Joe Weatherby, senior project manager for ARI. Salt Life President Jeff Stillwell added, “We are excited to partner with like-minded organizations that believe ocean conservation is crucial. By combining our voices and our particular talents, we can effect positive change for the ocean environment and the people who love it.”

All leaders in their respective fields, PADI, ARI and Salt Life offer their powerful voices and expansive networks of ocean advocates to drive positive change for the marine environment through this effort. The historic U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project will begin later this spring with anticipated completion in August 2018.

As part of the Salt Life Gives Back initiative, Salt Life partners with organizations that strive to protect the ocean and its wildlife through conservation efforts, enforcement, reef creation and sustainability programs. For more information, visit www.saltlife.com/salt-life-gives-back. To this end, Salt Life has announced the sale of limited edition commemorative tees with net proceeds supporting the U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project. You can purchase a Clamagore tee here.

Learn more about PADI at: http://www.padi.com

As the world’s largest scuba diver training organization, PADI® is committed to growing the scuba and freediving markets by both attracting new people to the sport and motivating existing divers to dive more often. To this end, PADI has introduced the all-new global PADI Travel, featuring an online travel platform and full-service team dedicated to providing top-notch travel services – inspiring divers to explore more of the underwater world and take care of our oceans. PADI Travel is designed to energize and grow the overall diving community for the benefit of everyone in the dive industry, offering hundreds of dive destinations around the world and poised to expand over the coming months with more dive resort offerings.

With each dive operator’s unique business model in mind, PADI Travel is available to augment, support or enhance a PADI Dive Center’s current travel program. Catering to groups and individual travelers alike, PADI Travel combines the best of online booking with concierge-level travel consultancy, offering:

• The highest customer satisfaction with expert customer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• One of the largest online selections of liveaboards and dive destinations in the market.
• Dedicated dive travel experts with in-depth dive knowledge and experience to provide personalized advice; the team averages 2,500 dives per customer service representative, with dive experience spanning a total of 80 countries around the world.
• Eco-friendly trip options to help people dive with a purpose.

PADI Travel launches as a leading online travel provider for divers, offering a user friendly experience to research, compare and book dive vacations anywhere in the world. In today’s digital world, travelers have high expectations with respect to their ability to find information and book online. The new travel platform is made possible by integrating tried-and-tested technology and a global team of dive travel experts from Diviac, a startup dive travel company that has been successfully operating in the online scuba travel space since 2015.

There are many ways that members of the dive industry can benefit from PADI Travel:

• Liveaboards and PADI Resorts can tap into new customer sources, increase bookings and reduce administration.
• PADI Dive Centers can get assistance organizing and marketing group trips, earn travel agent commissions on trips booked for their customers with PADI Travel, or earn affiliate commissions for divers referred to PADI Travel.
• PADI Professionals can earn valuable incentives for divers referred to PADI Travel.
• PADI Dive Centers will be able to receive direct online bookings for their day trips and PADI courses (COMING SOON!).

“Travel is intrinsically linked to diving. For more than 30 years, it has been – and continues to be – an important part of the PADI organization as we seek to keep divers engaged and active,” says Drew Richardson, PADI Worldwide President and CEO. “The new PADI Travel is the natural evolution as we expand the program globally and optimize it to provide a best-in-class digital experience for dive travel.”

For those in North America who have worked with PADI Travel Network, be assured that PADI continues to enjoy a positive relationship with PADI Travel Network’s service provider, Caradonna Adventures, and will work with them throughout 2018 to ensure needs are met. Dive centers are encouraged to work with Caradonna Adventures for land-based travel needs until more dive resorts are added to the PADI Travel offerings.

Explore travel.padi.com to discover all that PADI Travel offers to the dive community.

To learn more about joining the PADI Travel affiliate program, visit travel.padi.com/affiliates.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s largest recreational diver training organization, has joined the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), the first global alliance working to solve the worldwide problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear, known as ghost gear. Founded by World Animal Protection in 2015, the GGGI works to reduce the volume of ghost gear, remove and recycle such gear, and rescue entangled animals. By aligning with the GGGI, PADI Divers can be mobilized to look for and report harmful ghost gear that annually entangles and kills marine life including hundreds of thousands of whales, seals, turtles and birds.

PADI joins GGGI as a member of its global solutions group to help develop new ways of mitigating the ghost gear problem. This complements the efforts of PADI’s long-standing conservation partner, Project AWARE®, which actively works as a GGGI member to build evidence through programs like Dive Against Debris®. Together, the GGGI and PADI will develop and implement projects to reduce and remove ghost gear from the ocean. This includes equipping PADI Divers with the knowledge and techniques to identify, report and, with proper training, safely remove ghost gear from waters, creating a global movement of millions of underwater eyes on the lookout for ghost gear.

More than 640,000 tons of fishing equipment is left in the world’s oceans each year, with reports showing that this debris affects more than 800 species of marine life. Many nets lost in global waters are enormous – often far bigger than football fields – trapping and killing marine life under the surface. Mostly made of plastic, ghost gear is also highly durable and can persist in the oceans for up to 600 years.

“We are happy to team up with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative,” says Drew Richardson, PADI Worldwide President and CEO. “PADI is committed to protecting the ocean planet and, with our unique underwater vantage, the dive community can play a significant role in locating marine debris. Along with Project AWARE, we look forward to working with the GGGI to empower and mobilize PADI Divers to join the fight against ghost gear.”

With nearly one million certifications issued per year, PADI is committed to building a robust force of ocean ambassadors to protect marine life and take action for the ocean planet through the Ocean Health and Marine Animal Protection Pillars of its Four Pillars of Change. 

“We are proud to welcome PADI, with its millions of underwater eyes around the world looking out for ghost gear, as a pivotal new member for the GGGI,” said Elizabeth Hogan, U.S. Oceans and Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, the GGGI’s founding participant. “Ghost gear is a true global problem that knows no borders, and PADI will surely play a crucial role in helping us to locate, remove and recycle ghost gear, which causes such immense suffering for marine animals.”

To learn more about ghost gear and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, visit www.ghostgear.org

This month, to celebrate the Professional Association of Diving Instructor’s (PADI) 25 millionth diving certification, Sarah Gleeson and a buddy of her choosing were invited on a dream trip to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and saw first-hand the state of the Reef.

“I had seen reports of the Great Barrier Reef having been pronounced dead late last year however that was not my experience. The dive sites and part of the coral reef I experienced was very much alive and quite incredible to have seen,” said Gleeson.

For Gleeson, a 22-year-old from Alberta Canada, this was her first time exploring the Great Barrier Reef and she was lucky enough to encounter a vast array of marine life amongst the famous Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole dive sites.

“The highlights of the trip were night diving with almost a dozen different white tipped reef sharks and the amazing people I got to share this experience with both the other guests and the lovely Mike Ball staff.”

Danny Dwyer, Vice President at PADI Asia Pacific, said

“Congratulations to Sarah on being invited on a trip of a lifetime. The Great Barrier Reef is truly a remarkable region with some of the best diving in the world. On behalf of PADI Members and Divers, congratulations again and we hope you enjoy the many incredible places diving takes you”. 

Following her trip, Sarah has this advice for anyone thinking about diving on the Great Barrier Reef:

“It’s an absolute must! It’s an incredible sight and if diving the Great Barrier Reef is not on your bucket list, then it should be. ”

If you’d like to experience diving on the Great Barrier Reef, locate a PADI Dive Shop at padi.com

For the past 50 years, PADI^® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) has been The Way the World Learns to Dive, and in the final days of 2016, PADI reached an incredible milestone – 25 million certifications.

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Bobby Post was the lucky PADI Professional that taught Sarah Gleeson, a 22-year-old from Alberta Canada, the 25 millionth PADI certification course. To celebrate PADI offered a dream trip to the Great Barrier Reef for the certifying PADI Instructor as well the 25 millionth student and her guest.

On Saturday 6^th May, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Bobby Post landed in Queensland for his adventure, spending two nights in Cairns before boarding the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions vessel.

“I have to say my expectations were exceedingly high and it was a truly amazing experience,” Post said. Over the course of the trip, Post explored the Reef – from Continental Shelf, to Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Steve’s Bommie. “Without a doubt the dives themselves were filled with highlights.  From reef sharks to bull sharks, manta rays to ribbon rays, sea snakes to filefish the reef did not disappoint.”

So how does one top a dream trip to on the Great Barrier Reef? 

“I am on my way to Kauai,” Post says. “There I will continue to conduct courses from PADI Discover Scuba Diving to PADI Divemaster courses with a whole lot of fun dives in between.”

“I can’t begin to describe how exciting the ride has been.  It is truly the first time I have been in love with my job; it cannot be understated how this has translated into happiness throughout the rest of my life.”

If you would like to know more about diving on the Great Barrier Reef or to locate a PADI Dive Shop visit padi.com

With Earth Day just a few days away, PADI® is building on its longstanding history of conservation by joining forces to further support two of its Four Pillars of Change: Ocean Health and Marine Animal Protection. While continuing to support Project AWARE® in its efforts to reduce marine debris and protect endangered sharks and rays, PADI is also supporting initiatives with additional organizations that are making a positive impact on the ocean planet, including the United Nations Development Programme and Mission Blue.

Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet

Aligning with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, PADI Regional Headquarters, Members and divers around the world can increase efforts to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Leading up to World’s Oceans Day on 8 June 2017, PADI will be joining in the #SaveOurOcean dialog initiated by the United Nations Development Programme to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. Through PADI communication channels, PADI Members and divers will be engaged in conversations to increase awareness about the importance of ocean health and its effect on the bigger sustainability agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

PADI is also working with Mission Blue^TM to support its efforts to protect marine areas. Sharing stories of Hope Spots – a term for special places critical to ocean health, dubbed by Dr. Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue – help identify areas that are precursors for marine protected areas. Nominating Hope Spots provides an opportunity for the PADI family and the dive industry to help reach the goal set forth by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress to protect 30 percent of our world’s oceans by 2030. In the coming months, the PADI community will share in the effort to protect more of our world’s waters by joining forces in recognizing important marine areas.

One Dive at a Time

With PADI support, Project AWARE continues its vital work to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time. From collective action in local communities to large-scale change at the policy level, Project AWARE partners with PADI Members and divers to reduce the amount of marine debris entering our ocean to protecting the world’s most threatened species of sharks and rays. Diver support is imperative for the oceans’ future. PADI Divers are encouraged to dive into action and show their support through direct donations to Project AWARE, as well as in grassroots efforts including Dive Against Debris®and Adopt a Dive Site^TM. All dive professionals are also reminded to take advantage of Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers Action Kit.

While in the early stages of building its new corporate social responsibility program, PADI is committed to activating its members and divers in support of global efforts to improve the future of the oceans under the structure of Four Pillars of Change. By taking action to reduce marine debris, establish more marine protected areas and protect marine animals, together we can increase biodiversity and work toward sustainable management of the oceans and their resources. While this topic is top of mind on Earth Day, on 22 April 2017, PADI is committed to bringing this conversation to the forefront year-round. PADI Members and divers are driving change every day and can share their stories to inspire others to do the same. If you have a story you want to share, email fourpillarsofchange@padi.com.

Be Best. Be PADI – The Way the World Learns to Dive® at: http://www.padi.com

PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is a proud supporter of two very special organizations: WAVES (the Wounded American Veterans Experience SCUBA), a nonprofit that teaches and trains veterans to become scuba divers, and PFDD (Patriots for Disabled Divers), an organization dedicated to bringing joy and therapy to those with disabilities worldwide.

According to PFDD, diving can have many benefits–some of which cannot be replicated on land:

• Relieving physical pain—The weightlessness of being underwater may relieve physical pain and may help patients exercise in a more comfortable manner.
• Building mental strength—It’s a place where patients may be able to focus, be more in control and feel a sense of achievement.
• Preventing social isolation—Scuba diving is always done with a “buddy” – an instructor or therapist, and sometimes even in groups. This encourages bonding with others.

Juan Gonzales a PADI diver and WAVES participant himself, is a retired U.S. Marine who served 3-consecutive tours in the Middle East and started diving with his son as therapy for PTSD.

Watch this video to see how scuba diving helped transform Juan’s life. (courtesy of http://mypadi.padi.com)

All images courtesy of Daniel Tayenaka

To commemorate its 50^th anniversary and recognize the important contributions of divers over the past half-century, PADI is releasing a series of short documentary videos entitled My PADI. My Ocean. My Hope.^TM The series brings together stories of the human experience in which diving is the foundation for transformation, human connection and purpose.

My PADI. My Ocean. My Hope features a handful of passionate divers and PADI Professionals focused on educating others about environmental, social and humanitarian issues. Here’s a look at three:

• Leo Morales – In 2008, Morales was diagnosed with aggressive cancer in his right leg, which led to its amputation. After a friend’s recommendation, Morales turned to scuba diving as a way to heal and gain a new outlook on life, and has since set two world records. Now a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and motivational speaker, Morales hopes that others can be inspired to what is possible. “Under the water you don’t have any limitations,” Morales says. “You don’t have any disability. You are able to fly.”
• Andre Miller – Having first worked in a dive shop and then in a marine lab, Andre Miller naturally gravitated toward a career as a marine biologist and PADI Instructor. He was integral in establishing a marine sanctuary in Carlisle Bay, Barbados, and today teaches youth about marine life and diving. “My ocean is my life. My ocean is also your ocean. We need it to survive and we need more people in the water. The more people we get certified as divers and free divers the easier it is to protect what we have,” Miller says.
• Jennifer Idol – After witnessing the Gulf of Mexico in flames after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, Idol set out on a mission to dive all 50 states, inspired by a goal to help others to love and protect our waters by revealing their true beauty. “I could have never foreseen that I would eventually take the giant leap to make diving a full-time career,” Idol says. “As a PADI instructor and underwater photographer, I want to help others love diving, become good divers, and love the underwater world so that we may all enjoy it for generations to come.”

Over the last five decades, PADI has changed the face of the industry with major developments and milestones aimed at driving global awareness of the sport and the underwater world, including advancements in training and technology. Throughout its deep history, PADI has displayed a longstanding commitment to environmental conservation through its course offerings and alignment with organizations such as the Project AWARE^® Foundation to protect and preserve our ocean planet.

During the next 50 years, PADI resolves to activate a deeper purpose throughout its network of nearly 25 million (and growing) divers and dive professionals worldwide. While remaining committed to safe and responsible diver education, PADI will aim to be a voice for those who, through diving, are changing lives in deep and meaningful ways, while uniting the voices of all divers to represent those who cannot speak on their own behalf – the fragile and endangered inhabitants of our shared World Ocean.

“We at PADI are thankful for the millions of divers who have helped to make this 50^th anniversary possible,” said Drew Richardson, president and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “It’s an honor to play a role in the transformational journey diving offers to anyone willing to embrace it. Which is why, as we mark this milestone anniversary, the PADI organization is celebrating the people scuba diving has touched in significant and profound ways. We’re recognizing and applauding their actions, which in turn infuses others with the optimism, courage, determination and inspiration to live a better life and make the world a better place.”

Whether you’re already a diver or considering certification, these stories hold the power to inspire us all to find purpose and connection.

Watch these videos and more at mypadi.padi.com.

PADI are pleased to announce that they have made a $5000.00 donation to an artificial reef project in Southern Florida.

The Newtown Creek, a 324 foot tanker vessel, has arrived in South Florida and will soon be sunk in late July as an artificial reef 1 ½ miles off Pompano Beach’s shore. This ship will be one of the biggest contributions to Florida’s artificial reef system and one of the most easily accessible major dive sites in the nation. The ship will be the centerpiece of what will become known as Shipwreck Park, surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks covered with marine life. Shipwreck Park will be a unique underwater cultural arts park with rotating underwater art exhibits. The ship will include specific themes, exciting underwater events, artwork and rotating art exhibits to create a unique dive experience for local and international tourists.

This tanker ship which is longer than a football field was sold by the City of New York to The Shipwreck Park, Inc., a private 501 (C)(3) corporation, at a greatly reduced price. Shipwreck Park, Inc. has received sponsorship from the City of Pompano Beach and the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park for the purchase, towing, cleanup, installation of artworks, and sinking of the ship. The ship was towed from New York to a facility on the Miami River for cleanup and installation of artwork before the sinking.

Learn more about the project at: http://shipwreckparkpompano.org

From Florida to Belgium, thousands of divers around the world will take part in scuba diving events held in celebration of the second-annual PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Women’s Dive Day, on Saturday, July 16. In an effort to narrow the gender gap, PADI Members, industry icons and recreational divers – both male and female alike – will join forces at more than 300 events scheduled in more than 50 countries around the globe.

“Last summer’s inaugural Women’s Dive Day proved to be a historic day for diving and women overall. We are thrilled to continue the celebration and the empowerment of women this year as we seek to strengthen and grow the female diver community,” says Kristin Valette, chief marketing and business development officer, PADI Worldwide. “Recent studies show that woman account for only 35 percent of open water divers and just 23 percent of divers in continuing education courses. By coming together as an industry to celebrate women in diving, PADI hopes to cultivate the female diver community, attract new women to the sports of scuba diving and freediving, and motivate existing female divers to get back in the water and continue their dive training.”

The 2015 launch of the organization’s “Women in Diving” campaign resulted in an increase in PADI certifications among females. While female divers account for a disproportionate share of the dive community, many women involved in the sport are launching and participating in impactful initiatives to create further awareness for diving and larger ocean conservation efforts. Among the examples of individuals who are making a big impact on this sport are ten notable female divers who are leading the 2014-2018 Sedna Epic Expedition, which will translate its findings regarding the issue of disappearing sea ice into educational and awareness programs on climate change. Additionally, Jennifer Idol, another renowned female dive enthusiast, recently became the first woman on record to dive all 50 states to showcase the need to protect local waters.

Image credit: PADI

Here are just a few examples of PADI Women’s Dive Day events that give veteran divers and first-timers good reason to take the plunge:

• Great Lakes, Michigan—Team Sedna will host a “Big 5 Dive Event” where they’ll dive all five of the Great Lakes in 24 hours
• Kamuela, Hawaii—Enjoy a deluxe dive boat experience complete with local foods, sparkling beverages and a two-tank morning dive
• Lutwyche, Australia—Explore the underwater world like never before with a night dive during high tide
• Juprelle, Belgium—All women are invited to enjoy a free Discover Scuba^®Diving experience
• Davie, Florida—Learn about marine conservation from a PADI Course Director and end the day with a famous shark dive
• Larnaca, Cyprus—Advanced divers can explore the Zenobia Wreck while new divers can enjoy the abundance of marine sea life
• Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt—Embark on a female-only boat trip to dive two extraordinary sites in the Red Sea

Image credit: PADI

For more information on Women’s Dive Day and to find an event near you, visit padi.com/women-dive. While the focus of the event is women and their accomplishments, anyone from all levels of diving are encouraged to take part and dive together on the same day. Get involved and raise awareness for women in diving through #PADIWOMEN

When it comes to teaching the world to dive, premier dive operator and PADI Career Development Centre, Pro Dive Cairns, is leading the way. The Australia-based scuba diving operator issued its 150,000th PADI certification on 20 June 2016 – a prestigious milestone only achieved by one other PADI dive operator to-date.

Canadian optometrist and newly certified PADI Open Water Diver, Felix Tam, is the recipient of the 150,000th certification, which was issued by PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Simon Daxer during a recent Great Barrier Reef dive trip. Upon surfacing after his final training dive, Tam not only learned he was certified, but that his achievement also marked this remarkable milestone. When the boat returned to shore, PADI and Pro Dive Cairns staff were there to greet Tam and Daxer, including PADI Worldwide President and CEO Drew Richardson, PADI Asia Pacific Vice President Danny Dwyer, Pro Dive Cairns General Manager Paul Lim and PADI Asia Pacific Regional Manager Hans Ullrich.  Joined by fellow divers aboard the boat from around the globe, Tam was awarded a 150,000th diver certificate and the group celebrated the momentous occasion.

During a gala celebration in Cairns the following evening, Richardson presented the Pro Dive Cairns team with a commemorative award. He went on to recognize Pro Dive Cairns for its commitment to dive training excellence, innovative initiatives and numerous accomplishments during the past 33 years in business.

“For more than three decades, Pro Dive Cairns has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to quality education, diver safety and professionalism,” says Richardson. “Each year, their staff transforms thousands of lives, opening doors for exploration and adventure into inner space – Earth’s final frontier. In doing so, they fuel a much needed passion for the marine environment and help grow our united diver family of ocean advocates. This achievement is a direct result of the Pro Dive Cairns staff’s devotion to changing lives for the better. I applaud them for their accomplishment and thank them for their unwavering dedication to both PADI and our ocean planet.”

PADI Asia Pacific Vice President Danny Dwyer adds, “The PADI staff congratulates the entire Pro Dive Cairns team on reaching this remarkable milestone. For more than 33 years, PADI and Pro Dive Cairns have shared a strong and successful partnership and I look forward to our partnership continuing to grow for many years to come.”

Established in 1983, Pro Dive Cairns enjoys an international reputation as one of the world’s premier diver training schools. Today, the operation boasts a team of 67 staff members, is home to a purpose-built PADI Five Star Career Development Centre, and owns and operates three premier 25 metre liveaboard dive vessels with regular trips to the Great Barrier Reef.

Tony Baker, Managing Director of Pro Dive Cairns parent company, Quicksilver Group, says, “We are extremely proud of our achievements and the reputation Pro Dive Cairns has built over the years. The fact that so many people have chosen Pro Dive Cairns to teach them to dive is very satisfying and reflects our philosophy and commitment to providing the best possible dive education and trips over many years.”

Further reflecting on the operation’s success, Pro Dive Cairns General Manager Paul Lim shares, “Our longevity in business over the past 33 years is an outstanding testament to our partnership with PADI, the dedication and professionalism of all our staff, and the quality and reputation of our product.”

The PADI organization congratulates Pro Dive Cairns for achieving a landmark 150,000 PADI certifications!