Living the Dream...
PADI Scuba Instructor Course
Attending a PADI Scuba Instructor Course and becoming a PADI Professional is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences that surpasses all others. Divers can be intimidated looking for answers to questions like: “how can I be best prepared?” and “will every dive centre have the same support?” or “what are the costs and are they different at different dive centres?”. Peace of mind comes with knowledge so do your research. Visit us and ask your big questions, we are happy to inform and guide you.
PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centres, like NZ Sea Adventures, offer the same instructor training program and must have a PADI Course Director to manage the Instructor Development Course (IDC). You need to do your research because there are some important differences that can save you time, money and ensure greater success in both your PADI Instructor Examination and your new professional dive instructor career.
Its important to have fun on your journey
Becoming a Professional PADI Instructor is a journey that needs to be enjoyed at your own pace and with lots of fun and exciting diving along the way. You need the freedom to enjoy dive trips at your leisure, diving in locations that excite you and broaden your understanding of the underwater world. Take Specialty courses and enjoy the process of learning more diving skills which you can apply to your own diving or when helping others. Above all, have fun. Your training will also greatly help prepare you for your PADI Divemaster and Instructor courses and a thoroughly rewarding dive career.
If you are nervous around the water, you will probably make an excellent diver. Being cautious and reducing risks makes great sense. It is also an essential attribute for any professional Scuba Instructor. At NZ Sea Adventures our primary concern is for your safety.
Dive Centre Facilities
New Zealand Sea Adventures offers the complete IDC package. We are a well-stocked dive centre with quiet modern teaching facilities. Our staff are highly experienced and qualified Dive Instructors. Our special and unique feature though is our purpose-built dive pool here on-site! This makes an IDC a joy to run as we can progress at your pace rather than run our IDC schedule around available public pool bookings.
All divers need dive equipment and we can supply it all. We have very good equipment packages if you want to purchase your own or we can arrange the hire of some or all of what you need. It is worth a trip to visit us just to check out our stock range and be impressed with our prices.
Course Costs
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) curriculum is designed by PADI International and that is what PADI 5 Star IDC Centres must teach. The Course Director may choose to run the course as a full-time or part-time programmes.
- A full-time programme has the advantage of total immersion. Attending any preparatory training offered and then the PADI two-day Instructor Examination after a full-time programme should ensure a comfortable pass. The difficulty for some people is arranging that amount of time off work or studies.
- A part-time programme can be organised over weekends or arranged during the mid-week for shift workers. It is still advised to attend any preparatory training offered before attending the IDC. A part-time programme allows time to think about what you are being taught while you relax between sessions. Attendance at a part-time programme should also ensure a comfortable pass.
- Some PADI 5 Star IDCs have access to Tertiary Education funding. The primary advantage is the programme is paid for with a Student Loan, but be warned, you have to pay the loan back once you are employed. As you can’t work during this programme, you may also need cost of living allowances which will add to your financial burden. As these programmes run for 10 to 12 months full-time, the amount you will have to borrow and pay back is quite considerable and may have a negative effect on your lifestyle in the future. A downside to this type of programme is it is artificial, the students you will see for the year-long programme are those you work with playing a make-believe role.
- The PADI Instructor Examination (IE) Fee and the IE programme are set by PADI.
Choices
Life is all about choices and many people, divers especially, like to plan for and follow the diving dream. One of the serious limiters for all people is whether they can afford to do what they really would like to do. Going on your OE with minimal or no debt is a wise idea. One way to keep your costs down is to plan and complete your diving education – programme by programme. If you start with no diving experience, there are six core courses you need to complete to gain your Scuba instructor rating. These take about 28 days in total, the longest being ten days. All can be offered as part-time courses allowing you to keep your ‘day job’ with no debt! Before attending the instructor examination, you will have to complete 100 logged open water dives, many of which you will do during your part-time scuba training courses. Both course dives and dives with your mates count towards the 100.
An IDC should take between seven and ten days to complete followed by PAD’s two-day Instructor Examination. Between courses, you can join in with dive groups to increase your diving skills and knowledge in the type of environment you will be teaching in. Now the choice is yours. If you are still unsure, call us on 04 233-8238 so we can arrange for our PADI Course Director Tony to meet with you and put your concerns to rest. Wishing you safe diving.
