Andrew working with the next DIPSI group on Marine Identification.

I started the Diploma in SCUBA Instruction at Dive HQ Westhaven in March 2017, about three weeks after the course had started. I’d just spent 3 months traveling Europe and wasn’t interested in heading back to my desk job, so I decided to pursue a change of career that would help quench my thirst for adventure. Remembering how amazing my diving experiences were in New Caledonia when I was first certified, I inquired with Dive HQ Westhaven after seeing an ad on Facebook. A week later I started my Diploma!

Even though I enrolled in the course late and hadn’t dived in many years, Mike and Hannah made it super easy to get started and get back in the water. I was a little nervous in the beginning but it didn’t take long for things to come flooding back, and now I can’t believe I waited so long!

For me the course has the perfect mix of theory and practical exercises – learning all about dive theory, different diving skills and techniques in class and then getting out and reinforcing them is a great way to learn, and every dive is a unique experience.  Marine Identification Photos

Andrew at Auckland Careers Expo

And there’s no shortage of unique experiences! Our field trip to the HMNZS Canterbury was incredible; exploring a sunken ship 30m deep, schooling fish swirling all around me, coming face to face with the ‘Captain’ snapper in the cockpit is something I’ll never forget. Then there was the dive at Leigh where a pod of dolphins swam rings around us. All this in just a few months!

Now I’m at at level and I’ve got so much confidence in and around the water. I really enjoy the opportunities to assist on PADI Openwater courses in the weekends to practice my teaching skills. It’s a great way to meet new people and find more potential dive buddies!

I’m looking forward to becoming qualified as a PADI Specialist Instructor in December and landing an amazing job in the dive industry – there are so many great opportunities, all over the world! If you’ve always wanted to give diving a go or want to get back into it, I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank’s to Andrew Sawtell for his blog. Andrew and his fellow student Dan were lucky enough to be diving the Rainbow Warrior last week and filmed this footage of a rarely seen NZ Thresher shark. If you think you or someone you know might be looking for an exciting Diploma to complete text us on 021 0250 8990 “careers” and we’ll call you or click through and contact us on the website. To keep updated about what’s going on at Dive HQ Westhaven and on the Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

How did I get into diving?

I did my ever first dive in 2006, on Castaway island in Fiji. Before that my whole family were divers, and I have always had a passion for being in the water. I don’t remember much about the dive in Fiji, but I just remember the full sensation of being able to be underwater for a long period of time without coming up for a breath which to me was the most amazing thing I have ever done.

STAR Course

I attended Western Spring College for high school, and was lucky enough to be picked in the sports academy programme in Year 12. Our outdoors learning was Scuba Diving, so our class did the STAR Course with Dive HQ with this we got the opportunity to learn to dive and obtain a PADI Open Water scuba diving licence. The good thing about doing the STAR diving course (please contact us if you are interested in STAR or Gateway options and we can speak with your teacher) was as well as having a great time learning to dive I also earned credits that went toward my NCEA. I was getting credits for diving! I did my Open Water dives at the Poor Knights Island in Tutukaka which was amazing!

In my senior year, I got re-selected for Sports Academy and we ended up doing the PADI Advanced Open Water diver which gave a me an even more fantastic dive experience at the Poor Knights again, except now we could go for a deeper dive. As a PADI advanced diver you can swim down to 18+ metres, you also feel more prepared to take on greater dives such as wreck diving and night diving.

Doing the Star course really gave me something I had a passion for and kick started me into my career to become a PADI Dive Instructor.

PADI “GoPro” Night

Fast-forwarding to the start 2014 I found myself not wanting to work somewhere that I did not enjoy. So, I thought going to study for a career that I want to actually do would be a start. Hearing the Dive HQ ad on the radio about becoming a Dive Instructor really got me thinking that this was something that I would want to do for my future. I was coaching sport already so it fit me well in the teaching aspect of things. A couple of phone calls later, I ended up going to the Dive HQ PADI “GoPro” night which was cool because it was more of an informal get together. The PADI “GoPro” evenings aren’t about the camera you strap to your head. They are an informal get together with a bit of free pizza some informative short films about diving and a presentation about the Diploma Course at Dive HQ Westhaven. It’s a chance to meet current students staff and other divers, and find out whether this Diploma option and career is for you. The evening was friendly, casual and very informative and showed what the Diploma course and the learning year would consist of. After that night I knew I really would want to pursue a career in diving. 

DIPSI (Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction) Course

Going into the diploma course I though because it was a NZQA approved ‘Diploma’, it would be stack on stacks of classroom work (which I hate), and the occasional dive at the end of the week. To my relief, it was quite the opposite! We were practically in the water at least half the week, and a day or two in class which is the way I like to learn. I have never been a book learner, I always learnt better from going and doing the skills or activities, and the Diploma in Scuba is exactly this.

The highlights of my course were going and doing all the trips from Taupo drift diving down the Waikato river, to exploring in and around the 3 different shipwrecks we did, Rainbow Warrior, HMNZ Cantebury, HMNZ Waikato.

The first trip the class did was the Taupo trip. This trip was one to remember not only because the diving was a lot of fun, but back at the backpackers we all were having a great time bonding and what not. We did the drift dive and snorkel down the Waikato river which was exciting because you are going so fast at some point zooming through falling trees, random debris, and a few treasures.

My favourite dives during the course was the HMNZ Waikato wreck. I found that it was so much fun because by the time we did the dive we had been on a couple of wreck dives before and because I was so used to diving wrecks I found that I was confident now to explored a lot more.

Casey teaching in classroom

In the end, I had such a great time throughout the 9 months, with my classmates and with the staff that helped me and pushed me to eventually turning something that I had a passion for, to my career. So enrol now! I promise you will not regret it and you will have a great time exploring and diving new places and all the epic Auckland dive sites that are accessible from Dive HQ Westhaven.

The course isNZQA approved and approved for Studylink and allowances. There are options to use some of your funding for your own gear too

Dive Instructing as a job

I was lucky enough to be hired to take PADI Recreational Open Water Courses a couple of weekends a month which then eventually turned into a full-time job at Dive HQ Westhaven as someone who ran courses on the weekends and helped in the shop on other days. So, going from being the diploma student, to now teaching new students was a real cool transition which was different but exciting. learn to dive course times

I then became a tutor employed to instruct and teach a Scuba Diploma class at Dive HQ Westhaven. Now going from being the student, to teaching the student, to now teaching professional Dive Instructors in training, was an even bigger step in my career. Having a class that I am responsible for nearly 1 year, is really cool in a way because you get to see the full growth on where they started, (sometimes no previous scuba diving at all) to what they become: PADI dive Professionals with First Aid training and Specialty Instructor skills too. I love seeing how much someone progresses with anything they do. Both Full and Part-time students, we get all sorts of people. Some working and doing the course part-time and some looking for a career change too.

I have now been instructing for 4 years and have meet so many new people throughout my diving career, I have been overseas to dive in amazing places and dived increadible New Zealnd Dive sites too, and that all started with joining the Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction at Dive HQ.

Casey is one of our Tutors here at Dive HQ Westhaven, thanks for your blog Casey! It’s great to hear about your experience first hand. If you think you or someone you know might be interested in finding out moe about our next intake for the Diploma or one of our other Full or Part-time PADI Pro Courses on offer at our 5 Star Instructor development centre here in central Auckland. We have options to suit full time students and people with work commitments too. Click through to contact us and we can discuss your options. email us

Thanks to Chanelle Drummond for her blog post about what it’s like to be a Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction student at the Academy of Diving, Dive HQ Westhaven.

Before starting my course as a dive instructor, funny enough I was afraid of swimming in the ocean. I hated the feeling of not knowing what was below or around me, yet I took a general interest in the marine environment and the ocean itself (without having to be in it). At the start of this year I chose to pursue a career in scuba diving with Dive HQ Westhaven, knowing that I had never dived prior to this course. I decided I to erase my fear and turn it into passion, awareness and knowledge for what the ocean holds beneath the surface. Of course, being able land a dream job working in the ocean everyday and getting to travel the world with it was also a bonus.

Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction – 2016

I am now at the PADI Divemaster stage of the course and I can say that everything I thought I knew about the ocean has changed. From my first dive in the ocean till now, it has got to be one of the most life changing experiences! The underwater world has so much to offer; seeing marine life in their natural habitat and exploring their world without any disturbance is such an unreal rush of thrills, excitement and enjoyment. The best part is seeing your own growth as you go from someone who is nervous and anxious with zero experience, into an independent confident diver.

HMNZS Canterbury Wreck – June 2016

You build so many skills that can be used both in and out of the water, friendships that you consider your second family and memories to last a lifetime as you dive some of the best spots the North Island has to offer. The staff at Dive HQ have been such a massive impact for me throughout this course. They are passionate about what they do, understanding, knowledgeable, patient and always there to help you push your limits as an instructor and get the most out of your time here.

Goat Island with my dive buddies

Diving during the winter will take you out of you comfort zone, build your dive experience and confidence a lot faster. Although it may seem cold, winter time gives you some of the best visibility for diving, and there’s always thermals and dry suits to give you extra protection. The best part – you’ll get the entire summer to look forward to while you complete your instructors.

Sneaky Moray Eel – Whitianga Trip

I think that anyone who is considering taking up a career in scuba diving should at least give it a shot! Dive HQ gives out a free ‘try-dive’ to see how you like the feeling (I did it and it’s what helped me make my mind up faster) before committing to anything. The best advice I can give is to not hold back from doing something you feel strongly about – the outcome will without a doubt be that satisfying you’ll wish you had done it sooner!

Loving the boat life! My ‘divemates’ Dan & Siva

Thanks Chanelle for your blog. It’s great for those interested in becoming a dive instructor to get a first hand account of what it’s like to study Scuba Diving with Dive HQ Westhaven, here in Auckland. Thanks for all your hard work on Dive HQ Westhaven’s social media accounts. Not only have you been a great asset to our organisation while you are studying with us. You will also be a great addition to any dive centre here in New Zealand or Overseas. Enjoy the rest of your Course with us!

This is winter! Never a dull moment in the deep blue

Chanelle graduates with The Academy of Diving at Dive HQ Westhaven this year, before the NZ Summer season starts.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Scuba Diver training options at Dive HQ Westhaven for both Recreational and Professional Courses. CLick on the link below.

Dive HQ Westhaven

As a Dive Store Owner one of the most common things I hear from new and experienced divers is that they would love to do their next PADI course but they don’t know if they can find the time. With most people working longer hours during the week and (weekends for some). It is a legitimate excuse for many of us… including myself!

The more and more I hear this response, it seems that the problem isn’t finding the actual time to complete the inwater training of courses, it’s rather the thought of having to sit in a classroom for the day to complete the theory sections that stops a lot of divers from continuing on with their training.

It was only natural that back in 2007 PADI launched the PADI eLearning® program. Now you can study nearly anything online including completing a university degree from some of the world’s leading universities. Back then, PADI started off with PADI Open Water Diver Online in English. As the popularity of PADI eLearning increased, divers demanded new courses, and in turn, more languages. Most of our new beginner divers and also our regular divers going on to improve their skills are using PADI e learning. We only heard this week that PADI is set to announce that you will also be able to access these courses on “touch” meaning you can use other handheld device and even do your course on your phone if you needed to.

More time to Dive!

So what is PADI eLearning in a nutshell?

PADI eLearning lets you complete the knowledge development sections of selected PADI courses online. Traditionally this section was completed in the classroom of the PADI Dive Shop before your course. With PADI eLearning you can complete these sections as long as you are online. The benefit of the new touch system is that you will be able to download the whole program and not have to be online to use it.

The feedback in the store has been excellent from students who have used the PADI e learning courses. Everyone is happy to have spent less time in a classroom environment and has appreciated learning the theory part of their course at their own pace. Whenever they can spare a few moments. Don’t think you get away with not doing it though! It’s an important part of learning to dive, or further development of you diving experience. Our instructors will follow up on how you’ve got on and you will still have plenty of time to discuss anything you are unsure of.

Group of scuba divers decompressing on a rope underwater

Yes that is right, if classrooms are not your thing, you can complete the relevant sections at your own pace. Whether this is in the comfort of your own home, on the daily bus or train ride to work, or you can even be a bit sneaky and complete the sections at work… in the lunch break of course!

So if you want to book an PADI Openwater Course and you were worried about how much time you would spend in front of a whiteboard over the weekend. Worry no more. That time is for getting into the water and the fun side of learning to dive. First weekend of the Openwater is pool sessions and following weekends are out into our beautiful New Zealand Oceans. Book your PADI openwater today!

If this sounds like the option for you, visit www.padi.com/elearning or contact us at Dive HQ Westhaven and we will be happy to help you!

All our courses apart from Scuba Diving Career Courses are available on e learning now.