It is true one can make a living from the DIVE Industry!
I am conducting a PADI IDC in Jamaica, this week. What is wonderful about the PADI Instructor Development Program (IDC) is that it has become the most sought after dive program in the world. Not only do we have local Jamaicans in the program, but we also have a gentleman from New York. This is what makes the course so interesting: the diversity of the candidate’s backgrounds and goals. The locals are looking to more than double their income by becoming Dive educators, and the divers from the states look to complete the program and then return home to teach in the local stores. Now if fact, I am also seeing an increasing number of people over 50 who are retiring, and teaching diving becomes a way that they can enjoy their golden years, and not tap into their investments.
Our IDCs are offered all over the country, and in the Caribbean. This Jamaican IDC for example is at Sandals Resort. While you might not normally think of Sandals and diving, they have over 20 properties around the Caribbean, and Sandals just might have more Dive boats and Dive Instructors than any other property in the Islands. They by far put more divers in the water than any other company. Sandals are known for their quality and comfort, and that is one reason they want their staff to be PADI educators.
What is really nice is that I have seen beach attendants who have in a few years moved up to the instructor rating, doubled his pay, and increased his standard of living. Sure makes me feel real good!
My next Instructor program is at SCUBA EMPORIUM in Orland Park, Illinois starting on May 14. If you are looking for a way to enhance retirement, or just want to have more fun and do more diving, think about our Instructor Development Program.
post by: Patrick Hammer
