Tec diver in action

Tec diver in action

For all you tec guys, don't say I didn't warn you!

Before the plunge

The PADI IE in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 has been successfully completed

The PADI IE in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 has been successfully completed

The Khao Lak IDC in conjunction with PADI 5* IDC Center Seadragon had been completed and it was time to bring on the PADI IE.

After a very intensive day yesterday, today was slightly more relaxed with just the open water presentations on the schedule. After having already passed all 3 PADI IE segments that were scheduled yesterday, Hugues nailed the remainder today with precision and relative ease.

Conclusion, we have a new PADI Instructor on the block! Congratulations to Hugues for passing the PADI IE and to Stefaan for becoming an PADI IDCS Instructor.

From left to right; Stefaan (IDCS), Rob (PADI Examiner), Hugues and Camille

Julia staffed this IDC but is not in this picture

Happy faces and big smiles all around today and this evening Stefaan and Hugues depart on a three day live aboard to the Similan islands on one of Seadragons live aboard boats!

I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th May (prep starts 18th May), followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui, 5th July in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines. See you there!

Camille

EFR Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor course in Khao Lak, Thailand

EFR Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor course in Khao Lak, Thailand

With the April 2012 IDC in the bag in Khao Lak, it was time to complete a few other courses, including the EFR Instructor course and the Emergency Oxygen provider Instructor course.

Stefaan, myself and Hugues after the EFR Instructor course.

During both courses we had fun and it was a relaxed setting and atmosphere after the intense PADI IDC days. A welcome change of pace for all of us.

Stefaan looking for the AED activation button

Hugues exploring the AED

Hugues and Stefaan during the Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor course.

Tomorrow is the start of the PADI IE for Hugues. Two days of hard work to go and that he should be a brand new PADI Instructor. Stay tuned for updates.

If you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC, I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start 22nd April on Koh Lanta. followed by an IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th may and this is followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui. See you there!

5th July sees an IDC in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines.

Camille

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, school of April 2012, is in the bag

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, school of April 2012, is in the bag

The current PADI IDC in Khao Lak is in the bag! Hugues completed all performance requirements and after plenty of classroom hours, confined and open water presentations, the Khao Lak April 2012 IDC is in the can.

Julia, Hugues and Stefaan in the pool

Julia staffed this IDC and is now ready to apply for her next step in her PADI career; apply for the Master Instructor rating. Well done Julia and congratulations! After the December 2011 IDC in Khao Lak, this is the 2nd consecutive program she staffs in Khao Lak!

Hugues and his bowline, part of the Adventures in Diving workshop in open water

Hugues is now ready to participate in the PADI IE in Khao Lak starting 18th April. Besides the IDC, he also participates in the EFR Instructor course, some instructor specialty training and he goes on a live aboard in the Similan Islands. A nice little extra bonus when you take your IDC in Khao Lak, you're as close as you can get to the Similans!

Stefaan and Julia were staffing this IDC and can here be seen grading during Open Water

Stefaan completed his PADI IDCS course during this IDC in Khao Lak and is now to take on new challenges as a staff instructor. Congrats to him as well for achieving this next level of training!

Julia and Camille during a DSD workshop in open water, with Hugues looking on in the background

It's been a fun program and I'm confident that Hugues will do well during the PADI IE. Soon he will be ready to start travelling as a PADI Instructor!

Hugues in confined water

If you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC, I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start 22nd April on Koh Lanta. followed by an IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th may and this is followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui. See you there!

5th July sees an IDC in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines.

Camille

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 is at the half way mark

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 is at the half way mark

At this Songkran day or Thai New Years day, we hit the half way mark of this current PADI IDC in Khao Lak.

A nice touch was the visit of the regional manager for West Thailand, Tony Andrews, from left to right; Camille, Julia, Stefaan, Hugues and Tony

Despite the Songkran celebrations, we're in the classroom this morning, Hugues sweating it out over his theory exams.

Hugues during one of his Knowledge Development presentations

It's nice to see how things are slowly coming together and after initial problems of understanding the structure of the PADI presentations, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel now!

Hugues and Stefaan doing a buddy check before one of the skill circuits

It's an interesting IDC in Khao Lak, today the Songkran celebrations but two days ago we had a tsunami warning! Two (potential) wet events almost back to back!

Hugues demonstrating a CESA or in French 'le RUC'

If you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC, I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start 22nd April on Koh Lanta. followed by an IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th may and this is followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui. See you there!

5th July sees an IDC in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines.

Camille

IDCS Course in Khao Lak, Thailand April 2012

IDCS Course in Khao Lak, Thailand April 2012

During the current PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Stefaan who originated from Belgium, is completing his PADI IDCS course.

Stefaan during the IDCS

In the meantime that Stefaan is following his course, Julia is working on her Master Instructor rating, by staffing her second PADI IDC, which will allow her to apply for this rating.

More updates about this current PADI IDC in Khao Lak will follow so stay tuned!

If you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC, I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start 22nd April on Koh Lanta. followed by an IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th may and this is followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui. See you there!

5th July sees an IDC in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines.

Camille

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 has started

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for April 2012 has started

Yesterday Stefaan and Hugues arrived during the afternoon in Khao Lak and despite a very long travel day from Reunion (look that one up!) we still managed to complete a bit of paperwork and the Orientation presentation for this current PADI IDC in Khao Lak in conjunction with 5* IDC Center Seadragon.

Stefaan, Hugues and Julia during exams this morning

It's a more intimate IDC this time around compared to the December 2011 IDC at Seadragon. Hugues is participating in the IDC, Stefaan is attending his IDCS course and Julia is staffing again, just as in December.

There will be more follow ups so stay tuned.

If you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC, I have more programs scheduled during this year, check my PADI IDC schedule.

The next IDC is scheduled to start 22nd April on Koh Lanta. followed by an IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia starting 20th may and this is followed by an IDC starting 19th June on Koh Samui. See you there!

5th July sees an IDC in Osan, South Korea and 23rd July sees an IDC in Dauin, Philippines.

Camille

DUP and Search & Recovery Specialties on Chaweng beach, Koh Samui, Thailand

DUP and Search & Recovery Specialties on Chaweng beach, Koh Samui, Thailand

It was a while ago but at last it was time to clock some real dive time again on Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui again with Claire, who took part in my May 2011 IDC on Koh Samui.

About 10 masks and a bag full of debris after Search & Recovery dive # 1

The Digital Underwater Photography or DUP and Search & Recovery Instructor specialties were on the program today. We had a nice early start and just be fore 9am we hit the water for the DUP dive, along Chaweng reef, where we saw a nice amount of nudibranches.

The result pf Search & Recovery dive # 2, a big bag full of debris and part of a beach chair plus a tire

The visibility was fairly good for Chaweng beach and we found plenty of debris, just way too much to carry between the two of us, but we managed to bring out a nice chunk of garbage over two dives.

The amount of garbage deposited in front of Chaweng beach is staggering and goes from uncountable amounts of firework rocket parts, too many frames of the 'good luck' hot air balloons, dozens of fake sunglasses, clothing, plastic and glass bottles, tires, toys, dive and snorkel masks, buckets, fishing nets, ropes and so on.

Although I enjoy swimming through this debris and garbage, looking for things and partly cleaning up, it's rather depressing the sheer amount of garbage that is out there.

The puzzle at the beginning of each dive!

During our second out of three dives this morning, there was some very hard rain but we were totally oblivious to it, since we were under water. After the third dive, upon surfacing, my face got slightly sunbrunt, that's how fast the weather can sometimes change.

During the DUP dive we saw this beautiful Glossodoris atromarginata

It was a nice days diving, followed by the Deep Instructor specialty at Sail Rock, which recently had outstanding visibility and a few whale shark sightings. Two reasons to look forward to tomorrows diving.

A goby hiding in a fire works rocket part

If you're interested in either Instructor Specialty training or a PADI IDC, please get in touch with me, the next PADI IDC will start 8th April in Khao Lak, followed by an IDC on Koh Lanta starting 22nd April and on Gili Air in Indonesia 20th May. You can also contact me if you like to receive information about PADI IDC's in the Philippines, the next program is scheduled to start 23rd July in Dauin.

Camille

My next PADI IDC starts 8th April in Khao Lak, Thailand

My next PADI IDC starts 8th April in Khao Lak, Thailand

In conjunction with PADI 5* IDC Center Seadragon in Khao Lak, I present my next PADI IDC, starting 8th April in Khao Lak, Thailand.

There are still places available, in case you're interested, get in touch and I can send you more information.

Hope to see you there!

Camille