Comprehensive & Enjoyable IDC experience

After a non-teaching gap of 20 years, I decided to re-certify as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor making me a bit of an unusual PADI IDC student. Having already been an instructor working professionally in the industry many many years ago, I knew that my relationship with my PADI Course Director was vitally important.

Given that I have reached the grumpy old man stage of life, I also knew that I needed someone with not just significant dive industry experience but also some life experience. So I booked my Instructor Exams directly with PADI, then came to Phuket to look for the right man and the right PADI 5 star IDC Centre for the job.

I corresponded with a few potential Course Directors before I came, and arriving early I went to speak to a few to find out about their dive operation and the way that they do business. From the earliest emails, Darren Gaspari and his team at Aussie Divers Phuket stood out, and after meeting Darren and seeing his facility and operation, I knew I had found the right place to do my IDC.

With accommodation right above the dive shop in Chalong, the course was easy and enjoyable, convenient and both professional conducted and comprehensive. The program was easily adjusted to suit the needs of this grumpy old man who had done much of this before and just needed the cobwebs blown out, the skills refreshed, and the new materials covered.

I went into the IE totally confident that barring some personal ‘brain fart’ that I was going to pass easily, and that was the final result. In our opening meeting Darren did bet me his left testicle that I would enjoy the course more with Aussie Divers Phuket than anywhere else and looks like his reproductive organs are safe for another year.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Darren Gaspari and his team at Aussie Divers Phuket to any Divemaster looking for a professionally conducted, enjoyable and comprehensive Instructor Development Course.