When I sent out an email advertising another Dive Against Debris a few months ago, the second event I have helped organise since I began working at Dive HQ Christchurch, the initial response I received was from one of last years volunteers asking “What’s with the winter clean up dives, dude?”!

This didn’t deter too many others from jumping in at Magazine Bay on Sunday 28th June to help clean up around the moorings and the bay. Our dives were uploaded onto the Dive Against Debris Map last week so everyone can see your efforts and what others around the globe are doing.

http://www.projectaware.org/diveagainstdebrismap

The day started out cold and misty but by the time we left the dive shop and got to Lyttelton it had turned into a beautiful winters morning with blue skies and sunshine. This helped warm up the volunteers while I did a dive brief and we set up our dive gear and warmed the divers up after the frigid 8 degree waters.
It was a pleasant surprise not to fill a skip with rubbish and it’s a testament to the tidy kiwi attitude towards the oceans and the environment to not find an abundance of rubbish in and around the bay. We did bring up a bike, a trolley, a washing basket, some tyres and a lot of scrap metal, so although we didn’t all fill a catch bag, and no doubt we left some items behind, it was a great effort by all involved and a good sign for our local waters and dive sites. We even saved a wee seahorse that was returned, unharmed, to the bay.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Dive Against Debris events in and around Christchurch, with a national ‘month of events’ being discussed for the not so distant future.
Thanks again to all that continue to support these community activities. It’s great to see so many considerate people willing to do their bit.

‪#‎projectaware ‪#‎divehqchristchurch ‪#‎diveagainstdebris ‪#‎divehqchch

Did you have any diving experience before starting the course?

None, I was completely new to the diving scene, but had always wanted to be involved.

What made you choose the course at Dive HQ Christchurch?

The course offered to take student’s through to specialty instructor which was appealing and would help with employment in the future. I also had two friends that had previously been through the course at Dive HQ Christchurch and loved it. This coupled with living close to the store meant it was perfect for me.

Louis Teaching a Course at South Bay Kaikoura

When did you graduate and with what qualification?

               I Graduated in December 2014, with a diploma in professional scuba instruction, and a PADI rating of ‘Speciality Instructor’. I also acquired a First Aid Instructor qualification for ‘Medic First Aid’.

Previous to this I graduated with a ‘Bachelor of Education & Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning specialising in Physical Education with a major in Outdoor Education’ (P.E & Outdoor Education Teacher).

What were the best experiences during your training?

               The rescue diver course was something that I will never forget. We were exposed to some real life situations that both challenged and developed our diving skills.

What is your current certification level?

               PADI Specialty Instructor, working towards becoming a Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Where are you working now?

               I am currently working at Dive HQ Christchurch

What’s your average day consist of?

               Usually I will be working with students. Whether it is teaching in the pool/sea with new students, or heading out to Banks Peninsula with the diploma course to complete some more advanced activities. Occasionally I will be working in the shop, filling tanks and selling some dive equipment.

What are some of the highlights of your job?

               The best parts of the job definitely include being able to introduce the underwater world to new divers and heading away on overnight dive trips. Working with the team at Dive HQ Christchurch is always a good time, we’re like an adopted family!

Where is scuba diving going to take you next?

               I would love to head to Asia to work as an instructor in the tropics, but the ultimate goal is to get to Antarctica to do some ice diving!

What’s the best advice you can give to someone who is considering doing a diploma in professional scuba instruction?

               Go for it! Choosing to become a PADI instructor was the best decision I ever made. As a result of the course I have developed a lot of confidence that I have been able to take into all aspects of my life. I have learnt lots, had so much fun and now can continue doing what I love all around the world.

Text CAREER to 0274 DIVEHQ if you would like us to send you a free info pack, or give us a call at Dive HQ Christchurch for a chat, about studying to become a qualified Dive Instructor too! 

0800 Dive HQ
103 Durham St South
Sydenham
Christchurch

One women making a difference is Andrea Marshall.

I came across Andrea one rainy afternoon while watching the Discovery channel when on came her documentary ‘Manta Queen’ (I can’t recommend highly enough!!). Watching her interact with these magnificent creatures, it was like watching an underwater ballet and the passion she has for them is utterly inspiring.

Andrea took the step to learn to dive at the age of 12, and then began a lifelong love affair with the ocean and its inhabitants. In 2003 Andrea moved to Mozambique and in 2008 became the first person to complete their thesis on Manta Rays having discover a new species of Giant Manta, one of  the largest described by scientists in the last 50 years.

Having made Mozambique her home for the past 5 year she decided to stay on in Africa to try and make a difference. During her diving career Andrea has logged over 1000 dives along the Mozambique coastline discovering new reefs and documenting rare and endangered species through this she can identify majority of the 950 different Manta Rays in her Mozambique database!  This brought her to design what may be her legacy, a new automated online database for Manta Rays which gives researches the ability to share photos and findings globally. Through this she hopes to inspire divers worldwide to share their photos and sightings.

Andrea is one of the founding members of MegaFauna Foundation (Originally MegaFauna Association) and as their chief scientist she now travels the world researching Manta Rays and their habitats and fighting for their protection. In the past three years she has traveled to over a dozen countries with her ‘Ray of Hope’ research expedition, her mission to satellite tag as many Manta as possible and share her findings on the online database. Educating scientists, dive centers and the public about the threats facing Manta Rays though fishing is very important to Andrea, her research and global lobbying governments have created marine reserves and made legislation to protect this incredible species. In 2013 her efforts helped make history with the inclusion of Manta Rays in CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna).

For more information on Andrea check out the Queen of Mantas Website: Life in the Blue and her profile on The Marine MegaFauna Website

If you feel inspired to make a difference and start a career in diving, get in touch with us at Dive HQ Christchurch today, and ask for a free info pack detailing our career courses in diving.

Dive HQ Christchurch
0800 DIVEHQ

By Sarah Prier
July 17th 2015

Over the past couple of months I have loved meeting all the adventurer’s out there, taking the first step in their diving by completing an Open Water dive ticket!  Kaikoura put on a real show for us on the 9^th and 10^th of May, providing the Open Water group with great vis, calm waters and even a few crayfish on the extra boat dive.  Plenty of laughs were had and we left with a group of able and confident divers!  The following course dropped the average water temp a little, but Lake Coleridge was spectacular as always.  It was a pleasure teaching the students, and they enjoyed leading the instructors around on the fourth and final dive! Thanks to all who have been involved, and if you’re interested get in touch!

– Louis

It was a great day out on Anzac day! We had advertised a shore dive day at Wainui, and while it’s aimed at getting new divers back in the water after their Open Water course it’s also a great opportunity for anyone with new gear to try it out, or for those who haven’t been in the water for a while. We had a great response with over 15 divers joining us, and a good mix of experience. Shore dives have proven to be really popular, they are a great way to find a new dive buddy or just polish up some skills. Being a shore dives it’s up to you whether you do one or two dives, so it may be a little less daunting than jumping onto a boat trip straight off the back of an Open Water course.
Most of us had two dives, which was a good effort in 14 degree water and while the visibility wasn’t grand there was still a lot to see and the rain held off so that we could finish the day together with a BBQ.

Heading back to Christchurch after the most amazing weekend diving the Mikhail Lermontov.

Heading back to Christchurch after the most amazing weekend diving the Mikhail Lermontov.

Heading back to Christchurch after the mpst amazing weekend diving the Mikhail Lermontov.

Last night durimg Dive HQ Christchurch’s Spearfishing course Bo broke our course record and held his breath for 4.44 minutes completing a static apnea breath hold in the pool. Not a bad effort after a couple of hours of training. This was a 300% incease.
Next course in February and only $149.

Good session at the shop going through the theory behind spearfishing and having a longer breath hold.

Pool on Thursday evening

Next course Feb and nearly full.

Enquire HERE