“When are you going to get a real job?” It’s a question that has followed me for my entire adult life. The question was often heard from well-meaning friends, who were sure that I was wasting my life by not pursuing a “career”. Spending my nights pouring drinks for well to do businessmen in dark bars and filling my days with sleep and various hobbies.

Much of my experience thus far has pushed me into doing something that most found, to put it politely, “non-traditional.” Most of the adults I’ve known in my life work at jobs that they hate. Fulfilment, if ever considered at all, wasn’t something the folks I grew up with got from an employer. They were satisfied with a pay check; the thought that one should actually enjoy what they did for a living never occurred to them. I, on the other hand, came under the influence of my father. He felt the idea of preparing someone for a vocation, and then only after they finished training, hope that they liked what they were doing was an embarrassingly dumb idea. He insisted that the secret to a happy life was to first find the thing you love, and then figure out a way to get paid for it. Never did I dream that the thing I loved would be diving.

My first dive was at the age of 14, on a family holiday in Fiji. I remember it like it was yesterday, for all the wrong (or right?) reasons. After completing an orientation in a tragically shallow resort pool, the following day dad and I set out for a “real” dive in the ocean. The sea was black, wind howled and whipped us around like kites on the boat ride to the site. Upon arrival I was nauseous and terrified. After a traumatising backwards roll we made our descent down the line. Unfortunately the dive itself is a foggy memory at this point. We made our ascent, upon surfacing I looked my father straight in the eye and, I’m told in a very impassioned manner, said I “was never (*insert expletive here*) doing that again”.
Its 11 years later and I look back on my first experience in the majesty that is the ocean with a smile. I imagine myself reliving that specific dive with the experience I now have under my belt, the wind wouldn’t worry me, and the waves would excite me. The black of the water would enthral me. Descending into the quiet beauty that waits for us below the surface every time we dive would have been a relief, not a terror.
Between that far off memory and now, I have my dad to thank, being a PADI certified diver himself he’s always had a thirst for the adventure that comes with SCUBA diving. Me being the eldest and least stubborn of his children I was (somehow, and thank goodness I was) swindled into making several more dives with him over the years. Slowly my fear faded and morphed into awe. Soon, beneath the surface of the water, in any form, was the only place I ever wanted to be. With his encouragement, endless support from friends who know me and my family, 9 years after that first dive, I began my journey to becoming a PADI diving instructor and haven’t looked back.
Now, I get to take those experiencing the same fear I once did and introduce them to the unfamiliar. Watching uncertainty slip away, to be replaced by excitement, has become a normal part of my day. We, as divers, face the unknown on the daily, explore the unexplored and know not to be afraid of sharks.

If you’re considering giving the sport a go, just do it. If you’re already a diver considering becoming a part of the PADI professional community, just do it.
Who needs a “real job” anyway, right?

Meet Akita Kees, who works for Dive HQ Christchurch as a Dive Instructor and Dive Shop Retail Superstar. 

Akita qualified as a Dive Instructor with Dive HQ Christchurch, completing her Diploma in Scuba Diving in 2016.  Akita enjoys taking new divers out for their Open Water and follows  them through their Advanced Open Water and on to their Dive Master courses.  Akita is especially talented at teaching younger divers.  Akita’s  cheerful smile and technical expertise are always available to our dive shop customers.

 Akita’s favourite dive site is Barney’s Rock in Kaikoura, which she first dived in 2015, at the start of her year-long Diploma course, here at Dive HQ  Christchurch.  A manageable 200m swim from the shoreline at the Hikurangi Reserve, Akita describes Barney’s Rock as having ‘a crazy amount of sea life!’

Huge Blue Cod, Moki, and Butterfish are to be found swimming amongst the playful dolphins and seals.  Climb onto Barneys Rock to view the seabirds,  or explore the massive crevasse for Crayfish.   Barneys Rock is Akita’s number 1 dive spot.

Interested in making diving your job? 

Our August intake of the Diploma of Scuba Diving is filling up fast. This is a full time, one year course that provides everything you need to work in a dive related industry or to become a dive expert while you decide on your next move. You can find out more about this here http://www.divehqscuba.co.nz/tertiary-courses

Interested? Then call me on 0800 348347 or email me at richard@divehqscuba.co.nz or my mobile 0274 348347, and we can organise a meeting to chat it though.

Done your Open Water and now ready for your Advanced Open Water?

We have courses running all year.

Kaikoura Advanced Open Water 16 August (local theory) and 19/20 August (Kaikoura)

Kaikoura Advanced Open Water 27 September (local theory) and 30/1 September/October (Kaikoura)

Interested? Then call us on 0800 348347 or call in to the shop.

Meet Louis Kimber, who works for Dive HQ Christchurch as a Senior Dive Instructor, and teaches our full time Diploma students.

Louis qualified as an Instructor with Dive HQ Christchurch, completing his Diploma in Scuba Diving in 2014.

Louis is an experienced Senior Instructor, and his recent group of full time Diploma students all passed, achieving a 90+% pass rate.

 Louis’ favourite dive site is a wreck dive, the Mikhail Lermontov in Port Gore.

  The Mikhail Lermontov is a 180m long Russian cruise liner, which sunk 30 years ago when the

  Marlborough harbourmaster, Captain Don Jamison who was piloting the vessel, misjudged Cape

 Jackson and hit  rocks.

A wreck dive, with boat only access, this beautiful dive is

14m to 35m in depth,  with visibility of 4m to 15m.

The Lemontov has created its own mini ecosystem,

with an amazing and diverse variety of fish to see.

Blue Cod, Octopus, Leather Jackets, Kahawai, and a resident Eel,

make this an amazing dive experience.

  Louis says that he most enjoys swimming through the Winter Gardens and on

  to the swimming pool.

  It is a favourite dive for many of our full time Diploma Students too, who

take a trip to this dive site as part of their Dive Master training.

Interested in making diving your job? 

Our August intake of the Diploma of Scuba Diving is filling up fast. This is a full time, one year course that provides everything you need to work in a dive related industry or to become a dive expert while you decide on your next move. You can find out more about this here http://www.divehqscuba.co.nz/tertiary-courses

Interested? Then call me on 0800 348347 or email me at richard@divehqscuba.co.nz or my mobile 0274 348347, and we can organise a meeting to chat it though.

The age limit for the PADI Open Water Course is set at 10 years old – opening the doors to the underwater world to the younger generation. The skills taught are transferable to everyday life, helping young people to grow. It also inspires a passion in many, opening up new career opportunities that may otherwise never have been considered. That was the case with 17 year-old Riley, who began his diving career with Dive HQ as a foundation student at the end of last year. We asked him a few questions to get an insight into how diving has become part of his life, and how it is shaping his future.     

Diving is classified as an extreme sport – it is exhilarating, offers an awesome adrenaline rush, and also comes with its risks. However it has a characteristic that sets it aside from other sports of the extreme variety; it is accessible even to those who are quite young. PADI accommodates divers ages 10 and up onto their Junior Open Water Course, with 8 year olds being given the opportunity to enroll in a Bubblemakers confined water session. At a younger age, we have fewer inhibitions, adapt easier, and have better memory retention.

Here is what Riley had to say about the impact diving has had on his life:

Dive HQ: What made you first interested in diving?

Riley: I always was interested in diving. During the holidays I did my Open Water Course and was instantly hooked! Being a confident swimmer, it was no problem and all go.

 DHQ: When did you go for your first dive?

R: I did my first dive at Lake Coleridge in December 2015, as part of my Open Water Course.

DHQ: What was your first diving experience like?

R: My first diving experience was in a pool. I was a little nervous to begin with, but when I finally relaxed and took that first breath, I was instantly hooked. It was so much fun.

DHQ: What diving qualifications have you completed so far?

So far, I have completed my Open Water and Advanced Open Water Courses.

(The part time foundation course will take Riley through to becoming a Rescue Diver)

DHQ: What do you like about diving?

I like everything. I like being weightless and floating upside down – it is the closest thing to being in space. I like seeing the fishes swimming around… it feels like a whole other world!

DHQ: Who has encouraged you with your diving?

Since my first dive, I’ve been encouraged by my parents, friends, and by myself.

DHQ: What experiences have shaped your learning? 

Learning buoyancy skills was so much fun, I ended up floating upside down for most of the advance course! Studying – I’ve never been too confident in book work, but I still get it done.

DHQ: What would you like to do in the future within the diving industry?

I would like to do anything and everything, but after becoming an instructor, I would love to join the Police Dive Squad.  

Thanks, Riley!  

If you too are interested in becoming a diver, or wish to embark on a new adventure and turn a passion into a career, get in touch with us about our courses and our Diploma of Scuba Instruction or Foundation program.

Dive HQ Christchurch
103 Durham St South
Sydenham
Christchurch
03 379 5804
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

What are the first steps towards becoming an underwater photographer?

A passion for taking photos combined with a desire to capture images of the unique underwater world and share them with many who may not have the chance to see it with their own eyes, is the motivation behind many underwater photographers.  While the first and most important step in your career is learning to dive safely.

Dive HQ Christchurch’s Diploma Student, Patrick Rose, is studying the year long Diploma of Scuba Instruction Course, and taking his camera with him.  Already we are seeing fantastic images being captured by the enthusiastic photographer.  It’s an exciting journey, to be learning new skills that will help him immensely with his photography in the future.  Recently along with his class mates, Patrick completed the Advanced Open Water Course.  Thank you Patrick, for sharing your thoughts on the experience, as well as many great photos.

Beautiful Hermit Crab Shell Captured by Patrick Rose in Kaikoura

Advance Open Water Overview
By Patrick Rose

This year’s Advance Open Water Diving was well satisfying and a great opportunity to revive my skills and look over what I have done three years ago. When I last did the course in 2013 we managed to fill in a variety of training from Peak Performance to Night and Deep Diving in Kaikoura. However I was only 17 and was still getting my head into it, but now things have changed for the better.

Macro Photography by Patrick Rose in Kaikoura

I enjoyed visiting Righton Station for our Deep Dive, for it was a place I had never been to in Coleridge and I’ve noticed a huge difference in my buoyancy at those depths. After studying some underwater photography for 2 years and my previous Deep Dive, I was already aware of the loss of the colour red in deeper water as well as pressure crushing a plastic bottle.

Cray in Kaikoura by Patrick Rose

For our overnight trip to Kaikoura I enjoyed the opportunity to revise Peak Performance Buoyancy and searching for marine life. This of course gave me the opportunity to capture excellent images of the marine life in another perspective. Unfortunately we were unable to do a night dive because for the change of weather, but “HEY!” we don’t have power over the weather and I look forward to the next night dive in the near future.

Camouflage at it’s best, Image by Patrick Rose

Lastly to finish off the trip to Kaikoura I enjoyed the opportunity to practice navigation underwater. Though I was a little put off from the current pushing me and my calculations around, “there’s got to be some form of environmental challenge to overcome in order to progress!”

Overall I thought this year’s Advance Open Water Course was well worth it.

I love my leather jacket – Captured by Patrick Rose

Does a career in Underwater Photography interest you?  Join our next intake, in August 2016 for our Diploma of Scuba Instruction at Dive HQ Christchurch.

Dive HQ Christchurch
103 Durham St South,
Sydenham
Christchurch
03 3795 804
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

Thanks Dive HQ Christchurch, for a fun few years working as a Dive Instructor with a great team.
Here are a few highlights and memories we have shared that I will be taking with me as I head off on my next adventure as a Dive Instructor in Vanuatu.

Dive Instructing in Kaikoura

There have been so many great students, and being able to share my passion for Diving with you has been a lot of fun.  Kiwi’s sure do love their diving, and on a perfect day in Kaikoura you can tell why!

Project Aware

When you love the ocean, you want to protect it.  Project Aware is a great organisation, set up to help do just that.   I have enjoyed organising Project Aware Clean Up Dives, with the support of Dive HQ Christchurch.  For all you like minded people, you can also show support by contributing to Project Aware.

Clean Up Dive…look at this treasure!

The Dive Shop

Dive HQ Christchurch Dive Shop has been the place where many of our customers have become familiar faces.  It’s great when other divers come in and share their excitement for diving.  Through Dive HQ ChCh, I’ve also had the opportunity to learn about and trial some fantastic dive equipment.  Having the right year and knowing how to use it can really improve your dive experience.  I’ve become a much more skilled and confident diver by gaining so much knowledge about equipment.

Incredible Diving

I’ve had some great dives during my time with Dive HQ Christchurch.  Diving all around Canterbury, right up the coast and to the sounds.  The Lermontov wreck and the Marlborough Sounds are a favorite of mine.

From the Coast to the Mountains

I have not just loved diving the depths of the New Zealand coastline, but have made the most of the incredible mountains too.  There are not too many places in the world you are so close to great diving and great skiing!

Big Thanks to Dive HQ Christchurch!

I’m sure I’m going to miss you all and this beautiful country.  The good times and great experiences I have had, have set me up to continue my Dive Instructing Career. Thank you to all the team at Dive HQ Christchurch, keep on sharing your passion for diving.

I would recommend learning to dive with Dive HQ Christchurch, not only I study to become an Instructor here, I enjoyed it so much I continued on to work here once I was qualified.  Whatever your level of diving, the team will look after you and find the right course for you.  You can find more about the courses on the www.diveskiworld.co.nz/dive-courses

Colin Wadeson
Dive Instructor Dive HQ Christchurch

Dive HQ Christchurch
103 Durham St South
Sydenham
Christchurch
03 3759 804
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

 Celebrations!

Our newly qualified SCUBA Dive Instructors are celebrating now, after a fantastic year together, along with myself, Mel Alps, their mentor.  Now is the time to look back and share a few memories and wish my students well for their next adventures and Dive Instructor Careers!

Mia Foley, Tim Walter, Jack Broad and Curt Sutherland have all passed their final exams and are ready to hit the water as Professional SCUBA Instructors.

Becoming a Dive Instructor

Here at Dive HQ Christchurch, you can get a Professional SCUBA Instructor Qualification, by studying with us for the year, a Tertiary Level course, for which student loans and allowances are available.  It’s a great course to teach and to learn and my group this year had a great time.

Starting out as new divers, the students gained a huge amount of experience in a wide variety of conditions.  We dove in Kaikoura, Coleridge, Picton, Pegasus, Akaroa, and not to forget an awesome trip to the Lermontov wreck at the top of the south island.

Exploring the Lermontov Wreck – Picture Captured by Tim Walter

Course Highlights

I’m sure you guys will be looking back on all our memories and smiling…even the 4 degree water dive at Pegasus!  Of course the trip to the Lermontov ship wreck must have been a highlight – thanks Tim, for some great photos of the trip here.

Good Sports

It was great to have you as part of the Dive HQ Christchurch Team, and what commitment you showed us, Tim and Jack – when you spent the day walking around in your full dive gear handing out information at CPIT! (Glad we have a photo of this!)  I’m sure your wetsuits needed a wash after that sweaty day!  …Mia where is your wetsuit !?

Mel Alps, Mia Foley, Tim Walters and Jack Broad at CPIT Careers Info

Skills!

Six months practicing and you are all perfect at hovering during a 5m safety stop!

Safety Stop Hovering

Along with improving your dive skills, you also got very good at spotting sea life, and underwater photography!  We were all thankful to Curt for his great Sand Shark spotting abilities.  Also a big thanks to Tim for these photos, the blue cod picture is amazing!

Blue Cod Image – Captured by Tim Walter

A Ticket to Teach Diving!

Your final instruction from Janine sure made you practice to perfection in your final weeks before the exams which made them seem a breeze.  I’m definitely really proud of you all, and myself, for all we achieved together.  It was great to see your confidence and abilities grow over our year diving together, it really makes my job worthwhile.  I hope to hear about all your adventures and the amazing places your new qualification will take you.   Congratulations to you all and best wishes for your Diving Careers!  Now you are all in the A team for life!

If you are wishing this was you, all set for adventure as a Professional SCUBA Instructor, just give us a call and we’ll send you a Free INFO pack about our courses!
0800 DIVEHQ

Mel Alps
Dive Instructor

Dive HQ Christchurch
101 Durham St South
Christchurch
New Zealand
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

Academy of Diving Trust is registered as a Private Training Establishment by NZQA and has approval to sub-contract to Dive HQ Christchurch.

I can count on one hand the amount of years I have been diving and even though it’s been a short time I have still been lucky enough to have met some incredible people, seen some breath taking places and had some amazing marine life encounters.  One place that has stood out to me is a tiny island right underneath Australia. Who’s name is more famous from a cartoon that it is for itself ‘Tasmania’ and if you don’t mind a little cold water, its and outstanding dive destination.  I was lucky enough to have had previous cold water diving experience as I completed my Open Water Course through to instructor rating with Dive HQ Christchurch, New Zealand.  The Diploma in Professional SCUBA Instruction course at Dive HQ Christchurch, gave me the confidence and experience to make me a sure candidate when I applied for a job with Eaglehawk Dive Centre (east coast of Tasmania).  It was a fantastic start to my adventurous career as a SCUBA Instructor, and gave me the opportunity to explore this hidden secret!

The Magical Sea Kelp Forests in Tasmania

From playful Australian and New Zealand fur seals, delicate weedy sea dragons, mysterious cave systems taking your imagination away with you, the 100 year old wreck ‘SS Nord’ and deep dives where the walls look like a disco of colour from beautiful sponge gardens, to my favourite dive site of all the giant kelp forest. It felt like you were diving in enchanted forest underwater. Where the sunlight would flicker through the gaps of the kelp making it feel like magic. The further you explore the forest the more life we would encounter. From finding tiny nudibranchs to schooling fish circling around us and the occasional fur seal cruzing by all using the shelter of the forest for their home. This place has it all and I was lucky enough to have these dive sites on my back door.  So if you’re interested in a place with a wide variety of diverse diving then this is the place for you.

Sneaking into an Underwater Cave

If you are passionate about diving and want to make it a career, speak to the team at Dive HQ Christchurch, they can let you know about the different tertiary level courses and how they set you up for an amazing variety of jobs around the world.   You can also read more about my experiences as a Dive Instructor on my Dive HQ Christchurch Graduate Profile.

Zoe Fowler
SCUBA Dive Instructor at Dive HQ Christchurch

Dive HQ Christchurch
0800 DIVEHQ
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

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