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.

“Been there, done that” and you know what? It doesn’t matter. I could have dived the same site a hundred times, and yet I still feel that same bubbling excitement as I gear up for the dive. The drive or boat ride hums with anticipation as everyone discusses what we might see this time. I will grab a tank and set up my equipment – a comfortable and familiar procedure. The sound of waves on the shore, the salty sea wind on my face; the feeling of going home. People are spitting in masks, swilling them out. It isn’t elegant, and we don’t care! Others attach strobes to cameras, and buddy teams help each other gear up. Buddy checks complete? Let’s go.

It begins. Wading out through the waves, letting the cool water wash over you, or back-rolling into the blue. Looking down at that whole other world that lies beneath us – just waiting to be explored!

70% of the planet we live on is covered with water, making it hardly surprising that some of the most spectacular spots on earth lie under the ocean’s surface. Non-divers only get the chance to experience 30% of what is on offer – imagine what you are missing out on!

Regulator in – my lifeline that will supply my air during the dive – I start my descent. Deflating my BCD, I’m in free fall, I can twist and turn in any way I please. I am weightless, I defy gravity, I am flying! Lying face down, arms and legs splayed slowing my descent. I am sky-diving in slow-mo, watching as the sea bed rises to meet me. I will twist over to lie looking up at the surface, as it slips slowly away from me, or maybe let my whole world flip upside down as I plunge – Superman style – onwards; one of my favourite moments of a dive is the descent. It is that sudden sense of weightlessness, when the laws of physics exerted on us on land no longer apply. Ever wanted to experience zero gravity and what it feels like to fly unaided? Then diving will give you a pretty good idea.

Seconds before making contact with the bottom, I take a slow, deep breath, stabilising myself, stopping me inches short of the sea bed. I hang momentarily, then begin my dive. Learning to control your buoyancy is the key to ‘underwater flying’, and you will find that once you have it mastered, you can perform impressive underwater gymnastics with next to no effort. You think it, you do it – your body unquestioningly following your brain and imagination’s orders. Honestly, there is no other feeling quite like it! (You can perfect your buoyancy with a Peak Performance Buoyancy Course!)

Now that you are here, it is time to look around. The whole universe has gone quiet – something else that I love. All you hear is the sound of your own breathing. In, out, in, out… Slow and steady, you are in total control. Every now and then you may hear the unmistakable sound of a parrotfish chomping on nearby coral, or maybe the annoying whine of a boat engine, but you relax, knowing it will soon pass and fade.

How many of you like to spend ages in the shower because it is your ‘thinking place’? Somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts and finally make those decisions that have been hanging over you for a while? Being underwater is kind of like that, but a hundred times better. Your troubles, worries, and problems all fade for that time you spend out in the blue.

No matter where you are diving, there are always a million sights to distract you.

“Whoa! Look at that giant crayfish, right there” *frantic hand signals*

“Seal! Seal behind you!” (What is the signal for seal, anyway?)

Sharks, turtles, pretty colourful fishes… The kelp and coral itself a delight for the eyes. The light playing through the water, floating rainbows, sparkling off the sand… Everything about our underwater world is mesmerizing.

I have been diving for almost fourteen years and yet even now, nothing can match the feeling I get before and during a dive. I still catch myself in complete wonder, halfway through a dive, as I realise I am breathing underwater (a look at my dive computer confirms that yes, I have been breathing underwater for a full 45 minutes now). So I will grin and perform a series of flips, just because I can.

Diving is so much more than a sport; it is a passion, it is true love, it is a life-style! Once you learn to dive, enter into that whole new world, and join the community made up by scuba divers, you will never want to turn back.

If you would like to learn to dive, or continue your diving education, get in touch so we can help you pursue your passion!

Dive HQ Christchurch 2013 Ltd

103 Durham Street South

Sydenham,

Christchurch,

New Zealand

Phone: 03 379-5804

Email: sales@diveskiworld.co.nz

www.diveskiworld.co.nz

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

This is where it all started…I was driving to my work as a duty manager at a small pub in Christchurch listening to the radio when I heard…

“Are you tired of your job…”

“Want a life more exciting….that will take you all over the world!”

And I thought “YES!  That’s exactly what I want!      

….then   “Become a Dive Instructor with Dive HQ Christchurch!”

So the next day I went in to Dive HQ Christchurch and saw Richard to see what he could offer me.  He was friendly and helpful and showed me a few different courses that they offer.  I decided to go with the full time instructor course which meant I could get a student allowance which made things a lot easier. I had only been diving once in my life in Rarotonga before I started the course but knew I would enjoy it as diving lets you see a whole new world. My first day at the course was awesome I got to meet Mel our Instructor and a great group of people with a passion for diving that I now consider life-long friends.
Throughout the year we got to dive a variety of amazing places like Kaikoura, Picton even some altitude diving at Lake Coleridge but by far my most memorable diving was a week trip away to dive the Mikhail Lermontov – a Russian cruise ship that sunk in the Sounds in 1986 it was amazing.  I took my underwater camera with me and got some great footage of the whole experience.  Here are some of my pictures of us exploring.

The course takes you from a novice through your open water, advanced, rescue diver (which was great fun practicing all the scenarios). Then you start the more professional side with Dive master, assistant instructor and a two week instructor development course which really gets you ready to sit your final instructor exams during the course we also did a lot of fun first aid scenarios and come out of the course as a First Aid Instructor, and as a Diving Instructor and have a Diploma in SCUBA Instructing which I can use all over the world. I had so much fun this year and enjoyed exploring the underwater world with Dive HQ Christchurch and meeting so many great people with a passion for diving. Now I can travel the world exploring where very few people have been before all thanks to Richard and the team at Dive HQ Christchurch.

If you would like to know more about this amazing course and where it can take you, just get in touch with Dive HQ Christchurch.  They’ll send you an info pack, and Richard can go through all your options with you.

Tim Walter
Professional SCUBA Instructor – Graduate of Dive HQ Christchurch 2015

Call 0800 DIVHQ
Or Txt CAREER to 0274 DIVEHQ

Dive HQ Christchurch
101 Durham St Sydenham,
Christchurch
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

The Suunto Cobra3 – “Maximise Bottom Time and Safety”

Another step along the path to designing the perfect dive computer has been taken, with the Suunto Cobra3.  This week Colin from Dive HQ Christchurch details some of the beneficial features of the popular Suunto Cobra3 Dive Computer.

The Display

• Large Screen
• High Definition electro-luminescent display with dot matrix.
• Display is adjustable to be on from 5 – 30 seconds
• Display lights up automatically when an alarm activates
• Simplified four-button operation which can be used even wearing gloves.

Air Integration Design

• Your tank pressure is monitored and displayed
• Rate of air consumption displayed
• Remaining air time continuously calculated
• Visual and audible alarms for depth and pressure
• Warns you when you are running low on air

Nitrox and Gauge Modes

• Programmable for mixtures between 21% and 50% oxygen
• Also adjustable for oxygen partial pressure between 1.2 and 1.6 bar.
• Can be used as a depth gauge and timer with profile memory.
• Can accelerate decompression by switching to a gas mix with a higher oxygen percentage.

Maximising Bottom Time and Data and Graphs

• The air integration design allows for calculations to be made for maximum bottom time.
• The Deep Stop option adds protection with a series of deep stops between your maximum depth and ceiling.
• You can test upcoming dives, to see the no-decompression and decompression time data for different depths before getting in the water.
• Graphical logs and dive data is logged onto your computer using Suunto DM4 software
• Movescount tracks your activity.

3-D Compass

• The Cobra3’s unique electronic 3D compass can be tilted up to 45 degrees.
• Guided calibration and declination setting so you can dive worldwide without needing multiple compasses.

Compatibility with other Suunto Products

• With the Suunto quick release, you connect to the cylinder pressure gauge with one quick move.
• With the Suunto RGBM algorithm, continuous decompression for optimal ascent time

So if you are still diving using gauges and tables, with short bottom times and long surface intervals, why not consider upgrading to a computer and dive safer for longer!

Come into Dive HQ Christchurch dive shop and Colin or one of the team will help you find the perfect computer for your dives.

Located on 101 Durham St, South Christchurch.
Ph 03 379 5804

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

Graduated from Dive HQ Christchurch
- Diploma in Professional SCUBA Instruction
– Qualified PADI Staff Instructor

“I love seeing my students faces when they take their first breath underwater”

In 2013 I signed up to do an Instructor course at Dive HQ Christchurch.  I started with my Open Water in Picton, it was such an awesome weekend through which I made friends that I still dive with to this day.

Some of the best experiences have been helping out as a Dive Master on weekend courses to Lake Coleridge or Kaikoura.  I got to meet so many different people, and help to introduce them to SCUBA Diving.

I am very lucky to have such variety of work at Dive HQ. I am mainly teaching tertiary students who will also become Instructors, and I go on recreational dive courses that are run on the weekend such as Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses. I also work in the dive shop and help out teaching the part time Dive Master course as well.

The biggest highlight of my job is seeing students’ progress from knowing nothing about SCUBA Diving to being able to plan and complete dives with little or no help from me.  I also get to dive some pretty awesome places such as Motunau, Akaroa and the Marlborough Sounds.

While working as an Instructor at Dive HQ Christchurch, I have been continuing my training and have recently become a PADI Staff Instructor.

My best advice to someone who is considering doing a diploma in professional scuba instruction is “Just go for it!”

If you would like to become a Dive Instructor too, contact Dive HQ Christchurch 0800 DIVEHQ and find out about their 1 year Diploma in Professional SCUBA Instruction Course!