Pro Dive Mexico PADI Career Development Center

Visit our booth at BOOT Düsseldorf, the largest diving trade show in the world!

2012-01-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

Getting excited about the january BOOT show in Düsseldorf?

Please visit our booth for a chat, and for the option to win a price in our raffle!

We are having prices with value over 10000 USD, including FREE stays at our All Inclusive Hotels, FREE PADI Courses including FREE Divemaster Course and more, even a free IDC & EFRI course!

Amaaaaaazing! See you there!

November and December news from the center..

2011-12-18T15:24:00.001-08:00

Since my last blog a lot has happened. As I have been very busy the blog has not been updated as much as I would have liked.

Here is the story of the last months GoPro Training in Maroma.

It all started with the end of Kelsey, Irene’s and Zach’s Divemaster Resort Specialty.

We finished up the program with a great 2 tank dive in Chaac Mol Cenote.

Pictures can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150350961243392.355499.78639723391&type=1&l=87ac435a59

For most of them this was their first Cenote dive and changed a lot about their ideas of cavern diving. Some I am sure we will see back for a cave diving course one day.

In the beginning of November we started the IDC with a full class of 13 candidates.

Students came from Sweden, Mexico, Austria, Spain, Canada, Bahamas, England, France and the United States.

As a special guest in this course we had Simon Page return to audit this IDC and gain experience towards his Mater Instructor rating with PADI. Simon completed the IDC with me same time last year and has since then been working very successfully in Australia as a dive instructor.

The IDC was great and filled with many good moments. The top stories was the fun and creativity in the presentations we saw, the Intro to TEC/CAVE and as a special surprise we has a visit form Poseidon Rebreathers who took everybody for a tryout in the pool.

This was an extra in the IDC, as all candidates had performed so well in the first 10 days of the IDC. See the pictures from this great day here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150414646478392.365368.78639723391&type=1&l=560a2bc898

All IDC candidates passed their exams in the beginning of December with flying colors and Cenote Ponderosa under the Examiners Gary and Gale form PADI.

Tears of joy and smiles all round J Good job.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150422577453392.366190.78639723391&type=1&l=71705103f3

After a day off from the celebrations, many of the candidates who wised to further their education continued with us in the popular MSDT course.

4 days of great training included Deep Diving procedures and Punta Maroma, Equipment Specially with Scuba Pro Technician, Search and Recovery where we managed to find Anders’s +1000$ dive computer and the captain cell phone (well the next day!!).

The final day we went to the Canon boat wreck in Puerto Morelos were we completed both the Wreck and Nitrox Instructor course. A great way to finish up the training.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150436249498392.367519.78639723391&type=1&l=ccaadcfbfe

After 4-5 days of non stop diving we had a few days quite in the center, with only Davide and his 2 Divemaster Students were busy learning the “Italian” way of becoming a PADI pro. Ryan from New Zealand and Tim from Germany I am sure had a great time with Staff Instructor Davide and his jokesJ

Susanne form Austria and Beth from England return last Monday to the center to learn how to become technical divers.

We did 3 days of technical diver training and both became PADI TEC 40 certified at the Cenote “The Pit” which is located inside the Dos Ojos cenote system.

The course was fun and both Beth and Susanne showed that they have what it takes to become a tec diver.

I hope to see you both back for TEC 45 and 50 some day.

Amazing location to finish such a course. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150445986273392.368457.78639723391&type=1&l=c3e014ba8d

Now there is only a few days left before Christmas and most of the students of the November IDC are already working in the area. It’s such a nice feeling to be able to not only teach people how to become diving instructors, but also help them get that first job in the industry.

Our slogan is not without meaning “We don’t just certify! We build diving careers.”

From all of the Go Pro staff at Pro Dive Mexico (Anders, Goretty and Davide) we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New year filled with lots of diving J

Keep diving, Keep learning.

Anders

2011 Platinum Course Director Award for Anders!

2011-11-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Pro Dive Mexico Course Director Anders Heegaard was at DEMA 2011 show once again awarded as a PLATINUM Course Director by PADI. There are only a handful in the world! In the picture you see JAMES MORGAN, PADI Americas Vice President of Training, together with Anders, receiving his award. Congrats Anders, on a job well done!

Instructor Development Award 2011!

2011-11-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

DEMA show Orlando has been very successful for us! The first day of the show we have been awarded once again for excellence in instructor development in latin america. In the picture you see our operations manager Maria Jose Lledo Jara, receiving the award from Nick Jenny and Robert Sievens, PADI regional manager of latin america. We are proud to be one of only three latin american IDC centers to receive this 2011 award!

Cousteau meets Pro Dive Mexico!

2011-11-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

In the picture you see JEAN MICHEL COUSTEAU, the son of world reknown diving explorer and icone JAQUES COUSTEAU, along with Maria Jose, Gaby and Markus of Pro Dive Mexico, during their talks about introduction of Cousteaus conservation educational program ("Ambassador of the Seas") into our GOPRO program portfolio. An exciting new project, to keep and help pushing the protection of the worlds oceans, as well as to add an exciting and unparalleled program to our portfolio, being available to our IDC and GOPRO students in the near future. We will keep you updated in the next news and development!

Poseidon MK6 Discovery Program

2011-10-22T07:02:00.001-07:00

This week at the GoPro Center in Maroma we had visitors from Azul Sin Limites.

Ana, Polo and Juan Pedro work for ASL who are the distributor of Dive Rite (technical dive gear) and Poseidon Rebreathers.
They brought 5 Poseidon MK6 Rebreathers for us to get to know and try out.

PADI launched last month their first recreational rebreather courses and the only unit approved for these courses so far is the Poseidon Mk6.

After a very thorough explanation of the unit by Juan Pedro we went to the pool.
The pool practice was to get familiar with the unit by getting used to the buoyancy difference and practice emergency situations.

All of us (Jim, Goretty and I) took to it, like ducks in water.

After spending 30min in the pool we were ready for the ocean dive and headed of to the boat.

With it's weight of only 16kg and a dive time of 3-4 hours it's a truly amazing unit.
At Escuela Dive site we did a nice relaxing dive continuing to practice the very different way of diving. Besides the buoyancy being different, the silence is overwhelming! Jim say that he could hear his heart beating during the dive. That’s how quiet it is over regular open circuit diving.

A big thank you to the Azul Sin Limites team and sure that this is the beginning to a great partnership.

In this picture Course Director Anders and Jim on the MK6

To see all the pictures from the day, please click this link

Pro Dive Mexico Instructor candidates pass their exams.

2011-09-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon Remco, Marijke, Will and Renee passed their PADI instructor examination at Ponderosa Cenote.
High scores and great spirits made this examination run amazingly.

Quote from Anders Heegaard, Course Director.
"This was a GREAT IDC! It was so much fun to teach and we had extra time to practice and roleplay. Remco, Marjike, Will and little Renee all did amazingly and I am proud to have been one of the persons to have taught them how to teach diving.
You all made an impression on us and we will remember this IDC always.
I am sure that I will see you all in the dive world and always count on me for support in the future."

In this picture, from left to right: Paulo (staff), Will Maxwell (England), Marjike (Curacao), Remco (Holland), Renee (Australia), Anders (Course Director).

See all the pictures from the course HERE.

2nd annual SCUBAPRO TEST DIVE a huge success!

2011-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was a great fun day once again!!!

The second annual Scubapro & Pro Dive Mexico TEST DIVE was again a huge success, and of course a lot of fun!

Hosted by Mexico's leading PADI Career Development Center in Playa Maroma and Platinum Course Director Anders Heegaard, we had some real scuba industry "celebrities" attending the event:

Scubapro Latin America Sales Manager Mr. Roberto Quintana, and Scubapro Mexico Representative Mrs. Silvia Maiz, accompanied by Platinum PADI CD Anders Heegaard and his Pro Dive Mexico colleague, former Queensland, Australia PADI regional manager Jim Hutchinson.

The event was also attended by our GOPRO Assistant Paolo, our italian Maroma instructor Valentina, videographer Leandro as well as by some of our eager Gopro candidates, who sure enjoyed to be part of the great event!

Our fun group was evaluating some exciting new SCUBAPRO gear and items, and the test results will serve the manufacturer in its decisions to launch the products, as well as help our CDC facility determine what equipment will be useful and resistent enough for daily operations. Pro Dive Mexico is an authorized Scubapro dealer, and we only use the worlds Best scuba gear brand for our operations, since only the Best is good enough for our GOPRO Scuba Academy.

Because we know that....DEEP DOWN YOU WANT THE BEST.

Check out the yearly & traditional video, produced by our professional partner Martin Porta from UNDERWATER IMAGER, to get a glimpse of the fun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjgJZH9qJdA

Tec course at Pro Dive Mexico

2011-08-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Monday morning was the final dive of the PADI TEC 40 Course. The student (Goretty) and her instructor (Course Director Anders) set out for on a sunny day with calm seas, to complete the graduation dive of the course.
3 days of skill practice and training dives, led up to this great moment.

Dive site was set for Punta Toro and its famous Cantil wall. The cantill is were the barrier reef ends and the bottom drops from about 35m to 400meters!
Diving on this edge is absolutely and amazing experience.
Conditions were great, and the strong currents were expected as usual:-) On the 40meter dive we encountered rays and some lion fish, but the highlight of this dive site is the sponges (some 5 feet tall) that grow sideways, due to the northern current.

Quote from Goretty:
"My course was amazing!! I had such a good time and I really felt comfortable with the pace and skills of the course. We did different dives doing the 3 day course, but the best was Punta Toro:-)
I can’t wait to come back for my TEC 45 and 50, and who knows maybe one day also my Trimix Course. My instructor (Anders) really took time to explain me in details how the theory and skills work to dive comfortable TEC.
Hopefully I will be back soon."

If you want to know more about TEC diving, please check out www.idcmexico.com/tec.php for more information and schedule.

See also all the photos from the course here

Sometime one tank is just not enough :-)

Latest news! Pro Dive Mexico Academy is the proud winner of the PADI TEC REC center award!

2011-08-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

you already know that we offered training for cavern, intro-to-cave, and full cave divers.

We have now been awarded by PADI with the official PADI TEC REC center level, which enables us to furthermore teach the following exciting courses:

- PADI TEC 40
- PADI TEC 45
- PADI TEC 50
- DSAT Gas Blender
- DSAT Gas Blender Instructor

Soon will come also, as our next additions to our portfolio the PADI TEC Trimix 65 and the PADI TRIMIX full course.

We are very excited, as there are very few centers so far being able to offer this kind of TEC & TEC DEEP training! At Pro Dive Mexico Scuba Academy we are excited to be able to start these programs, and we look forward to DIVE TEC & DIVE DEEP with you soon! Please contact our Course Director Anders Heegaard directly for any inquiry at aheegaard@prodivemex.com.

For a little taste of TEC REC, check it out this video below, or click right here!

Scubapro & Pro Dive Mexico going for their TEST DIVE again!

2011-08-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

Like every year our partner, the manufacturer of the worlds leading scuba equipment SCUBAPRO, is realising again their exciting TEST DIVE with PRO DIVE MEXICO, at one of our facilities.

The 18th of august 2011 is the date, that we are anxiously awaiting, because Scubapro will come to our PADI CDC CENTER at Playa Maroma, with newest and latest pieces of equipment, that need be tested in real life condition before being released to the market.

While we test the reliability of the newest scube gear from Scubapro, we always have loads of fun!

We will keep you posted in the results, and in the meanwhile check out our video from our TEST DIVE that we conducted last year at one of our facilities in world famous Cozumel, have fun!

Scubapro / Pro Dive Mexico Test Dive 2010

You can also watch this video on YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGXIfJXAlfs

The fastest track to a career in scuba diving: Our "Career Change Package Plus" package!

2011-08-01T16:10:00.001-07:00

You are a certified Open Water diver and really fell in love with scuba diving?

You are bored with your current job?

You want to be able to earn money while scuba diving, all around the globe and in most exotic places?

Even make a real career?

Thats easy! It takes 72 days only, and even saves you a big buck, 1158 USD to be exact!!

Yes, that is one thousand one hundred fiftyeight american dollars!

http://idcmexico.com/packs_career_plus.php

DEMA SHOW COMES SOON!

2011-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that this year we will be exhibiting at DEMA show, in Orlando, Florida (Nov 02 until Nov 05). Come visit our booth for a chat and info on latest news, dive travel info, our Scuba Academy and unbeatable and EXCLUSIVE special DEMA offers! See you there!

Pro Dive Mexico Instuctor takes the plunge!

2011-07-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7epG94eZIg

Check this out!

Our dear friend and instructor Alberto da Lago got married underwater! He took the plunge with his now wife Karla, along with more than 200 participants attending the ceremony underwater. Although they slightly missed their entry in the GUINESS BOOK OF RECORD by a few divers, it is the intention that counts, and of course getting married right? Besides sealing their bond for life and breaking a record, Karla and Alberto also intended to create awareness about the local sharks having in mind, that new protective local laws need to be created. Next to many diving friends, there was a lot of of international press as well, so besides getting married Alberto and Karla are now also famous, and their noble message reached the community worldwide!!

Congratulations Alberto and Karla, and all the best for your future life together!

Congratulations to the new Pro Dive Mexico Instructor Candidates.

2011-06-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

This Sunday new PADI instructors were born!.
After over 2 weeks of intensive instructor training all the hard work showed off.
Pro Dive Mexico with yet another amazing passing rate at the IE.

Cenote Poderosa was the place of the final day of the exams. Who could wish for a more beautiful place to pass your exam and become a PADI Instructor.

From left to right, top to bottom: Carey, Mario (Examiner), Mike, Paulo (Staff), Athena, Massimo, Simon, David, Kris, Christie(Staff), Jessica (staff), Jordi, Anders (CD), Juan, Angelina and Roxanne.

"This IDC was a great experience. We had candidates from all over the world to come together for 14 days of instructor training. Belgium, USA, France, Greece, Spain, England, Canada, New Zealand and Puerto Rico, where the countries represented at this IDC and made it a very multi cultural experience teaching it.

"I wish you all the best in your instructor careers and hope that our paths will meet again.
Thank you guys and girls for making this a very memorable IDC." Anders Heegaard, Course Director.

See the pictures from the Instructor Exam here

The summer IDC has started....

2011-06-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

This Friday our June 2011 IDC started.
With studentes from 12 different countries, this IDC will be a very interesting and multi cultural melting pot.
Also a special IDC, as we have 2 extra Staff instructors auditing the IDC.
Follow our students and latest pictures here on facebook

The world needs a new warrior. It needs YOU.

2011-06-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

We at Pro Dive Mexico are solidary and support the cause of Greenpeace. We hope that not only we as divers, but soon enough the whole world recognizes the need to save our oceans and our planet.

Check out this great video and website of GREENPEACE, and learn how you can help to build the next RAINBOW WARRIOR.

http://anewwarrior.greenpeace.org/

IDC June starting in a few days

2011-06-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of days and our June IDC class will start off with the IDC prep training.
This time we also have some IDC staff instructors auditing this PADI IDC training.

Being a PADI 5 star CDC also implies obligations for us... and yet again we managed to stand up for what we believe is one of the main objectives of any PADI 5 star CDC. To develope future careers and guidance in becoming a scuba professional.

After the training most candidates proceeded with our PADI MSDT prep training and also some continued their specialized FULL Cave course with us!!
Especially last mentioned training got one of the highest scores from our candidates and prepared them well as a future Cenotes guides!

We also see that our successful packages, marketing strategies and FREE add-on are copied more and more by other IDC centers. But we also know that quality and services cannot be copied! It's a believe system.
Many even copied us by stretching the IDC duration up to 10 days.....

We are proud to see this, as it means that in general the quality of IDC professionals will go up!

"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations." Marston

NEW GoDive video!!

2011-05-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Check out the NEW GoDive video from PADI..

Divemaster Training

2011-05-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

This week our Divemasters in training were put to the test. Introducing real life senarios and assisting with DSD's is one of the final test of the course.
Angelina, David, Pablo, Carey, Tina and Massimo all did great and will succeed as Divemasters. Next week is the final test, before most of them enter the Instructor Course on the 10th of June 2011.

See all the pictures here FACEBOOK

April 2011 MSDT Course

2011-05-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

WOW!! 4 days of Deep diving, Search & Recovery, Nitrox, Equipment and of course everyone’s favorite WRECK diving.

Congratulations to Marianne, Morgan, Ray and Valerie for their new Specialty Instructor ratings.

Quote from the Course Director:
The MSDT course is so much fun to teach. Not only is it almost only about diving, but it also expands on the teaching principles of the IDC.
The students get a real sense of teaching PADI specialties and prepares them much more as instructors for the "real" world of teaching scuba diving.
With 5 PADI specialties the new instructors are also more employable, as they can teach almost twice as many courses as a regular new instructor out of the IDC.

However the biggest advantage is the diversity of teaching they can do. With the MSDT prep course they can teach what they love about diving to others. For some it's wreck diving techniques, for others Deep diving skills.
For what reasons you choose the MSDT prep course, it's a course that keeps on giving and will assist the new instructors in all diving related activities."

All the best to you.

Keep learning and keep diving
(see the photos from the IDC and MSDT course here)

April 2011 IDC Prep, IDC, EFRI and IE.

2011-05-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday at Ponderosa Pro Dive Mexico again had 100% passing rate for their instructor candidates.

In this IDC course hard work and group dynamics really helped them succeed at the IE as a tight group of students.

I wish Valerie, Marianne, Morgan, Chris and Ray all the best in their diving careers.

Currently the students are still learning more about specialized diving techniques in the popular MSDT prep course.

Please see all the photos from this month training here.

Pro Dive Mexico - An award winning company!

2011-04-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

A LITTLE INSIGHT ABOUT AWARDS AND EXCELLENCE....

....OR....WHO REALLY IS THE BEST IN THE AMERICAS...

Every dive center on the globe, especially IDC centers, will state that they are the best. Guess what, so do we! But how many centers can actually support their statements? Very few. We have just received a personal congratulation letter from Drew Richardson, President & Chief Operating Officer at PADI Worldwide. Read for yourself:

Dear Markus,

I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you and Pro Dive Mexico on your recent nomination at DEMA for the "PADI Americas Overall Oustanding Achievement Award".

On behalf of everyone here at PADI, I would like to extend a hearty congratulations on a well-deserved nomination!

Thank you for your support and keep up the great work!

Best regards,

Drew Richardson

President & Chief Operating Officer

PADI Worldwide

To explain, PADI Americas will every year nominate 3 members only, for each category of excellence out of their whole region, being North America, Central America & South America.

Pro Dive Mexico has been nominated in not only one, but two categories! Only the best out of these best, meaning the ones that are nominated for several and not only one award, will then be nominated for the OVERALL Oustanding Achievement Award.

Winning this one, therefore comes equal with being awarded to be THE BEST of all.

So there you have it! We not only say we are the best, we really are! And we are really proud, to have achieved these recognitions. Once again, we are proud to say there is no better choice for you in the Americas to become a PADI instructor. Do it with Pro Dive Mexico Scuba Academy!

An overview about our latest achievements:

The only PADI CDC center in mexico, and one out of three only in Latin America.

Our course director Anders Heegaard received the PLATINUM COURSE DIRECTOR award, being one out of only a handful worldwide.

Winner of certificate of recognition for excellence, for outstanding customer service and professionalism in PADI scuba instruction in 2010.

Recipient of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC dive center award, for 7 consecutive years since 2005.

Nominated by PADI Americas: Outstanding Achievement Award for Instructor Development in 2010.

Nominated by PADI Americas: Outstanding Achievement Award for Dive Resort Business in 2010.

Nominated by PADI Americas: OVERALL Oustanding Achievement Award in 2010.

Become a PADI Instructor with Pro Dive Mexico Scuba Academy. Don't settle for less, because you deserve THE BEST.

April IDC and great weather.

2011-04-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago Pro Dive Mexico started the April IDC with students from all over the world.
With students coming from England, France, Belgium, New Zealand and USA, makes this IDC a very interesting melting pot of culture and opinions.

Quote from the Course Director
"Teaching IDC's is not only my passion, but also so rewarding for me, as I on every course learn something more about instructor training from the students.
They bring with them new ideas and believes that help me understand to better teach this level of courses."

So far this IDC had had the best weather possible, with a heat wave of high tempratures, sunny days and clam seas.

Stay updated on the this site and facebook.

100% passing rate at the PADI Instructor Exams!

2011-04-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

This Sunday at Cenote Ponderosa, Pro Dive Mexico's instructor candidates showed their skills and all passed the 3 day exams held by PADI headquaters.

It was the work of 2 weeks of training with Platinum Course Director Anders Heegaard and his staff.
"It was all my pleasure to teach this IDC and sure that we will see many of the new instructors again either here in Mexico, or in other popular dive destinations around the world."

Top row, left to right
Examiner José Morea, Kent, Tom, Rob, Paulo (staff Ins), Helen, Carlos, Kate, Moises}
Bottom row, left to right
Eian, Arturo, Anders (Course Director), Manuel, Matt, Karolina.

See all the pictures here

GoTec presentation at the March IDC a success!

2011-03-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

As part of the IDC with Pro Dive Mexico we had arranged again 1/2 day of Technical diving introductions.

The presentation fits perfect with the timing of our new GoTec department and special dedicated website, devoted to those who wish to take the next step and go beyond the limits.

The morning started with a short classroom presentation on the courses and the special equipment.

Also included was a introduction to cave diving and why this area of Mexico is cave diver heaven.

After a short break we hit the pool and tested out the new gear in the water.

First with just with the doubles on the back, then after with doubles and a stage tank. For all the candidates it was the first time with more than just one tank.

See the pictures from the mornings session and the IDC here: http://on.fb.me/hKngcx

IDC March starting in a few days

2011-03-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday we will start with the PADI IDC prep days. Students will use these 2 days to prepare themselves for the upcoming PADI IDC training which starts this Friday.

This year we have many students signed up for this class and you may follow them for 14 days via facebook.

We wish them all good luck and see them all at their graduation day in 2 weeks.

We still accept new students for April PADI IDC class, Sign up now.

Good luck.

Pro Dive Mexico

Cenote dive with GoPro's

2011-03-01T06:18:00.001-08:00

Yesterday the GoPro candidates currently doing their Divemaster course and those already in the Divemaster Resort Specialty Program went to Cenote Tajma-ha with Full Cave diver and PADI Course Director Anders Heegaard.

Cenote Tajma-ha is located just south of Puerto Aventuras.

The dive take you through a string of light zones making a dazzling underwater lazer like show. This dive site is a favorite for guides and customers alike, who are constantly returning to see the changes in the dive as the seasons change (more so the angle of the sun).
Haloclines in the deeper areas make interesting mirror like effects as divers penetrate into the layer of saltwater below the fresh.

Keep your eyes open during this dive it is decorated with stalagmites and stalactites in addition you will find many shell and coral fossils amongst the rocks.

After the dive we went to check out Cenote Sagrado (Holy cenote) were you can see, whats believed to be a old mayan alter.

Before returning back to Playa del Carmen, we of course had to stop at Taco Paco in Puerto Aventuras for some amazing fish and shrimp tacos. Yummiiii.

See all the pictures from the day right here. http://on.fb.me/dFiW8s

Special January IDC for our candidates

2011-02-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

Last month we had a small group of candidates as our Course Director Anders Heegaard was attending a tradeshow in Europe.
Still, being the one and only PADI Career Development Center in Mexico, we had a big surprise for all our candidates!
Our GoPro team was headed by our second Course Director and former Australia's PADI regional manager, Jim Hutchinson!
It was fabulous to see how Jim and Paulo guided our students towards another successful PADI examination with ones again the highest scores !!
Ones again Anders Heegaard outperformed himself in setting this up and creating extra value for our students!
More and more upcoming professionals recognise the value we offer and the tranquil Mexican lifestyle as our March IDC training is already fully booked.

Being a PADI CDC also implies obligations for us... and yet again we managed to stand up for what we beleive is one of the main objectives of any PADI CDC center. To develop future careers and guidance in becoming a scuba professional.
After the training most candidates proceeded with our PADI MSDT prep training and also some continued their specialized FULL Cave training with us!!
Especially last mentioned training got one of the highest scores from our candidates and prepared them well as a future Cave instructor!
Compliments to Anders and Alain who speak 5 languages !!

We continued our promise and provided a job and future career for many of our candidates at one of our SEVEN ***** Star National Geographic dive centers along the Riviera Maya and Cozumel!

We believe this is what a REAL PADI Career development center is all about !

(Good luck to all our new instructors)

Scuba Diving & Water Sports Video

2011-01-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

Pro Dive Mexico is happy to announce our newest water sports promotion video.

We are based at following resorts with scuba diving and other water sports services. Like Kiting, diving, scuba training, snorkelling, parasail, jet-ski, banana-ride and wind surfing.

* Catalonia Riviera Maya

* Catalonia Yucatan beach

* Catalonia Royal Tulum

* Catalonia Playa Maroma

* Dreams Puerto Aventuras

* Occidental Allegro Cozumel

* Melia Cozumel

* Playa Azul Cozumel

BOOT Show Dusseldorf Germany

2011-01-26T22:16:00.000-08:00

Pro Dive Mexico started 2011 with one of the biggest scuba dive trade shows in the world.

Being a German managed company and having our roots in Europe we decided to have a grant opening.

With daily BOOT price and many special BOOT show promotions for all our resorts we attracted many visitors.

Mexico with it's 2nd biggest Natural reef in the world has lots to offer for our diving community.

Our main focus point was of course our PADI CDC facilities in Mexico. One and only PADI Career Development Center in Mexico.

Hope having you with us soon.

Seasonal Greeting from Pro Dive Mexico

2010-12-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

There is no better time to say "Thank You" to all our loyal guests/students and to wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year of health, happiness, prosperity and scuba fun !!

Also for 2011 we have managed to add extra services and value to our worldwide diving community!

1) Changed our Scuba Academy into Mexico's one and only PADI CDC center.
2) Added a new 5 STAR PADI National Geographic dive center on Cozumel (Melia Cozumel)
3) Added super low priced "Stay & Dive packages" for all our resorts for 2011
4) Complemented our excisting GoPro training with Tec training and full Cave Courses.
5) Extra incentives for Scuba clubs/groups in 2011.

Have a great christmas season and a healthy 2011

Team Pro Dive Mexico

Pro Dive Mexico first Full Cave Diver Course.

2010-12-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

On Monday the 6th of December Pro Dive Mexico hosted their first FULL CAVE DIVER course as part of the Go Tec Department with students Joe Lodge (USA) and Frederic Fabre (France).

Their Instructor is Pro Dive Mexico's techincal diving expert from Switzerland Alain Pocobelli.

Their journey from having no experience, to become trained cave divers over the next 9 days of training can be followed in these pictures.

In this picture Frederic (left), Alain (center) and Joe Lodge (right)

Soon in an a blog coming up, will be Joe's personal notes from the day to day activities and thoughts that go through your head, when training in one of the most extreme diving environments on the earth.

In the Yucatán Peninsula, any surface opening where groundwater can be reached is called cenote, which is a Spanish form of the Maya word d'zonot. The cave systems formed as normal caves underwater, but upper sections drained becoming air filled during past low sea levels. During this vadose, or air filled state, abundant speleothem deposits formed. The caves and the vadose speleothem were subsequently reflooded and became hydraulically reactivated as rising sea levels also raised the water table.

Joe and Fred both gave an amazing performance throughout the course and meet all standards and requirements for diving in these harsh conditions.

Congratulations to Fred and Joe for completing the course.

See all the pictures from the course here.
Video's can be seen later

Last MSDT course of 2010!

2010-12-14T15:03:00.001-08:00

After 4 days of training, 5 instructor specialty course we have 8 new specialty instructors certified from Pro Dive Mexico's Career Development Centre.
In the course the new instructors learnt specialized diving techniques used for teaching PADI diver specialties.
It was great fun and a nice break from the past IDC presentations.

See pictures from Equipment workshop by ScubaPro, Deep diving in Cozumel Marine Park, Search and Recovery diving at Eden Rock and Nitrox/Wreck diving in Puerto Morelos!!

Pictures here taken at Pro Dive Mexico's flagship dive centre in Cozumel. Located only 2 min from the famous Palancar reef.
In the picture, from close to far; Victoria, Ivan, Ariane, Simone, Chance, Isable, Matteo and Nicolai.

See more pictures from this course by clicking here.

IDC November a huge success!! again 100% passing rate at the exams.

2010-12-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

This Sunday was the day! After over 2 weeks of intensive instructor training all the hard work showed off.
Pro Dive Mexico with yet another 100% passing rate at the IE, impressed the examiners by the high quality and consistency in their presentations.

At Cenote Poderosa was the final day of the exams. Who could wish for a more beautiful place to pass your exam and become a PADI Instructor.

From left to right, top to bottom: Ivan, Rahel, Victoria, Matteo, Hanns, Erik, Nikolai, Chance,
Isabel, Simone, Jasmina, Ariane, Anders (CD) and Paolo (Staff Instructor)

"This IDC was a great experience. We had candidates from all parts of the world come together for 14 days of instructor training. Germany, Denmark, Argentina, Switzerland, Italy, England, USA, Brazil and France where the countries represented at this IDC and made it a very multi cultural experience teaching it.
The candidates showed an amazing ability to adopt the PADI system quickly and use it in their favor at the IE.
I wish you all the best in your instructor careers and hope that our paths will meet again.
Thank you guys and girls for making this a very memorable IDC." Anders Heegaard, Course Director.

See the pictures from the Instructor Exam here

An introduction to technical diving.

2010-11-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

In the IDC there is also time for FUN!! Yesterday we spent a morning in the company with our own Full Cave Instructor Alain Pocobelli.
He gave a great presentation on tec diving and demonstration of diving techniques in the pool.

Afterwards it was the IDC candidates turn to feel what it’s like to be diving “tec”.

The session was a huge success and I think we have some new to be cave and tec divers in the course.

See all the pictures from the morning here

November 2010 IDC

2010-11-29T19:41:00.000-08:00

Pro Dive Mexico November IDC entering the second week!
All the candidates are doing great and their performances are nearly perfect.
On Friday the 3rd of December they will go to the PADI Instructor Examination and represent Pro Dive Mexico.

All of the candidates have the full support from our staff and fellow instructors.
We wish you all the best at the examination this weekend.

Stay tuned for more pictures and updates from the IDC.
See the pictures here

In the spirit of "Dropzone - Fiji"! Divers and KiteSurfers

2010-11-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

As PADI and Body Glove united Divers and surfers in Fiji last month. This time Pro Dive Mexico and Morph kiteschool at Catalonia Playa Maroma and Catalonia Royal Tulum in Mexico followed up.

Young passionate kite professionals are combing the trilll of Kiting with the passion of scuba diving.
A new way of living and exploring the Caribbean over and under the waves !!

IDC prep November 2010

2010-11-18T18:49:00.000-08:00

After 2 days of prep the Pro Dive Mexico Instructor Candidates are now ready for the IDC.
Tomorrow Friday we kick of the last IDC of year.

Follow us here on the blog and also look for dailey photos and updates on Facebook.
See our pictures from the 2 days up to the IDC here.

Cenote dive with GoPro students

2010-11-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

Another great day in the Riviera Maya!
Today in the DMRSP we took a field trip to the famous cenote Tajma-Ha.

The cenotes and caverns are located throughout the our jungle in an ancient underwater river system to which we have access to over 700 kms of explored diving areas. Nowhere else in the world can you enter such magnificently decorated and spiritually sensitive areas that open a whole new realm to your diving ability and experience.

Cenote Tajma-Ha has much to offer for both Cavern and Cave Divers, is situated just south of Playa del Carmen near Puerto Aventuras. The dive takes the diver from the entrance into a wide room underneath an air filled bat Cave. Here light enters through holes in the ceiling and penetrates the water like laser beams during the summer months. Along the Cavern floor you will find hundreds of stalactites lying in the sediment. Continuing the dive you enter the sugar bowl, a second small Cenote where you can see an amazing light show on Sunny Days. Tajma-Ha is decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and plenty of hidden fossils can be spotted if you look for them. Haloclines in the deeper areas create interesting mirror like effects as divers penetrate the layer of salt water, which is below the fresh water.

At Pro Dive Mexico we are proud to have introduced 3 new divers to the amazing world of diving in Cenotes. Eian, Joe and Matteo...welcome to the dark side :-)

See all the pictures from the dive here

Dive Master Resort Specialist Program at Pro Dive Mexico.

2010-11-13T09:12:00.001-08:00

See pictures from Eian, Joe, Matteo, Jason and Frederic's one month Divemaster internship.
Lot's of diving and load of learning.
This program is specially designed for working in the resort environment and will help you gain that experience needed to succeed.
Next week we are off to the CENOTES for some fresh water cavern diving!!

If you are a certified Divemaster or wish to become one, join us for the next program starting 23rd of November 2010.

See the pictures here

Pro Dive Mexico FIRST & ONLY PADI CDC in Mexico!

2010-10-25T12:22:00.001-07:00

Pro Dive Mexico would like to thank everyone involved in achieving the highest PADI rating possible for a 5 star IDC center.

Last week our PADI 5-STAR IDC facility in Catalonia Playa Maroma was rated officially by PADI to a 5-STAR PADI Career Development Center.

Special thanks to our Course Director Anders Heegaard and staff for achieving this rating.

With this rating Pro Dive Mexico has been recognized by PADI for it's excellent work and having the highest quality level of training and instructor development in the Caribbean.

We also believe that we received this rating as we have offered not only courses, but also professional scuba careers within our Company and several other positions within one of our many resort based dive centers in Mexico!

We are the first & only PADI Career Development Center in Mexico!

Comment of the President Pro Dive Mexico:

"We are so excited about this new PADI rating, as I know how hard everyone worked during the last years.

I also believe that Mexico and its dive industry will greatly benefit by this quality rating as it gives extra value to all future students, wanting to become a dive professional in our country.

Besides offering cenotes, caverns, cozumel marine park, mayab ruins and culture and a splendid nightlife, our area now also has it's own PADI Career Development Center.

What a great combination! Once again thank you all for your dedication and hard work.

---------

The PADI 5 Star Career Development Center (CDC) classification is awarded to PADI 5 Star IDCs that conduct additional instructor-level training and meet requirements for assisting dive leaders in reaching their educational and professional goals.

PADI 5 Star CDCs offer career-oriented training to prepare dive professionals for employment in the dive industry as well as offering job placement assistance for program graduates. PADI 5 Star CDCs are committed to training dive leaders and conducting career development programs.

There are more than 15 Instructor Development Centers (IDCs) in Mexico, but only 1 (one) have been awarded the prestigious Career Development Center (CDC) rating.

Pro Dive Mexico is the one of only 3 CDC in Latin/Central and South America.

The PADI CDC award recognizes progressive and professional 5 Star IDCs who have committed resources to dive industry career training.

The philosophy of PADI's CDC award is that divers, PADI members and the dive industry at large benefit from the PADI 5 Star CDC’s commitment to professional development and excellence.

Career oriented scuba instructors entering today’s dive industry seeking employment need knowledge and skills beyond the ability to teach diving. Pro Dive Mexico CDC meets this need.

PADI CDCs provide programs that address professional training beyond the instructor development process.

The PADI 5 Star Career Development Center (CDC) award is given to PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centers (IDC) that dedicate their businesses to professional development beyond regular instructor training. These businesses offer vocational oriented continuing education training to prepare individuals for dive industry careers and provide job placement services within the dive industry. PADI Members and the dive industry at large benefit from the PADI 5 Star Career Development Centers’ commitment to professional development and excellence, and their unique ability to provide qualified candidates to fill industry employment needs.

Special IE option for CDCs

Candidates enrolled in five pre-and/or post-IDC courses (Pre-study, MFAI, Specialties etc.) OR candidates of a six-week career development program who successfully complete a PADI IDC, conducted by the CDC, may attend a PADI IE if they have been certified divers for at least six months, have logged 60 dives and are certified PADI Assistant Instructors (the AI course is part of the new IDC).

CDC candidates who successfully complete an IE and subsequently meet the 100-logged-dive certification requirement will be certified as PADI Instructors when their paperwork has been processed by PADI.

September 2010 MSDT Preparation a success!!

2010-10-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (1st of October 2010) we finished our very popular 4 day MSDT preparation course.
In the course the new instructors learnt specialized diving techniques used for teaching PADI diver specialties.
It was great fun and a nice break from the IDC presentations.

See pictures from deep diving in Cozumel Marine Park, Night diving at Eden Rock and Nitrox Wreck diving in Puerto Morelos!!
http://bit.ly/cXaCg8

Hopefully see more of you for the next one 

NEW Pro Dive Mexico Instructors!!!!

2010-09-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

The September IDC and IE came to a great end this weekend. After 2 days of being tested by PADI staff they all passed their exam with some of the highest scores.

At Cenote Ponderosa Course Director Anders Heegaard was again personally thanked by PADI examiners, for his execptional thorough training of his candidates.
"It's not everyday I see instructors candidates trained to this level. It's been a pleasure to be examiner on your team" was the what the PADI staff had to say about our training.

We congratulate Antonio Bernal, Simon Page, Jo Jo Willink, Sean Turnbull, Clare Johnson, Charlie Kessler, Ben Eisele, Ivan Samra, Manuel Medina, Leo Morante and Geraldine Solignac, on a job well done!!

Good job guys an all the best to you in your diving careers. :-)

See all the pictures here..http://bit.ly/cNFCIr

September 2010 IDC : Training day at the cenote...

2010-09-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday September 19th: Just a few days more and the PADI IE starts....
Today a fantastic training day at one of the many Cenotes......Skills, presentation and a day out in the jungle!

Friday evening 24th of September thePADI examination starts!! SUNDAY new Instructors are born..and a great party in Play del Carmen.

See pictures here. http://bit.ly/9lb5Gz

Stay tuned....

Rebreather TRY-OUT at IDC course...BIG SUCCESS

2010-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday 18th September our IDC candidates were treated with our FREE Rebreather & TEC training try-out. Our Guest speaker and trainer Etienne did a great job!! All our candidates loved this and asked many questions. How does this work? Can I open it and see what it does?

All questions were answered and they all had a go!! Thanks Etienne !!!

See the pictures here http://bit.ly/9lb5Gz

IDC started on 10 September

2010-09-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Follow our Candidates on facebook during their 14 days PADI IDC training. Candidates of all Nationalities and ages are now preparing for their IE (PADI Exams) in a fabulous surrounding in Mexico. They will do the practical part at the EDEN Cenotes. You are more then welcome to join us on their graduation day. Sunday 26September 2010. Alos at the after party later that day/evening :-)

GOPRO CELEBRATION OFFER" IDC September 2010

2010-07-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Dear future PADI instructor!

In September this year, Pro Dive Mexico Scuba Academy will celebrate it's 5th year anniversary in offering PADI IDC’s and instructor training, and we like you to celebrate this with us!

“PRO DIVE MEXICO: BEST DEAL WORLWIDE – GOPRO CELEBRATION OFFER”!!
SPECIAL PRICE ON OUR SEPTEMBER 2010 IDC & INSTRUCTOR TRAINING!
(Bookings window only during August)

IDC Training September 25% Discount
EFR-I Training September 30% Discount
MSDT Prep. Training September 20% Discount

Additionally we offer a FREE IDC PREP course, when booking the MSDT Prep training!!

Additional goodies included in the ALL our IDC’s:
FREE Oxygen Instructor Specialty
FREE Rebreather Try Out
FREE Cavern dive introduction

Additional goodies included in ALL our MSDT prep Training.
FREE Scubapro Technician clinic

You save 624 US$ by booking your September IDC/MSDT with us during August, and over 1250 US$ when considering also the regular special benefits, that you’ll receive anyway when taking your next step with PRO DIVE MEXICO!

So if you are interested in becoming an instructor, then NOW is the time to save big on your training.

This offer is limited until Class is full and instead of the PAID Divemaster internship program we have.
So, apply now!

Watch our Promo Video and get a glimps of what's waiting for you :-)

Information: http://www.idcmexico.com

Divemaster Training June-July 2010

2010-07-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Scuba Academy we have been training Divemasters for awile. Recently we had 5 new Divemasters get certified from our 2 month training program.
Congratulations to Ryan Silva, Brandon Patton, Cameron Patton, Clare Johnson and Charlie Kessler.
All came to Pro Dive Mexico as Advanced divers and are now leaving with hundreds of dives and an expeirence for a life time.
Clare Johnson and Charlie Kessler will be returing in September to become PADI Scuba Instructors.
Congratulations to all of you :-). Check out the photos here

Latest state of the art SCUBAPRO GEAR "TEST DIVE"

2010-07-27T14:12:00.001-07:00

Dive gear manufacturer SCUBAPRO and Pro Dive Mexico partnership test dive.

Last month 2 representatives from SCUBAPRO, Roberto Quintana (Latin American sales manager) and Sylvia Maiz Rivero (Grupo Mak) joined Pro Dive Mexico in Cozumel to officially test their new equipment line.

New equipment, such as the ultra light GEO BCD and the LUNA dive computer.

It was a wonderful day and another great add-on to our partnership.

In the picture, (left to right): Hans, Tristan, Florian, Sylvia, Roberto and Course Director Anders Heegaard (Video below)

June Instructor training, 100% and highest scores

2010-06-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here at Pro Dive Mexico we were the first IDC center in Mexico to conduct the 2010 IDC version.
Again our IDC was held at our super facility IDC Scuba Academy at Playa Maroma.
All the candidates enjoyed the course in the brand new classroom with a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
The 2010 IDC Version of the IDC is a much more complete course, were candidates get much more hands on experience in teaching diving. I felt that from day one of the course, that it was going to be a great IDC, filled with lots of excitement and great personal ambition.
Our candidates came from Canada, Germany, Poland, England, France, Holland and Spain which gave a multicultural mix and good vibe to the 14 days of IDC training.
We all worked intense and did lots of real life training both in the ocean and also in the Cenotes. All the hard work paid off well at the IE.
Most of the candidates continued with us after the IDC with our famous MSDT course that even qualifies them further as dive educators.
This IDC was a very memorable one, and sure that all the new instructors will succeed well in their future dive endeavours.

Top Picture: From Left to right / Top to bottom : Jaime Dias, Anders Heegaard (Course Director), Muriel Iranzo, Dan Maitland-Wood, Matthias Wagner, Rens Groenink, Paulo Macarico (Staff Instructor)
Andreas Imhof, Will Kelly, Brenda Rose, Moritz Schuessler .
Pictures say more than a thousand words. So we have created a picasa photo album.

Online PADI e-learning option for IDC candidates

2010-06-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

For candidates who are already certified as PADI Divemasters and intend to to the IDC training, there have been some changes to the curriculum and also an extra option to start online Today!

You may start part of your IDC Course online TODAY!!
The online course focuses on preparing you to function as a PADI Assistant Instructor or Open Water Scuba Instructor by introducing you to the complete PADI System. The course focuses your ability to use all components of the system as a professional dive educator.
Saving time and allows you to study at your own pace. (extra cost)

Extra advantage is that you will start 3 days later than our ‘Live delivery’ IDC.
“Live Delivery” IDC with us will always start on a Friday.
For those who choose the online option the IDC can start three days later.
Giving you the option to arrive later and spend less time and money on accommodations in Playa del Carmen.
There is an additional charge for this IDC e-learning option, that delivers convenience and value enhancement to the IDC. Paid to PADI directly.

Please read here to learn more about the PADI e-learning Instructor course.

At Pro Dive Mexico we also have our very popular FREE “Student Portal” available for all our IDC candidates!
Here you can study and pre-assess your dive theory online. You will have access to dive theory savers and soon online guided videos to help you in your preparations
for the IDC .
The “Student Portal” is for FREE when you book an IDC with Pro Dive Mexico.
When reservation is confirmed we will email you your personal username and password to enter the site, and you may start your preparations immediately.�

Sign up today.
info@idcmexico.com