DIVING NEWS
No experience? Become a dive-pro for free!
Previous Andark scholars. (Picture: Andark Diving)
Do you know someone with little or no previous diving experience who might appreciate the chance to train as a PADI Divemaster in the UK – at no cost?
That’s the offer for up to three people from Hampshire training centre Andark Diving, which has just launched its sixth annual Diver Training Scholarship.
The scholarship runs from June until September at Andark’s facility in Lower Swanwick, which includes classrooms, heated pool and purpose-built diver-training lake. Sea diving takes place at several South Coast locations.
All training materials and equipment are provided by Andark, in association with manufacturer Suunto which supplies a dive-computer to each candidate. The only cost to scholars is £100 for the required HSE medical.
Before embarking on Divemaster, students have to gain four related diving qualifications, starting from Easter. While developing their own skills they are expected to help both novice and experienced divers to develop theirs.
Michael Ambrose, now manager of Andark Diver Training Lake, became a scholar himself in 2016 after graduating in geography. “I had no previous diving experience nor any intention of working in this business,” he says. “From the very first diving course I was working on, I was introduced to students as one of the team.
“Nonetheless, for some considerable time all the tasks I was given were very closely supervised. Any underwater interaction with students was a long way off.
“Like everything there are boring bits, like cleaning and checking equipment on a wet Monday morning after a busy weekend, but overall it was a great three months,” says Ambrose.
1 February 2020
“Scuba diving is very much a minority sport and is often unfairly seen as dangerous,” says Andark CEO Andy Goddard.
“The scholarship helps to spread a more positive view and dispel many of the negative myths. Ordinarily this training with equipment and materials would cost around £2000 per diver. Add in the dive computer and we’re looking at the best part of £3000. Looks like an irresistible offer!”
Applicants are asked to produce a personal statement, either written or as a five-minute-or-less video explaining who they are, interests, any previous diving experience and why they would make a good PADI Divemaster. It should be sent with CV to steve@andark.co.uk .
Closing date for applications is 28 February, and an assessment day will be held in early March.
