Nature, Environment & Wildlife Film-makers (NEWF), based in South Africa’s shark-diving hotspot Sodwana Bay, has become one of the newest members of diver training agency PADI. Its decision involves 10 newly certified PADI Instructors and the establishment of a new training facility, says PADI.
NEWF supports young African nature film-makers and scientists committed to bringing important ocean stories to life, according to the agency. It trains community leaders in the skills needed to work safely and effectively under water.
Over the next 12 months, NEWF and PADI expect to train 25 new professionals and through them hundreds of entry-level divers.
“Partnering with PADI allows us to turn access into a pathway,” says NEWF co-founder Noel Kok. “For many, the barrier has never been around passion or talent but rather structured, affordable routes into world-class dive training.
“By aligning PADI’s global standards with NEWF’s African-led network, we’re creating a pipeline where storytellers, scientists and conservation leaders can gain the skills, safety training and confidence they need to work in the water, not just dream about it.
“Together we can create repeatable pathways into real jobs, local businesses and long-term careers in and around the ocean.”
Last year more than 100 dive-centres in 47 countries that had been affiliated to rival bodies moved over to PADI, claims the agency. Among these was Garden Route Scuba, also from South Africa and, in Asia, Che Wan Scuba Dive Centre and Seapixels from Malaysia; Dengta Dive of China; and Easy Diving Dauin, The Dive Hub and Side Effects Dive Resort in the Philippines.
Other new recruits for PADI included in Italy Jala Dive Centre (Sicily) and DivEx Elba; in North America Aqua Diving Academy of Maine; and, in Brazil, Natura Dive of Ilha Grande.
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