Cairns Dive School wins international award for kids scuba programs
Local scuba diving company Divers Den has been recognised with an international award by the world’s largest dive training organisation.
The Outstanding Contribution to Youth Training award from PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) recognises Divers Den’s range of youth-focused courses, which are encouraging a new group of budding marine adventurers into the water.
The award was presented by PADI Asia Pacific Territory Director Thomas Knedlik this week.
“We’re thrilled to present this award and commend the whole team at Divers Den for the way they quickly adapted their business following the reduction in international visitors,” said Knedlik.
Diver Den General Manager Sonjha Forbes said it was an exciting time for locals to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and the new youth programs offered the community a new way to explore their backyard.
“We knew life was going to be very different when the borders closed, but the team were so passionate about developing these courses and we knew they would be a hit with local Cairns kids.”
The half-day Scuba Kids program launched in August 2020 and became an immediate hit for hundreds of local children. Conducted in the heated pool at the Divers Den training centre, the program lets children aged 8-11 experience the thrill of scuba diving with a professional instructor.
The PADI SEAL Team course was launched in quick succession, offering a more advanced set of mini skills missions to complete, with a graduation trip to the Frankland Islands.
Local tweleve-year-old Maya Schnell was one of the first to complete the Scuba Kids course said she was looking forward to continuing her scuba education.
“I loved the feeling of floating underwater and felt really safe. My dream is to become an instructor on the Great Barrier Reef and help others explore all the amazing things to see in the ocean.”
Her older brother Noah has recently completed his PADI Open Water certification.
Divers Den was also presented with PADI’s Outstanding Contribution to Ocean Health Award, in recognition of the company’s 2019 ocean clean-up program.
About Divers Den
Divers Den is one of the largest and longest-established Great Barrier Reef dive companies. The company was established in 1974 and is now part of the Entrada Travel Group.
Dive training facilities are housed in a purpose-built dive centre located at 319 Draper St, Cairns. The centre has PADI 5-Star instructor development and PADI 5-Star career development status, the highest ratings awarded to any dive centre in recognition of continued excellence in diver training.
Divers Den also offers day and overnight trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef on board its purpose- built dive vessels AquaQuest and OceanQuest.
Click here for Scuba Diver ANZ issue 32
