Vivian Dive Centre in Llanberis, North Wales, is the main ‘test centre’ for the Scuba Diver test team, and recently it was taken over by Duttons Divers.
Clare Dutton is one of the main founders of the company, and this keen PADI Master Instructor has now been accepted on to a forthcoming Course Director Training Course – congratulations, Clare, you are a shining example of what can be done with dedication, perseverance, drive and a will to share diving with others.
Understandably, Clare is very proud of her achievements, but even she finds her path into diving a little bewildering. Chatting to her at Vivian, she said: “Dive number one was in Cuba. Not a bad place for the first of many experiences under the waves. It seems such a long way to have come, such a long time ago, from a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience and not knowing what a BCD was to opening an acceptance email to a PADI Course Director Training Course. After returning from Cuba, I knew I wanted to complete my PADI Open Water Diver certification and continue my journey – and what a journey it has been!”
Clare continued: “I have always been in love with UK diving; our coastline offers some of the best and most-challenging diving in the world with a wonderful variety in marine life, wrecks and dive sites. This led me to take on Vivian Dive Centre in Llanberis. With this as a home base, I wish to show others that diving is right on their doorstep, and to get involved with Project AWARE to protect our marine ecosystems and preserve them for future divers.”
She has now got her sights set on inspiring and guiding young divers like herself towards careers as PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors, through top-class Instructor Development Courses at Vivian, and putting North Wales on the map as the place to be for UK diving.
