Before PADI Women’s Dive Day began, female diver certifications made up 30% of total annual certifications for the global training agency. Now, a decade later, that figure has grown to almost 40% of total yearly certifications – and the rate of growth is outpacing that of male divers.
This is why PADI is describing its 10th annual Women’s Dive Day as “a massive milestone”, and says it is calling on its 6,600 dive-centres and resorts and 128,000 PADI professionals to get involved in hosting its “Ocean Torchbearers” on 20 July.
“Ten years ago, PADI Women’s Dive Day began as a simple idea: encourage more women to go scuba diving,” says Katie Thompson, PADI Worldwide’s senior director of environment & sustainability.
“For over a decade now, passionate PADI dive operators across the globe have collectively planned memorable educational and inspiring events that change lives and positively impact dive communities.
“Women’s Dive Day has been a catalyst to break down barriers and empower divers of all genders, ages, races, backgrounds and abilities to believe they too can explore and protect the ocean.”
Thousands of events
Thousands of Women’s Dive Day events have taken place across more than 100 countries since its inception in 2015, says PADI.
These events encourage scuba divers, freedivers and mermaids to come together to plant new coral nurseries, perform beach and underwater clean-ups, set a world record for the longest underwater female human chain, fund-raise for breast-cancer research and local women’s shelters, or become the newest PADI Scuba Divers.
“This event has grown into the most celebrated day of diving on the planet, transforming lives and empowering more people to seek adventure and save the ocean together,” continues Thompson. “As a result, we are now seeing PADI certification growth for females outpace that of males.”
PADI is encouraging members to plan their own events and register them as soon as possible, inviting their communities, both divers and non-divers, to participate in an event on the day. The events will be promoted on an online PADI Women’s Dive Day Activities Locator to enable as many women as possible to join in.
“Females of all ages will take their first breath under water this July, perhaps fulfilling a dream or overcoming a personal or physical challenge,” continues Thompson. “Now, with a decade of inspiring female scuba divers, we’re also looking forward to empowering more women to continue their education and earn their PADI Rescue Diver certification this year.
Register a PADI Women’s Dive Day event
