Newsletter March 2014
In This Newsletter
- Russell Martin, PADI Platinum Course Director for the 8th year
- Diving the Petchaburi Bremen
- Thai Chinese International School Beach Clean up Jomtien Beach
- Diving highlights with Mermaids Dive Center
- Mermaids Liveaboard Trip
- Diving Courses and DSD Promotions
- Suunto D4I
- Equipment Promotions
- What else is happening in March?
Russell Martin, PADI Platinum Course Director for the 8th year
Congratulations to Russell Martin, PADI Course Director from the Mermaids Team who has been awarded the prestigious PADI Platinum Course Director rating. Since PADI introduced this rating Russell has been a recipient for 8 consecutive years running.
The Platinum status is the highest rating a PADI Course Director can achieve and is held by approximately 65 Course Directors around the world. In the Asia Pacific region there are a handful of Course Directors who have received this rating for 8 consecutive years.
Russell has been with Mermaids Dive Center, Pattaya’s first and only PADI 5 Star Career Development Center since the late nineties.
Originally from New Zealand, Russell discovered diving during a stopover in Thailand on his way to skiing in Austria. He soon decided that a warm and tropical climate was better than the snowy Alps and decided to move to Thailand to become an Open Water Scuba Instructor. From there, he moved on to become a Course Director.
Russell has conducted over 120 IDC programs as a Course Director and has taught over 2000 IDC candidates and thousands of Specialty Instructors. He has also personally trained and mentored other PADI Course Directors including Desi Doggart and Mark Slingo.
Congratulations Russell from your fellow team members, your IDC candidates and recreational divers who have had the pleasure of learning from your extensive knowledge.
On his award, Russell said “I still see myself as a working Instructor but with the extra responsibility of making sure that our IDC’s are delivering quality instruction to our students and consistently adapting to their needs”
Diving the Petchaburi Bremen
Leaving Samaesan Pier on Saturday 15th February, it took us about 1.5 hours to reach the site of the Bremen Wreck. Captain Maew and his extensive knowledge of the area took us straight to the site and he was soon mooring up.
Descending down the line it was great to dive somewhere new and with the unfamiliar territory we didn’t know what to expect, or what was around the corner. There was no great current, so a perfect opportunity for us all to explore without any exertion.
There was a great variation in the condition of the wreck, with about 2/3 intact with the rest not recognizable as a ship. This did have advantages as it exposed the original tiles that were on the floors.
The wreck has a lot of look throughs that are really interesting, especially seeing the eerie lights on the other side in the distance. A lot of marine life is living in the wreck.
At some points of the dive, the wreck appears to be towering over you in certain places and then seems really small. It was a great opportunity to dive this wreck for the first time and would most certainly do it again.
On the way back as the waves picked up, I can understand why you have to have perfect conditions to go out, otherwise the journey to the wreck and back would be uncomfortable.
Returning to Mermaids, the team there had the BBQ ready and waiting for us. All in all, it was a perfect day.
Nathan Banks
PADI Specialty Instructor #333795
Thai Chinese International School Beach Clean up Jomtien Beach
Welcome to the Thai Chinese International School from Bangkok to Mermaids Dive Center. A clean up the Jomtien Beach morning was held on Wednesday 12th February with 56 students and 7 teachers from the school.
On arrival in Jomtien, everyone headed down to the beach to start cleaning up some trash. A safety and environment briefing was given by Wayne Carr, highlighting the importance of keeping debris away from marine life. The Clean up started and everyone headed in the direction towards Pattaya Water Park and even some tourists helped along the way to clean up.
Josh O’ Neill took responsibility for the glass products and Mikael Baarman, Samuel Dufford, Nathan Banks and Rob Armstrong for all other responsible waste collection. All images on the day are thanks to Alexa Rosenberger aka “The Lense” A small amount of trash was collected which is a positive sign on the beaches in Jomtien.
Diving highlights with Mermaids Dive Center
Well done to the 7 Discover Scuba Divers from China who had a great time with our Instructors Chris and Gordon.
More PADI Divemasters were certified including Dad and Son team, Dave and Nathan Roberts. Congrats also to Amelie Iaconni, Carlos French and the three 3 Team Japan Members Yukika, Sakane and Kazuya.
Natalia, Walter and Cathy became Specialty Instructors after completing their IE and well done to Josh O’Neill on his Master Scuba Diving Trainer Rating. Josh will be attending his IDC Staff Instructor Course with Russell Martin in March.
Mermaids Liveaboard Trip
Have fun to everyone going on the Mermaids Liveaboard Trip departing on Friday 7th March. The trip is already fully booked with one of our divers flying in specially from the UK.
The trip starts on Saturday 8th with 4 dives per day until the last day on Tuesday 11th March, where everyone will enjoy their last nights stay on MV Scubanet with a wind down dinner.
See next months newsletter for photos of this trip.
Diving Courses and DSD Promotions
Do your PADI Discover Scuba Diving with us for 4,000 baht and get a free camera rental including your pics on a USB.
We are doing some great offers on PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water Courses this month, please contact us for more information.
Suunto D4I
The redesigned Suunto D4i comes in a range of fresh colors and with an all-new soft, comfortable silicone strap for that perfect fit. Lightweight and packed with handy features like freedive mode and optional wireless air integration, it’s got everything you need – wherever your diving may take you.
The 4 best colors are in stock for 22,899 baht until quantities last
Equipment Promotions
Buy a complete set of Apeks equipment and get 20% off with 5 days of diving, please email Terry for more info.
What else is happening in March?
- We are doing Discover Scuba Diving in the 25m pool at the Bangkok Patana School Fun Day on the 1st March.
- The Saturday Social BBQ is on the 8th March; join us for a great fun filled evening.
- Join the team and our new PADI Instructors to celebrate the end of examinations BBQ on Wednesday 19th March.
- Dry Bags are in. Don’t forget to buy yours ahead of the Songkran rush.
- Halcyon Diving Equipment set promotions
- PADI Course promotions
- Dry bags are in stock for Songkran
- Special Songkran Social BBQ on 19th April at Mermaids
- Night Dive on the Khram
Comments
Post a Comment