The May 2010 Buddha View IDC is a perfect example of what first attracted me to the idea of working as a PADI Course Director. When we met on day one for introductions and an orientation, we found that the 17 candidates on the course represented 11 different countries. Each had made their way to Koh Tao, a tiny island in the Gulf of Thailand, to further their knowledge and create new opportunities for themselves in a career which they are passionate about.

Likewise, this month's staff of 7 Course Directors, Master Instructors and PADI IDC Staff Instructors, each hail from different countries with incredibly diverse backgrounds. Nonetheless, we are able to find a way to work well together to not only effectively impart the needed information, but to do so while ensuring that the process is fun for the candidates. We enjoy bringing our different experiences into our teaching and showing people how their strenghts can be applied to their dive careers.

Though Mark and I received our university degrees in the same field, Philosophy, we come from opposite sides of the world and have had vastly different journeys in our lives. Our paths converged about 9 years ago when he first asked me to come along and assist on an Instructor Course that he was teaching. Since then, we have become great friends and good business partners.

From our perspective, the strength of our IDC is in our diversity. Today, Mark's interest in the indstry lies in the academic side of the IDC's. He is truly amazing in the classroom and his knowledge of diving is impeccable. He will soon be doing his Dive Medic Technician course to allow him to gain further knowledge on the medical aspects of diving.
On the other hand, I still love the water and am always seeking out new areas to explore. I've been a qualified technical diving instructor for many years and love searching for new adventures on wrecks and pushing my dive limits. My wife and I are always looking for off-the-beaten track places to visit on our holidays which offer distinct and unfamiliar dive experiences for us. I have recently rediscovered my fascination with cave diving after a 15 year spell away from it.
That's one of the great things about scuba diving- it offers such a wide range of experiences that it never gets old!

As this IDC nears its end, I know pretty much the many differing emotions which will fill me in the coming days. In the beginning, I'll be relieved that it's over and I will be absolutely buoyant at the successful achievements of my candidates.
I will at times feel a sense of sadness as many from this group of people that I have invested so much of my time in, will leave the island to make their way in the world as new PADI Instructors. I will feel hope that they find as much fulfilment, adventure and fun as I have had as a dive instructor. But most of all, I am grateful that they have entrusted me with the task of teaching them.