It all started one ‘sunny day’ at Vobster, the water had low visibility I had been a PADI DiveMaster a short while at this point and that day called upon all my recently acquired skills. Vobster Quay is always Sunny - Even When its raining - We love to dive there! So its now time for My PADI Instructor Development Course! Watching, assisting and aiding the instructor to help keep everybody safe. It was when I was hovering around the platform, ready to pounce into action if required, it occurred to me how much responsibility the position of instructor held. There at that moment a big question a ..read more

I was never certain that I wanted to take on a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor role #owsi and spent a good couple of years or so acting as a PADI Divemaster, DSD Leader, It was during this time teaching numerous try dives that I realised I really enjoyed teaching SCUBA but was still in two minds about progressing it further so decided to take the PADI Assistant Instructor course to gain a better understanding of what was required of me.  It was through completing this course and being able to complete my PADI Instructor Development Course #IDC with Bespoke's own Course Director that real ..read more

Pre The Instructors Exam (IE) #PADI #IDC #Instructorsexam Originally, I was in two minds as to whether I wanted to do the IDC  - the Instructor Development Course.  I was enjoying the Assistant Instructor role that I was qualified for, doing Discover Scuba Diving and the odd Peak Performance Buoyancy course.  I also knew from past experience that it would be a significant commitment, as PADI rightly sets a high bar when it comes to giving out professional qualifications.  And then there was the fabled IE at the end of it, which by all accounts was a tough gig and a full wee ..read more

So now you are a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, or on your way to becoming one – What Next? The top level of Recreational Scuba diving is a PADI Master Scuba Diver – Become the instructor that can train the recreational diving elite – a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Is there another reason? Of course, it’s a great way to grow your experience and have lots of fun along the way! Teaching Specialities makes you more valuable as an instructor, but also gives you a wider variety of things to teach. At Bespoke Scuba, we offer you multiple choices of how to get five or more Instructor Sp ..read more

Waking at 6.50AM, whilst you are on holiday may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I had, had an brilliant nights sleep and I was ready for a cup of tea before a “late” breakfast (8.00 AM), its will soon be time to sail. Three cups of tea along with poached eggs on toast (with the obligatory chili sauce and black pepper), I am excited to be on my way to our check dive! A check dive is a great opportunity for divers of all levels to get in the water, shake off the cobwebs, make sure all your kit is working properly and get yourself properly weighted………before the real funs follows for the rest of ..read more

#liveaboard Junkie I write this blog, sat on yet another flight to Egypt, and it dawns on me, that I have been regularly been taking these flights for ten years now. I am truly privileged to be able to write this, because I have been able to experience some incredible things during that time. This time I am travelling alone, meeting Hans a previous dive buddy on the boat. I am really looking forward to seeing Luke, our guide, whom I first met as an intern (trainee) several years ago, and just as important meeting other likeminded people, who are there to have a great time. All divers know, th ..read more

I’m mad. Certifiable. Bonkers. Well I do get called "Mad Manta Mary" sometimes! It all started at the 2017 Dive show at the NEC. Bespoke Scuba purchased 2 Ocean Reef Full Face masks for customer to use, and now sell them to customers. I tried one on, it was comfortable, I liked the idea so I resolved to use one of them on our 2018 trips to the Red Sea and to the Maldives. I needed to qualify using the FFM before the 1st trip in May so started to plan, with Paul French, when the dives can be slotted in. There was a pool session and two open water dives, Paul concluded................ MARCH!! Th ..read more

You've worked had to get your Dive Master qualification. It was a hard journey where you learnt so much, hours practicing, reading, revising, testing and finally qualified. Dive Masters have all the fun, was my belief, while instructors have all the responsibility. "All" a DM has to do is hand out a bit of kit, keep and eye on the candidates and keep them safe under the water, then eat bacon butties and drink coffee/tea while the Instructor stresses and chases students. Why would you want to progress to Assistant Instructor (AI) or even Open Water Instructor (OWSI)? These were my thoughts for ..read more

#PADI #Pro Deciding to become a professional scuba diver, or a PADI Pro, with Bespoke Scuba Diving is one of the most exciting choices you WILL ever make – but, remember it’s a big commitment, too! As a hobby, diving is physically and mentally challenging, but when you’re a Pro, you’ll be the one coaching others through their own challenges. You need to be prepared to develop yourself as a person and a professional, but to do this properly, you also need the right training and support, that's where Bespoke Scuba Diving comes in. Becoming a PADI Divemaster (or ‘DM’) is the first step on the Pr ..read more

FISH! – An Open Water Journey So my journey continues, and for me (and my PADI Pro’s), this story is best represented by one word – FISH! – All will become apparent later………. This course started for me with confined open water sessions in a swimming pool, to say I was nervous was an understatement. However, having read module 1 in the PADI Open Water manual, completed the knowledge review at the end of the chapter and watched the video that goes with the course, I had a good insight in what to expect. Prior to getting in the pool, any questions I had (there were a lot) were answered by my ins ..read more