It seems appropriate for PADI Womens Dive Day to introduce to you to Helen. Helen started diving with us 12 years ago when she was 10, as a PADI Discover Scuba Diving diver. She was enthusiastic and excited about the underwater world, and over the years she became certified as a PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with us. Watching her diving skills and love of the oceans develop over the years was fun for us, but it became a full circle moment when she decided last year to head off and continue her dive education and become a PADI Dive Instructor. (read more about her journey below) She's now living and working in Indonesia - is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and has almost 150 certifications under her belt! We are so proud of this little mermaid and it makes our hearts happy to remember introducing her to our beautiful underwater world and to now see her taking on that role herself. She is loving helping other people find their happy place underwater.
Name: Helen
Day Job: PADI MSDT Instructor Wohoo!
Certification Level: MSDT
How many years i’ve been diving: 12!
Favorite dive buddy: Jayne Baker 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Do you own your own dive gear? Yes, bcd, regulators, fins, mask, booties and wetsuit !
How often do you dive? Everyday... which makes me really really happy.
How long have you been a ‘Flamingo Diver’ ? 12 years
My Favorite TCI Dive site is: Coral Stairway
My Favorite thing to see on a dive is: My favourite to date is a mola mola ( giant sunfish. They come up with the cold currents and are so loveable, you just want to give them a cuddle!
Macro or Big Stuff? Very hard question... but have to go with the big stuff. Manta rays everyday is something you cannot beat!
Top of my marine life bucket list? To do a live aboard in the Philippines and hang out with Whale sharks, Thresher sharks and Mantas!
If i had one dive trip to choose anywhere in the world I would go: Mexico ! 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
Favorite thing about the sport of diving: The fact you can help other people learn to love diving, just as much as you love it !
Favorite dive moment to date: When 8 mantas came in for a closeup on the cleaning station at Manta point, Nusa Penida!
What marine life environmental cause is near and dear to your heart (ie, plastic garbage, over fishing, captive mammals, whaling, shark finning or?) Sadly, all turtles ( green, leatherback and Hawksbill) are being hunted for their eggs, meat or shells. They are now being endangered and therefore we need to protect them more than ever ! Saving our sea turtles is key to our underwater ecosystems!
Diving is my happy place because: I can relax with no noise and watch some of my favourite animals underwater !
What else can you tell us about your diving journey to date? (any obstacles you’ve over come, what has surprised you, loved, etc): I have loved becoming a dive instructor. Although at times it can be challenging, it’s honestly one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I remember my first dive with Flamingo Divers, so many years ago. It was just amazing the amount of marine life we saw. Ever since that point, diving has become my sanctuary and my happy place. I hope in the future I can make it everyone else’s happy place also !