Pro Video Trainee, Yaya

Professional Underwater Video Trainers, Elisabeth and Lisa, have been hugely satisfied with the level that the 2012 trainees have been reaching consistently on both their underwater documentaries as well as their dry projects.

Advanced Broadcast Video Trainee, Jan

Recently, Angelina posted both her dry project- a great satire of a 1960′s Public Service Announcement about Safe Sex- and her underwater documentary and we have all been proud of the creativity that she has exhibited!

Koh Tao, Sairee Beach

Corinna’s showreel and underwater documentary are also highly entertaining.

Elisabeth has been hugely impressed with the underwater conditions on Koh Tao and has put together a short movie documenting the amazing things (including Whalesharks!) that we have been seeing on the dive sites here in the month of April!!

Thailand Gap Internships Video Trainee

To learn more about TGI’s Professional Underwater Video Internship, click here…

Having been a PADI Instructor for 13 years and a Course Director for the last 8, I still remember teaching my first courses and can almost still feel the nervous energy, anticipation and astonishing sense of responsibility that my new trainees are sure to face in the coming months. As much as my colleagues and I put into our Instructor programs, we realize that the real education of a new Instructor has only just begun.

Koh Tao IDC Group April, 2012

For many, the challenge of creating their own path in this industry will result in a long-term career filled with an array of experiences that may be unmatched in the professional world. For some, becoming a PADI Instructor is a personal success that will always define them as people who embrace challenges. Others still, may find this new role as a temporary diversion from life’s greater adventures. But for all, the time that they have spent in achieving the rating and the work they do in the industry will enrich their lives and teach them skills that will forever be utilized.

At times, my journey as a PADI Instructor has been defined by each of these motivations. Eventually, I came to the realization that there are few jobs which can bring a combination of the satisfaction, adventure and lifestyle that I enjoy in the dive industry.

Through diving, I have been introduced to some of the most interesting and entertaining people and places the world has to offer. Aside from my family, nearly all of the relationships that I value the most have been conceived along my path as a PADI Instructor. I feel fortunate and a little bewildered to consider the many ways in which I have become close to people of such hugely diverse backgrounds, from the farthest reaches of the planet. And I am grateful for the connections.

As most of us have come to realize, the underwater world is a spectacular place and the protection of it is a unifying force for the dive industry. Regardless of our motivations, we all have a shared sense of responsibility to safeguard its wonders. The threats to our seas are huge, and so must be our resolve to educate and awaken people to its beauty. The importance of PADI Instructors in this process is immeasurable. And only through our success can we continue in one of the most gratifying and fascinating jobs imaginable.

PADI Course Director, Darius

PADI Divemaster and Instructor Course Programs

Darius Moazzami
Platinum Course Director #157089
Thailand Gap Internships
Koh Tao, Thailand

The dive team did an exceptional job in taking an astounding 108 students through to the successful completion of the PADI Instructor Development Course, and close to 150 to the PADI Divemaster rating!

Successful Instructors on the Koh Tao Instructor Exam

August Instructor Exam Candidates achieve 100% Success!

These guys are teaching diving and leading divers in countries throughout Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Australia. Congratulations to you all on your new, exciting careers and we hope you enjoy ‘living the dream’!!!!

Yet another successful group of Koh Tao Instructors...

Open Water Presentations on the PADI Instructor Course

Koh Tao’s Pro Video team ushered 28 eager filmmakers through their BSAC Professional HD Underwater Videographer course, and completed the Video Trainer course with an additional 2 candidates. They are fast becoming THE place to learn the art of underwater video as word gets out about the quality 1 month Internship that they offer. This year, 5 of the trainees came from the film/tv industry including 2 Belgian cameramen, an English cameraman, a German cinematographer and an Argentinian film director/producer.  

Elisabeth with a Green Sea Turtle

Video Instructor Trainer, Elisabeth, further distinguished herself by winning Best of Show, Best Narrated movie and 2nd place in the Most Creative category of the Australasia Underwater Video Shoot-out. See her award winning short movies here and here.

Coming soon, year-end recaps of our Marine Conservation, Freediving and Muay Thai internships…

Successful completion of the PADI Instructor Exam on Koh Tao!

Our Staff included Instructors from England, Australia, the US, New Zealand and Singapore. It seems that our system is working flawlessly- so far this year, we have sent 61 Candidates through to the Instructor Exam and all 61 have passed on their first attempt!

It was a great two weeks on the island with amazing weather throughout, and beautiful conditions for diving. By the time the Instructor Exam rolled around, the guys were confident, relaxed and excited to finish it off and commence the life of a PADI Instructor. The IE party at the Buddha Bar, predictably, became a bit messy. Luckily for us, Darren had the forethought to collect the cameras as the afternoon turned into the evening.

Team China from the Thailand Gap Internships IDC!

Tomorrow we will begin the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Internship with the guys so that they can increase their earning potential by gaining some Instructor Specialty ratings. They will also get some valuable experience while team teaching with the seasoned staff of  TGI. We’ll then have a short break before we do it all over again on the 28th of August…

Ben, Thailand Gap Internships Videographer- on the rocks!

Ben arrived on Koh Tao from New Zealand in March of this year at the tender age of 18. He was determined to spend some time learning new skills and enjoying himself before resuming his University studies back at home. Ben began his Pro Videographer Internship during one of the most destructive floods that the island has ever witnessed. Nonetheless, he soon became passionate about both diving and filming underwater. As the bad weather subsided and the sun and fun resumed, Ben also fell in love with the island. His positive attitude and engaging personality soon made him a favorite of the Koh Tao Professional Underwater Video team at TGI.

Ben, hard at work...

As he wasn’t due to begin school until early in 2012, we offered him a job working with us as a Professional Underwater Videographer. He’s since managed to win over the dive staff of all the dive centers that he’s filmed for.

In time, Ben found new outlets to explore his love of the sea. After finishing his Freediving Training, he was employed by the video team to film freedivers as they finished their courses. This, in addition to his filming our Scuba Diver trainees.

Learning to Freedive

For the last few months, he has been working full-time as a Pro Videographer with us.

When he's not Filming while Scuba Diving or Freediving, Ben moonlights as a catcher on the Flying Trapeze!

But the story doesn’t end there. Awhile back, the crew took an afternoon off and had a go on the Flying Trapeze- another TGI attraction. On this day, Ben was awakened to a new thrill! Fast forward 6 weeeks and Ben has become a catcher on the trapeze, earning money doing yet another adventure sport that he loves.

A nervous beer under the watchful eye of his boss...

We all love having Ben around and he has truly been embracing everything that Koh Tao has to offer. We wish him luck as he works with us through the current high season and know he will do well at all of his pursuits in the future!

Thailand IDC group after completing the Instructor Exam on Koh Tao

For the first time ever, we had more Americans in the classroom than participants from any other country. Two of the 3 staff come from the States along with new PADI Dive Instructors, Chadd and Ryan- both from New York. We also had Linda from Finland, Scott from Liverpool, Marcos from Argentina and Ellis from Manchester. My collegue, Mark left to go home to Australia near the end of the program and missed out on a great Instructor Exam party. 

Hiding from the rain during the Instructor Exam

What better way to celebrate than with some terrible shots of alcohol!

Though I always enjoy teaching the IDC’s on Koh Tao, this program will always stand out in my mind for the great attitudes of all the candidates, the camaraderie and the constant laughs we had throughout the 2 week program.  I look forward to following the careers of these guysas I am sure that they will have continued success in Scuba Diving once they get out and find jobs. Congratulations to all of you guys for achieveing your goal and thanks for the fantastic IDC memories!

May Koh Tao IDC Group- Just before sitting the Instructor Exam

Team Spain- Somos Instructores!

In fairness, the group was extremely well-prepared, making our jobs easier and allowing us the opportunity to have a lot of fun on the course. Most days ended with a casual beer at either the Reggae Pub or Buddha on The Beach Bar! The next Koh Tao IDC is scheduled to begin on the 7th of June. Mark will have to make do without Darius who will be away in the States for a much needed holiday.

The TGI Crew, Staff and one very large photobomber!

The weather has been absolutely stunning for the last 6 weeks and the newly qualified PADI Instructors are out enjoying the Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Internship. We will look forward to hearing the tales of their continued success in the dive industry- well done everyone!

Last-minute prep, poolside at the Instructor Exam

Perfection on the April Koh Tao Instructor Course!

Koh Tao Instructor Exam Party!

 We celebrated with many drinks and food at the Buddha Bar in Chaolok Baan Khao and will take today off to recover.

Tomorrow brings the beginning of the Master Scuba Diving Internship (MSDT). We’ll have a morning of Enriched Air (Nitrox) theory followed by some afternoon dives on the wreck of the MV Trident. Over the coming days we’ll be focusing on the  Dive Instructor Specialties while PADI processes the paperwork. Then the guys will get some practical experience team-teaching with our crew on a number of PADI courses from Open Water through to Divemaster.

Congratulations to Caitlin, Greg, Joe, Michelle, Seb, Paolo, Sarah, Nick, Juergen, Heini, Scott, Dom and Oisin! We expect great things from you in the future…

A few days ago Thailand Gap Internship trainees, Alessia and Woj, traveled to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan to spend a few weeks on their Marine Conservation Internship and Research Diver Training. Alessia just finished her PADI Divemaster Internship here on Koh Tao, while Woj spent 3 weeks on our Koh Tao-based Marine Conservation projects.

Marine Research Course Trainees, Alessia and Woj

Alessia on her Koh Phangan Research Diver Training

Research Diver Trainee, Woj

The team leader, Eike, is working on his doctoral thesis in marine biology and is also an ex- TGI student having completed his PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) with us a few years back. We’ve just recently teamed-up with him and have provided our first two guinea pigs for his projects. Early reviews are in and the guys are enjoying themselves tremendously! We wish them all the best and look forward to working more closely with our new partners in Koh Phangan on further marine studies in the future.

The successful conclusion of the March Instructor Course...

As with most of the Thailand IDC’s that we run, this group has a distinctly international flavor, with IDC Candidates coming from Finland, England, Ireland, Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Canada, Germany and the US. In the absence of my colleague, Mark, who’s away on holiday, PADI Master Instructors Chris and Sally will be helping throughout the IDC.

Another Amazing Koh Tao Sunset

After the much-mentioned rains of the last week, the island is fully operational again with perfectly flat seas and sunny, blue skies. We’ll be spending the next few days on the IDC prep course and will follow that up with the Open Water Scuba Instructor training. On the 13th we’ll take the day off to celebrate Songkran- the Thai New Year- which is marked by the entire country’s population taking the day off to throw water on each other!

PADI Divemaster, Rudey, being inspired...

It’s shaping up to be a great IDC and the staff from Thailand Gap Year Internships is looking forward to making some more great memories!