Thresher Shark Divers is owned by Andrea and Trevor whom I met more than a decade ago. In 2003 they started working as instructors on Malapascua; a small, undeveloped island off northern Cebu. Malapascua fostered a reputation for superb dives off Monad Shoal, one of the few places in the world to dive with thresher sharks, and the only place in the world where they are seen daily. This began to attract divers from many countries. In 2004, Thresher Shark Divers was born and through hard work and dedication, Andrea and Trevor built up one of the most successful dive centres in the Philippines. This professionalism shines through with their dive professional level training.
The July PADI IDC Instructor Course, had two candidates, Bobbie and Gary. Both had completed Rescue and Divemaster training with Thresher Shark Divers and started the IDC extremely well prepared and full of enthusiasm. I was particularly impressed how strong they were with dive theory, skill demonstrations and rescue exercises. It is such a pleasure as a Course Director to have candidates arrive so well prepped and it is a credit to the team at Thresher Shark Divers that helped with the training of Bobbie and Gary. So thanks to Russ, Angus, Chris, Mac and the others. It made my introduction to Malapascua relaxed and fun.
On the subject of fun, an important part of an IDC is also to have a good time! One of the best things about working in the dive industry is that it is just so enjoyable. Training as an instructor should be no different. Right from the beginning Bobbie and Gary introduced me to some great nights at Oscar’s, the Thresher Shark Divers bar. The whole dive team meets at the bar each evening at 6pm to celebrate the days dives, award anyone completing a course with their ceremonial free “Shark Bite” shot, and to generally socialise with all divers and dive students. I even managed to coax the manager Dino up for a drink or two, when his knee wasn’t acting up. It was always a really friendly atmosphere that continued throughout the IDC, including highs of David’s snorkel test to complete his Divemaster and Master Scuba Diver, right through to a great party to celebrate a very successful PADI Instructor Examination (although I may have embarrassed myself dancing to YMCA).
Those nights were important to get a very nervous Bobbie to relax. That anxiety right from the beginning was a reflection of how seriously Bobbie and Gary, and in fact the entire Thresher Shark team, took the IDC, and really wanted to succeed. That touch of anxiety, although unwarranted, ensured near perfect scores throughout the PADI Instructor Exam. From the start, they both did really well with exams and presentations, even though it took me a while to understand Bobbie’s thick Essex accent and realise she was not asking for something for ‘Free’ but was in fact referring to the number ‘Three’. That understood, the rest of the classroom was a breeze. Nathan, one of the TSD staff, joined for the day for the Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor course and Oxygen Provider Instructor. Later, TSD Instructors Russ and Mac joined the others for my own PADI Marine Resource Management Instructor course which I include free is all my IDCs. This included lots of really interesting insights from Russ about whale sharks which drew on his time working in Donsol, Philippines, one of the best places in the world to see these gentle giants close up and personal. We also completed loads of water presentations with a short boat ride to a beautiful little bay, Bantigue, where the staff and DMTs David, Dana and Stefan all chipped in to play problem students for the IDC candidates.
While on Malapascua, I managed to pick up a couple of thresher shark carvings for my kids. I even got a hair cut and a shave from the wood carver. Probably a mistake, as left with a quiff like the tail of a thresher shark. However, the whole experienced felt like a wonderful holiday on a relaxed little island. This is just how an IDC should be. And as always, TSD ended up with some more really well trained instructors that will be an asset to the dive industry.
Bobbie and Gary have left to travel around South East Asia and have already being picking up some work. It is a great sign for the future and we wish them the best of luck. The guys at Thresher Shark Divers and Dive Careers will always be around to help with any questions and point them in the right direction for work.
