Ever wondered what it’s really like to turn your passion for scuba into a career?

Join us for Scuba Pro Night, an evening designed for divers who are curious about becoming instructors, dive professionals, or simply want to explore what’s possible beyond recreational diving.
These are some of the questions we will be answering:
 

Getting Started

• What does it actually mean to “go pro” in scuba?
• What are the different professional paths: Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, etc.?
• How do I know if becoming a pro is right for me?
• How much diving experience do I need before starting?
• Do I need to be an advanced or rescue diver first?
• Are there age or fitness requirements?
• Can I become a pro if I’m not an amazing diver yet?

Time & Training

• How long does it take to become a Divemaster?
• How long does it typically take to become an instructor?
• How many dives should I expect to do during the process?
• How much time should I expect to spend studying vs. diving?
• Can I do the training while working a full-time job?
• Can I complete the training part-time or on weekends?
• What happens during an instructor development course?
• How difficult are the exams and evaluations?

Cost & Investment

• How much does it actually cost to go from recreational diver to instructor?
• What equipment will I need to buy?
• What additional certifications should I budget for?
• Are there hidden or unexpected costs?
• How much does an instructor typically earn?
• How much can I realistically make in my first year?
• How long does it take to recover my investment?
• Is becoming a dive professional financially worth it?
• Can scuba become a full-time career, or is it usually supplemental income?

Life as a Dive Professional

• What is a typical day like for a Divemaster or instructor?
• How much of the job is actually underwater?
• Where can a scuba career take me?
• Can I travel and work as an instructor?
• What are the best places in the world to work as a dive professional?
• What is seasonal work really like?
• Do instructors get paid to dive?
• What are the best and worst parts of the job?
• What do experienced instructors wish they knew before going pro?

Becoming an Instructor

• What makes someone a great instructor, rather than just a certified instructor?
• How much teaching experience do I need?
• What skills are most important for becoming an instructor?
• How do I get my first instructor job?
• Is it better to work for a dive shop, resort, liveaboard, or independently?
• How competitive are instructor jobs?
• How do instructors continue advancing after becoming an Open Water Instructor?
• What specialties or additional certifications are worth getting?

The Real Questions

• Would you do it again?
• What surprised you most about becoming a professional?
• What was the hardest part of the journey?
• What was the biggest financial surprise?
• What do you wish someone had told you before you started?
• Did becoming a professional change the way you enjoy diving?
• Can you actually make a living doing this?
• What does the return on investment really look like?
• If you could start over, what would you do differently?
• If you’re thinking about going pro, what should you do next?