Teaching new Scuba Divers
Lawrence Ray May 27, 2025
I'm often asked, "Why do you like teaching people how to scuba dive"? There's a short answer and a longer one.
The short answer is simple. I find no greater personal satisfaction than successfully sharing a sport that I am passionate about with a new diver that wants to learn. It's even more gratifying when I see new divers embrace the sport and grow in their knowledge and skills!
The long answer is a little more involved.
First, because Columbia Scuba is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center, I have the pleasure of using PADI's teaching system with my students. The PADI System of diver education is the most instructionally solid system in diving and PADI courses are designed to make learning enjoyable and worthwhile. All of PADI’s recreational diving courses are certified as compliant with ISO standards for Recreational Diving Services by an independent auditor. I've found that for students, using the PADI system helps them to understand exactly what success looks like and helps them to achieve it.
Second, I have the pleasure of teaching students with men and women on our instructional staff that share the same passion and goals. The best part is that though we are each individuals with differing personalities and life interests, we all teach to the same standards and all of us have the same goals for our students... their safety and success.
Finally, each certified diver becomes a member of an exclusive club of people that able to explore underwater. I can say that I've never met a true scuba diver that I didn't like because no matter our personal backgrounds, we share a passion for our underwater world and a love for locations around the world just waiting to be explored.
When I meet a diver that shares photos or stories of the dives that they have completed, we instantly have a bond of a shared experience. I can relate to the joy they share!
That's why I love teaching people how to dive!
Dive on!
Lawrence
