Monday, June 13, 2016

Becoming a PADI Course Director The beginning



If you are following Divers Incorporated or my page you know already that I have been working for the past few months frantically trying to get prepared for the PADI Course Director Training Program (#CDTC, #PADICDTC) that is happening starting tomorrow in Punta Cana, Dominican republic.  Today I embarked on my journey, got here with all my stuff (at least all the stuff I packed I am still not sure if I forgot anything) met some people and talked with one of the top guys for PADI America and one of the top ladies for PADI Asia.

So here is what I know.  Basically I have heard everything from "this is going to be a complete 10 day instructor exam"  to "This is going to be a training course from hell" I think PADI course directors like to play games with us neophytes but I could be wrong. Until it starts tomorrow all they told me is true but from what I gathered from people who are truly "in-the-know" is that this is going to be an intense next few days where they take you from wherever you are now and make you better.  They have a vested interest in you (me) becoming the best course director (instructor trainer for non PADI People) that PADI has ever seen. So we are going to spend the next couple of weeks working towards that goal.   I will know more after tomorrow but in case it really is that intense and I am unable to keep up with this blog like I want to the other basic understanding is that they are going to break the group up into smaller groups and that smaller group will consist of 7 - 8 Course Director Candidates who's soul purpose in life over the next few days  is to make the other 6 or 7 people in their groups outstanding course directors.  Piece of cake right?


In any case I am here, whole.  I have my stuff.  I am more relaxed than I was this morning.  On my personal blog at richsynowiec.com (yep I know its pretentious but if you read it you would understand) I am going to talk more about the preparation for this but for this page lets just say I have been training hard to get here.  Diet, habits, practice, paper writing, studying...   all have been my goal over the past two months.   I am ready for whatever they throw at us.

On another note this resort where we are at is beautiful.   The PUNTA CANA Westin Resort. It is a little too much in the way of a "timeshare" for me to be comfortable with it as a dive resort, but it has palm trees, warm water, sand and a bar.   All the necessities for what I will have to assume is the most challenging of the PADI courses.  I just do not want to mess this up so I prepped hard for it.  I am in great shape and a new path is opened before me.

Today was a long day of travelling and tomorrow starts early.  I am excited.