Aquanauts Wins Prestigious National Geographic Dive Center Award

(14 February 2007) – Aquanauts Dive Centre, the leading 5-Star Career Development Center in Pattaya Beach, Thailand, today was awarded National Geographic Dive Center status by PADI, the Professional Association of Dive Instructors.

“PADI recognizes your business as a progressive dive operation that offers the best customer service, education, equipment selection and dive experiences," wrote Ellen Link, administrator for PADI's International Resorts & Retailers Association in an e-mail to Aquanauts. "Your commitment to advancing a premium-level of adventure and environmental awareness in your education programs is exciting and commendable,”

The National Geographic Center Award is only the latest milestone for Aquanauts, which over the past two years has dramatically increased its portfolio of offerings. British-owned and –operated by Course Director Roger M. Smith and Master Instructor Gary Tytler, Aquanauts trains more PADI Instructors than any other 5-Star CDC in Central Thailand. In 2006, the company more than doubled its number of certifications, due in large part to the Aquanauts Diving Instructor Training Internship all-inclusive instructor and divemaster internship programs, which take divers of any level to PADI professional in six months or less.

“This is really a prestigious recognition from PADI,” Smith said. “There are only a few dive centers in Thailand that have achieved it and Aquanauts will benefit thanks to National Geographic’s great reputation.”

PADI’s National Geographic Diver aims to encourage public interest in recreational diving worldwide and expose people to the aquatic environment to help them gain a better appreciation of our underwater cultural heritage. National Geographic Divers gain knowledge that broadens awareness of the aquatic realm and new skills to better explore underwater. In order to achieve National Geographic status, PADI dive centers must meet strict pre-requisites and pass a rigorous inspection process.

“National Geographic’s standards are so high that the customer really benefits,” Smith said. “The National Geographic Open Water Diver course, for example, has a lot more for the customer. They basically get more value for their money.”

Effective immediately, all Aquanauts professional interns will be upgraded to National Geographic status. The additional certification, as well as all National Geographic materials, will be included standard in both the divemaster and instructor internship packages.