Instructor Development Course & PADI Instructor Exam - May 2009

Aquanauts' May 2009 IDC students and staff. From left, Master Instructor Gary Tytler, IDC Staff Instructor Meg Smith, new OWSIs Faruke Latif and Stefan Thomi, Course Director Roger M. Smith and new IDC Staff Instructor Thomas Badstubner.

While it's certainly fun, an Aquanauts professional internship is also a bit like a marathon. Not everyone makes it to the end. Such was the case this month with just two students completing the May Instructor Development Course. Winning the marathon were Faruke Latif and Stefan Thomi, both of whom are now PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors after passing the PADI Instructor Exam.

Latif of the United Kingdom and Thomi of Switzerland were, in fact, the only candidates out of seven on Pattaya's May PADI I.E. to pass. Such extreme preparation is why Aquanauts is the only instructor training facility in Central Thailand with a 100% I.E. pass rate since June 2007.

The May IDC also saw Thomas Badstubner, who last year completed his OWSI and MSDT with Aquanauts, return to do his IDC Staff course.

In addition to Tom, the IDC was staffed by Course Director Roger Smith, Master Instructor Gary Tytler and IDC Staff Instructor Meg Smith. Below are photos from the Instructor Exam.

Stefan makes his presentation during confined-water testing at the PADI Instructor Exam site, just a 1-minute walk from Aquanauts HQ.

Faruke and Stefan chat with PADI Instructor Examiner Thomas Knedlik as M.I. Gary Tytler keeps watch.

Smiles all around as Faruke, left, and Stefan both pass confined water.

Stefan makes his open water presentation.

The entire May 2009 Instructor Exam group hit the water, but only Stefan and Faruke passed the entire I.E.

IDC Staff Candidate Tom keeps notes during the Open Water testing phase.

Faruke passes the I.E. and gets the congratulatory handshake from Examiner Knedlik.

Stefan also gets the handshake as he passes the I.E.

Instructor Gallery

Click a year and month below to see photos and stories of previous Aquanauts interns on their PADI Instructor Exam and IDCs.