Jon Mace PADI MSDT Instructor
Jon Mace BSAC OWI Instructor
A little about my credentials and diving career so far!
My aim is to pass on my knowledge and experience to people in an exciting underwater world in that adventure
is only the start of it.
I started diving in 1994. It was something I always wanted to do from a young age after watching the silent world with
Jacques Cousteau. I found it mesmerising, watching all the creatures of the undersea world going about their business without
any knowledge of our world. The shipwrecks were another mystery, pieces of history lost in time and turned into
natural reefs. I knew I had to see them closer than just on TV. I knew that one day I would venture
underwater to see the marvels that were prestented to me on the TV screen.
I qualified as a BSAC diver in 1994, obtaining my first certificate as a novice diver. Soon I progressed up through
the ranks and gained all my BSAC tickets. Sports Diver, Dive Leader, Advanced Diver and finally obtaining instructor status
as a Club Instructor. This meant I could teach in confined water and was a good basis for me to gain experience in my field.
For me though, this was just the start as I soon attained my Open Water intructors ticket meaning I could now train in the
open sea. By this time I had gained a lot of experience as I had dived in many different conditions and all around the world.
I had been training people the way I had been taught, through good solid foundations of experience from my peers
passing on this knowledge to my students.
Teaching for the British Sub Aqua Club was certainly rewarding and I made many friends and gained a lot
of experience and creditations, however I now needed to branch off on my own. This meant I had to go to another organisation, "PADI",
Professional Association of Diving Instructors. This was an organistaion which meant that I could teach every walk of life
to dive at their own pace and will. I crossed over and took their 2 week intensive training course and a 2 day exam and passed.
I also obtained many speciality instructor tickets. this now meant that I could set up and teach diving as a personal diving
school.
I chose not to go too commercial and take on too many students at the same time. It was a concious decision
to keep students to a minimum number and to make diving as free and comfortable as possible with no pressure to pass exams.
I have tried to create a relaxing environment to learn in but still with the emphasis on safety, skill and enjoyment.
One reason for learning to dive is to have fun and enjoy what so many other people are missing out on. Another
reason may be that you wish to progress through the stages and reach instructor level. Either way, I can assure you of a professional
approach and will be at hand to answer any questions.
Dr Simon Fordham, a PADI Open water Diving Instructor (OWSI) & specialty instructor.
| Simon kitting up (Red Sea) |
|
Simon is an avid technical diver and strives for perfection in what ever he does. A local GP, and also the
only HSE diving medical practitioner on the Island. Simon is a qualified OWSI and Specialty instructor with loads of experience.
Diving with Simon is knowing you're in safe hands. One of the qualified diving instructors with Aqua Diving School.
