Say hello to Featured Diver, Simon Pridmore – Course Director Trainer, Former Dive Centre Owner, Diver Training Agency Licensee and Author from Bali, Indonesia
1 – When and where did you start diving?
In the Sultanate of Oman, 1981
2 – Why did you start diving?
In Oman I worked as a teacher in the morning and went to the beach in the afternoon. I would watch the divers go out and I thought, “I could do that.”
3 – What made you choose to become a dive professional?
In the early nineties, I was working as a civil servant in Hong Kong and teaching diving in my spare time. My day job was going to end with the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 and I had to switch careers. So I thought, “why not turn part-time into full-time?” and opened a dive centre in Guam. The rest is history.
4 – Which is your favourite dive site and why?
Cape Kri in the Dampier Straits in Raja Ampat, Northeast Indonesia. We have dived here many, many times and each dive has ALWAYS been spectacular and action-packed. Great topography with a sheer wall, a deep sand slope and a gorgeous reef top, populated by big schools of fish.
5 – What has been the most memorable dive of your life and why?
My first dive in the beautiful Little River cave system in Branford, Florida. It wasn’t my first cave dive but it was the dive when I completely GOT what cave diving was all about and became hooked on it.
6 – If you would come back as a marine life form in your next life, what would that be?
A sea otter: next question.
7 – Who is your dream dive buddy?
My wife Sofie, a great diver and a superb critter spotter
8 – What dive locations are on your dream “bucket list” and why?
Top of the list is the Silfra Crack in Iceland, for the stunning visibility and the chance to dive between two continents.
9 – What is on your bedside table right now?
Books and a KINDLE reader: I am a voracious reader and am reading widely now to get background and ideas for the novel I am writing.
10 – What is your favourite piece of diving equipment and why?
My mask with corrected lenses by Prescription Dive Masks in La Mesa, California, without which diving wouldn’t be anywhere near so enjoyable.
11 – If you were to launch a campaign to raise awareness on a specific issue that affects divers, the oceans or marine life, what issue would you target and why?
It wouldn’t be popular but the issue would be “Eat Less Fish.” Our obsession with seafood is emptying the oceans.
12 – Where will you be in 10 years and what will you be doing?
Still in Asia and still writing.
