For the past 50 years, PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) has been The Way the World Learns to Dive™, and in the final days of 2016, PADI reached an incredible milestone – 25 million certifications.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Bobby Post was the lucky PADI Professional that taught Sarah Gleeson, a 22-year-old from Alberta Canada, the 25 millionth PADI certification course. To celebrate PADI offered a dream trip to the Great Barrier Reef for the certifying PADI Instructor as well the 25 millionth student and her guest.
On Saturday 6th May, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Bobby Post landed in Queensland for his adventure, spending two nights in Cairns before boarding the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions vessel.
“I have to say my expectations were exceedingly high and it was a truly amazing experience,” Post said. Over the course of the trip, Post explored the Reef – from Continental Shelf, to Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Steve’s Bommie. “Without a doubt the dives themselves were filled with highlights. From reef sharks to bull sharks, manta rays to ribbon rays, sea snakes to filefish the reef did not disappoint.”
So how does one top a dream trip to on the Great Barrier Reef?
“I am on my way to Kauai,” Post says. “There I will continue to conduct courses from PADI Discover Scuba Diving to PADI Divemaster courses with a whole lot of fun dives in between.”
“I can’t begin to describe how exciting the ride has been. It is truly the first time I have been in love with my job; it cannot be understated how this has translated into happiness throughout the rest of my life.”