Sponsored dive education for Koh Phra Thong local boys
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Scuba diving training for Koh Phra Thong boys
About Us
Background for Blue Guru Diving program
The Blue Guru Diving Divemaster training program for local youth is part of a larger effort to develop eco-tour guides in this part of Phang Nga, Thailand. Through the education of local talent we intend to:
- Empower the local community
- Enrich the local economy
- Conserve the local environment
Current Status:
- Find two local candidates with an interest to try diving.
- Show them the Surin Islands as snorkeling observers
- Provide basic (PADI Discover Scuba Diving) training in the Thai language at the local sites on Koh Phra Thong
- Take them on a Surin Islands day trip as scuba divers
- Provide candidates PADI Open Water training with assistance from bi-lingual Thais
- Introduce them to Richelieu Rock (above 18m)
Uncertainty on Koh Phra Thong
Koh Phra Thong’s population was severely impacted by 2004’s devastating tsunami. Everyone in Pak Chok village lost their homes and many islanders lost family members. Lions Village was built to re-house survivors but the village remains under threat. The main reason is that the traditional fishing lifestyle is increasingly pressured by the commercial fleets which unceasingly harvest the ocean. In turn this has reduced the local catches to a shadow of what they were before.
Training locals in Eco-tourism
Blue Guru Team involved in training
To compensate for the low local fish stocks and to help preserve what is left, Blue Guru are keen to support locals pursuing alternative employment opportunities through eco-tourism. Therefore it is a great joy to find 2 local boys who wish to learn how to dive. Blue Guru wholeheartedly support and pay for their training to give them the opportunity to see what lies beneath the waves.
The twins learn to dive
It was always our hope that Tam & Thoom would feel the same way about as diving as the Blue Guru team and we were not disappointed. They are very keen to learn, wholly attentive to instruction and completely comfortable in the water, maintaining good position and buoyancy. By the time it came to their fourth dive in the Surin Islands both of them were able to hover above the reef and were of no threat to the coral. See pics above.
It was also wonderful to hear how much they enjoyed the experience and how much they wanted to continue. So, the progression to PADI Open Water Diver training was a natural one. Blue Guru educated Tam & Thoom alongside Pina & Zak from Golden Buddha Resort as they both have advanced english language skills which allowed the translation & transference of important diving knowldege.
Richelieu Rock
It was always going to be an amazing day when the twins would finally take the plunge at Richelieu Rock and we were not disappointed. The twins' Open Water Instructor, Gannon Murphy, guided them down the buoy line for the first time at Richelieu Rock and at the transformation occurred. They had two outsanding dives
This means that Blue Guru will happily resume Tam & Thoom's training next season with a greater focus on the more technical aspects of recreational diving and a particular bias on teaching them English so that they can start to realise a possible vocation in this activity.
Blue Guru hopes for the future
This is our big aspiration; to train these local boys to work as diving professionals. To earn a good wage in this part of Thailand where they were born and raised, to become guardians of local reefs and to influence fellow boat owners to avoid damaging the reefs. And maybe in time we can hope they reach further, taking on the larger issues in our struggle to protect the marine environment.
Read more about sustainable tourism
Thailand Scuba Diving - Marine Wonders of the Andaman Sea
Richelieu Rock...
is the most spectacular scuba diving location in Thailand. A striking open sea pinnacle for intermediate divers; it attracts manta rays, whale sharks & much more.
Koh Surin...
are actually two tropical islands. They harbour the largest divesity of hard corals in Thailand & 4 types of sea turtle. Snorkeling & diving are available on day & multi day trips.