PRO DIVE, a cornerstone of Sydney’s scuba diving community since 1969, recently celebrated an incredible achievement: certifying its 10,000th diver under the International Scuba Certification (ISC) system. This milestone highlights PRO DIVE’s commitment to making scuba diving more accessible and fostering growth in the diving community.
A Legacy of Excellence
For over 55 years, PRO DIVE has been synonymous with high-quality scuba training. Having partnered with PADI for more than four decades, PRO DIVE played a pivotal role in shaping the diving industry in Australia. Russell de Groot, who recently sadly passed away, became a PRO DIVE Diver with Rick Poole (Co Founder off PRO DIVE) before completing a PADI Advanced course in 1973 with Terry Cummins. Russell and Terry would go on to become PADI Dive Instructors, eventually becoming two of the first Course Directors in Australia.
Russell was also in direct communication with Ralf Ericsson, co-founder of PADI, regarding advancements in dive gear when becoming an Dive Instructor in 1973. This collaboration helped lead a move away from outdated practices such as ditch-and-recovery drills and diving with blacked-out masks, which were standard at the time.
Russell’s became a Partner of PRO DIVE and under his leadership, PRO DIVE has become the largest trainer of certified divers in Australia for many years having pioneered numerous firsts in the industry, including:
The first certified commercial dive vessel.
The first licensed scuba diving travel agency.
One of the first websites in Australia, established in 1998.
The first web-based booking system in 2000, enabling online bookings.
Interestingly, before the establishment of the PADI Instructor Academy, all PADI certification cards in the region were printed above PRO DIVE’s old Coogee store—a testament to the early and deep integration between PRO DIVE and PADI’s operations.
The Turning Point
By the early 2000s, Russell de Groot began noticing challenges in PRO DIVE’s relationship with PADI. The introduction of online training led to a sharp increase in the cost of training materials and certifications, making scuba diving more expensive for aspiring divers. This, Russell believed, was counterproductive to the industry’s growth.
The Open Water Course is a vital entry point for anyone wanting to become a diver. Escalating costs created a significant barrier for new divers, ultimately limiting the potential expansion of the diving community, especially among local divers.
A Bold Transition
In 2010, PRO DIVE began its journey toward independence, culminating in its recognition as the first dive center to adopt the International Scuba Certification (ISC) system 2021. ISC aligned perfectly with PRO DIVE’s vision to provide high-quality training while making scuba diving more affordable and accessible for everyone.
This bold move allowed PRO DIVE to significantly reduce training costs, passing those savings directly on to its customers. As a result, Open Water Course enrollments surged, breaking down barriers that had previously deterred many from just even trying diving.
Today, 7 out of 10 divers in Sydney choose an ISC Dive course, with the majority being locals. PRO DIVE’s inclusive approach has also attracted Sydney’s large international student population, representing over 77 countries.
A Vision for the Future
As PRO DIVE celebrates certifying its 10,000th ISC diver, it reflects on a journey defined by innovation and resilience. By prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and world-class instruction, PRO DIVE has not only trained divers but also built a thriving community passionate about exploring the underwater world.
Here’s to the next 10,000 divers and beyond!
Comments