Diving Archives - Page 6 of 31 - Asia Divers & El Galleon Beach Resort, Puerto Galera

Diving, News and Events, Social & Community

Valentine’s Day Dinner, PADI Freediving, and a Divemaster Graduation

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Asia Divers

13
Feb

People all over the world consider February the love month. Filipinos are not immune from the Valentine’s Day fever! Apart from Christmas, Valentine’s Day is considered one of the biggest holidays in the Philippines. We just LOVE seeing you all here!

padi advanced open water diver sabang puerto galera — Taking advantage of the Chinese New Year holiday it was time for the **Kitching** family to come back to El Galleon for a visit. Congratulations **Oliver Kitching** for earning your PADI Advanced Diver cert over the CNY holiday.

fun in puerto galera at asia divers — Fun times with **Kathy**, **Mary**, **Cody** and **Tom** for **Arthur** this week as he introduced them to the Puerto Galera magic.

Congratulations to our newest certified PADI Divemaster, Cody.

Cody came through with flying colours from the superb guidance of your instructor Matt and along with the helping hands of the whole Asia Divers family.

If you’re looking for an awesome location and experienced team of instructors to help you become a PADI Divemaster please have a look at our PADI Recreational Diving Courses page

Diving Adventure Travel Hong Kong at Asia Divers Puerto Galera — Wonderful to have **Match** and **Dorcas** along with their instructor, **Simon** from **Diving Adventure Travel Hong Kong** here for a few days. Hope to see you all again!

Try Freediving at Asia Divers

Our latest freediving buoy has finally arrived – so we are now all set to teach the PADI Basic Freediver and Freediver Courses. The yellow buoy is already attracting a lot of attention in the dive shop – and we will test it out for the first course right away today. For more information contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com

Freediving Courses

E-IDC update

padi freediver course sabang puerto galera asia divers — **Jamie** taking the plunge – training to be a PADI Freediver

Jamie is super excited to jump into the PADI Freediving courses in style!

He practiced holding his breath in the pool from childhood on and is very good at it… but really??? No coffee in the morning before apnea???!! Kawawa!

Visit our dedicated GoPRO site for professional scuba diving courses

More info on instructor development, specialty instructor courses etc can be found here: asiadivers.com/gopro

That’s all for this week’s Asia Divers Blog folks!

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Diving, News and Events

Revving up for the Festive Season in Puerto Galera

Posted on December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 by Asia Divers

20
Dec

It’s been a great week here at El Galleon and Asia Divers as we slowly get ready for the festive season, and we are really starting to feel it. It feels like every night has been a party night.

Well Done to Nathan Nash, who completed his PADI Advanced Open water course care of Maria. Nathan did Peak performance buoyancy, Night Dive and wreck as his elective dives. He liked the night dive so much he did another one for fun the night after the course!

Now here are some familiar faces. Arjan Kroon AKA Candyman, with his lovely partner Ingrid Vierzen and all us lot. Well Ingrid had a double celebration on this night as she had made her 100th dive and completed her PADI Drift Diving Specialty course, which took her on a pretty swift dive in to the Canyons. We had such a great night in the Point Bar!

Celebrating 4000 Dives!

Chef Jamie pulled out all the stops and dressed for this very special occasion. Check out his threads…. his underwater Tuxedo! Leon Betts was doing his 4000th dive, and Jamie thought it deserved this high class look.

Ocean Dive Supply Christmas Dinners with Tommy

Tommy is travelling around the Philippines to have “Christmas Dinner” with all the staff in our Ocean Dive Supply stores around the country. including Boracay, Dumaguete , Cebu and Alona . That’s a lot of festive food!

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Diving, News and Events

Dive Resort Travel Expo, 2019 Events and more!

Posted on December 11, 2018December 12, 2018 by Asia Divers

11
Dec

What’s been happening this week at Asia Divers

Tony Mulholland had a wicked time with Pete on his DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) trial last week and thought he looked pretty cooll! We think so too Tony. Find out more about the PADI DPV Speciality course.

Congratulations to Larry Bird and Kris on their engagement. Larry romantically popped the question to Kris underwater on a dive in the Maldives. So sweet, and I guess you can figure out her answer…

Congratulations Candyman on getting your 700 dive t-shirt. So glad you did it here with us!

DRT Hong Kong

If you’re in Hong Kong this coming weekend please come by the DRT SHOW at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Hall 5G.

Alli and Elly will be there promoting Asia Divers and El Galleon at the Philippine Department of Tourism booth. We have some very good dive packages for fun divers and interesting offers for instructors to bring students here to teach their courses.

Dates are: December 14-16. Opening Hours: 12:00 noon – 8:00pm (Friday) 12:00 noon – 8:00pm (Saturday) 12:00 noon – 6:00pm (Sunday)

Asia Divers Events in 2019

We have a couple of very exciting events planned for 2019 at El Galleon and Asia Divers, so if you’re thinking of what to do for your next holiday please see below:

Objectif Atlantide

The new underwater survey organized by Objectif Atlantide in 2019 in the Philippines!

We are proud to be hosting this event in 2019.

Photo Atlantis objective submarine survey April 2019. Registrations are open!

Details are here

You can also visit the Objectif Atlantide Facebook page.

2019 Photo Workshop – Sneak Peek

Join us June 16-23, 2019 for our Photo workshop with Phil Rudin and Beth Watson. There will be hands on workshops on many different subjects including:

Black Backgrounds : The key is to block out all natural light so only the light reaching the camera sensor is produced by strobes or torches aimed at the subject. Camera settings, strobe positioning, composition and subject location all play a role in achieving a black background. Join us to learn more!

For details please see the 2019 Underwater Photography Workshop page, or contact instructors@asiadivers.com for inquiries.

Diving, News and Events

PADI Freediver Courses, eIDC Updates, and the return of old friends

Posted on December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 by Asia Divers

05
Dec

Look who’s back!

It’s been a great week having this gang back here for their warm up trip before heading off to the Maldives! A big congratulations to Jenny Masters who completed her PADI Advance and nitrox courses. With Jenny, Alli, Chris, Eric, Fitri and Mark

Before the fly through of The Canyons dive site with Chris, Pete, Eric, Jenny, Mark, Fitri and Matt…and what a trip it was!! Just before the first canyon there was a nice big trevelly welcoming us to the heaps of sweetlips, snapper and batfishes. Nothing like a little bit of excitement to get your day rolling along.

Way back in 1997 Alli, Mark and Eric did their PADI Divemaster courses together here at Asia Divers with Peter Wilson and Dave Ross. That’s 21 years of awesome memories for sure!

Welcome back home Candyman and Candy mermaid (Arjan and Ingrid)!!! Only at Asiadivers: Personal VVIP speedboat pickup in Batangas with Candyshots, cold towels, cold beers, peanuts and of course: CANDIES….

Become a PADI Freediver

Asia Divers is very excited to announce that we will now be teaching the PADI Basic Freediver and the PADI Freediver courses.

PADI Basic Freediver

Learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breathhold techniques in a pool or confined water site.

PADI Freediver

Your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves. No previous freediving course is required.

Freediving is about inward power, discipline and control. If you’ve always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Taking the PADI Freediver course is your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves.

For more information contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com

PADI Divemaster Elliot

Congratulations to Elliot Dawson for completing his PADI Divemaster course. Elliot has been here for almost three months now doing his DM training as well as working in the shop, helping out on dives, and generally just about anything that needs doing around the resort.

As a Divemaster intern he’s been learning the ropes about becoming a dive industry professional and gaining some quality life skills along the way. The Divemaster course teaches skills that can be used in many aspects of your life. Elliot’s time is here at Asia Divers is coming to an end and he’ll be joining the “real world” again. It’s been great to have him here with us and we all wish Elliot the best for the future…and hope to see him back again….perhaps taking the next step to becoming an PADI instructor.

Alma Jane Memories

It’s been wonderful to have Tony Mulholland back with us after so many years. He was actually here for the sinking of Alma Jane on March 3rd 2003 and then as soon as it was down Alli and Tony jumped in for a dive on it. It was quite the site to behold with lots of interesting things flying off of it! This week he went back there again for the first time and got to see what an amazing dive site it has turned into.

Going, going, gone! These photos we’re taking by Tony as Alma Jane was sinking.

E-IDC update

A busy week with PADI Specialty Instructor Courses

The best way to use the time after your PADI IE is to further improve your marketability and become PADI Specialty Instructor in areas that interest you.

The PADI Wreck Specialty is a great course to start with. With many good sized wrecks in Asia, learning safe techniques to explore the inside is important and appealing to many. And look at how fun it can be navigating our very own barrel bar obstacle course as dry practice. Great job Matt and Cody.

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Diving

International Dive Groups of the Week

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Asia Divers

23
Nov

It’s been a bit of a busy week for us here at Asia divers, with two groups from different sides of the world.

Bestdive from Warsaw Poland had an awesome time with us, diving all the usual spots with a great trip to Verde Island. They also seamed to enjoy a few nights in the point bar, and their last night saw a fair few shots downed as well a few T-shirts for shots.

Joanna (Joasia ) Drozd-Piekarowicz celebrated her 100th dive with us and was so happy with her T-shirt. Well done and thanks for visiting us!

bestdive poland at asia divers philippines

After a few days with our Polish friends, Udive from Taipei, Taiwan arrived and boy did these guys like to dive. Most did all four day dives, with a few night dives for good measure.

They also did a three dive day at Verde with BBQ. Udivers enjoyed communal meals in the restaurant in the early evening with a few bevies but really let go on their last night in the Point Bar and we couldn’t help but join in! See you next time!

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Diving, News and Events

What’s Been Happening at Asia Divers?

Posted on October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 by Asia Divers

17
Oct

It’s been a busy week at Asia Divers, which is just the way we like it!

If you have visited the Asia Divers website before, you probably noticed it’s had a major facelift. It was a big job, spanning several months, with many hands involved, but everyone did their part, and we’re very happy with result. Hope you like the new site!

Now you can buy top quality scuba gear from us online!

We’re very pleased to announce that Ocean Dive Supply has a new website and online store. You can see our products at https://divesupply.com.ph/ and visit the ODS Online Store https://divesupply.com.ph/shop/diving/en

Visit the ODS website

A PADI Open Water course 15 years in the making!

Congratulations to Arthur Nash for completing his PADI Open Water course. I’d have to say that this is the longest running course that I’ve ever done….ha ha. Actually, Arthur started the course 15 years ago and never quite finished it, so second time around we made sure it got completed. Now on to AOW and more. Needless to say the family genes are there as far as comfort and ability in the water…a chip off the old block for sure!!

Night dive on the Alma Jane wreck

Diving one of our favourite dive sites with Richard, and Andrew plus 4 instructors! What a great dive to do for the more experienced divers.

What’s our Divemaster Intern Elliot been doing?

Straight from the horse’s mouth:

Over a month now interning with Asia Divers and learning more each week. Passed the Dive Master exams, averaging over 90% and now working with Allison on the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, gaining more great experience training students.

Besides training students I’ve had the opportunity to learn how to work the compressors including the theory of how to repair and analyze cylinders and regulators in the dive shop.

With the number of guests increasing each week there is more and more opportunities to explore and learn the dive sites along with meeting interesting people from all different walks of life. Can’t wait to see how the next month unfolds.

Guilty Pleasures…

They say an army marches on its stomach, and the Asia Divers team is no different. Guess who was very happy to get the chance to go to Batangas SM by speedboat, run in, and get a bag of Big Macs to bring home!

Some recent photos from around Asia Divers

Click to enlarge

That’s all for now for now folks. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to get our latest news updates and links to our blog posts!

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Diving

PG memories

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Asia Divers

We’ve had Paul Mongomery here with us for the past while and he passed along some amazing photos. They are a snap shot of some of the early pioneers and long term guests that frequented Sabang and LaLaguna beaches around 1983 to 85. We’ve added these photos along with some others that Alli took in the late 90’s on to our “Asia Divers Oldies” album on our Facebook Page. Have a look here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/asia.divers/photos/?tab=album&album_id=158818000907642

Super Umbrella in Sabang

Continue reading →

Diving

Spending your time doing what you love

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Asia Divers

Enjoying the nice weather and cold beer at the Barrel Bar! It’s been a busy time here this week as Kelly, Eleanor and Sabine have been in IDC land, while Maria has been teaching Sarah her OW course. Sarah is on her solo backpacking around Philippines and decided to take Open Water Diver course with Asia Divers. She has done great job as student and absolutely loved the experience. She’s also been brave to give the local delicacy, Balot a try. At the end of the day it’s nice to come together to either the Barrel or Point Bar and chat about all the great things going on and appreciate the fact that we’re all here. Make every day count!

PADI Womens Dive Day and more!

Come and join us for the weekend of July 21-22 to celebrate “PADI Women Dive day”! We’ll be making it a special “Healthy Ocean, Healthy Body” weekend with some fun things to do and taste as well. On Saturday there will be a Dive Against Debris, where we’ll get a chance to make our ocean healthy by cleaning up one of our local dive sites. All friends and family are invited to join of course…boys and girls! To make our body healthy we’ll also be offering a Yoga class by Sabine, our PADI Course Director, early morning walks and some great specials in our Spa. To top it all off we’ll have some yummy fresh fruit drinks available. Now to make even more interesting we’ll have a “Men’s Dive day” on Saturday just to keep things even. A Verde trip could be in the works along with, “Beer and Barrels” yoga! Please join us for a fun weekend by contacting admin@asiadivers.com

A nice moody shot of Pete at Alma Jane by Matt Hutchinson. Thinking of a couple of great specialty courses to get you to Alma Jane. Consider perhaps PADI Deep Diver, PADI Wreck Specialty and PADI Enriched Air. The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba course. Why? Because scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more no decompression time, especially on repetitive scuba dives. If staying down longer and getting back in the water sooner sounds appealing, then don’t hesitate to become an enriched air diver.

Instructor level – Project AWARE Dive Against Debris

Diving

What’s been happening this week

Posted on February 5, 2018July 9, 2018 by Asia Divers

It’s been great enjoying time at the Barrel Bar at El Galleon this past week with the good weather, our IDC candidates (now certified Instructors) and of course a lot of our guests. Keep those sunsets in Puerto Galera coming!

Underwater’s Ultimate Weapon

Listen to this audio recording below from Radiolab https://iono.fm/e/286830 . Start from 2:00 and end at 3:25. What did you hear? Rice pops? Twigs being burned? Frying bacon?

No – they are snapping shrimps, or rightfully called “pistol” shrimps which belong to the family Alpheidae. Do the sound even hint to a deadly weapon?

For starters, a snapping shrimp is a tiny creature, reaching one to two inches – just half of your finger . Now it gets scarier: it has a distinctive large claw which it uses to stun a prey instantaneously! The cracking sound produced is what you hear during low tide in shallow waters. Some species live mutually with gobies in burrows: the shrimp provides a home for the goby, while the fish confers protection to shrimp against predators .

To see the whole story and know more about snapping shrimps or pistol shrimps, visit SeaLifeBase: http://sealifebaseproject.blogspot.com/2016/11/underwaters-ultimate-weapon.html

E-IDC update

Yay !! Our candidates all passed the PADI Instructor Exams with flying colors and are now PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors!!! Heartfelt congratulations to Vincent Wolf and Kirk Zhong for a job well done and for keeping up our 100% first time pass rate. We are so proud of you!!

Party time!!!

And then it was party time! Vincent and Kirk tried our newly designed instructor t-shirt shooter combination – that btw was non-alcoholic – but clearly lived up to expectations… B) A long party night followed in the Point Bar….

The team will be back in Puerto Galera in a few weeks for the instructor internship month with Asia Divers and also to complete their MSDT specialty course training.

Next upcoming IDC in March

If you would like to become a PADI Instructor or Staff Instructor, join our March IDC on 17^th -26^th March with the PADI IE on 27/28^th and secure your space now via email to idc@asiadivers.com.

Start the eLearning component via this link:

https://apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/elearning/?irra=2736

Underwater’s Ultimate Weapon

Diving

Friends reuniting at Asia Divers

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Asia Divers

Such a fun day with this mixed group of friends from all over the globe…. South Korea, USA, Canada, China, Columbia…all getting together in Puerto Galrera! Mike, Bryan, Drew and Jorge tried a “Discover Scuba” while their certified friends joined in for the dive to the Giant Clams. Afterwards celebratory drinks of course at the Barrel Bar.