The Scuba Diving Trip of a Lifetime on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Courtesy Mike Ball Dive ExpeditionsFor certifying PADI's 25 millionth diver, Master Scuba Diver Trainer Bobby Post won a free trip to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
For the past 50 years, PADI — the Professional Association of Diving Instructors — has lived its slogan: The Way the World Learns to Dive. 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, May 6, 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 Spoilsport.
Courtesy Mike Ball Dive ExpeditionsMike Ball, at left, with Bobby Post.
"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 Great Barrier Reef — from the 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,” Post said. “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."
If you would like to know more about diving on the Great Barrier Reef or to locate a PADI Dive Shop visit padi.com.
About PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors
PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization. With more than 6,400 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, and more than 133,000 individual PADI Professionals who have issued more than 25 million certifications around the world, you’ll find PADI diver courses and scuba diving services nearly everywhere.
