A diving company based in Simon’s Town, has reportedly become the only registered Scuba Schools International (SSI) training centre in the Western Cape.
Impact Divers, who works closely with marine biologists in the False Bay area, has been operating from Simon’s Town since last year.
Jessica Jade Finlay, from Cape Research and Diver Development (Cape RADD) marine biology field school, said the emphasis of Impact Divers is on high quality scuba dive training.
Cape RADD is a small marine field station based in Simon’s Town.
“Impact Divers and Cape RADD work alongside each other sharing their knowledge and passion for cleaner oceans. They collaborate on local beach cleans and hold awareness events at their ‘Ocean Hub’ based in Simon’s Town.
“Having a team of marine biologists from Cape RADD working closely with Impact Divers gives a different diving experience.”
On Saturday 14 May, co-owner of Impact Divers Morné Le Grange received the SSI instructor trainer qualification.
The instructor trainer course, which was held in Durban from Monday 2 to Saturday 14 May, had a rigorous criteria to qualify for the course.
“Of the seven candidates that started the course, only five received the prestigious Instructor Trainer qualification of which Morné Le Grange, co-owner of Impact Divers, was one of them giving Impact Divers the status of SSI instructor training centre. The only one currently within the western Cape,” said Finlay.
In order to qualify for consideration for the course, instructors must have completed an Active Assistant Instructor Trainer and SSI Master Instructor course and have issued at least 150 certifications.
“Only once participants had obtained the necessary criteria, they could register for the SSI training course,” adds Finlay.
The training was facilitated by the international training director of SSI (Scuba Schools International) Ronny Kain who arrived from Germany to conduct the course at ScubaXcursion in Scottburgh. “We have created a really awesome ocean loving community which is so important when you use the ocean so often it is important to make sure your activity gives back,” says Finlay.
