How to enjoy and what is the appeal of diving? A thorough interview with a PADI representative!
Popular activities at Activity Japan include:
diving
!
Okinawa
It can be experienced all year round all over Japan, and is enjoyed by many people.
This time we interviewed Hiroshima Mahiru from the Marketing Headquarters of PADI Asia Pacific Japan Co., Ltd.!
PADI (Professional Association Diving Instructor) is an educational organization that issues diving licenses.
.
The world's largest diving education organization, with 28 million divers certified, more than 60% of the world's population
(As of 2020).
In the interview, How to enjoy diving, its appeal, and how to choose a diving shop We asked: Packed with useful information for diving you know!
Having learned to swim from a young age, he has a strong affinity for the water, and during his university years he became fascinated with diving and obtained a divemaster qualification.
During his student days, he worked part-time at diving services in Izu and Australia, living close to the sea.
Even after working for an IT company, his passion for diving remained unchanged, and in 2021 he moved to PADI, where he is working hard to develop the diving industry as a marketing consultant.
table of contents
- 1 How to enjoy diving and its appeal
- 2 Characteristics of people who continue diving for a long time
- 3 What is trial diving?
- 4 How to choose a trial diving shop
- 5 Things to be aware of when diving
- 6 Benefits of getting a diving license
- 7 Is it possible that you cannot obtain a diving license even if you take the course?
- 8 How to choose a diving license acquisition shop
- 9 Recommended diving spots after obtaining your license
- 10 Feature articles recommended by the editorial department
How to enjoy diving and its appeal
" How to enjoy diving and its attractions "What is it? diving We spoke to Hiroshima, who knows everything about how to enjoy and the charms of the area.
Hiroshima-san: People enjoy diving in different ways. For example, if you live in Tokyo,
Some people enjoy diving to feel out of the ordinary, or to feel soothed, healed, or relaxed.
hey.
Contrary to those who seek healing, relaxation,
People who enjoy adventure
There are some.
You can also enjoy sunken ships, caves, and night diving.
That's right.
Besides" Some people enjoy meeting sea turtles, fish and other creatures. " " Some people find underwater photography interesting and get hooked. "that's right.
A recent trend is "
More and more people are taking part in marine conservation efforts, such as picking up trash and planting coral.
"
Indirectly, you can meet people who share your interests and discover new travel destinations through diving.
Many people feel happy about the world expanding.
that's right.
How to enjoy each season
Hiroshima: Kanto In autumn and winter, the ocean becomes clearer, so you can enjoy the view from far away. Okinawa Another fascinating thing about this area is that the fish come to Izu on the Kuroshio Current.
Spring/Summer Because of the increase in plankton in the sea, it is difficult to see far away. However, the presence of plankton means there are also many fish, so the attraction is that you can experience a season full of life.
It's also fun to encounter different creatures depending on the season. Temperature changes in the ocean lag behind those on land by two months that's right.
Different ways to enjoy different places
Hiroshima: Okinawa Resorts like these are nice, but I'd like to visit the sea near a big city. diving It's also a different way to have fun.
A quarter of the diving shops are located in Okinawa, which is famous for being one of the best diving spots in the country. I want people to know that diving can be enjoyed in the oceans all over Japan. ” says Hiroshima.
There is a misconception that the oceans outside of Okinawa are not clean, but "that's not true (Hiroshima)." What constitutes a "clean ocean" varies from person to person, with criteria including the transparency of the water and the number of fish present.
Characteristics of people who continue diving for a long time
diving What kind of person can continue this hobby for a long time?
Hiroshima: I don't want to aim for a license, People who find purpose through diving tend to be able to continue diving for longer .
Diving itself is just a means to an end, like riding a bicycle.
When I was able to dive,
I want to encounter rare creatures
" "
I want to work on marine conservation
" "
I want to convey beauty through underwater photography
People who can find purpose, such as "What is your purpose?", will last longer.
In Japan, the sea is close by, so Enjoy diving on weekends "That's a good thing that only Japan has," he says.
What is trial diving?
For diving tours
No license required & beginner friendly
of"
Introductory Diving
"We have a plan called "
in particular,
Licensed Tours
In what ways is it different from
By the way, the tour description often refers to it as a "license", but in reality
Certificate (C card)
is.
Mr. Hiroshima: The difference between trial diving (for beginners) and the license holder tour is, The level of control by the instructor and the diver's own freedom underwater "
Introductory diving (for beginners) tours include: You need to attend a course every time and learn a minimum number of skills. Also, on the tour 12m with instructor It is possible to dive as far as
Tours for diving license holders are available at OWD (Open Water Diver). 18m The depth to which you can dive increases depending on the rank of your license.
How to choose a trial diving shop
Introductory Diving
When choosing a shop,
It is better not to choose based on the cheapest price
" He said.
Such shops are
Often dealing with a large number of customers with a small number of staff
yes.
The staff often fail to pay attention to the small details, making the experience less enjoyable.
That too.
As a result, they may become afraid of diving or even dislike it.
-
Do you offer introductory dives with PADI Discover Scuba Diving?
(Discover Scuba Diving is a PADI program created to allow people without a PADI license to safely experience diving.)
Things to be aware of when diving
- Keep yourself in good health and don't overdo it
- Before booking, get and check the medical check sheet.
Hiroshima: To avoid any trouble while diving,
Keep yourself in good health and don't overdo it
"It is important.
If you are on a diving trip and your schedule means "today is the only day," don't push yourself to dive if you're not feeling well.
Besides"
Before booking, get a medical check sheet and check it.
" You can rest assured. Some people may even be able to go ahead and see a doctor.
If you don't know the check items in advance, your trip may end in failure.
Also, please refrain from submitting false checks.
Benefits of getting a diving license
Hiroshima:
Introductory Diving
If you participate in a dive, you will need to take a theory class and practice your skills every time, which means less time for diving.
but
Once you get your diving license, you don't need to take it again.
.
It might be easier to understand if you think of it like a ski resort. Trial diving is like a snow play area. I only got to try it a little.
Diving License
Once you get it, you can go out and ski or snowboard on more interesting courses, such as beginner to advanced courses. The same is true for a diving license.
Is it possible that you cannot obtain a diving license even if you take the course?
Hiroshima: Diving License If there are many instances during the training where you feel like you can't do it well, you may not be able to obtain your license.
Obtaining a diving license is for the sake of acceptance. Therefore, "it is not a test to fail you."
The purpose of the course is to acquire the skills necessary to enjoy safely.
The instructor will support you until you can do it.
.
How to choose a diving license acquisition shop
Hiroshima: For example, if you live in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kanagawa or Shizuoka In nearby areas such as Diving License If you take " Easy to get to "This has the advantage that
" I want to enjoy a vacation "and Okinawa Many people get their diving licenses at resort areas such as these.
Among them, there are many different types of stores, such as large stores with many staff members, and family-run stores with a homely atmosphere.
For other points, please refer to the following.
-
Check Prices
→The price and the number of people are proportional. Cheap = large number of people, expensive = one-on-one, etc.
→The standard price is around 70,000 to 80,000 yen in Tokyo and 50,000 to 60,000 yen in resort areas. - Transparent accounting
- Talk to the store staff
- How safely is the care provided?
- Check the website to see if the dive shop is PADI registered.
Recommended diving spots after obtaining your license
Hiroshima-san: If you're in the Kanto area, Shizuoka ・ Izu , Kanagawa , Chiba is recommended.
Hokuriku teeth Fukui ・ Echizen or Niigata ・ Sado Island .
Sanin is the Seto Inland Sea. Shikoku So Ehime ・ Ainan Yes, the soft corals were colorful and beautiful.
Kyushu
Then
Fukuoka
,
Miyazaki
・
Nobeoka
Such.
Hokkaido
Then
Shakotan
,
Tohoku
There are many diving meccas all over the country, including Minami Sanriku.
diving
The appeal of this method is that it can be done not only in the ocean, but also in lakes and rivers.
I once encountered a giant salamander while diving in a river.
Apparently!
One of the attractions of diving is the chance to encounter unexpected creatures.
That is what we can say.
Diving spot information
Ask someone
It is certain
.
Asking experienced divers for recommendations on diving spots is also a good way to communicate.
hey!
I would like to ask Mr. Hiroshima, Introductory Diving and Licensed Tours The difference of It was easy to understand and I learned a lot. Diving License Points to consider when choosing a shop to acquire is also helpful.
diving So Okinawa area tends to get attention, Kanagawa or Chiba , Shizuoka ・Izu and Kii Peninsula Kushimoto There are many attractive diving spots in the vicinity.
In this interview, we were introduced to many attractive spots around Japan, so be sure to check them out.
*The content of this article is current as of April 2024.
Featured image provided by:
PIXTA
