Keep Making Bubbles
My Philosophy
PADI Course Director | Instructor Development | Southeast Asia
Your Students Have to Do Things. Not You.
When you become an instructor, you don't need to do anything anymore — your students do. Our job is to make that happen, because it's them who has to learn, not you. That single idea changes everything about how I run an Instructor Development Course.
Why this matters
I'm not interested in producing drones — instructors who can recite the standards perfectly but freeze the moment a real student does something unexpected. The industry has enough of that already. What it needs more of is instructors who understand the why behind what they teach, so they can actually adapt when the ocean (or the student) doesn't cooperate with the textbook.
That means I want to spend real time with you — underwater and on the surface — working on your development as a professional, not just your test performance. By the time you're certified, the goal is that you're not just passing as an instructor. You're ready to actually be one.
And also — we have fun
Diving is serious enough on its own. Training to teach it doesn't need to feel like a military exercise. Expect honesty, expect to be pushed, and expect to laugh along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PADI Course Director? A PADI Course Director is the highest professional rating in the PADI system, qualified to train and certify PADI Instructors by running Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) and Instructor Examinations.
How long does a PADI IDC take? Typically around two weeks, covering classroom theory, confined water teaching practice, and open water dives, followed by the Instructor Examination
What are the prerequisites for the PADI IDC? You must be at least 18, hold a PADI Divemaster certification (or equivalent from another agency), have a minimum of 60 logged dives, and provide a medical statement signed by a physician.
What's the difference between an IDC and MSDT preparation? The IDC qualifies you as an Open Water Scuba Instructor. MSDT preparation goes further, bundling in a full set of specialty instructor certifications so you can teach a wider range of courses.
What makes an Instructor Development Course with Pierre different? Small groups, real time spent underwater and on the surface, and a focus on understanding why you're teaching something, not just passing the Instructor Examination.
What is IDC Staff Instructor training? Training for certified instructors who want to move into instructor development themselves, working toward supporting future IDCs.
Do you work with dive centres, not just individual instructor candidates? Yes. Pierre consults with dive operators to build genuine Instructor Development programs and train staff, rather than run high-volume certification mills.
How many dives do I need before starting an IDC? A minimum of 60 logged dives, though most candidates arrive with considerably more experience via their Divemaster training.
