Revised 30 April, 2009

Diving is unlike anything else except, perhaps, going into space, but better. You are free to interact, hands-on and explore the alien environment for extended periods of time through the use of scuba (a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). It is commonly known that 80 % of the earth’s surface is covered in water. In a time when the latter 20 % of inhabited landmass is becoming increasingly overcrowded and polluted, escaping for a brief moment under the sea, in this quiet, peaceful and beautiful world, offers not only  the ultimate human adventure but also a moments respite for some serious mental cleansing.

GoDivingSpain will be activily working again with our local friends and cloeages in the dive industry as of this summer 2009. Catering exsperienced and non exsperienced divers. All local friends and tourist to El Campello, Coveta Fuma, San Juan, Alicante and Benidorm are welcome! John has 24 years of diving experience and has had the opportunity to explore some of the best diving locations the world has to offer. At GoDivingSpain the focus is to offer the highest level of diver education in every course, from our Discover Scuba trial lessons to our Dive Master and Rescue Diver courses. Our diving curriculum trains divers according to the internationally recognized PADI standards in diver training, strictly following the standards set down by PADI International Headquarters.  Above all, however, the PADI courses accommodate individual learning abilities and are extremely flexible, enough so to fit the busiest schedules.  Throughout, our philosophy emphasizes patience and understanding of the student’s individual level of confidence and ability.  Diving is accessible to all, from youth divers and families to the most enthusiastic thrill-seekers.

 Spanish laws on diving in Comunidad Valenciana are also changing to meet the international PADI standards – allowing us to extend the diving experience to younge people  under the age of 16.  Diving is a great sport for kids as it is non-impact, goal orientated, builds confidence and is both skills and theory based, making science and biology fun and interactive. Immediately you begin to appreciate the in-class theory by applying practical skills in your new underwater classroom. 

You can be sure, diving is safe and fun.  The aim is to impart the passion and wisdom of responsible diving to a new generation, as divers are the natural ambassadors of the sea. 

PADI has also launched a sister company, Project AWARE, which receives a percentage of funds from PADI certifications and courses to promote awareness of the underwater environment. They promote education, awareness and protection of coral reefs, sea species, and recently a specific focus on sharks. Of tremendous concern is the yearly killing of more than 100 million sharks.  PADI officials note that ‘officially, more than 100 million sharks are caught every year, for example as a consequence of finning.  In extrapolation, this means that three sharks worldwide are killed every second and that sharks will have vanished from our oceans 50 years from now.’ PADI’s Project AWARE has collected 30 000 signatures from 53 countries, successfully handing them over to the EU Commissioner of the Environment, Stavros Dimas, in December 2006.

In keeping with PADI Project AWARE’s goal, we also seek to dispel the popular myths about the man-eating shark.  Rather, we hope to educate people as to the vital necessity of these creatures in keeping the ecosystem of our waters balanced.  It is not uncommon for divers to log 200-300 dives and never see a shark. In reality divers pay extravagant sums to go out of their way to travel to locations where they may get an opportunity to see a shark.  Of the very few species that can harm man, they are normally found in deep blue water – not your standard diving environment. The chances of sighting a shark in the Mediterranean, most especially in the Costa Blanca region is nonexistent, which is unfortunate for those divers that appreciate the beauty of these creatures.

As a PADI instructor and a Project Aware instructor, my goal and obligation is to teach divers and non-divers to be aware of environmental changes in their local diving environments caused by overfishing and pollution.  We eagerly encourage petitions to help rally for new legislation to stamp out overfishing and implement stricter catch control laws. We also would like to lobby the local authorities to create new artificial reefs and wrecks which will serve to encourage both new sea life and species of fish, as well as eco-tourism.

As an Australian whose last known address was North Queensland Cairns, Australia, I can offer a more objective opinion on diving the Mediterranean Sea. In the Mediterranean the aquascape (the topography of the sea floor) more than makes up for there not being as many fish as in tropical waters. We have underwater plateaus, caves, islands, overhangs, swim-throughs and wrecks. We have a good variety of fish too! My personal favourites are the Conger and the Moray eels that can be plentiful in the Costa Blanca region. I often take sardines on dives to feed the Eels and let divers get a close up glimpse of these gentle and fascinating creatures.

 It’s just that the fish these days (luckily) are smarter than the average angler or spear fisherman, they congregate where they will not get chased around the sea floor by a big net or a bloody big galar with a spear gun! And luckily for you we know where they are.

Join us so that we can show you why it is more fun to shoot with your cameras and not with your spears.