Today, we are going to interview Chantal. Originally from Netherland, she signed up for our 6-week Divemaster training. Now she’s about to continue her adventure around the world. Before leaving, she explained her motivations to us and here is what she said:
Chantal, Can you tell us a bit about your diving experience?
For more than 10 years, travelling has been my biggest passion. Scuba diving was on my to-do list and it all started a few years ago when I decided to travel alone. Definitively the best experience I ever had!
During that first trip on my own, I did my advanced open water dive course on a liveaboard. It was incredible! However, when I returned, I couldn’t find myself really back home. Travelling was still on my mind as well as scuba diving. As a result, I booked two weeks later my next trip to the Philippines. Followed by Indonesia where I had planned to do my Rescue diver course.
Why did you decide to become a Divemaster?
Over the past 3 years, I travelled 3 times a year for a month and still, it wasn’t enough. While thinking of a way to make a living pursuing my to passions, I took the hard decision to quit my job. Again, I pack my bags and leave my country with the target of becoming a divemaster.
After travelling in Asia quite a few times over already, I decided to go back to Indonesia to do my training. The quality of the dives, the weather and the people were the reasons I wanted to go back there.
How did you come to chose Legend Diving for your internship?
Bali was definitely a place I wanted to come back. At the same time, I’ve heard and read about the Nusa islands and decided to go and see by myself. So here I am in Nusa Lembongan, falling in love with the local culture, the island vibe, the peaceful environment. Quickly, after visiting a couple of dive center, my heart went for Legend Diving, where I feel at ease and comfortable. First impressions are always very important for me and it took me 5 minutes to decide to go with them.
Overall how was your experience during your training?
I wouldn’t say it was easy, actually, it’s quite challenging to face some of my weak points. You have to work, study and dive on daily basis, which can be physically and mentally demanding. Sometimes you get there in the morning and you won’t specifically like your diving buddy. In the same way, you will have those days when it will be harder for you to put on a smile.
But it’s all part of the game and those are little efforts when compared to the huge benefits you get. The main ones were unlimited diving with outstanding world-class dive sites. Or, watching so many Manta rays that you lost the count. But also, sharing quality time with a great squad of instructors that help you on a daily basis and make you feel a part of the team. Learning everything about leading divers but also how runs a dive center. Altogether, I have grown a lot as a diver from this experience. Moreover, I feel accomplished and definitely ready to start working in that industry.
