IDC THAILAND TESTIMONIALS
My Name is Mr Andrew M Twigg PADI (OWSI 636698)
As part of my end of service in the British Army I chose to resettle into civilian life by attending the PADI Instructor Development Course and become a PADI Diving Instructor.
Having served as a Military Diver for 22 years I thought this would be a breeze! After all; ‘the underwater experience that I have logged, this will be a walk in the park’! And I get to be a student in Koh Samui, a beautiful Island in Thailand, plus the Army pays for it! Now how good is that?
Camille, (Course Director) was beyond doubt a truly outstanding professional. From my initial email asking about the course to him seeing me to the airport with my certificates in my hand. His energy and enthusiasm throughout the course were infectious, and these are rare qualities. So impressed with these qualities I decided to extend my OWSI Course and become a Specialty Instructor in 11 Different specialties! Plus phoned my girlfriend and told her to ‘get on a plane with your diving gear, you are going to be an MSDT!’ Which she did and now has the certification!
I learnt so much from Camille beyond my 22 years as a Military Diver, which was a shock.
I fully endorse the experience of attending an IDC with Camille and if you get the chance ask him to take you on some Specialty Courses. Small Groups / Individual instruction were a complete pleasure and the knowledge, priceless!
Andrew M. Twigg, UK, PADI (OWSI 636698), 2004 IDC
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My name is Rob Doughty and I am from the UK.
Since 1995 I have been a PADI diver and since 2003 Divemaster. It was my intention to do my IDC soon after completing my Divemaster training in 03 but a nasty accident at work scaffolding in mid 2003 (I nearly chopped my leg off just below the knee) put paid to that so had to wait till Nov 2006 until I was fit enough to do the IDC.
I consider myself VERY lucky because I choose to come to Samui & receive my IDC training from Camille Lemmens. My first day on my IDC prep I thought "Oh dear Rob how unprepared can you be to start an IDC" I can tell you not much more than me anyway.
Over the next 2 weeks Camille took me from my state of near panic "what have I let myself in for here" to my IE exam weekend & we had alot fun along the way.
Well, I passed my IE on that weekend & in my view this was all down to Camille & his methods of teaching & coaching both in the classroom & in the water. Camille is a PADI Professional with a capital P.
I am proof if you choose Camille as your IDC Course Director & arrive with a dedication to become OWSI, Camille will teach you the abilities, knowledge & skill needed to be successful on your IE. And make you laugh along the way.
One month ago I was a Divemaster questioning my own ability to succeed in the IE now I am an OWSI, EFRI, DAN O2 Instructor & well on my way to MSDT, in 9 specialties.
I owe & BIG thanks to Camille he is definitely on my Christmas card list for keeps.
Rob Doughty, UK 2006 IDC
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Diving is a passion as well as a business. As we become instructors, we hope that we can share our passion with others and bring them into the PADI fold and all the adventure and wonder breathing under water holds for us. One item that we may over look as we become professionals is that the diving industry is a business and while we hopefully never lose our passion for diving we have to learn the BUSINESS of diving. Instructors are usually excellent divers (not always) and the PADI program has been designed using modern educational techniques to teach us how to teach and present material to our students. The job of any PADI Course Director is to present this program and prepare you for the IDC. Camille will prepare you by keeping you focused on the critical bits of knowledge required to pass the IDC and become a PADI instructor. What distinguishes him from other Course Directors is that he delivers an understanding of the diving industry and the business of diving. He gives you the opportunity to not only learn how to teach others but how to survive and thrive in a very competitive industry. He also happens to be a nice guy who fosters an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship. I still keep in close touch with each member of my IDC class. Please feel free to drop me a line at serenitydiving@yahoo.com if I can be of any help in choosing the right IDC for you.
Derek Miller, USA, 2004 IDC
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I was a Candidate on Camille’s first ever IDC back in April 2003.
His method of teaching is to gradually build you up over 2 weeks, so that by the time it comes to your Instructor Examination, you feel as confident as possible about demonstrating skills, passing your exams, classroom presentations, and everything else that you need to pass your I.E. !
Camille has a great passion for teaching you, to become an excellent Instructor. But more importantly for me, he has a fantastic knowledge of the business of diving.
Camille has passed a wealth of his experience and knowledge onto me, and as a result I have worked for Samui International Diving School full time since passing my IDC almost 4 years ago!
I am currently working as The Office Manager of our Malibu Head Office here on Koh Samui.
If you would like to see how successfull Camille’s IDC’s can be for you, please feel free to pop in to see me at our Malibu Shop, or send me an email at Michael@planet-scuba.net
Michael Kerr, previously Scotland, now Koh Samui – April 2003 IDC
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When you go through your IDC in preparation for the Instructor Exams, it is most important your Course Director will guide you on upgrading your skills, knowledge and attitude. Surely Camille Lemmens is the man who can help you identifying your weak spots. Profitting from his clear, personnal and constructive guidance I was able to pass the IE with high scores.
Ton Mandemaker, Nederland, May 2007 IDC
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Knowing that the Instructor Exam would require vast amounts of knowledge, we had begun preparing for the IDC already but we also knew much of what needed to be learned would not come from books or manuals. We needed to participate in an IDC. After many hours of research on different IDC courses, Camille became our first choice, and came highly recommended by our local dive shop.
Camille made our communications easy by way of email, and even though we were living half way around the world there was never more than a day between sending and receiving emails, and many times a reply was received in less than eight hours. We never needed to talk by phone, but that was something we felt would happen if we had asked for a call from him.
After making all the arrangements we could in advance, we finally arrived at the Koh Samui airport and were greeted by Camille. He provided us a warm welcome and transportation to a hotel for the night that he arranged in advance for us. The following morning, we met again with Camille where he provided us with an island orientation drive and then helped us secure long-term accommodations, transportation, and he even helped us with locating the items we needed to purchase for our stay.
After only a couple of days to settle in (we would encourage several days to overcome jet lag) we attended the pre-IDC refresher course that Camille offers. This was a wonderful way to get wet in our new "home" and get back in the swing of what we needed to remember to pass the IE. It was at this time that we discovered a simple equipment malfunction, and again Camille came to the rescue with a loaner SPG.
During the rest of the course, we found that anything that we didn't understand or had questions on always received extra attention from Camille, provided we asked for the help. Never once did we feel rushed or pushed to get through the material. If we needed help, Camille did what was required for us to learn what we needed to know.
At the end of the IDC, Camille sat down with each of us one last time to discuss with us our personal weaknesses and strengths, and a final summary on if we should take the IE, or wait for the next one and repeat the IDC. In both of our cases, we were prepared in his opinion. As he had a vested interest in seeing us pass the IE, we both know that he would have told us we were not ready if that had been the case.
After traveling to Koh Tao for the IE, the exam was just as it was described to us. The first day was straight forward and a relief to get behind us. The second day was smooth enough. The third, and final, day was the longest but we knew that we were so close to the end. Finally, we got the results that we passed, and the burden was lifted from our shoulders.
Camille was there to celebrate with us immediately following the IE and again a few nights later when we met for a formal meal to celebrate our accomplishments.
Even now, after several months, Camille has continued to be there for us to provide insight and advice when requested. These are all special touches that make Camille's program one worth considering, and we would certainly say we are satisfied customers.
David and Angela Frye, USA, OWSI, 2007 IDC
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Hi all IDC candidates! I just finished my IDC with Camille and my IE thereafter. Very happy and proud as a Chinese woman instructor now, I am sure one of the most satisfied students of this course. Just wanna tell you all that I felt very lucky to have Camille as instructor!
Thank you for your patience and education, Camille! This course is not only professional but also so much fun! It certainly help me and will help you think where to start from professional diving and its business. (p.s. Camille, I love your graduation party!!!) Good luck to you all new candidates!
Dive Safe, have fun! And share with others~~~
Claire Lee, China, June 2008 IDC
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