Eric S

Two years ago after losing my dad to Parkinson’s disease, I decided to quit my job and finally get my PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Certification. I did my research, booked my flight and headed to Koh Tao, Thailand. I already had a school in mind, but during my overnight layover at Changi Airport Singapore, a friend of mine messaged me and recommended I check out Sairee Cottage Diving and the course director there named Marcel van den Berg. So I did. I got a reply from Marcel right away. He was very detailed with all the information and invited me to meet with him once I arrived on the island. We met for about an hour talking about what the course was going to be like, etc., and I decided right there, right then that I was going with Sairee Cottage Diving. Finding out Aaron, a DM buddy from Ultilia, Honduras was in the course made it that much better.

OK, fast forward 2 years. I am teaching diving in Seattle, Washington part-time far from the warm waters of Koh Tao. While waiting for the bus this morning I realized that I have never written a review about my experience with Sairee Cottage and Marcel. I started to feel somewhat guilty. I have always wanted to write something nice about the school and the teacher that turned this Divermaster into a bonafide Instructor, but I guess procrastination kicked this review writing down the road too many tomorrows. So here we are.

As I am sitting here trying to figure out what to say that hasn’t been said before, I realize my 2-year long delay has actually been a blessing. In those 2 years I have taught in Koh Tao, San Fransico, and Seattle. Based on my experiences, I now have a much deeper appreciation for the training I received at Sairee Cottage Diving and from the Course Director Marcel van den Berg. If I had written my review the day after my IE exam and party, then I wouldn’t have been able to share this appreciation that I now have. These 2 years have fortified my belief that my training was world class. The course prepared me not just to be able to teach Scuba but to do it for the right reasons. To always put safety first, to focus on the quality of the education above the number of students, to focus on and stress the small details (small mistakes add up to Oh Sh*t moments), to listen to the students about their concerns, their fears, their goals and help them address those concerns and conquer fears and achieve their goals. All of this knowledge and insight has not only prepared me to be a good instructor but also to be a good ambassador for diving and our oceans as a whole. For that, I am forever grateful.

In the blink of an eye, two years are in the books, but Koh Tao and Sairee Cottage Diving will always have a special place in my heart. The awesome people I learned from, Marcel, Julan, and the great staff will always have my deepest appreciation and respect. All the great friends I made in the course, Kees and Anika, Bryan, Jos, Lisa, Tom and Aaron, you guys will always be family to me. To the island and people of Koh Tao, Bingo 2.0 and Coral Grand much love to you all and I miss you.

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