Padi IDC Cyprus, Padi Course Director Joey Ridge. Instructor Courses

PADI Course Director

The Course Director level is the highest level you can reach in the PADI System of diver education. Course Director hopefuls submit an application for acceptance into one of two annual Course Director Training Courses. From almost 200 applications submitted each year only about 70 participants are selected to attend the two week long Course Director Training Course (CDTC).

The Course Director rating is the equivalent of having a postgraduate degree in scuba diving instruction, there is not a more prestigious level of certification within the dive industry. Course Directors are the only people who may conduct the Instructor Development Course needed to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

We touch the lives of others in ways we often never know. People sometimes come into our personal world for fleeting moments and can leave us forever changed”

A Life Changing Experience! We have more power to create or to destroy, than we can ever imagine. We can leave things or individuals better or worse than we found them. A look, a word, a gesture has tremendous impact and frequently we blither along through our existence unaware of the mighty power that our communication wields. Here’s my story:

It was a rainy, humid day: the mother of all bad hair days. Just another cold dark winter’s day in England. I was taking a bus into town. The windows on the bus were covered in condensation so thick you couldn't see outside. Everyone was wilting and wet. I was sitting next to a man in a business suit and didn't pay much attention, looking into oblivion, until we both got off at the same stop and walked to the same newspaper stand to get a morning paper.

The man, owner of the stand was obviously having a bad day too. He was so rude, abrupt and unsmiling as we bought our papers, with the news headlines to only add more gloom to my day. The businessman caught my eye and smiled. He then proceeded to smile brightly, thanked the newsstand proprietor for the paper and for being open on such a cold morning, making sure we were able to get our papers. In short, he expressed his appreciation for something most of us would take for granted.

The man running the newsstand responded only with a grunt and sour expressions. The businessman then pleasantly wished him a pleasant day. As we turned away, I asked this man why he had continued to be pleasant to the newsagent owner when he obviously didn't care about and didn't respond to his expression of appreciation and friendliness.
The businessman grinned at me and said, "Why would I let someone else control what I say, what I feel or what kind of day I'm going to have?"

"Diving and teaching can be a passion which changes your life and you can change other peoples life’s too"

I know how difficult it is to choose the right place to make your Padi IDC, so the choice is obvious! Little did you know that you could have picked a world class experienced Course Director!

Joey’s passion for teaching Scuba has led to the creation of his Knowledge, Experience and Internship Scuba Training Courses. This is Joey’s commitment to support of Internship, Padi IDC’s and the PADI Staff Instructors are taught. Prior Knowledge, materials helps us keep up to date and we like to be at the cutting edge of the dive industry, knowing this you can rest assure that Joey’s Course Director expertise is second to none.

Joey A. Ridge was born in the UK, where he lived until he was 18 and graduated from college. From that time, my passion was in Scuba Diving, I got my first seasonal Diving Job in Greece and loved the water and the diving so much. I returning to Greece for three summers, working and gaining experience from a variety diving of centres.

My feet began to get hot and again, I travelled to the USA, helping dive centres in Florida, California and Hawaii. Australia wasn’t far, so I travelled over there and stayed a couple of years. But the most fun to be had for me was working in ASIA, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

There I had the pleasure to work for many good reputable Dive Schools, gaining valuable experiences along the way. I lived and worked as a PADI Instructor and Underwater Photographer, Videographer in places around the world. The last 12 years I have been teaching the Padi System and conducting Padi IDC’s. My motto is: No Nonsense, Straight Talking.

Joey is the youngest local resident PADI Course Director in Cyprus. As I am English I speak English, Greek and a little Swedish. With support from my PADI Staff Instructors, I can teach Padi IDC Courses in English, Greek, German, French, Finish, Swedish and Danish.

Now here in Cyprus for over 12 years, I have established myself and Easy Divers Cyprus with a firm foot hold in the dive industry here in Cyprus. Joey has a time-honoured and valued opinion as an Committee Member in the Cyprus Dive Centre Association (CDCA).

EZDivers Cyprus has a comprehensive selection of top Scuba Professional Traineeships programs, some designed by Course Director Joey himself. The Go Pro Scuba Internship caters for all budgets. Go from complete novice to Dive Master; take a look at our Instructor Internship / Trainee Programs. You can have that life changing Scuba Job and not only a dream wish.

Joey also runs the most dynamic, updated PADI Instructor Development Courses (Padi IDC) in Cyprus. A full multimedia, network of computerized classrooms: laptops, LCD projectors, video etc. We will ensure that your PADI IDC experience is the most up to date, comprehensive and professional available.

Although PADI requires an Padi IDC to have a minimum duration of 7 days we have found some extra presentations and workshops highly beneficial to our candidates' success. To accommodate these extra presentations, workshops and Padi Courses that we have integrated into our program, we have found an 8 – 9 day Prep and Padi IDC more ideal.

Extra workshops include our DM/IDC Prep: Ascents & Descents, Buoyancy control, Buddy Breathing both swimming and stationary, Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA), Rescue and Student Control, both under water and at the surface an added bonus.

Padi Course Director Joey is always very helpful, friendly, thorough, funny, approachable, knowledgeable and professional. He somehow makes the gruelling Padi IDC courses a lot of fun. All of Joey’s instructor candidates have passed 100%. Joey is determined that each person he teaches gets individual attention and personalised counselling. He doesn't just teach someone to pass the exams; he is passionate that his candidates are confident and knowledgeable and prepared to be an effective PADI Scuba instructor in the ever changing world of the dive industry. Joey’s motto is ‘You either know it or you don’t’.

One of my Staff Instructors once told me, I never realised just how much you taught me and I now realise the more I teach, not only in your Instructor Development Courses, the more I put into practice your training styles, you taught me to be a better teacher...how to pace a class and cover all Padi Course requirements but still keep it fun. Thank you. Joey you are such a great role model.

When I teach, I tell all my new students, that this day, I will learn something new from all of you?
To all new instructors, I say you will definitely learn something from every new Padi Course you teach, from all the students you train! PADI Course Director - IDC Cyprus

For one instance, PADI teaches us how important positive feedback is for our students. I love to watch this in action; I see how proud my students looks when I tell them that they performed a skill just right, Perfect!! One of my very first Open Water students took the time to write some positive comments about me and PADI passed it on to me. It was really nice to get that feedback. This reminded me that my students aren't the only ones that deserve positive reinforcement! We all do, so I wanted to take the time to say THANKS!!!

To all my students and New Padi Instructor Candidates who train here, I hope to pass on my relaxed positive attitude to everyone that joins me at Easy Divers Cyprus for their training. Joey Ridge is the In House Resident Course Director in Cyprus.

Easy Divers is the only dive center in Protaras to have been awarded the prestigious PADI IDC rating. With our own in-house Course Director, you can be assured of quality Training and Experiences.

This means that PADI have recognised the excellence in the services that we provide for our divers.

That means we can provide you with the full range of Padi Courses and dive services, all the way from absolute scuba divers, beginners, Scuba Internships to Padi Open Water Diver Instructor Courses.

You will receive only the finest level of tuition and professionalism, when you go scuba diving Cyprus.

Easy Divers began as a small concern and over the past 8 years and has grown to become a PADI 5* Instructor Development Centre. We are the leading Scuba Diver Operations in Protaras, Taking Professional Scuba Diving to the next level, offering all aspects of diver training and Professional Diver Training. We are also the largest and finest retail dive stores in Protaras Ayia Napa area.

We are proud to have been awarded many certificates of excellence from PADI and our customers. Our 5 star PADI IDC centre offers Padi Courses from try dives through toPadi instructor level. W combine the academics at our centre and the Mediterranean Sea for the practical part of the Padi Course, what a perfect way to learn to dive.

We limit our numbers of Candidates to help you improve and learn better and faster.

Padi IDC Staff courses available on all the above dates
(Staff course starts two days before IDC)

Similar to the partnership between AI's and Instructors, Padi IDC Staff Instructors work closely with Course Directors, an important team members in the instructor training process.

As a Staff Instructor you may assist instructor development programs and instructor-level continuing education programs. You can also teach the PADI Assistant Instructor Course, a responsibility only you and a PADI Course Director share.

Our Padi IDC Staff Instructor Course gives you at least two full-days with the Course Director prior to an Padi IDC, then you'll take part in a complete Padi IDC program. Even if you don't have the goal of becoming a Course Director, the Staff Course will give you a real "vitamin injection" in your existing teaching techniques.

PADI IDC Staff Course. As a seasoned PADI Instructor, you have wisdom and experience to share with up-and-coming PADI leaders, Divemasters and Assistant Instructors. And, you know that continuing your education never ends.

As an Instructor Development Course (Padi IDC), Padi IDC Staff Instructor, you help bring up the next generation of PADI Instructors while gaining in-depth instructor-trainer knowledge. Because Padi IDC Staff Instructors are an integral part of the PADI IDC, you set the stage for moving on to Master Instructors or even PADI Course Director, you present topics in the Padi IDC and help shape PADI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors into PADI Open Water Instructors.

In addition to all the courses you can teach as a PADI Instructor, you can also

A PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre (Padi 5 Star IDC) is a dive center that not only meets all 5 Star Dive Centre standards, but also offers PADI Instructor-level training. A PADI 5 Star IDC offers dive consumers programs to fulfill their educational goals from entry-level training up through instructor-level certifications.

Having a PADI Course Director on staff indicates the 5 Star IDC's commitment to offering instructor development programs and continuing education opportunities to dive professionals. By offering PADI Instructor-level training, a PADI 5 Star IDC takes on the responsibility of developing PADI Instructors. Here at Easy Divers we have our own Course Director, Joey Ridge and staff to answer all your questions.