{"id":340,"date":"2021-09-21T03:50:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T03:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?p=340"},"modified":"2021-09-21T04:13:00","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T04:13:00","slug":"covid-19-hit-then-i-turned-my-dream-into-a-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?p=340","title":{"rendered":"Covid-19 hit, then I turned my dream into a reality&#8230;."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"342\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=342\" class=\"wp-image-342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/145032225_3938934356118915_7530109465165862340_n-1.jpg 1680w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"353\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=353\" class=\"wp-image-353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/131426653_3814856985193320_4826768367408865230_n.jpg 1944w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Mao Mao<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-21-at-3.18.30-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"260\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-21-at-3.18.30-PM.png\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"354\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-21-at-3.18.30-PM.png\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=354\" class=\"wp-image-354\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n-1024x408.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"344\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=344\" class=\"wp-image-344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n-1024x408.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n-768x306.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n-1536x612.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/193680556_4330572383621775_3471429184695250366_n.jpg 1772w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DiveHQWesthaven\/photos\/?ref=page_internal\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DiveHQWesthaven\/photos\/?ref=page_internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">More Photos <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve always loved the ocean, growing up snorkelling and exploring this magnificent underwater world that we are lucky to have such easy access to here in New Zealand. I\u2019ve been diving since I was 15 where I did my Open Water course in The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Since then, I\u2019ve had the chance to dive in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam. My love for travel and diving come hand-in-hand and that\u2019s exactly why I have always dreamt of becoming a scuba dive instructor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Poor Knights - Blue Mao Mao Arch \ud83d\udc1f \ud83d\udc1f \ud83d\udc1f\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UOOPZpd3Sfs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>The Poor Knights, Blue Mao Moa Arch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When Covid hit I had to make the hard choice to return home from my year abroad in the mountains of Canada. It was time for a new challenge based in New Zealand, so I decided to take the leap and sign up for the August 2020 Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction with The Academy of Diving at Dive HQ Auckland and start working hard towards turning my dream into reality. This diploma takes you from PADI Open Water diver to PADI Specialty Instructor. This meant that I had the chance to refresh my open water skills. Whether you\u2019ve been diving for years or you\u2019re a complete newbie this course is the perfect place to begin your journey. I chose to do the NZQA diploma in Scuba with Dive HQ Auckland as we get to dive in beautiful sites around Leigh including Goat Island where the marine life is incredible, and the snapper are friendly! There\u2019s also some diving in Lake Pupuke which I promise, even though cold winter days and temperamental visibility, will make you a better diver especially with your buoyancy and navigation skills. The team at Dive HQ has been supportive throughout our course, constantly pushing us to do our best and sharing their love of diving with us. Even when the going gets tough we stay motivated and persevere towards our goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"348\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=348\" class=\"wp-image-348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/197989565_4330563753622638_8501326251971276719_n.jpg 1680w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"349\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=349\" class=\"wp-image-349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n-1536x861.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242502156_614507302876058_4745434866204749585_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"350\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.divehqwesthaven.co.nz\/blog\/?attachment_id=350\" class=\"wp-image-350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/242616601_548067532977070_566020471216253146_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlights of the course for me definitely has to be our trips. Our first trip was with <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/YukonDiveCharters\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/YukonDiveCharters\/\" target=\"_blank\">Yukon Dive<\/a> to the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nzdiving.co.nz\/courses\/hen-chicken-island-charter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nzdiving.co.nz\/courses\/hen-chicken-island-charter\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hen and Chicken Islands<\/a> to see two incredible dive sites teeming with life. Another to Taupo to do the epic <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Id0u6aLE4rg\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Id0u6aLE4rg\" target=\"_blank\">drift dive<\/a> down the river with the trout and petrified trees. We also had two trips up to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2jEFn83BeC4\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2jEFn83BeC4\" target=\"_blank\">Northland Dive<\/a> to dive the Rainbow Warrior and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2jEFn83BeC4\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2jEFn83BeC4\" target=\"_blank\">HMNZS Canterb<\/a>ury. The first trip in the Rescue portion of the course and our second in our final weeks of the IDC (Instructor Development Course) where we got to penetrate the HMNZS Canterbury as part of working towards our wreck speciality. With wreck diving there is always a big emphasis on safety, so we go through all the basics before the dive on dry land to make sure it\u2019s fully understood how to correctly lay and retrieve a wreck line. The team at Dive HQ is there supporting us in how to become the best instructors we can and ensuring we are confident in our methods. We got to go out with Yukon Dive again on our graduation trip to the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UOOPZpd3Sfs\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UOOPZpd3Sfs\" target=\"_blank\">Poor Knights<\/a>, Tutukaka. Where we explored some mind-blowing dive sites. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UOOPZpd3Sfs\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UOOPZpd3Sfs\" target=\"_blank\">Blue Mao Mao Arch<\/a> was one of the sites we dived and you can guess from the name that this swim through under the arch was filled with Blue Mao Mao, along with plenty of other fish life. Middle Arch has to be my favourite dive site at The Poor Knights as I\u2019m a big fan of <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/niwa.co.nz\/coasts-and-oceans\/marine-identification-guides-and-fact-sheets\/super-sea-slugs\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/niwa.co.nz\/coasts-and-oceans\/marine-identification-guides-and-fact-sheets\/super-sea-slugs\" target=\"_blank\">nudibranchs<\/a> and I saw a great deal of Gem and Clown Doris on the colourful walls of this dive site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>There\u2019s also some diving in Lake Pupuke which I promise, even though cold winter days and temperamental visibility, will make you a better diver especially with your buoyancy and navigation skills.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SEND IT!!!! Down the Waikato River \ud83e\udd19\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Id0u6aLE4rg?start=33&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The hard work and perseverance all pays off after the final PADI IDC exams when you graduate as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. You\u2019re now qualified and ready to tackle the real world of diving, everyone\u2019s excited for what\u2019s to come and for all the new adventures that lay ahead of us. The learning doesn\u2019t just stop here though, and that\u2019s what I love about this career pathway. There are so many ways we can continue to grow as professional divers, whether it\u2019s in our teaching styles, new courses to deliver, or within our own personal diving. I know I want to get into technical diving so I can explore caves such as <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/masterliveaboards.com\/blue-holes-of-the-bahamas\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/masterliveaboards.com\/blue-holes-of-the-bahamas\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great Blue Hole in the Bahamas<\/a> and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/scubadiverlife.com\/dive-site-orda-cave\/#:~:text=Orda%20Cave%20is%20one%20of,the%20world's%20best%20cave%20dives.&amp;text=Deep%20within%20the%20gypsum%20bedrock,underwater%20caves%20in%20the%20world.\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scubadiverlife.com\/dive-site-orda-cave\/#:~:text=Orda%20Cave%20is%20one%20of,the%20world's%20best%20cave%20dives.&amp;text=Deep%20within%20the%20gypsum%20bedrock,underwater%20caves%20in%20the%20world.\" target=\"_blank\">Orda Cave in Russia<\/a>, maybe even some ice diving in Canada! The future holds so many great opportunities and new dive sites to explore all over the world. But for now, I have a job offer in Rarotonga as a dive instructor so I\u2019m patiently waiting for this lockdown to be over so I can continue my diving journey sipping on coconuts every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>But for now, I have a job offer in Rarotonga<\/p><cite>KATIE<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to Katie for writing this blog for us during Lockdown in NZ 8\/21. You worked so hard to get where you are and all the effort, resilience and tenacity paid off. You got where you wanted to get to and are ready to start your career in a fantastic location in the Pacific. Fingers crossed you are in time to see the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.livingoceansfoundation.org\/humpback-whale-season\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.livingoceansfoundation.org\/humpback-whale-season\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hump Back Whales <\/a>Cruise by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color\">How do you become a PADI Dive Instructor and enter the dive industry here or overseas?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul><li>Click through here to find out <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/career-courses\/diploma\/diploma-information\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/career-courses\/diploma\/diploma-information\" target=\"_blank\">more info and FAQ&#8217;s <\/a><\/li><li>Book a call text &#8216;careers&#8217; to 02102508990<\/li><li>Download enrolment forms for Feb 2022  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1m45lUsrf4u-oeJJUYwBX4-y8FYEvOEjF?usp=sharing\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1m45lUsrf4u-oeJJUYwBX4-y8FYEvOEjF?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\">click here\ud83c\udf93<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Are you <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.feesfree.govt.nz\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.feesfree.govt.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\">Fees Free<\/a> or <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.studylink.govt.nz\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.studylink.govt.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\">Study-liink<\/a> Eligible? Click to check<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Michelle, Mike and the crew at Dive HQ Auckland \ud83d\udc0b<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Thanks to Chris Hailey our PADI Course Director for all his videos and photographs. Check out his own Youtube Channel here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Scuba Diving\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/videoseries?list=PLSbcO4KFARWCwMF_A6HoRwIurz49s0yGi\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-tag-cloud\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=academy-of-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-114 tag-link-position-1\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"Academy of Diving (5 items)\">Academy of Diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=adventure-hobbies-nz\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-127 tag-link-position-2\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"adventure hobbies nz (3 items)\">adventure hobbies nz<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-dive-shop\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-38 tag-link-position-3\" style=\"font-size: 16.235294117647pt;\" aria-label=\"auckland dive shop (7 items)\">auckland dive shop<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-dive-shops\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-33 tag-link-position-4\" style=\"font-size: 21.176470588235pt;\" aria-label=\"auckland dive shops (11 items)\">auckland dive shops<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-dive-trips\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-43 tag-link-position-5\" style=\"font-size: 18.980392156863pt;\" aria-label=\"Auckland dive trips (9 items)\">Auckland dive trips<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-12 tag-link-position-6\" style=\"font-size: 17.607843137255pt;\" aria-label=\"auckland diving (8 items)\">auckland diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-scuba\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-24 tag-link-position-7\" style=\"font-size: 20.078431372549pt;\" aria-label=\"auckland scuba (10 items)\">auckland scuba<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=auckland-scuba-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-112 tag-link-position-8\" style=\"font-size: 18.980392156863pt;\" aria-label=\"Auckland Scuba Diving (9 items)\">Auckland Scuba Diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=careers-in-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-48 tag-link-position-9\" style=\"font-size: 16.235294117647pt;\" aria-label=\"careers in diving (7 items)\">careers in diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=cave-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-31 tag-link-position-10\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"cave diving (4 items)\">cave diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=cave-diving-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-30 tag-link-position-11\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"cave diving New Zealand (5 items)\">cave diving New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=diploma\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-55 tag-link-position-12\" style=\"font-size: 20.078431372549pt;\" aria-label=\"diploma (10 items)\">diploma<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-50 tag-link-position-13\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"dive (3 items)\">dive<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-gear\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-41 tag-link-position-14\" style=\"font-size: 14.862745098039pt;\" aria-label=\"Dive gear (6 items)\">Dive gear<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-gear-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-36 tag-link-position-15\" style=\"font-size: 20.078431372549pt;\" aria-label=\"dive gear auckland (10 items)\">dive gear auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-hq\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-56 tag-link-position-16\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"dive hq (3 items)\">dive hq<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-hq-westhaven\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-47 tag-link-position-17\" style=\"font-size: 16.235294117647pt;\" aria-label=\"DIve HQ Westhaven (7 items)\">DIve HQ Westhaven<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-shop-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-6 tag-link-position-18\" style=\"font-size: 14.862745098039pt;\" aria-label=\"dive shop auckland (6 items)\">dive shop auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=dive-trips-new-zeland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-42 tag-link-position-19\" style=\"font-size: 18.980392156863pt;\" aria-label=\"Dive Trips New Zeland (9 items)\">Dive Trips New Zeland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-25 tag-link-position-20\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"diving (4 items)\">diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=diving-jobs-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-27 tag-link-position-21\" style=\"font-size: 18.980392156863pt;\" aria-label=\"diving jobs New Zealand (9 items)\">diving jobs New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=diving-lessons-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-35 tag-link-position-22\" style=\"font-size: 17.607843137255pt;\" aria-label=\"diving lessons auckland (8 items)\">diving lessons auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=free-diving-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-32 tag-link-position-23\" style=\"font-size: 14.862745098039pt;\" aria-label=\"free diving New Zealand (6 items)\">free diving New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=goat-island\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-40 tag-link-position-24\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"Goat Island (3 items)\">Goat Island<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=i-want-to-learn-to-dive-in-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-44 tag-link-position-25\" style=\"font-size: 22pt;\" aria-label=\"I want to learn to dive in Auckland (12 items)\">I want to learn to dive in Auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=learn-to-dive\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-88 tag-link-position-26\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"learn to dive (5 items)\">learn to dive<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=learn-to-dive-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-22 tag-link-position-27\" style=\"font-size: 17.607843137255pt;\" aria-label=\"learn to dive auckland (8 items)\">learn to dive auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=new-zealand-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-5 tag-link-position-28\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"New Zealand diving (5 items)\">New Zealand diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=new-zealand-padi\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-73 tag-link-position-29\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"new zealand padi (4 items)\">new zealand padi<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=new-zealand-scuba-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-9 tag-link-position-30\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"New Zealand scuba diving (3 items)\">New Zealand scuba diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=padi\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-46 tag-link-position-31\" style=\"font-size: 16.235294117647pt;\" aria-label=\"PADI (7 items)\">PADI<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=padi-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-20 tag-link-position-32\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"padi New Zealand (4 items)\">padi New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-49 tag-link-position-33\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba (5 items)\">scuba<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-dive-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-19 tag-link-position-34\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba dive New Zealand (5 items)\">scuba dive New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-diving\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-79 tag-link-position-35\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba diving (4 items)\">scuba diving<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-diving-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-8 tag-link-position-36\" style=\"font-size: 12.941176470588pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba diving auckland (5 items)\">scuba diving auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-diving-course-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-21 tag-link-position-37\" style=\"font-size: 17.607843137255pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba diving course auckland (8 items)\">scuba diving course auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-diving-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-4 tag-link-position-38\" style=\"font-size: 18.980392156863pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba diving New Zealand (9 items)\">scuba diving New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=scuba-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-17 tag-link-position-39\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"scuba New Zealand (4 items)\">scuba New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=snorkeling-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-16 tag-link-position-40\" style=\"font-size: 16.235294117647pt;\" aria-label=\"snorkeling auckland (7 items)\">snorkeling auckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=snorkelling-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-28 tag-link-position-41\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"snorkelling New Zealand (3 items)\">snorkelling New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=studyinauckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-138 tag-link-position-42\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"StudyinAuckland (4 items)\">StudyinAuckland<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=travel\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-84 tag-link-position-43\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"travel (3 items)\">travel<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=wetsuit-new-zealand\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-26 tag-link-position-44\" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\" aria-label=\"wetsuit New Zealand (3 items)\">wetsuit New Zealand<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/?tag=wetsuits-auckland\" class=\"tag-cloud-link tag-link-7 tag-link-position-45\" style=\"font-size: 10.745098039216pt;\" aria-label=\"wetsuits auckland (4 items)\">wetsuits auckland<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019ve always loved the ocean, growing up snorkelling and exploring this magnificent underwater world that we are lucky to have such easy access to here in New Zealand. I\u2019ve been diving since I was 15 where I did my Open Water course in The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Since then, I\u2019ve had the chance to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[33,55,132,8,4],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=340"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":363,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions\/363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.divehqauckland.co.nz\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}