Pro Dive Cairns earns a remarkable world first in certifying 100,000 PADI divers
04 November 2008

In what is a world first achievement, on the 1st November 2008, Maike Federhenn from Germany achieved the unique status of being the 100,000th PADI certification to be issued by leading Cairns dive operator, Pro Dive Cairns.

PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) is the largest dive education company in the world and have acknowledged that Pro Dive Cairns’ achievement is a world first in the global dive industry.

This historic event was celebrated with a function on Saturday evening (Nov 1) at Rydges Plaza Cairns. Senior delegates from PADI Australia made the trip up to Cairns to celebrate this major milestone with management and staff from Pro Dive Cairns along with a number of Local Touristy Industry leaders.

Despite a downturn in the tourism industry, Pro Dive Cairns has had a big year. On top of this world first achievement, the company this year acquired more land to allow for further expansion of their diver training facilities, celebrated their 25th birthday, and also relocated their dive shop to a new state-of-the-art retail centre in the heart of Cairns.

L to R: Rod Punshon, Julie Lee, Steve Brady

L to R: Rod Punshon, Susan Majaupa, Maike Federhenn, Henrik Nimb, Danny Dwyer

Commenting on the company’s milestones, Pro Dive Cairns Managing Director, Rod Punshon said, "We are extremely proud of our achievements and the reputation we’ve built over the years. The fact that so many people have chosen Pro Dive Cairns to teach them to dive is very satisfying and reflects our philosophy of ‘quality over quantity’ and a commitment to providing the best possible dive education and trips over many years."

"Our longevity in business over the past 25 years, especially in challenging times like the present, is an outstanding testament to the dedication and professionalism of all our staff, as well the quality and reputation of our product."

Danny Dwyer (Manager, Marketing & Business Development - PADI Asia Pacific,) said, "Our entire team at PADI would like to congratulate the team at Pro Dive Cairns on reaching the remarkable milestone of 100,000 PADI students. While 100,000 PADI students is an outstanding numerical achievement we applaud Pro Dive Cairns commitment to teaching safe and responsible dive courses as their first priority. Pro Dive Cairns offers its customers a world class training facility, retail store and dive vessels which has obviously proved very popular with visitors to the Great Barrier Reef looking for comfort and quality. Our two companies have shared a strong and successful business partnership over a 25 year period and we’re looking forward to sharing more success in the coming 25 years".

Established in 1983, Pro Dive Cairns has built an enviable international reputation as one of the world’s premier dive schools and liveaboard dive trip operators.

Today, with a team of 55 local staff, Pro Dive owns and operates a purpose built 5 star PADI Diver Training Centre as well as three premier 25 metre liveaboard vessels that conduct 3 day / 2 night trips to the Outer Reefs off Cairns 6 times each week, all year round.

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Pro Dive Cairns Eco Friendly Operations Awarded
06 May 2008

Pro Dive Cairns is proud to have recently been accredited Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia for their training courses and Great Barrier Reef liveaboard dive trips.

This is in recognition of the environmental initiatives implemented to ensure the sustainability of Pro Dive’s operation and to contribute to the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. As part of their reef experience Pro Dive ensures visitors have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the spectacular marine environment. Pro Dive is now moving towards further enhance the sustainability and obtaining Advanced Eco Certification.

In addition to being awarded this Eco Certification, Pro Dive’s commitment to the ongoing conservation of the Great Barrier Reef received further recognition recently from internationally renowned Dive Agency "PADI" as a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator.

Project Aware is PADI’s own eco program and is awarded to operators who are dedicated to protecting our marine environment through responsible business practices and to providing visitors with dive experiences that enhance visitor awareness of our local aquatic environment.

International Award for Pro Dive Cairns
28 April 2008

Leading Cairns dive operator, Pro Dive Cairns has received the prestigious Outstanding Business Award (Dive Centre/Resort) at the 2008 PADI Asia Pacific Region Member Awards announced in Singapore recently (18/4/08).

This highly contested award from internationally renowned Dive Agency "PADI" recognizes outstanding business performance, initiatives and achievements across all areas of business operation.

"Achieving this award in our 25th year of operation is a significant milestone and recognition of our team’s commitment to safety, quality and professionalism," said Pro Dive Cairns Managing Director, Rod Punshon.

It’s been a busy start to the company’s 25th year having also been accredited with Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia in recognition of environmental initiatives and sustainability, as well as being awarded a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator, PADI’s own eco program.

Pro Dive Cairns General Manager, Rod Punshon, congratulates Ian Davies - Pro Dive’s 90,000th PADI certification

Pro Dive Cairns Celebrates Impressive Industry Milestone - Its 90,000th PADI Certification
20 June 2007

In an amazing achievement rarely attained in the global dive industry, Pro Dive Cairns passed another industry milestone on Sunday 24 June when they issued their 90,000th PADI dive certification to English tourist, Ian Davies. (PADI is the largest global diver education system.)

Ian, who came to Cairns to dive on the Great Barrier Reef and complete his PADI Advanced Diver certification as part of his Australian holiday, was overwhelmed at his experience and good fortune.

For Ian, the day was a truly memorable one as he not only received a commemorative certificate as the 90,000th certification, he also received $1000 in prizes from Pro Dive. "I had heard that Pro Dive Cairns were the best people to go with and also some friends who had completed their dive course with Pro Dive had recommended them highly," said Ian. "It was a really terrific experience and I loved the whole thing. The instructors were great and the Reef was amazing!"

Since 1983, Pro Dive Cairns has built an international reputation as one of the world’s premier dive schools and is renown in the dive industry for quality and professionalism.

"We are very proud to have achieved this impressive milestone of 90,000 PADI certifications, and we are even prouder of the number of people from around the world who have chosen us for their dive course experience," said Pro Dive Cairns General Manager, Rod Punshon.

"Our focus has always been on quality over quantity and our great reputation as an industry leader has been achieved due to this."