Is it too late for me to do a PADI Divemaster Internship?

Are you worried that your age my hinder your ability to sign up for a PADI Divemaster Internship? Keep reading and I’ll tell you all about my experience in Bali!

I had been working as a healthcare provider for 17 years, I had achieved all the professional goals I had set for myself, and my future looked fairly mapped out…but that was the problem.

An interest outside of work about which I was passionate was scuba diving but, like most people, I was only an advanced open water diver and I only managed to go diving maybe once a year on vacation. I was a little late to the party at the age of 40 but I decided I wanted to take my diving to the next level! I began taking specialty courses in my local area on the weekends and fell more in love with the sport.

I stumbled across a woman’s blog posted on the PADI Facebook page describing her experience doing a PADI Divemaster Internship in the Canary Islands. Whoa! Combining my two great passions: travel and diving?  Where do I sign up?? I discovered that there are PADI Divemaster / Instructor Internships all over the world and I began to dream of getting out of my office for a month or so to jet off to some exotic location. But I was also worried that maybe I was a bit old to be taking on this challenge. How physically demanding will it be? Will I be able to keep up with everyone else? Having had five knee surgeries, this was a legitimate concern for me. But I figured if I didn’t try, the answer would definitely be ‘no.’ So I took the plunge!

I began researching PADI Divemaster Internships and Bali kept popping up as the best learning environment: great reviews on the professional programs, warm water temperatures, and stunning dive sites and aquatic life. Blue Season Bali in Sanur stood out in particular so off to Bali I went!

My concerns about my age and my possible physical limitations soon melted away! All of my Instructors at Blue Season Bali were incredibly supportive and encouraging, meeting me at my skill level and helping me develop at my own pace. I was assigned an Instructor that acted as a mentor so anytime I had questions or concerns, she was always available. But in fact, all of the Instructors offered their assistance! If I felt like I wasn’t excelling in a particular area, they would carve out time to help me. I also loved Blue Season Bali’s emphasis on marine conservation thus improving my dive skills whilst also making me a conscientious diver. Also, concerning divers with physical limitations, PADI is wonderful at focusing on what the diver can do rather than focusing on what they can’t.

Now, not only am I a PADI Divemaster, I am currently taking the IDC Instructor course, thanks to the encouragement of my Instructors! Never was I made to feel like my age was a limitation. All that is required is that you be young at heart and be eager to share the joy of diving with others!

Are you keen on embarking on a PADI Divemaster Internship – or a combination of Instructor Internship and PADI Divemaster Internship? Feel free to get in touch if you have any concerns about your age, your physical limitations or your ability to get through the internships! Can you guess what the age of our oldest PADI Divemaster Internship student at Blue Season Bali is? Let us know in the comments!