By becoming a PADI Divemaster course, you can do what you love to do as a career. Scuba divers look up to divemasters because they are leaders who mentor and motivate others. As a PADI Divemaster, you not only get to dive a lot, but also see others have as much fun diving as you do.

PADI Divemaster Chris Haylock from Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia had a complete change of career and lifestyle after learning to dive. Here’s his take on going pro.

Describe a typical day in your working life as a PADI Divemaster.

Customers start to arrive at the shop around 6am for the first boat trip, so we have already started getting the gear ready and loaded by then. As a PADI Divemaster I can be responsible for organizing gear for customers and students, briefing the divers before we leave, assisting with student divers if needed and guiding certified divers around the sites. We run two trips a day to a number of local sites which are a short boat ride away, including the Cook Island Marine Reserve and a number of surrounding reefs. We do local shore dives daily and, depending on the staff rosters, also have pool sessions to help out with. Every day is different — which is something I love about the job!

When and where did you start diving?

I did my PADI Open Water Diver course on a liveaboard trip out of Cairns in early 2014. It was unreal to learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. I fell in love with diving and I haven’t looked back since.

When and where did you become a PADI Divemaster?

My training, from the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course through to my PADI Divemaster course, was completed on the Gold Coast with Kirra Dive. They have such an experienced team of staff to learn from, as well as easy access to incredible diving. I have really enjoyed it! I became a PADI Divemaster by the end of 2014 and I’m still currently with Kirra Dive.

What made you choose to become a PADI Professional?

When I completed my PADI Open Water Diver course I knew that I wanted to go further. From meeting other PADI Divemasters involved with the course and seeing what the day-to-day life was like and the responsibilities involved, I decided that’s what I wanted to do. From years of working in construction it really has been a complete change in career and lifestyle for me.** **

What highlights do you recall from your PADI Divemaster course?

I met some great people during the course and it was a lot of fun. I think helping out with student divers, getting them in the water and safely enjoying diving really made it rewarding. We got to explore a lot different dive sites along the way also.

What dive locations are on your bucket list and why?

I would like to dive my way around the world! I really want to dive with hammerhead sharks so I think the Galapagos Islands are No. 1 on my list. This year will be my first trip to Fiji with the Kirra Dive team; they do shark-feeding dives over there so I can’t wait for that!

What has been the most memorable dive of your life?

Seeing manta rays for the first time is the most memorable dive for me so far. We were on our local boat dive in perfect conditions off Cook Island Marine Reserve, just 600 meters offshore and four kilometers south of Tweed Heads — it’s a day I will never forget.

What words of advice and encouragement would you give to divers thinking of becoming a PADI Divemaster?

My only advice to anyone thinking of becoming a PADI Divemaster is to do it! It is definitely the most rewarding thing that I have done. Whether you are looking for a career change or just enjoy diving, there are so many opportunities waiting for you. Being a PADI Divemaster can take you anywhere in the world.