TRAINING continued Although the gentleman didn’t give me the time to address the issue during our conversation, it got me thinking. Back in the day, we took time to engage with students beyond the classroom. After the final class, we’d go out for pizza and chat. We wore scuba-branded clothing, left tips with business cards, and actively promoted diving wherever we went.
drew you into scuba and what kept you hooked. Chances are, there was someone who made an impact on your diving journey. For me, it was the time spent after classes, taking divers back into the water and showing them what diving was all about. Their excitement was contagious, and it still motivates me today. Classes are an excellent way to keep divers active, but
I remember leaving a card at a local pub once. When the waitress mentioned she al- ready had one but hadn’t used it, I encour- aged her to keep it and give diving a try. A few weeks later, she and a friend came into the shop. At DEMA, I met people who did- n’t even have business cards. That’s a shame. We used to host cookouts at the lake dur- ing certification dives or visit a nearby pub afterward. These social gatherings helped us
sometimes simply inviting them out for a casual dive is even more reward- ing. This approach might be all it takes to create a lifelong customer. You’ll likely find more enjoyment for yourself as well when you dive for fun. Plus, when divers see how enjoy- able diving can be, they often sign up for additional classes without much effort. This is similar to the "puppy dog close" in sales — let them expe-
Ice Diving near Chicago
connect with students, and they got to know us better, too. We built bonds with them, and some of those students are still diving with us today. In short, we were promoting diving all the time. We engaged in fun and social activities, knowing that our stu- dents had enrolled in dive classes because they wanted to dive. So, we made time to actually go diving with them. That was — and still is — the key. Today, too many instructors complete their teaching ob- ligations and stop there. But not every dive needs to be a training dive. Take your students out for fun dives. Snap pictures and share them. If you’re too busy, invite them out and have a Divemaster lead the dives. This not only engages new divers but also provides great training for Divemasters. It can’t always be about money. Try to remember what
rience it, and they’ll want to stick around.We all have a pas- sion for diving. Sharing that passion not only helps grow the community but also prevents burnout. After all, if you’re having fun, it doesn’t feel like work. Another way to engage divers is to celebrate their achieve- ments. Back in the day, we hosted an awards banquet every December, complete with diplomas and trophies. We’d draw a crowd of about 100 people, and the event inspired friendly competition. Divers who watched others receive awards often told me, “Next year, I’ll be up there.” So, make time for fun dives with your students, and never lose sight
of what brought you into this industry. Keep divers engaged, and you’ll not only see your numbers grow but also rediscover the joy of diving yourself.
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Cathryn Castle Garcia & Alex Brylske
DEMA SHOW 2024 Our Crew At the NOGIs Colin Taylor, Jeff Bozanic, Liz Parkinson, Tara Artner Amber & Patty
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