Toby took his Divemaster course with us in November 2022.
Where are you from and how did you start diving?
I grew up in the southwest of England on the Jurassic Coast. I started diving in and around Lyme Bay, based out of a town called Weymouth. It began as a job selling ice creams at a dive center and ended with me, at 18, working as a rescue diver, helping lead dives on the shipwrecks in the English Channel.
What made you decide to embark on the IDC or Divemaster course?
I had just finished studying marine biology and wanted a way to travel while building my career at the same time. Combining my education with diving seemed like a great idea.
What was your favourite part/highlight of the training?
The highlight for me was the people I met and the experiences I had, both in and out of the water, with Purple Dive. Almost two years on, it’s still one of the best dive centers I’ve been around. I still regularly speak to some of my Divemaster buddies I took the course with. Great people, great teaching, and amazing dives all rolled into one.
What was your biggest challenge and how did the team help you overcome this?
I think the biggest challenge for me was finding a way into a professional diving job in Asia as a Divemaster after the course. They helped by giving me the right professional experience to sell myself as a Divemaster, along with advice on where and how to apply for the next step.
Where are you working now and what is your current role?
I’m now working at a resort in South Ari Atoll, Maldives, as the head marine biologist and a dive instructor for the dive center.
What is your favourite part about your job?
I really enjoy running conservation work for the resort and trying to find innovative ways to rebuild the ecosystem in an ever-changing ocean climate. It’s also wonderful to regularly see whale sharks and enjoy the awesome diving around here which adds to the excitement of my job.
How did your training at Purple Dive prepare or facilitate you in finding/working as a dive professional?
During my training at Purple Dive, I met some valuable contacts who provided great advice. When I applied for my first Divemaster job in Thailand, they offered a lot of support with writing my CV and more. However, the wealth of guiding experience I gained during my course was I think the main thing that made me much more employable and, in turn, better at my following role as a DM in Thailand.
What is your best dive to this day?
It’s very hard to say. Diving alongside a pod of over 100 bottlenose dolphins recently, just me and my two students, was a real highlight. However, it’s tough to top seeing four whale sharks on one dive a while back, which also deserves an honorable mention. Additionally, seeing mola mola in Nusa Penida and jumping thresher sharks in Malapascua are at the top of my list.
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