So long, and thanks for all the fish...

So here we are again, the end of another season for Anti Gravity Divers Koh Lanta, and what a season it's been. We've managed to accomplish all of our usual activities ranging from amazing dive trips to awesome snorkeling trips, fun staff trips to beach cleanups and from certifying new divers to certifying a new batch of PADI Dive Masters. We also managed to fit in our new PADI Sidemount Courses and I'm sure there was something else.....?

Ah yes, we managed to become a PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Dive Resort and conduct our first PADI Instructor Development Course and we are very proud of our first 6 candidates who were all successful in their Instructor Exam conducted right here on Koh Lanta. We wish them all the best in their new careers and can't wait to conduct our next course in October.

Details for all our Instructor Courses will be found at Go-Pro Lanta's Facebook Page as well as our Anti Gravity Facebook Page and of course right here on our website. Thanks go out to Azman Sulaiman and Go-Pro Malaysia and to all our staff and friends who helped make this possible.


Anti Gravity Divers PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Dive Resort - we like our new title :)

We also would like to thank PADI for their help in conducting our first Go-Pro Career Information Evening at Amantra Resort where we are based and to PADI's regional manager of Thailand Tony Andrews for being the guest speaker and for being so supportive of our little Dive Center.

We hope that everyone that attended enjoyed the information and stories that were shared and we look forward to many more events where we can help share all of the new ideas and plans that PADI have for the future. We will keep you updated on dates for our future events.

Our first batch of PADI Instructors :)

So all that remains is to thank all our new and past divers, our staff and boat crew for all their hard work over the last few years and all our friends who have supported us  :)

We have all more or less relocated for the low season but we are still available via our usual email addresses found on this site. Just bear in mind it may take a bit longer for a response since we are usually found on remote islands with limited internet connection.

            Thank you all and we will see you next season for more diving fun :) :) :)

Instructor Development Course - IDC

Anti Gravity Divers are proud to announce the dates for our first PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) on Koh Lanta in April 2013 in association with Gopromalaysia and Platinum Course Director Azman Sulaiman.

Are you a Divemaster who is ready to take your Diving Career to the next level? Are you already a Diver who dreams of being able to share your passion with others? Do you want to live your dream of introducing others to our amazing underwater world?  Then this is your chance. Are you ready to transform your life?

PADI Course Director Azman Sulaiman has been awarded the prestigious Platinum PADI Course Director rating since the first year PADI introduced this award in 2005. Platinum rating is awarded only to PADI Course Directors who train at least 100 PADI Instructor candidates during each calendar year with the highest success rate and have a strong PADI Instructor level continuing education program. There are only 63 PADI Course Directors worldwide who received Platinum PADI Course Director rating in 2009. In 2009, PADI Course Director Azman certified more than 200 Instructor candidates from PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) up to PADI IDC Staff Instructor (IDCSI). 

PADI Professional-Level Training:

• Helps you expand your knowledge of dive theory.
• Teaches you to apply the PADI System to confined water skills, knowledge development presentations, and open water training.
• Provides career opportunities worldwide.
• Expands your knowledge of scuba gear.
• Enables you to meet and network with other dive professionals worldwide.
• Provides you with professional continuing education options.
• Lets you do what you love! 

Anti Gravity Divers IDC Schedule

March 30th onwards : IDC Prep

April 03rd to 13th : IDC

April 14th to 15th : IE (held on Koh Lanta)

There are hundreds of PADI Course Directors and PADI IDC Centers around the world offering PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDC), but not all PADI IDCs are the same. So why Go-Pro with us? Check out Gopromalaysia now to find out why...

"Our PADI Instructor Development programs has been proven to be successful and conducted to the highest quality available in Asia. Gopro-Malaysia and PADI Course Director Azman have received several PADI Instructor Development Awards and Recognitions in the last 8 years! We are the winner of PADI Asia Pacific PADI Instructor Development Award for two consecutive years - 2009 and 2010!" - Gopromalaysia

For more details about this IDC contact us now. And contact PADI Course Director Azman for more information about all his PADI Gopro and PADI Instructor Development Courses in Perhentian Island Malaysia, and Koh Lanta Thailand.

Are you ready to transform your life?

Can I take the PADI Open Water?

This is probably the question we hear asked most often. Obviously taking a Dive Course means you will learn new skills that will allow you to dive in the future, but it is your Instructors job to introduce you to these skills and get you through the course. But there are 3 important things you need in order to be able to take the PADI Open Water Course in the first place and if you cannot meet these requirements, these are the things you should work at before taking your Open Water Course.

1) Minimum Age - The minimum age to take the PADI Open Water Course is 10 years old. Only time can help you with this one ;)

2) Medical Questionnaire - The purpose of the Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before participating in recreational diver training. A positive response to a question on the medical does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. It just means that there is a preexisting condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in dive activities. If you can answer "No" to each question then you do not need to visit a doctor prior to taking the course.

Download a scuba medical questionnaire here (PDF)

3) Swimming Skills - You do not need to have expert-level swimming abilities in order to dive.  However to complete the PADI Open Water Course you do need to be able to complete the following...

•  swim, float or tread water for 10 minutes without using any swim aids.
•  swim continuously for 200m OR snorkel for 300m with mask, fins and snorkel. 

If you cannot meet these requirements, it does not mean you cannot dive. Maybe consider building confidence in a pool first before attempting the PADI Open Water Course or you can consider taking the PADI Scuba Diver Course (only the 10-minute float requirement is needed) or participate in the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience (no swimming skills required) to gain some experience. 

If you can already meet these 3 requirements then you're ready to take the PADI Open Water Course. 

Everyone who takes the PADI Open Water Course has their own personal concerns and fears to overcome. Maybe you are scared of how it will feel or the thought of breathing underwater seems alien to you. You might worry about meeting certain fish or think the equipment will be complicated to use.

All of these are normal concerns and that is why we provide books, dvds and classroom sessions to help answer these questions and we begin the Course in the swimming pool so that your Instructor can put these fears to rest. The most common concern is fear of the unknown - the only way to overcome this is to give it a try and see for yourself.

By the end of the Course you will approach your fears differently and will think about life in a very different way. It is no coincidence that so many people say that diving has changed their lives. So what are you waiting for.  A new life awaits you :)