Monday, May 18, 2009

Alex Richardson - Diving Instructor in the Making

We recently hosted Alex here at Octopus Diving, while he was completing his "stage" for school. In France, during highschool, the students do a work placement during their last two years. The work placement or internship, is normally 2 weeks.



Originally, Alex wanted to work for Undersea Explorers (this is the glass bottom boat that leaves from Grand Case) but they said that "he needed to have the diving certification for him to be able to dive." I should explain that Undersea Explorers has some divers in thew ater while the people are in the glass bottom boat showing the people the fish.

So.... they brought Alex here.

We had never heard of a "Stage" before, so we weren't sure what it was. I told Alex that we work really hard here, and that we work long hours. He said that this wasn't a problem, and that he was willing to work really hard.

I said yes, and then three weeks later Alex started his stage here. The first day, we weren't really sure what to do with him, so I made him clean the shop. He wasn't too happy with this! The second day Alex went out on the boat to Creole Rock, and this he enjoyed a lot more. Then, as I had an open water student starting I asked Alex if he wanted to learn to dive. He said yes. So the next day we started his open water course. He was very much happier to be doing this than being in school. Although, some of the theory of diving he said "was just like school." And "being just like school" means that it was boring and he didn't like it.

He's sitting behind me now and doesn't like that I am writing that he said "it was just like school."
But you did, Alex. So there.

Alex was a natural in the water, and Constance, my open water student at the time, really enjoyed being in the same class as him, it just made it more fun. It took him a while to pluck up the courage to take the final exam, but when he did, he only got two questions wrong (awsome!).

So, now he is an open water diver, and all around helper in the dive center. He loves diving, especially with JP.

I will now ask him why? "ok ok. Because.... you are actually writing "ok ok"? ha ha ha. oh my goodness. ok. because, he said, I mean, I like diving with him because he is really funny underwater, he makes me laugh a lot. ha ha ha."

Now we will get back to the interview:

Alex, tell us something about yourself.

"I like chocolate. Ummm. I want to become a dive instructor, or maybe not. Maybe, I will become a diver for Undersea Explorer."

Where do you live?

"I live in Grand Case."
How old are you?

"I'm 14."
What was the best part about doing your stage at Octopus Diving?

"Diving."
Who would you prefer to dive with, me or JP?

"I already told you. JP"

I think that that is unfair, I want a second chance. Diving with me is really fun too.

Now Alex's stage is over, but he is still here all the time. We make him work for diving. So he helps us with customers, helps clean the shop, etc, and in return we let him dive with JP (and sometimes me!)
Hopefully, soon he will be able to do his Junior Advanced Open Water and then Junior Rescue Diver. Then, when he is 18, he can do his Divemaster with us. Only 4 years to go!

The photo of Alex above was the one that I took for his Junior Open Water Certification. He is wearing the "Rasta Hat" and trying to look too cool!
We are really happy that Alex came to us, and he is quickly becoming part of the Octopus family. He may be only 14, but he has the maturity of someome much older. Hopefully, if you dive or snorkel with us, you will get to meet him.
(This blog was written by Sally :) )

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