Cornish Diving Centre in Falmouth is aiming to promote the marine environment and scuba diving as a career choice to local school children. Through a project that is being run by Cornwall Marine Network and funded through the ‘Marine and Manufacturers Challenge Fund’ to inform young people of careers in the marine sector.

Padi Staff Instructor Susan Disley, owner and senior instructor at the centre, has been appointed as a Marine Ambassador as part of the project.

Susan was chosen due to her individual work in Cornwall’s schools presenting 'Discover a Whole New World', a slideshow designed to inspire and inform young people about the marine world and opportunities available to them. It features pictures all taken in Cornish waters and takes the audience on a virtual dive on a popular local wreck. The photos for the slideshow are by local professional photographer Mark Webster, who has kindly given Cornish Diving Centre permission to use them. 

As a Marine Ambassador Susan and Cornish Diving Centre, which is a Padi 5 Star IDC centre, present the slideshow and focus on the fantastic opportunities that are available to young people through learning to dive.  By highlighting the Padi system and the worldwide coverage that they have, there are opportunities to travel the world as a Padi instructor or divemaster. Or stay closer to home and discover and teach in Cornish waters.

University and higher education courses often have enhanced features if the students can dive. Extra curriculum activities can include underwater photography and more choice on research projects abroad.

Sara Jeffery, Work Experience Coordinator at Newquay Tretherras School said:

“Cornish Diving School have been in to our assemblies for Y8, 9 & 10 and their presentations have been both inspiring and informative for our students.  The aim was to widen our student's knowledge about how hobbies can be linked to future careers, and the Marine Ambassador talks did just that.  We look forward to welcoming them back to talk to other year groups over the next few weeks”.