Although progress has been made, there remains a notable gender gap among PADI Professionals. Only 20% of PADI Instructors are female, and this highlights the fact that dive shops have to take proactive measures to include more female PADI Pros in their teams and professional-level courses. By fostering an inclusive dive center environment that embraces diversity in all its forms, we can ensure a more equitable and diverse community overall.

Increased female representation can empower dive centers to broaden their reach, as individuals will experience a greater sense of comfort in a diverse environment surrounded by like-minded individuals. Consequently, the business of the dive center will benefit from this development.

One dive center that is leading the way in closing the gender gap among PADI Pros is the TSK Dive Center in Switzerland. In this article, we explore TSK Dive Center’s efforts to attract more female PADI Divemasters/Instructor candidates and highlight the benefits of having more female professionals on dive center teams.

Network Platforms for Women: Tschiggi Diving Bern and Zurich

Established in 2018 by TSK Dive Center, the “Tschiggi Diving Community” aims to inspire and promote diversity in diving. Starting in Zurich and expanding to Bern in 2021, these communities organize exclusive events and dives for female members. Every female Open Water Diver student at TSK Dive Center is informed about the Tschiggi Diving Communities and encouraged to join them.

Presently, approximately 70 female divers are a part of the Bern Tschiggi community, with half actively engaging regularly. The age ranges from teenagers to older women, with an average of around 30. All levels, from new Open Water Divers to experienced Instructors, are welcome in the community. Tschiggi Diving Zurich has about 40 female members with varying degrees of activity and proficiency levels, many of them are PADI Advanced Open Water Divers.

Situated in Switzerland, the TSK Dive Center primarily focuses on lake and cold-water diving. Since its establishment, Tschiggi Diving has been dedicated to offering diverse specialty courses to its female divers. These include Drift Diver, Dry Suit Diver, and Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, each providing unique challenges and rewards. The community’s next aim is to encourage female divers to enter ice diving. With this initiative, TSK Dive Center continues to broaden its offering and empower more women to explore the limitless possibilities of diving.

Tschiggi Diving Initiatives

According to Milena Schläfli and Laura Vogt, PADI Instructors and the founders of “Tschiggi Diving,” women experience less pressure when they can learn at their own pace alongside other women. That is why they are trying to provide a safe and comfortable environment where the women can truly be themselves. “The women are braver in this environment, which is great to see,” say Milena and Laura.

Recognizing the importance of bringing women together in club events, Tschiggi Diving has implemented several initiatives to create a network for divers with different experience levels. Firstly, they organize monthly after-work dives that have gained popularity among the divers in the community. Secondly, they offer special events and other weekend activities, such as the Tschiggi Diving Weekend, PADI Women’s Dive Day, season openings, and boat trips at least 4 times a year. Lastly, they offer courses specifically for female divers, which help divers in the Tschiggi community find a safe framework for acquiring new diving skills, starting from Open Water Diver to the PADI Professional levels.

Tschiggi’s Proactive Approach to PADI Professional Courses

TSK Dive Center takes the initiative in promoting its professional courses by organizing informational events that usually take place in the evenings or on weekends. These information sessions serve as an excellent platform for prospective divers to gain valuable insights about the diving courses on offer, and to ask any questions they might have about the training process.

One notable aspect of these events is the presence of a female Instructor, who is always available in the meetings to answer specific questions that female divers may have. Their role does not end there; they also play a vital part in nurturing and fostering the professional development of female divers. Once a woman becomes a member or is active in the community, the TSK team engages in face-to-face talks to motivate them to find friends and buddies who might also want to become divers. They also utilize various channels, such as WhatsApp groups, social media, the dive center website, and in-shop promotion during all PADI courses. “The women learn from each other and look up to each other. For this, it is also really important for us to always be a good example,” say Laura and Milena.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that Tschiggi Diving is actively involved in Divemaster courses. Vanessa, who completed her Rescue Diver course this Summer and has around 60 dives, shared her thoughts: “I can imagine doing the PADI Divemaster Course at Tschiggi Diving Bern because it’s a great group and we have a strong team spirit. It’s amazing to dive in a protected, women-only group. It always offers a new and fantastic experience, just like diving in the Swiss lakes.”

Benefits of Attracting More Female Pros

TSK Dive Center recognizes that attracting more female Pros is not only beneficial to the dive center but to the industry as a whole. Having a diverse team of professionals in dive shops is crucial for connecting with a wide range of clients. Within the TSK team, the ratio of men to women is 2:1, while in the TSK professional-level courses, it’s 1:1. These ratios reflect the center’s philosophy and surpass the global demographics of dive professionals. According to Milena and Laura, female divers feel more at ease when diving with female professionals, which often influences their choice of dive center. At TSK Dive Center, they have observed that having more female professionals fosters a welcoming environment for female divers, enhancing their comfort during dives. Additionally, female professionals bring unique skills to the team that benefit divers of all genders.

Closing the gender gap among PADI Pros is an essential step in creating a more inclusive and welcoming diving community. TSK Dive Center in Switzerland serves as an excellent example of how dive centers can attract more female divers and professionals. By implementing initiatives, such as regular after-work dives and creating a regional possibility for female divers to receive training, TSK Dive Center has made significant progress in attracting more women.

The benefits of having a more diverse team include creating a more welcoming environment for all individuals, connecting with a more diverse clientele, and improving customer satisfaction. Ultimately, these benefits lead to a better bottom line for the dive center. Together, we can build a more inclusive and diverse diving community that empowers individuals of all backgrounds to explore the wonders beneath the waves. Let’s dive in and make a difference!

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