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My PADI Helps Me…IMPLEMENT OUR VISION OF A PROFESSIONAL DIVE CENTER

Arndt Kemper and Patrick Middendorf founded PADI Dive Center Taucher Nordhessen in December 2022 in the heart of Germany, near Kassel, in Baunatal. In a short time, they achieved impressive success. As a passionate PADI Five Star IDC Center, they want to share their love for diving and show how easy it is to learn this fascinating sport.

Learn how Arndt and Patrick started a successful and professional dive center with PADI’s help.

Q: What business challenge did you face?

Being recognized and successful.

A: When we started from scratch with Taucher Nordhessen diving school in December 2022, we faced the challenge of being recognized and being able to successfully offer diving courses. We simply took a risk that we couldn’t really assess beforehand. Today, I can answer this question with a clear yes.

Q: Did you have any concerns in working with PADI?

PADI offers an excellent foundation for safe and effective diving.

A: Since we had already been working as freelance instructors with PADI for many years, we had no concerns from the start. For us, it was always clear that an alternative training organization was not an option, as we not only know the PADI system well but also greatly appreciate its proven quality and clear structure. Our many years of experience have consistently shown us that PADI offers an excellent foundation for safe and effective diving. That’s why we fully identify with this system and are convinced that it is the best choice. When we opened our own dive center, we took a risk we couldn’t fully evaluate beforehand. However, today we can say with full conviction that this decision was the right one.

Q: How did PADI help you solve your business challenge?

Thanks to PADI, we feel very well prepared and supported in every challenge that comes our way.

A: PADI supported us comprehensively in every way and in all areas. They helped us with training so that we can offer the best courses to our divers. PADI also provided valuable support in marketing by giving us tools and strategies to effectively promote our business. Bureaucratic challenges were significantly simplified thanks to their expertise, and we were able to implement better structures and processes in sales with their help. PADI’s training programs have continuously helped us and our team develop, and the regional management is always there to support us with advice and assistance. Even at the highest level, from the Director to other experts, we always received support that left no questions unanswered. Thanks to PADI, we feel very well prepared and supported in every challenge that comes our way.

Q: How is it working now?

We have achieved many great milestones and built a strong dive community.

A: Since the founding of our dive center Taucher Nordhessen, we have made impressive progress and achieved many milestones. Today, we are proud to be a PADI Five Star IDC Center, a PADI TecRec Center, and a PADI Eco Center. We are also in the process of becoming a PADI Adaptive Facility Center. We are especially pleased to have built a strong community that not only shares a passion for diving but also places great importance on environmental protection and inclusion. In our first year alone, we received numerous inquiries for the entire range of PADI courses, from beginner to professional level. We are particularly proud of the continuous growth of our team. With two PADI Course Directors, including a Platinum Director, several Divemasters, Assistant Instructors, and two trained GTÜM I&II diving physicians, we are well-equipped.

Given this great growth, we have decided to expand our diving school further. Soon, a swimming pool will be available directly at our facility, enabling us to host an IDC with IE on-site starting in 2025.

Q: What advice do you have for others in a similar situation?

Seek direct communication with the Regional Manager and focus on quality.

A: If we had to give advice to others in a similar situation, we would recommend taking the time to thoroughly compare the different organizations. It is also important to seek direct communication with the Regional Manager to get a better understanding of the local conditions. Visit PADI at trade shows and events to build a network and learn more about their market position – especially how PADI compares globally.

Additionally, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific aspects of diving in Germany. It may be helpful to look for niches that are not yet fully developed. Instead of focusing solely on quantity, we should emphasize quality and long-term success.

Communication with PADI colleagues is also crucial. We openly shared our vision with them to create a strong foundation together. Ultimately, we would say that it is particularly important to live the PADI community and actively engage, as the solidarity and shared passion are a big part of the success.

Are you ready to learn more about all of the benefits of PADI membership? Contact your PADI Regional Office and get started on a custom solution to drive growth in your business.