MAY-DEC 2008

Welcome to the end of year newsletter from Sunshine Divers, giving you an update on the school, current and forthcoming events, staff, students and divers.

A busy few months have flown by and many faces have past through the Sunshine doors. New project’s have kept Sunshine and Koh Tao busy and with not only the monthly underwater and beach clean ups continuing to help the environment , Biorock an artificial reef structure, using a low voltage electrical current to improve the growing conditions for coral and other marine organisms, is up and running here on the island. Sunshine divers and a number of other dive shops have invested funds and voluntary labour to help construct these artificial reefs which we hope can lead the way in preserving our beautiful underwater life. www.marineconservationkohtao.com

Underwater, Sunshine Divers have been seeing an abundance of yellow box fish, this shy and cute fish can be seen on numerous dive sites. The magnificent whale shark has been visiting us again, widely seen throughout October. Both adult and juvenile whale sharks have been keeping divers happy around dive sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and White rock.

Around the world reefs and marine life are continually threatened, the Sunshine team stand firm in believing every little bit helps and our eco friendly dive resort is always on the look out to help in preserving our beautiful island and marine life. Again we cannot give enough thanks to the backing of the non profit organization Project AWARE, and our student divers who donate to this cause, which supports us in doing what we can to help our fragile marine underwater world. www.projectaware.org

With fun being a key element at Sunshine Divers, the month of November is looking to be a little bit hairy and hilarious with Movember. This is a charity project with staff and students (usually male) sporting a variety of moustaches throughout the month with all proceeds going to the charity “Save Koh Tao”.The Sunshine resort also has a new soccer team with our equipment manager Joe hopefully leading the team to victory against other dive resorts.

Sunshine Divers frequently hosts student divers and staff gatherings for activities such as bowling, mini golf, wakeboarding, absailing and of course the celebration of those new divers who pass their course with us.

Every two years Sunshine Divers brings in new dive equipment. In the last 6 month’s you will see Sunshine students wearing brand new BCD’s, regulators, masks, computers, all of top quality.

Meanwhile, continuing education is on going, not only with students going from Open Water Diver to Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster but with staff upgrading their credentials. Congratulations to Emily Dommel and Matthew Ward who have both passed the Staff instructor course. Natalie and Tim Hunt are continually teaching and seeing Sunshine Dmt’s take the step onwards to PADI instructor with Chris Hewitt (England), Michael Longworth (Australia), Jonathan Nash (England), Peter (Australia), Carmi (Israel) and Michael Hughson (Denmark) all becoming new instructors in recent months through Sunshine Divers.

Let’s not forget the all important Dive Master Trainees (DMT) that has passed through the school in these recent months to leave as accomplished Dive Masters….

The Aussies: Michael, Ben, Liam
The Brits: Sam, James, Leo, Paddy, Ian, Alex, John.N, John.G, Chris, David, Andrea, Geraldine
The Swedish: Micaela The Dutch: Marc, Joost The Germans: Regina, Ellie, Diana, Lukas The French: Frederic, Denis, Grace, Charles The Swiss: Noe, Celia The Americans: Zack, Cameron, Scott The Canadians: Janice, Darren The Austrian: Andrea

Combined DMT’s, staff, students and fun divers all contribute to the fun, relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Sunshine Divers.

…And on a final note; we look forward to a great Christmas although lacking the snow and a winters chill, you can be sure Sunshine Divers will be celebrating this festive time, along with a Happy New Year which we hope will see more and more new divers seeing and enjoying what the Sunshine Team can bring.