WILLEMSTAD - PADI 5-Star IDC Resort Dive Center Pietermaai, Scuba Lodge, and Pro Dive Vibes are offering one Curaçao resident a grant to help them become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and Emergency First Response Instructor. This candidate will be trained by Ivana Inglesina, PADI Platinum Course Director from Pro Dive Vibes at Dive Center Pietermaai, who has offered a full sponsorship for all training costs. It is the first time such an opportunity presents itself in Curaçao. 

The candidate chosen for this opportunity is Curaçao-born Aldemar Rodriguez. Inglesina explains: "I first met Aldemar when he was 15 years old. During a summer break, Aldemar decided he wanted to learn how to scuba dive.

Despite his young age, he was very passionate about the underwater world and already knew that he wanted to become a marine biologist one day. That summer, he spent a lot of time at our dive center to gain as much experience in the diving industry as possible." 

Together with her colleagues, Inglesina believes that Rodriguez is the perfect recipient of this generous grant. At age 17, Rodriguez completed PADI's Junior Divemaster Program, which made him the first ever (and youngest) certified PADI Junior Divemaster in Curaçao. Now aged 18, Rodriguez has enthusiastically enrolled in Pro Dive Vibe's February Instructor Development Course. 

Pro Dive Vibes and Dive Center Pietermaai are excited about this opportunity. "We are incredibly proud of our young and determined student," says Ivana Inglesina. "I believe in the importance of sharing our passion for the ocean with younger generations and couldn't be more thrilled for Aldemar. He is a great reminder to us all to never stop learning and never give up on our dreams."