Author Archives: blueangelscubaschool

Exciting announcement!

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We have an announcement; two actually.

First we’d like to say thank you and bon voyage to the wonderful Juan Pablo Maturana. He joined us in January, and we knew that he would be with us for the winter season only, as he had plans to visit and teach in New Zealand in May. What we didn’t realize was how well he would fit into the Blue Angel family while he was here! Always with a smiling face, JP was a helpful hard-worker ready to pitch in to make your experiences wonderful. While he was with us, JP achieved one of his “goals for growth” by meeting the requirements for his Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating, and we congratulate him on that accomplishment!

We will miss him, and we certainly wish him well. More happy photos of JP and his students can be viewed here!

Blue Angel resort

Juan Pablo with Willie on the last day

And now for the exciting announcement; we think we have found the perfect replacement! Help us welcome our newest instructor, Norman McLiberty! You know Norman from his seven years of experience working at Blue Angel as a Divemaster, and you may have seen photos of his Assistant Instructor program here. He’s now an Open Water Scuba Instructor, and has already created some new divers. Welcome, Norman!

instructor at Blue Angel Scuba School

Congratulations, Norman!

Take the Master Scuba Diver Challenge!

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A few weeks ago, we released a new page, encouraging you to “Take the Master Scuba Diver Challenge!” We recently had a diver complete his challenge successfully, and we’d like to congratulate him! Brian Wright, a diver friend from Edmonton Alberta, has visited Blue Angel on his winter vacation for the past three years (just like many of you). From the beginning, he had a goal: Master Scuba Diver. During his first visit in 2011, he completed his Advanced Open Water course; you can read about that adventure here. From there, he completed his Enriched Air Diver training at his home dive shop (friend to Blue Angel; Ocean Sports in Edmonton), and then on his next visit to Blue Angel in 2012, he spent two weeks completing his specialty requirements* and his Rescue Diver course. Brian wrote a review on Trip Advisor outlining his 2012 experience; we’re excited to see him say this:

“The biggest success is the huge boost in confidence in my abilities and a new passion for diving.”

That’s what we want for all of you. Each and every one of you. Increased confidence in your abilities, renewed passion for diving. That is what the Master Scuba Diver Challenge is all about! During his 2013 visit, Brian gained some more experience by just diving. Diving, diving, diving. We’re so proud of his accomplishment! Congratulations, Brian!

Master Scuba Diver, Brian Wright!

Master Scuba Diver, Brian Wright!

*The Master Scuba Diver rating requires certification in 5 PADI specialties. Brian accomplished this by completing his Enriched Air Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diver, Night Diver and Digital Underwater Photographer courses. You can choose others if you prefer! Click here for a list of options. And send us an email with questions! We can work with you to develop a plan to accomplish your goal!

Congratulations!

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April was a great month here at Blue Angel Scuba School!

Congratulations to these April students who all worked hard to move forward.

Elizabeth P, Marcia R, Todd R, Theodore D, Nolan H, Catherine H, Jackie B, Jason T, Olivia T, Matthew A, Robert H, Aubrey T, Mack P, Juan R, Rinaldi R, Hans G, Carrie A, Aaron H, Rebecca W, Brent J, John H, Sharon H, Alejandra C, Marshall W, Kayla H and Randall H!

Between them, this group completed Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Enriched Air Diver.

We are glad to see so many of you returning to us, and of course, are always delighted to see new faces!

This could be YOU at work!

This could be your office!

Congratulations!

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Congratulations to all of our March students!

Tracey P, Agnes P, Debbie S, Troy R, Corey P, Robert B, Lauren R, Gary M, Alain M, Nicole M, Daniel A, Susie D, Rob D, Barbara R, Steve M, Jason F, Karen A, Gordon A, Mike K, Omar A, Adam L, Mike M, Beto B, Brendan W, Gabriel S, Hung D!

It’s wonderful to see so many returning students, moving forward in their scuba journey!! Between them, this group completed Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Diver, Digital Underwater Photographer, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. To top it all off, they had great fun doing it, and made giant strides!

classroom at blue angel scuba school

This could be your classroom!

Congratulations!

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Spring is just around the corner, but before it gets here, we’d like to take a moment to recognize and congratulate the first of our crop of 2013 students! In January and February we were pleased to welcome the following into the Blue Angel Family:

Ian B, Ben R, Amy M, Joel M, Michael D, Craig S, Regina R, John L, Steve C, Steve M, David M, David K, Celia S, Larry S, Lindsay P, Lauren P, Robin C, Tracy V, Kale B, Julie H, Steve H, Stephanie M, Larry R, Wendy R, Bill M, Lisa Rae S, Jordan H, Kaysi B, Louis H, Loree H, Mike R, Andrew M, Karen R, Jon M, Brittany H, Lauren T, Ty P, Robert P, Nigel P, Riley H, Cameron G, Janelle G, Sarah W, Scott F, Thomas B, Gayle W, James W, Derek B and Susan D!

Between them, this fantastic group participated in Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Emergency First Response, Rescue Diver and Divemaster programs, the Instructor Development Course, and several specialties including Enriched Air Diver, Digital Underwater Photographer, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator and Emergency Oxygen Provider. Whew! Lots going on and great job!

This could be YOU at work!

This could be YOU at work!

Contact us to schedule YOUR next course!

Welcome Andres Petersen

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Andres Petersen

Andres Petersen

Welcome Andres! He is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and he has this to say about himself:
Born in Guadalajara I grew up visiting the beaches on the pacific coast of Mexico. I always loved the ocean, but I only did my first dive at the age of 17. I clearly remember doing my open water course in Puerto Morelos and thinking about my instructor “this guy has a pretty sweet job.” A couple of years later, I decided to make that my life too, and I became a scuba instructor!

Ever since my first dive I knew I loved diving, however, it wasn’t until I started assisting courses as a Divemaster that I found out I also love teaching and sharing with people my passion for diving. One of my favorite things as an instructor is the look on people’s faces after I take them diving for their first time; it is a privilege to share my passion with people from all over the planet and to experience the ocean every day and get to witness the awesome creatures that live underwater.

Outside of diving I really enjoy travelling and getting to know new people and places and also I love a good barbecue.

Join us in welcoming Andres to our team!

Welcome Juan Pablo Maturana

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Juan Pablo Maturana

Juan Pablo Maturana

JP is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Spending most of his early childhood in the water as a competitive swimmer, he developed  a special relationship with water and the ocean, but it was not until his mid teens that he experienced SCUBA diving, something that would change forever his perception of life.  “It was the first time I saw God manifesting through all the sea creatures; it was a complete new world I had never seen.”  He soon realized he wanted to share his vision and inspire people and other divers and share the importance of taking care our Oceans.

JP is passionate about teaching recreational scuba courses and is also qualified to teach the following specialty courses: Enriched Air Diver, Deep Diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Wreck Diver, Gas Blender, Peak Performance Buoyancy and Equipment Specialist.

He is a FII Level 1 Free Diver and is also interested in surfing, underwater videography, photography and music production. Ask him about any of these subjects; he will happily share his experiences with you!