sport INDEX
Deep into the planet’s ‘underwater rainforest’
When someone describes the activity they spend their life teaching as one designed to enable you to “meet people, do
things, go places and be sociable” it’s hard not to be intrigued… Words David Leck Photographs Clint Singh
belongs and which, for the past 18 years, has been introducing people to the world of scuba diving.
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As a master instructor at Dive Machine, Samantha is part of a team – led by her parents Robert and Carol – introducing people of all ages, from as young as eight to as adventurous and inspiring as 86, to the natural wonders beneath the planet’s waters. And you can safely say “planet” with a mix of justifi cation and allure for, once acquired, this is a skill that can take you around the world. Dive Machine is an impressive and
respected operation. Not only does it run courses for adults and children, teach in schools and offer instruction for those
nd that’s exactly what Samantha Varns is able to achieve as we discuss the Tonbridge-based family business of which she
diving at an advanced level, it runs fi rst aid training and crucially, for those looking for the highest standards, it’s a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) accredited centre for the development of professional diving instructors.
“People who’ve long been interested in taking up diving are often put off by a variety of factors, whether that’s cost, perceived levels of skill or health considerations. The truth, however, is that once you’ve addressed those things and dispelled the myths this is a pursuit suited to a broad mix of people,” explains Samantha. PADI is the globally-recognised gold
standard and there are a number of routes through which people can acquire a licence. It is possible to address the “classroom” elements of the course via e-learning accompanied by one on-site session in
which the knowledge acquired through distance learning is assessed, particularly in relation to the use and maintenance of equipment.
The course can also be completed over a weekend in which mornings are spent studying and afternoons in the pool, while, for those who want fl exibility, Dive Machine offers private courses. Whichever route is taken, it is then necessary to complete four open water dives to acquire the PADI licence. The full course can be completed for
around £400. Equipment and clothing for the beginner can however represent a signifi cant fi nancial outlay (think in the region of £1,500), making it crucial to get the best advice.
“This is something on which we place
great emphasis,” says Samantha. “We want people who have obtained their PADI
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