“Seeing somebody take their first breath underwater by no means will get outdated.”
For a lot of PADI Professionals, incomes the title of Course Director is the last word achievement. As PADI’s highest skilled certification, this prestigious title calls for not solely distinctive diving expertise and dedication, but additionally an unwavering ardour for mentoring and provoking the following technology of divers and instructors. Few attain this stage — and those that do usually arrive after many years within the trade.
So at simply 21 years outdated, Joshua Gloy, who’s on observe to turn out to be one in all PADI’s youngest Course Administrators, is effectively price being attentive to. That alone isn’t any imply feat in an trade the place significant expertise takes time. Nonetheless, it’s not simply Josh’s age that makes him a outstanding particular person, it’s his objective, drive and the impression he’s already making.
We sat down with Josh to study extra about his journey, from the second he first fell in love with the ocean, to what makes Mozambique, the place he’s presently based mostly, one of many world’s most interesting locations to dive.
Born To Dive
It doesn’t take lengthy to know why a younger Josh had diving in his blood. “Diving has at all times been part of my life — my entire household have been divers, and I grew up watching their underwater movies, utterly captivated by the world they have been exploring,” he defined. Add in a snorkeling journey with dolphins, and future took a agency grip of six-year-old Josh. He was hooked! He informed us, “I knew I wished to know the ocean and be a part of it in some way.”
Quick ahead six years, and Josh accomplished his PADI Junior Open Water Diver course in a quarry outdoors Johannesburg, South Africa. Not lengthy after, a primary encounter with sharks in Sodwana Bay turned one other destiny-defining second for Josh, ”I bear in mind descending and seeing a ragged-tooth shark, and it utterly modified every little thing. I fell in love with the underwater world in that second and knew this wasn’t simply one thing I wished to do – it was one thing I wished to dedicate my life to.”
Whereas leisure diving had its enchantment, Josh explains that it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he felt a need for larger objective. “The extra time I spent underwater, the extra I noticed I didn’t simply wish to expertise it for myself,” he stated. “I noticed how diving can change individuals, the way it builds confidence, consciousness, and a deeper reference to nature. That made me wish to take it additional. I didn’t simply wish to dive on weekends; I wished this to be my life’s work.”
Turning Ardour Into Career
At 15, Josh accomplished his Superior Open Water Diver certification throughout a three-month internship at a dive heart in Mozambique, earlier than returning to South Africa to finish his faculty training. Then, on the age of 18, he booked a one-way ticket again to Mozambique with one factor on his thoughts… his Divemaster certification. For Josh, this was the last word course. He declared, “It was a hands-on, immersive expertise that helped form me each professionally and personally.”
After attaining his certification, Josh went about placing it to good use, however (as you’ll have already guessed) it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Josh was trying upward once more. As he defined, “I went on to work as a Divemaster alongside the Southern African shoreline earlier than deciding it was time to turn out to be an Teacher.” With the help of Peter Herbst, Ulrich Horn and Erika Hoffman, and the backing of a PADI scholarship, Josh accomplished his PADI Teacher Growth Course (IDC) and Teacher Examination (IE).
His subsequent step was the PADI Employees Teacher certification. He commented on the course, “Most lately, I accomplished my PADI Employees Teacher certification, and it confirmed for me that that is the fitting path. My dream is to turn out to be a PADI Course Director and assist form the following technology of dive professionals.”
When requested in regards to the closing step as much as a PADI Course Director, Josh added, “I’ve cherished mentoring different divers and supporting their development by my work as a Employees Teacher. Changing into a Course Director would permit me to present again to the group that helped me develop, and I can’t wait to take that subsequent step.”
It’s Concerning the Journey. And the Vacation spot
With the height of PADI’s skilled development on the horizon, we wished to dig deeper into the person steps alongside the way in which. When requested about his motivation to proceed incomes PADI certifications, Josh defined, “It was by no means about accumulating {qualifications} – it was about being able to steer, to show, and to advocate for the ocean. Persevering with with my training felt pure as a result of I wished to present again and turn out to be somebody others might study from, simply as I had.”
Josh’s motive for selecting life as a PADI Professional was easy, ”Seeing somebody take their first breath underwater by no means will get outdated. That wide-eyed surprise, that blend of nerves and amazement – it’s a reminder of why I began.” However there’s extra to it than the surprise, he remarked, “It’s about impression. Serving to somebody overcome worry, watching them develop in confidence, and guiding them to fall in love with the ocean – these are the moments that matter most. You’re not simply instructing diving; you’re serving to individuals rework.”
As for what makes Josh tick as a diver on a private stage, the connection to sharks from his very first encounter nonetheless burns sturdy. Alongside his core PADI certs, Josh provides that ”The AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty has been essentially the most significant for me. I’m extremely keen about sharks – particularly unbaited shark diving, which is one thing southern Mozambique is thought for.”
Recommendation for the Subsequent Wave
When requested what recommendation he would give to anybody dreaming of a life in scuba diving, Josh provided, “Begin the place you might be. You don’t want excellent circumstances or one of the best gear to start. You simply want ardour and a willingness to study. I began diving in a quarry in Johannesburg, and that one step led me to a life I by no means imagined.” He added, “Diving can open doorways to journey, group, and objective. If it appears like residence underwater, belief that. Say sure to the following alternative, preserve pushing ahead, and let the ocean present you what’s doable.”
As for all times as a PADI Professional, Josh says, “If the thought lights you up – do it. It’s a life-changing journey, however it’s a must to be able to commit. It’s not nearly diving, it’s about exhibiting up day by day to develop, to steer, and to continue to learn.” Past that, Josh warned with a smile, “There will probably be challenges – lengthy days, surprising currents, powerful college students – however these are the moments that form you. Encompass your self with individuals who help and problem you.”
Josh’s parting recommendation for future divers was, “Keep humble. And most significantly, by no means lose the enjoyment that introduced you to diving within the first place.”
The place the Ocean Nonetheless Feels Wild
We couldn’t let Josh go away with out asking about scuba diving in Mozambique. He intoned, “Mozambique is a type of uncommon locations the place the ocean nonetheless feels wild and untouched. The reefs are thriving, the marine life is extremely various, and also you by no means fairly know what you’ll see on a dive – from colleges of reef fish to turtles, rays, and even sharks. What makes it actually particular, although, is that the diving right here continues to be uncooked and actual. It’s not overly commercialized or crowded – it feels genuine.”
However Josh says it’s not nearly life beneath the water, “There’s additionally one thing stunning in regards to the rhythm of life right here. The tradition, the coast, the individuals – every little thing blends right into a tempo that invitations you to decelerate and join with the pure world.”
As well as, Josh wished to focus on the bait-free shark diving that makes the world so particular. He went on to say, “Southern Mozambique is without doubt one of the few locations the place unbaited shark diving is feasible and moral. That sort of expertise is uncommon, and it’s what retains me right here.”
And for anybody contemplating Mozambique as a spot to study to dive or additional their diving certifications, Josh was fast to make clear, “Indubitably, Mozambique is an distinctive place to pursue any stage of diving certification. The marine range is unbelievable – college students will encounter every little thing from vibrant macro life to spectacular megafauna, providing a wealthy studying expertise at each dive.”
After mentioning the technique-tuning, confidence-building circumstances divers will encounter, Josh highlighted what the world has to supply: ”Along with its pure magnificence, Mozambique boasts a number of extremely certified dive facilities, together with 5-Star IDC Dive Facilities and Eco Facilities, guaranteeing skilled, high-quality coaching. Mixed with the nice and cozy, native tradition and a robust give attention to conservation, it’s a very inspiring place to develop as a diver and an expert.”
Impressed To Proceed Your Scuba Diving Journey?
Josh’s journey is proof that with the fitting ardour, grit and willpower, goals like changing into a PADI Professional, or perhaps a Course Director, are inside attain. If his story has impressed you to take the following step, there’s no higher time to get began. Whether or not you’re able to go Professional, seeking to transfer ahead in your diving journey or wish to uncover one of the best diving in Mozambique, the ocean is ready for you.
