News
PADI Teams Up with Industry Stakeholders to Launch New Diver Referral Programme
PADI® teams up with several dive equipment manufacturers to launch an unprecedented diver referral programme to drive industry growth
PADI provides unparalleled support to its global membership base and industry by launching the Refer A Friend campaign – a referral programme that encourages scuba divers to recruit their friends and family as their new dive buddies with added incentives of scuba gear and trips.
Photo: Jay Clue
“PADI is investing in creating more business for our members and the diving industry as a whole, this time inviting scuba diving gear manufacturers to take part, which they have enthusiastically joined,” explains Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “It’s a true testament to the strength and solidarity of the diving industry when so many stakeholders come together to support the need to stimulate business for all. We are stronger together, and the latest diver referral campaign demonstrates it. “
A Data-Driven and Diver-Backed Programmes
New diver surveys indicate that word-of-mouth remains the number one influencer in a person’s decision to become a diver. In fact, 52% of newly certified PADI Divers cite a friend or family member as a key influencer in their decision to get certified.
“This referral programme taps into the genuine excitement divers feel about sharing the underwater world with others,” says Valette Wirth. “We’re making it easy and rewarding for divers of all levels to invite friends and family into the world’s largest community of ocean lovers and rewarding them every step of the way.
Beginning in June 2025, several gear manufacturers will be taking part in the campaign, including TUSA, Fourth Element, SUUNTO, Garmin International and Shearwater Research. Every month, referrers and referees will have the chance to win a collection of branded scuba gear to further fuel their passion for the sport.
“We’re committed to growing a global community of dedicated divers—from open water beginners to advanced technical enthusiasts and believe every underwater experience can be safe, rewarding, and exceptional from day one,” says Jason Leggatt, CEO of Shearwater Research.
“Garmin’s cutting-edge dive products provide the technology and support adventurers need to explore below the surface,” says Audra Ratliff, Garmin Director of Product Marketing. “We remain committed to helping people pursue their passions and are proud to collaborate with PADI to create even more momentum and awareness for the diving industry and give divers the tools to reach even greater depths together.”
”At Suunto, we believe that exploration is more meaningful when it’s shared,” says Lena Bergendahl, Head of Dive Products at Suunto. “That’s why we’re proud to support this referral programme, it aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire new adventures and grow the global dive community. “
“When we discover our love for diving and the ocean, most of us want to share it with others – I think we are just wired that way,” says Jim Standing, co-founder and CCO of Fourth Element. “This is a great way for Fourth Element to be part of growing a community of like-minded ocean adventurers and protecting our playground for the future.”
“At TUSA, we believe that the future of scuba diving lies in building a passionate and inclusive global community,” says Crystal Gutierrez, Marketing Manager at TUSA. “That’s why we’re proud to support PADI’s Refer a Friend Campaign, an initiative that speaks directly to the heart of what drives our sport: personal connection and shared adventure. By encouraging divers to bring friends and family into the underwater world, we’re not only growing the diving community but also inspiring a new generation of ocean advocates. Together with PADI and our industry peers, we hope to energize participation, deepen engagement, and ensure a vibrant future for scuba diving around the world.”
How the Referral Programme Works
The newly updated global referral programme launches this month and is designed to send new diving recruits to the 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts and 128,000 PADI Professionals using word-of-mouth from the 30 million certified PADI Divers around the world.
Starting today, PADI Divers can log into their PADI Account to send referral links to friends and family and will be able to:
- receive 20% off PADI continuing education eLearning when a friend enrolls in Open Water Diver eLearning.
- earn one entry into a monthly prize draw for new scuba gear for each friend referred.
Those potential new diver candidates that are referred will then:
- receive 20% off PADI Open Water Diver eLearning when activating the referral link
- earn one entry into the monthly prize draw of scuba gear
- are eligible to refer others and earn additional entries.
As an extra incentive, all divers who refer a friend will automatically go into the grand prize competition, where the diver who refers the most new PADI Divers in 2025 will win a dive vacation for two to any Sandals St Lucia property of their choosing for five days.
Growing the Dive Industry Together
“This is more than a promotion—it’s a movement to seek adventure and save the ocean more together,” adds Valette Wirth. “By encouraging students and divers to refer a friend and teaching more courses, we are sharing what we all love and helping ensure the underwater world remains accessible to all.”
PADI Members now have access to a dedicated marketing toolkit available on the Marketing Hub on the PADI Pro Site that supports this wider incentivisation programme.
To access the marketing toolkit visit the Marketing Hub on the PADI Pro Site.
Visit the PADI Pros Blog for more information on how to incorporate the referral programme into your business and earn more for every certification issued.
Photo: Jay Clue
About Garmin International, Inc.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social, or follow our blog.
About Shearwater Research
Shearwater Research is a global leader in dive computers and diving electronics, renowned for delivering robust, intuitive products for divers across the world. Committed to excellence and technical diving, Shearwater has established itself as a trusted name in high-performance dive technology. www.shearwater.com
About Suunto
Suunto has been at the forefront of exploration since 1936, creating precision instruments for adventurers around the world. From pioneering dive computers to durable sports watches, Suunto is trusted by divers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts who push their limits. With a commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability, Suunto empowers people to explore the world — above and below the surface. Learn more at www.suunto.com.
About TUSA
For over 70 years, TUSA has been a global leader in the design and manufacturing of premium scuba diving equipment. Known for our commitment to innovation, comfort, and reliability, TUSA gear is trusted by divers around the world—from first-time explorers to seasoned professionals. Beyond product excellence, TUSA is deeply committed to ocean conservation and sustainability. Through partnerships, responsible manufacturing practices, and support for marine protection initiatives, we strive to protect the underwater world that inspires everything we do. At TUSA, our mission is simple: to empower every diver with high-quality gear while safeguarding the ocean for future generations. www.tusa.com
About Fourth Element
Fourth Element is one of the leading brands of dive gear, renowned for innovation in product development in thermal protection for both wetsuit and drysuit diving, and in its approach to respect and protect the ocean environment that is our playground, through more sustainable product development, ranging from packaging to the use of recycled and natural materials, without compromising outstanding performance. Fourth Element’s mission is to inspire and enable divers to explore the underwater world with confidence and care, striving to create products that enhance the diving experience while promoting the health and sustainability of our oceans. The company believes that every dive is an opportunity to connect with the beauty of the underwater world and to contribute to its preservation. www.fourthelement.com
Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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