Opportunity Knocks for Indonesian Citizens with AMD-Bali’s 2019 Divemaster Internship
The Indonesian Archipelago contains a stunningly diverse underwater ecosystem. Fed by the plankton-rich waters of the Indo-Pacific, it creates the world’s richest marine bio-geographic zone, with diving to suit every level of ability and a myriad of interests. With such amazing diversity, it is not surprising that new, pristine, diving locations are discovered almost daily. New destinations bring new dive opportunities which drive new dive operators to expand access to these incredible locations. Rapid expansion in the number of dive businesses creates an ever-increasing demand for well trained professional dive staff.
In recognition of this demand, AquaMarine Diving – Bali (AMD-B) believes there is a very real need to encourage the local community to join and work in this expanding industry. In 2012, the company took its own steps to rally this participation and pledged to offer an annual 11 Month PADI Divemaster Internship Programme for Indonesian Citizens. A maximum of four coveted intern positions are made available each year. This ensures each intern receives individual and personalised training, as well as the one-on-one attention required to complete this extensive programme.
AquaMarine Diving – Bali is now seeking applications for their 2019 Internship program.
Each intern is assigned an AMD-B PADI Instructor as their personal mentor for the duration of the internship. Their mentor is also an integral part of the team that trains the interns from Open Water Diver, all the way through the courses to PADI Divemaster. AquaMarine’s Senior PADI Instructors have been working the Indonesian waters for many years and know the local dive industry intimately. They are dedicated to passing on this expertise to the next generation of Indonesian scuba diving professionals.
Within six months, each intern will have achieved the PADI Divemaster certification. Then the real work begins as they embark on the next phase of their traineeship as Dive Guides for visiting divers under the supervision of AquaMarine’s senior staff. Through this steady process, they gain experience and hands-on knowledge of their responsibilities which builds a solid foundation for their future professional careers in one of the world’s fastest growing industries.
AquaMarine is committed to, and firmly believes that it is vitally important to provide their interns with top quality guidance, training them to become well rounded, safety conscious and customer oriented Divemasters, ready to be employed here in Bali or elsewhere in the country.
In 2018, AquaMarine’s 7th year of the programme, three interns, Joana (W Java), Rifqi (W Kalimantan) and Hilman (SE Sulawesi) were accepted into the internship, each passing with flying colours! These three young people now see new opportunities in their lives as diving professionals who have discovered a passion for introducing fellow divers to Indonesia’s unique and fascinating underwater oasis.
If you know any young Indonesians who would be suitable candidates to join AquaMarine’s award winning dive team by being part of the 11 Month PADI DM Internship for Indonesian Citizens Programme for 2019, please encourage them to e-mail: HRD-Dive@AquaMarineDiving.com for further information.
Deadline for applications is 31 October 2018. The internship programme runs from 05 January – 30 November 2019. Applicants should have a good grasp of English, be competent swimmers available for interview in Bali!
A Sustainable Bali is a Shared Responsibility
As one of the world’s premier tourist destinations, Bali’s popularity tends to propel it into the international spotlight. While this may well be a positive in terms of economic growth and development it also presents the rest of the world with a plight that tends to plague popular holiday destinations the likes of Bali and play havoc with the sustainability of our tourism industry for the future.
Bali boasts some of the most picturesque coastline in the world but the continuing battle with pollution on our beaches means that residents, businesses and visitors alike need to take a proactive approach to pollution and join forces as a community to help find solutions.
Since 2013 the BHA (Bali Hotels Association – a professional group of star-rated hotels and resorts in Bali including GMs from more than 150 hotels and resorts across the island) has participated in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). This is an annual, international event that was initiated by US based non-profit group, Ocean Conservancy over thirty years ago in an effort to identify and document major causes of marine pollution in all areas of the world. From the very first International Coastal Cleanup in 1986, the movement has spread world wide with over 12 million volunteers to date!
The ICC encourages local communities to join together for a common goal, not only to clean up their coastlines but to collect, categorise, weigh and record all trash collected before it is sent for recycling and local waste management. In recording the data, they attempt to determine the biggest causes of marine pollution across the globe.
On Saturday, September 15 the Bali Hotels Association spearheaded this year’s ICC campaign which saw no less than 15 zones across the island join in this proactive approach to better beaches across Bali! From Menjangan in the North to Nusa Lembongan, Jimbaran and everywhere in between, volunteers donned their gloves, grabbed their trash bags and took to the beaches!
Finns Bali, was appointed by the BHA as zone leader for the Berawa Beach chapter of this year’s ICC with 13 other local businesses (including students, teachers and volunteers from two Tibubeneng schools) turning up at 7am on the morning of September 15 to join in the beach clean. This terrific response from the Berawa/ Canggu tourist sector bears testament to the fact that local businesses are indeed keen to lend their time, effort and support to an issue that affects all of us who work, live and even holiday on the island.
Volunteers were divided into teams and assigned a section of beach. Armed with only environmentally friendly collection bags, teams then combed the sand, picking up all items of rubbish and recording the type and size of the trash as they went. For many it became somewhat of a competition to see who could collect the most rubbish by the end of the cleanup!
Trash tallies and the total number of volunteers were then forwarded on to the BHA for collation and the final numbers were astounding! Across a total of 15 zones throughout Bali, more than 4.8 tonnes of trash was collected by more than 6000 volunteers over 94 kilometres of coastline in just a few short hours on Saturday, September 15. If this is what a relatively small number of volunteers can achieve on one morning alone, imagine the possibilities if were all to lend a hand!
The International Coastal Cleanup is certainly a worthy initiative and a proactive approach to our polluted beaches however it is just one day, each year. Pollution of our once pristine coastlines is a persistent problem that we all need to address on a regular basis by way of continuing education regarding effective recycling procedures, environmentally friendly waste management practices, eradication of single use plastics and regular rubbish collection at the very least!
Finns Beach Club conducts a weekly beach clean of the Berawa Beach area every Friday morning at 7am. Everyone is more than welcome to join the cleanup and further information can be obtained by emailing: arik@finnsbali.com
Sunsets and Starry Nights @ the Rooftop Bar
Elevate your evening drinks and take island sunsets to another level at the brand new Rooftop Bar @ Finns VIP Beach Club. The latest offering to Bali’s top floor bar scene, The Rooftop Bar brings new heights to cocktails by the beach, adding an element of finesse to those Berawa sundowners you’ve come to love.
An adults only affair, the Rooftop Bar is located surf side within the chic, new Finns VIP Beach Club. Encompassing the entire rooftop area over the Sandbar and dining terrace below, it opens from 3pm every afternoon; just in time to get settled in for sunset……
And what a sunset it is! Uninterrupted views from the Bukit to the ‘Gu with nothing between the sinking sun and you but the Indian Ocean and a martini or two.
After your stellar sunset experience, stay on and enjoy pre dinner drinks under the stars and some of the best of Bali’s cocktails. The Rooftop Bar’s experienced mixologists can compose a range of signature cocktails using only top shelf spirits and liqueurs and featuring the freshest of local ingredients and unique island flavours. Sample their Suku Suku: rosemary infused Belvedere, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, honey and spiced passionfruit foam. Or perhaps you fancy yourself more of a Finns Star, a blend of Tanqueray, fresh lime, sesame oil and star anise. There’s a comprehensive selection from which to choose, along with an extensive spirits and wine list including numerous options by the glass.
An impressive grazing menu offering a tempting array of tasty tapas and nibbles perfect for pre dinner drinkies is a fitting accompaniment to the beverage list. Opt for a charcuterie platter to share, choose home fired pizzetta portions or you might prefer a little fresh, Asian fusion and pick from their selection of sashimi, nigiri and Japanese signature rolls. Whatever whets your appetite, the Rooftop Bar is right up your alley if you are looking for somewhere to start your night or simply a stunning, starlit venue to settle in for the evening.
You won’t find any beer branded singlets or revealing swimwear here. Their dress code demands casual, yet elegant island style, effectively elevating the overall ambience of this chic new addition to the Bali bar scene to a level befitting its lofty location. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to go home after a day at the beach. Bring your evening attire with you and take advantage of the fully appointed, private guest bathrooms to shower, change and freshen up for the evening ahead!
The opening promotion being offered at The Rooftop is too good to miss! Join them for Happy Hour(s) from 5pm – 9pm daily and you can take advantage of their ‘Buy one get one free’ o-ffer on selected beverages. Be sure to grab a taste of their delicious tapas menu by partaking in their free pass around plates chock full of canapés and sushi!
Perfect for intimate parties, product launches, birthdays or just because the day ends in ‘y’, this rooftop bar certainly adds the wow factor to any evening or event. Drop by for a sundowner soon but be sure to set aside some time to stay and play awhile, because once you make the stairs up to the Rooftop Bar, you’ll agree, it is most definitely worth the climb.
www.finnsbeachclub.com/vip