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Steam Thresher
The Dreaded Snorkeltest - Impressions From A Divemaster Initiation Party
Mostly when a person finishes a course within recreational diving and becomes a novice diver or furthers his diving education, he gets a handshake from his instructor and recieves a certification card with the mail a month or two later. Not so much fuss there. Things however tend to be become more ritualised once divers make the transition to divemaster level (PADI's first professional rating)- after having spent hard weeks, if not months, in the pool, the classroom and in open water.
As is customary in most parts, when divemaster candidates finish their training and become certified divemasters, there is much celebration and partying. As the divemaster course is a long and intensive course, the candidates (perhaps mostly those of a youthfull persuasion) often feel a need to let out some of the pent up steam upon completing it. A short time ago I witnessed such a divemaster gradution party on Malapascua Island in the Philippines. A local dive company by the name of Thresher Shark Divers, had a number of candidates who finished their divemaster training only a few days apart. As such a party was arranged in their honour, by the instructors they had been following the previous couple of weeks. One staple ingredient in such a party is the infamous snorkel test, where the candidate is rewarded for all the hard work put in, by wearing a mask and snorkel, while copious amounts of alcohol is poured down the snorkel. Most sane people wouldn't consider it a reward, but then again - paying to get an education, that most likely will only get you poorer as you travel the world, isn't sane by most definitions.
To be fair it has to be said that the divemasters candidates in question did like a good party and had been looking forward to the (quite awful) snorkel test initiation. It is however all conducted for a laugh, and is actually pretty good natured. If someone doesn't drink, or just thinks it's stupid, such a silly initiation is of course not organized, although they would likely feel some degree of peer pressure. It is certainly not a requirement for professional divers to be avid party goes or heavy drinkers! - But by the definition of those present at the snorkeltest, it sure was a funny night!
About the Author
Resident of Malapascua Island, dive instructor, webmaster of www.gotomalapascua.com - the independent guide to everything about Malapascua; the amazing diving, accommodation, travel tips and do's and don'ts.
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