The reputation of the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield in the nautical field is well established. Indelible proof of the excitement surrounding the Valleyfieldians aquatic environment, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) was in the regional capital of Suroît on Sunday August 2nd to certify its new instructors.
It was in the part of the old Beauharnois canal near the Jean de La Lande bridge that PADI evaluated its new instructors. Do not think that the organization, which is headquartered in California, selected Salaberry-de-Valleyfield by chance. The location was chosen with certain specifics.
“The facilities in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield are perfect,” says Charles Dupont, regional manager at PADI Canada. The site is truly exceptional. The canal is a natural environment with warm and calm water. In addition, the visibility is excellent. The assessment can therefore be carried out sheltered from the waves.”
Mr. Dupont thanks the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and the Eco-Dive diving school for their participation. “It’s really a great achieve-ment, he says. I think the place will become a regular site for us. I visited the site last September as part of a private instructor certification. I wanted to make sure the site met our standards. Subsequently, I advised the head office in California that we couldn’t ask for a better location. There is even a shelter across the street and we also have access to public facilities.”
The future instructors do not necessarily come from the region. Among the candidates, there were people from Ottawa, Quebec, Montreal and the South Shore. “All the schools that give instructor courses will come to Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, says Jean-Michel Lalonde of the EcoDive diving center. Following the assessment, platforms and buoys will remain in place and divers can come and practice. Maybe the site will be developed. This is also a possibility.”
What is an IE?
An IE (instructor exam) is an assessment program that tests the educational abilities of a candidate instructor, his knowledge of diving theory, the level of his diving techniques, his understanding of the PADI system, as well as his attitude and professionalism. PADI IEs are standardized and conducted by specially trained PADI examiners. The location of the EIs, the environment for the written exams and the assessment sessions are selected so that the assessment of a candidate’s abilities is as objective and fair as possible. Only those who meet the required IE performance achieve the respected PADI Instructor certification.
