PADI Rescue Diver Course – Completing the Circle

Posted on January 25, 2013 by admin
PADI Rescue Diver Course with Borneo Dream

PADI Rescue Diver Course with Borneo Dream

PADI Rescue Diver Course in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – Completing the Circle

Enjoy an article by our Dive Centre Manager, Ian Edwards, about one of his favorite PADI courses to teach in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with Borneo Dream.

When you finish your PADI Open Water Diver Course you have been given the basics of diving safely and how to look after yourself, and a little on helping others while diving. During the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course you learn how to further develop your scuba diving skills be it deep, navigation, search and recovery or what ever really takes your fancy. Now when you do your PADI Rescue Diver course this is when you complete the circle – you are capable too help others. You will learn how to take care of yourself but a lot of the course is about seeing potential problems and stopping it from occurring or if need be help others in trouble (be it a small problem or a life threatening problem).

PADI Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

PADI Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

To enter the PADI Rescue Diver course you must be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent (yes crossovers from aother agency is allowed). Also you must have recently completed a EFR (emergency first aid) course. The PADI Rescue Diver course is broken down into three sections – Theory, Skill sessions, and Practical scenarios.

In the theory you will study all aspect of rescue and problem solving techniques useful for the the diver.

In the skill sessions you will learn the skills to help yourself and others in an emergency. The skill sessions are fun and unlike most courses this one is certainly a case of the more the the merrier.  When I did my PADI Rescue Diver course there was a large number of students which meant our PADI Instructor could put together some great scenarios which were challenging but also fun. Looking back on it now we learned alot from the rescue scenario sessions.

Scuba Diving Rescue Scenarios

Scuba Diving Rescue Scenarios

In the practical scenario you will put it all together and practice what you have learnt. By the end you will be pleasantly surprised how much you have learnt and how far you have come, your confidence as a diver will be higher. Other divers will also treat you with more respect as you have gone out your way not just to learn more for self but also for the divers around you.

Once you have finished you will be one step closer to becoming a PADI Divemaster or PADI Master Scuba Diver. If you are interested in completing a PADI course during your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah please contact a member of the Dream Team at Borneo Dream. We will be more than willing to answer all your questions.

 

 

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New Job Opportunity with the Borneo Dream Team in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on January 7, 2013 by admin
Borneo Dream - a 5 Star PADI Dive Resort

Borneo Dream – a 5 Star PADI Dive Resort

New Job Opportunity with the Borneo Dream Team in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Borneo Dream is growing as a business which means there is now a new job opportunity within our team for a ‘Sales Executive’. Read on to find out more about this new job opportunity and next steps for applying for this job.

What do you need to know about Borneo Dream first? Borneo Dream prides itself on being a premier Dive Operator in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah delivering high quality, safe and fun experiences to our customers during their holiday in Sabah. We are a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, BSAC Diver Training Centre (including Boat Handling courses) and also offer Rebreather courses. We also operate the Dive Centres for two large 5 Star Resorts. As a licensed Inbound Tour Operator we arrange trips for our customers to Mount Kinabalu, Kinabatangan River, Resorts near Sipadan, Lankayan and a range of day trips from Kota Kinabalu. Find out more about Borneo Dream on our web site.

Our Speedy RIB

Our Speedy RIB

Now onto the new role in our team – we are recruiting a Sales Executive whose core responsibility will be to show how Borneo Dream can best meet our customers needs by helping them arrange the trips that will provide them with their ideal holiday experience in Sabah . The role will involve the following:

  • Professionally responding to customer enquiries (from requesting single trips to arranging a full holiday itineray, single travellers through to groups etc.).
  • Efficiently handling customer bookings.
  • Engaging warmly with customers from many different countries and backgrounds.
  • Providing operational support to enable the smooth running of our business.
  • Supporting broader team activities such as marketing activities, meeting customers etc. as required.
Students Dive with Turtle

Students Dive with Turtle

The ideal person for this role in the Borneo Dream team will be able to tick all of the following:

  • Needs to be fluent in English (spoken and written) and can write professional emails with ease.
  • Can manage themselves to deliver on time, accurately – has initiative, can plan and organise their daily workload and is highly computer literate (Microsoft Office).
  • Has sufficient knowledge to help handle customer enquiries  – understands scuba diving products (either as a certified diver or a Dive Professional), has knowledge of the tourism destinations within Sabah.
  • Is a professional representative of Borneo Dream – has a smart appearance and  is very friendly and can truly represent the Borneo Dream brand to our customers.
  • Is a great team player.
  • You like having fun and have a good sense of humour!
  • Ability to write and speak Mandarin would be an added advantage.

Interested in being the next Dream Boy or Dream Girl? Them email your CV / Resume to [email protected] with a covering email that says why you would be the best choice for the new Sales Executive role. Good luck!

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Dolphins Spotted in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin
Bottlenose Dolphins in TARP

Bottlenose Dolphins in TARP

Dolphins Spotted in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

I am always continually surprised by the amazing marine life we come across during our scuba diving and snorkeling trips in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park located near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Staff and Customers on our catamarans – Borneo Dream Betty and Borneo Dream 3 – had the pleasure of watching a pod of around 20 Bottlenise Dolphins near Pulau Gaya. Pulau Gaya is the largest island located in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Dolphin near Borneo Dream Betty

Dolphin near Borneo Dream Betty

The Bottlenose Dolphins were swimming in two groups nearby each other. Staff on Borneo Drean Betty had 2 – 3 dolphins swimming around the front of our boat with other dolphins leaping out the sea. Customers and our team on Borneo Dream 3 were also lucky enough to have a close encounter with the dolphins at the start of their snorkelling and diving day trip.

Dolphins near Pulau Gaya

Dolphins near Pulau Gaya

Gary Bridger, a local Photographer, was on one of our boats and managed to capture photos of the Dolphins. Thanks to Gary for sharing his photos of the dolphin encounter with Borneo Dream.

If you’d like to join Borneo Dream for a scuba diving or snorkeling trip during your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact the Borneo Dream Team.

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Borneo Dream Team Member awarded a PADI ‘Certificate of Excellence’

Posted on January 1, 2013 by admin
PADI-certificate-excellence-ian-edwards-borneo-dream

PADI Certificate of Excellence for Borneo Dream Dive Centre Manager, Ian Edwards

Borneo Dream Dive Centre Manager, Ian Edwards, awarded a PADI ‘Certificate of Excellence’

At Borneo Dream we put a lot of effort into providing high quality, personalised scuba diving and snorkeling experiences to our customers during their visit to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We make an effort to ask our customers for feedback so we can ensure we keep doing this and deliver the best quality diving trips for our customers in Kota Kinabalu.

We had a pleasant surprise just before Christmas when one of our team, Dive Centre Manager Ian Edwards, received a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from PADI based upon feedback one of our customers had shared with PADI direct about their recent PADI Divemaster Internship with Borneo Dream. Clare Brown spent 3.5 weeks completing her PADI Divemaster Internship with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and wrote to PADI to recognise her two leads PADI Instructors – Gene and Ian – for their quality of instruction and support. Well done Dream Boys!

PADI awards PADI Dive Centres and PADI Professionals with a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ when it wants to recognise outstanding customer service and professionalism. So, thank you to our customer Clare, and PADI for the very nice pat on the back for our team :)

If you’d like to find out what makes our scuba diving and experiences so special during your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact the Borneo Dream team.

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5* Stay & Dive Packages at the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on December 9, 2012 by admin
Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

5* Stay & Dive Packages at the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

We have designed a choice of two 6D5N Dive & Stay packages – ‘Learn to Dive’ & ‘Leisure Diving’ – at the 5 Star Pacific Sutera Hotel located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo. Here you can enjoy the wide range of facilities the Sutera Harbour Resort and and experience a high quality scuba diving experience with the Borneo Dream team.

Choose from scuba diving (for certified divers) or learning to dive via the PADI Open Water Diver Course during the day whilst staying at the 5 Star Pacific Sutera Hotel, part of Sutera Harbour Resort. Sutera Harbour Resort has its own PADI Dive Centre – the Sutera Harbour Dive Resort – and this is operated by ourselves, Borneo Dream. The PADI Dive Resort is located on the Marina Boardwalk and is a 5 minute walk from your Resort room. So you can board our diving boats at the Sutera Marina, a 5 minute stroll from your room at the Pacific Sutera Hotel.

Learn to Dive

Learn to Dive in Kota Kinabalu

The Sutera Harbour Resort has Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park on its doorstep, a 15 – 30 minute boat transfer from the Sutera Marina. In the Marine Park you can go diving in the tropical waters of the South China Sea. Sabah is located in the Coral Triangle, home to some of the most diverse marine life in the world. During your dives along pretty coral reefs you typically can see Clown Fish, Puffer Fish, Barracuda, Yellow Snappers, Fusiliers, Parrot Fish, Nudibranches, Shrimps, Pipefish, Lion Fish, Stone Fish and we often have Turtle encounters.

We are pleased to offer the following promotional package prices for booking your 5* dive and stay package with Borneo Dream (based on 2 persons booking the same package together).

  • 5* Learn to Dive in Style (off peak) = RM2650 per person, based upon twin share
  • 5* Leisure Diving in Style (off peak) = RM2250 per person, based upon twin share

These package prices are applicable until 31st March 2013. You can get full information about the 6D5N package itinerary, inclusions and exclusions on our web site.

For further information, or help making a reservation, just contact the Borneo Dream team.

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Underwater Proposal with Borneo Dream – she said “Yes!!”

Posted on December 5, 2012 by admin
Underwater Proposal with Borneo Dream

Underwater Proposal with Borneo Dream

Underwater Proposal with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Gabriel came to Kota Kinabalu for a short holiday with his girlfriend, Clara, and their friends (Ritchie and Kah Woon). Gabriel had already booked a day of scuba diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, located in front of Kota Kinabalu, when we received a special request from him. He asked for Borneo Dreams help in proposing to his girlfriend underwater during a dive as part of his scuba diving trip!! Of course we said yes straight away.

The day of their diving trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park started like normal. Our team escorted them to our catamaran, Borneo Dream 3, they completed PADI paperwork and we set off on a cruise to our first dive site of the day. I joined them for the diving trip to take photos of the divers on our boat and the marine life we saw during the dives (and as an unofficial engagement photographer ;) . Gabriel, Clara and their friends enjoyed two dives in the morning and lunch on an island. Still like a normal diving trip…..until the afternoon dive.

"Will you marry me?"

“Will you marry me?”

For their third dive of the day, after lunch, Gabrial and Clara and friends descended to start their dive with PADI Instructor Gene. I followed them with a slight delay as I collected the sign and the ring (yes, THE RING!!). At the start of the afternoon dive Gene had got them to settle down on the sand. I passed the sign and ring to over and it all started to get very special. Gabriel rolled out the sign ready saying “Will you marry me?”. After a shocked, surprised pause (which seemed like a very long pause) Clara signalled a big ‘okay’ and there were big smiles all round. Gabriel then placed a ring on her finger and they kissed each other. A very, special underwater proposal.

The First Kiss as an Engaged Couple, aaahhhh :)

The First Kiss as an Engaged Couple, aaahhhh :)

I took photos of their proposal, and during this special diving trip. Hopefully these photos help capture their magical moment for them. Borneo Dream – helping make every dive special for our customers in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo.

I love romance so if there are any divers out there, not yet engaged, who fancy delivering a surprise proposal underwater we are your team! Just drop us an email and we will be there to help make your diving trip a very special one in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo.

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Prize Draw Promotion with Borneo Dream – FREE Snorkeling or Diving Trip in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on December 3, 2012 by admin
'Click to win' prize draw with Borneo Dream

‘Click to win’ prize draw with Borneo Dream

Prize Draw Promotion with Borneo Dream – Win a FREE Snorkeling or Diving Trip in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Well Christmas is just around the corner and the Borneo Dream team is feeling generous in spirit – Ho ho ho!

We are offering a FREE diving or snorkelling trip for two persons in nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The winner can choose from one of the following trips:

Find out more details about these trips, and their inclusions on our website.

How do I enter the Prize Draw?

It’s easy! To enter the prize draw to just need to make two clicks of the mouse as follows:

  • You need to like the Borneo Dream page on Facebook – just go to our Page and click ‘Like’.
  • You also need to ‘like’ this promotion on the Borneo Dream Facebook page

The Prize Draw closes 20th December 2012. A winner will be randomly drawn from all correct prize draw entries and announced on our Facebook page on 24th December 2012. A perfect Christmas present for someone :)

What are you waiting for? Just ‘Click click!’ to have a chance of a FREE trip with Borneo Dream.

Full terms and conditions for this Prize Draw are as follows:

  • Must enter prize draw by 20th December 2012.
  • There is one prize to be won – one trip for 2 persons, you and a friend.
  • The trip is transferable – you can give it as a gift to someone.
  • You need to like the Borneo Dream page on Facebook, and ‘like’ the promotion on our Facebook page to enter the prize draw.
  • The winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries after 20th December 2012 closing date. They will then be notified of their prize before we communicate the prize draw winner on our Facebook page on 24th December 2012.
  • The winner, and the second person joining them, must join the same trip on the same date.
  • The winner, and the second person joining them, must meet the pre-requisites for the trip they choose to join.
  • The Prize is valid unto 15th March 2013 (the trip must be taken by this date).

For further information on scuba diving trips, snorkeling packages, PADI Dive courses for your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo just contact the Borneo Dream Team.

Posted in About Borneo Dream, PADI Discover Scuba Diving, PADI Discover Snorkeling Experience, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Try a PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience – Because life on land is just SO last season

Posted on November 23, 2012 by admin
Try Dive in Kota KInabalu

Try Dive in Kota KInabalu

Try Scuba Diving in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – Because life on land is just SO last season

Are you, like many people, somewhat bored with life on land? Have the trees, birds, buildings, and streets got you down? Are you starting to feel that if one more person makes a comment about the weather, you might just snap, and do something that reporters will later refer to as “misguided” and “regrettable”? Would you like to try scuba diving?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience might be just the thing to cure what ails your tired, beaten down, gravity bogged spirit. This one-day adventure is designed to introduce even the pastiest land-lubber to the joys of scuba diving and the wonders of the aquatic world.

Find Nemo!

Find Nemo!

Your experience begins with a boat ride from the lively Jesselton Point Jetty to the serene beauty of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. After filling out some interesting and thought-provoking paperwork, your fully licensed and experienced PADI instructor will familiarize you with your equipment, assist you in putting it on, and guide you to the beach, where you’ll practice a few simple skills while experiencing what it’s like to breathe underwater. After you’ve demonstrated your mastery of these skills, which will only take a few minutes because you’re such a quick learner and overall just a quality human being, your instructor will guide you on a tour of the beautiful Sapi House Reef, with its plethora of marine life ranging from fish to coral to stingrays (which, technically, is also a fish) to cuttlefish (which, despite its name, is not in fact a fish) to a whole multitude of other aquatic life forms. Like fish! Continue reading →

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Borneo Dream joins Malaysia Tourism at the UK NEC Dive Show

Posted on November 18, 2012 by admin
Malaysia Tourism Stand at UK NEC Dive Show

Malaysia Tourism Stand at UK NEC Dive Show

Borneo Dream joins Malaysia Tourism at the UK NEC Dive Show

Billy and I have just got back from a holiday to England to visit family and friends – our first time back to the UK in  a few years. During our time in the UK we also joined the Malaysia Tourism stand at the UK Dive Show held in the NEC at the end of October.

The UK Dive Show is held over the weekend helping divers, and non-divers, have time to visit one of two major Dive Shows held in the UK – one in Birmingham (NEC) in October, the other in London in March.

Borneo Dream at the UK Dive Show

Borneo Dream at the UK Dive Show

Malaysia Tourism has a stand at both UK Dive Shows to help visitors find out more about visiting this wonderful country. At the recent UK NEC Dive Show Borneo Dream was joined on the Malaysia Tourism stand by friendly dive operators from Peninsular Malaysia and from Resorts near Sipadan as well as a representative from Malaysia Airlines.

During the Dive Show we met lots of British families, couples, groups who wanted to find out more about diving in Malaysia – both Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). Most divers were also interested in seeing wildlife too – like visiting Sepilok Sanctuary, the Kinabatangan River, Turtle Island and Danum Valley. As we are both a PADI Dive Operator and licensed Inbound Tour Operator in Sabah we shared our knowledge about activities in Sabah and helped visitors to the UK Dive Show see how much they can do during a holiday here.

We hope to have helped more British divers and non-divers consider Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia as a holiday destination :) . For more help arranging your holiday in tropical Sabah just contact the Borneo Dream team.

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Clare Becomes a PADI Divemaster with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on November 18, 2012 by admin
Become a PADI Divemaster with Borneo Dream

Become a PADI Divemaster with Borneo Dream

Clare Becomes a PADI Divemaster with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Congratulations to Clare Brown on becoming a PADI Divemaster! Clare has just completed a 3 week PADI Divemaster internship with Borneo Dream during a holiday to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

During her PADI Divemaster Internship in Kota Kinabalu Clare was involved in lots of PADI dive courses and leisure diving trips to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park with our customers under the guidance and support of our team of PADI Instructors. Alongside this Clare completed all the essential elements of a PADI Divemaster course – academics, water stamina tests, rescue scenario, deep dive scenario, search and recovery, PADI Discover Scuba diving support and dive site mapping.

Clare had previously been diving with Borneo Dream during holidays in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for both leisure diving as well as to learn to dive on a semi closed rebreather. It was after her diving experiences with our team that she decided she would like to complete her PADI Divemaster Internship with Borneo Dream.

We wish Clare all the best with her future career – maybe she’ll be tempted to the life of being a PADI Dive Professional :)

For more information on becoming a PADI Divemaster in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah just contact the Borneo Dream team.

 

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