Divemaster in Thailand questions and answers

You have decided…You really want to get into Diving and the Xtreme Gap Divemaster course In Thailand looks ideal! They offer flexibility , good service, almost all inclusive and best value for money…

But you have soooo many questions. Well guess what everyone does. So in order to help you out a bit we have put together an FAQ regarding the Divemaster in Koh Tao programme.

How much spending money will you need per month? : 20 pounds a day will be enough for a great holiday. However you could do it for 12 pounds a day (depends on how much you want to go out, Thai food is cheap)

What re the rooms like? You will have 2 single beds, a TV, en suite bathroom, balcony. The room is very spacious and nice. There is an option for your own room for 75 euro extra a month. (and sometimes we have special deals and you get a free single person room upgrade!)

What facilities does the resort have? reception, bar, restaurant with Thai and Western food, a big pool with sun beds pool, dive school, internet
Where is the resort compared to the beach? It is a 2 minute walk from the beach, the bars, the restaurants. And it is part of the Dive resort.
Do I need experience in Diving? The simple answer is: No! However it is a big commitment so make sure you really want to do it. 80 % of people that book their Divemaster have no prior experience.

Transportation on Koh Tao. How easy 2 get around and average price of taxi. The pick up from the pier on your day of arrival is included. The island is 21 square KM, and the resort is a 2 minute walk from the beach and all restaurants. No real necessity for taxi’s. However if you want to get to another end of the island it is usually around 1 of 2 pounds. You can also hire a Motorbike or rent a cycle.

What is the weather like all year round? GREAT!!!! Monsoon (wet season) is in October and November. The rest of the year it is hot and sunny! And even in Monsoon it is much better than back home.

Is the drinking water safe? No you drink from bottles. The water is cheap and there are shops open 24/7 if you forgot to buy. Also brushing your teeth you do with bottled water.

Food. Can I eat everything without getting sick? The island is accustomed to westerners. You can eat all dishes safely in all restaurants. The food is fresh and cheap and very tasty. If you wish a Westend dish like pizza you can. There are many nice restaurants around.
Approx. how many people travel to Koh Tao with Xtreme Gap. There is always an average of 5 to 12 travellers from Xtreme Gap.
Are all people travelling with Xtreme Gap doing diving? No we have Muay Thai, Yoga, Freediving, an island life programme, rock climbing and an underwater video course on Koh Tao. All will be staying at the same resort.
Can I fly directly in to Bangkok? Yes you can and from there we have arranged an hotel in Bangkok for 1 night and the next day overnight transport to Koh Tao. You can also fly straight from Bangkok in to Samui and than Koh Tao is only 1 hour away by boat.
From the airport in Bangkok how to get to hotel? You will get the address. The hotel is well known, you can give the address to the taxi driver. Or we can arrange a pick up for you. However there will be extra costs for this.

When do you meet the others on the same trip? Once you arrive on the island you will have an introduction night. This is a very social programme, and island. You will meet lots of people.
What support network do we get. We have a emergency number next to our office hour number and on the island we have a rep (Sarah) She will be there to pick you up and support you with everything you need. And you will be working with your dedicated diving instructor almost daily. Trust us you will never be alone if you do not want to.

Is food included? No. We think that including a food plan would limit your social life. Food is cheap and there are plenty of nice restaurants where you can hang out with your new friends.
How intense is the training? You can dive as much as you like. This programme is included unlimited diving for 12 weeks! You can take your days of to explore the island a bit! Or to go to the full moon party on the island next door once a month!

What if you become sick? There are several clinics on the island and our rep is there to support you. There is a big hospital on the nearby island.

Are there shops nearby? What do I need to bring from home? You can buy anything you like on Koh Tao. There are lots of little shops for souvenirs, sun lotion, swim shorts and everything else you might need. Shops are only a 2 min walk away from the resort.
How much/what should you pack? Not much. T- shirts, shorts and swim shorts, trainers, buy flip flops on the island. All sorts, sizes, colours and really really cheap!

Are there mosquitoes? Yes, at sunset. Buy your repellent on Koh Tao it is the right one and much cheaper than in europe.

Do you need injections ?The FCO website states that there are not many health risks associated with Thailand, please check it for more details. Although Malaria and Dengue fever are present in some areas (Koh Tao is Malaria free and dengue is reasonably rare).

What to be careful of? Just be sensible and you will be fine, the life style on the island is very relaxed. I have lived on the island for 8 months and all was fine.

Language? Thai (but everyone speaks English). Your lessons will be in English, Dutch, French and are even conduct in Spanish.
Internet/wifi? There are many internet and wifi cafa’s. So it is easy to stay in contact with home through e mail or even skype. You can also take your own laptop.
Offence to the local people - what do you need to avoid? Check this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand

What kind of insurance is needed? For People of the UK: Look online. We recommend essential travel for insurance, you can get a quote online and book this online here through our website, we have chosen these guys as preferred partners because they are good value and cover the necessary diving and sports options we cover. Make sure diving up to 30 meters is included.

Visa? Yes you need to arrange a visa if you stay longer than 30 days. For 30 days you get a visa upon arrival. With the Divemaster course we give you a letter that you need to obtain a visa for 12 weeks. The visa will cost around 80 pounds.

Wow. That where a lot of questions!!! But I hope you feel informed now.
www.xtremegapyear.co.uk

extreme gap year challenges for 2010

To keep your blood pumping you need adrenaline, and to get adrenaline you need excitement. This is what my company (Xtreme Gap) offers to everyone of 18 years and old who wants an extreme gap year. I would like to give you five tips to keep your adrenaline pumping through your veins in 2010 and keep you alive. Read here all about our five extreme gap year challenges for 2010.

Extreme gap year challenge number one
Get in there!! Get in the ring and defeat your Muay Thai opponent during our Xtreme Gap Muay Thai training in Thailand programme. You will have to train hard! 6 days a week your personal trainer will help you push your boundaries, sweat and gain knowledge of Muay Thai. F you are up for it, and your trainer thinks so too you can have a real Muay Thai fight. Get in the ring and have 300 people chanting!

Extreme gap year challenge number two
Our number two is also about getting fit. Fitness boot camp in Thailand. With 8 hours training a day starting off with yoga followed by daily personal fitness training by a Thai champion. 2 times 2 fitness group sessions. You will be super fit and you will feel your blood pumping and see you muscles growing. I believe this programme is suited perfectly for starting your exiting gap year.

Extreme gap year challenge number three
Now this is a challenge of a different league…great white shark cage diving in South Africa. Takes a lot of courage, but will make your adrenaline shoot up like a maniac! We will take you by boat to shark park, and you will do the scariest thing ever. You will put on scuba gear and a snorkel and you will get down in the cage where you will meet the great white shark in his natural habitat. He is wild and ready to show his teeth…hope you can sleep after this one.

Extreme gap year challenge number four
More animals. Animals in Africa…This is the Big Cat conservation project in Namibia. Help the cheeta’s, leopards, lions and wild dogs get ready to roam around freely again. Feed lion cubs, and take a hike with a Leopard…pretty exiting if you ask me! You will live on the campus in Namibia surrounded by a natural savannah paradise with reverie vegetation, lush grass plains and magnificent mountain views. Oh, and there are also baboons waiting to greet you!


Extreme gap year challenge number five
The Australian Kitesurf adventure. Kitesurfing is cool and easy to learn. It will give you that coolness you need. The Australia gap year challenge kite surf adventure takes place in North Queensland. We will take you to unbelievable remote kitesurf locations. Here you find the best winds, the best beaches and lots of excitement to keep it pumping!

Gap Year info for parents in the USA

It’s September, and if you are the mom or dad of a student, you are either recovering from, or in the midst of, the college search process. During this time, it might become clear to you that your son or daughter might not be entirely ready for the next step in their education. This should not concern you too much because there is another option for the wary pre-freshman: the gap year.

A gap year, or “year out”, is the British tradition of deferring college in favor of a year spent traveling, interning, exploring and engaging in other forms of experiential learning. Recently it became a trend to take a gap year and it has been gaining popularity all over the world. Even more and more young Americans are opting to take a year off before college.

Colleges and universities are supporting this opportunity by making deferring school easier and in some cases, like Princeton, offering their own in-house gap year programs. In most cases, a simple letter to your child’s school of choice explaining their reasoning for taking a gap year is enough to secure their spot for the following school year.

There are many benefits for a student taking a gap year. Parents often list the following as changes they see in their children over the course of a year out:
• Maturation, self reliance and independence
• Recovery from academic burnout / Renewal in eagerness to learn
• Wider world view and global perspective
• Discovery of interests and passions through firsthand experience
• Ridding themselves of the travel bug or the desire to “do some things” before they begin college
• Learning or gaining proficiency in a foreign language
• Real world experience before the college “bubble”
• Better avoids the risk of first year drop/fail out by providing the opportunity to refocus priorities and gain maturity

The economic climate
In this economic climate, taking a gap year can also be a wise financial decision. A gap year allows you more time to let your college savings mature and reapply for better financial aid packages.


What now?
So let’s assume your child is well suited for a gap year. “What now?” you may ask. In short: Talk with your kid and research ideas and programmes.
Look online on www.xtreme-gap.com if you decide sports and adventure travel would suit your kid. Be sure not to press to do what you wathink is bst for them to do. But do set some ground rules like: You may not go jumping of mount Everest. This will not only empower your son or daughter to be deliberate but will let them know you trust them to make adult choices.

Set a budget, and be sure to factor in the “extras” like vaccinations, airfare, travel money and international health insurance. Don’t be shy in asking your child to contribute a certain portion of the budget themselves; either through a summer job or fundraising. This gives them a financial stake in their activities.
Before you know it, your child will be off to school, matured from a year of unique experiences and ready to take full advantage of their college years!

For more information look on our gap year travel section.