Recently in Emperor Divers - Inside Category

What's Feefo? You may have come across it if you were buying clothes or the like. Feefo has expanded their service to the travel industry so, as we welcome your opinion on how you think we are doing, we signed up so you can tell us.

Feefo is entirely independent and monitors our guests' feedback on the service they have received from us and then shows them online for all to see - whatever the feedback.

A big thank you to all who have used Feefo so far, it helps us to continually improve our service.

Wonderful news for Emperor Divers in Sharm! Our Instructor Trainer, Steve Prior, has just been awarded the level of "Platinum Course Director for 2012".

This year only 57 Course Directors in the whole world have reached this level. Steve has been awarded the "Platinum" award every year since it started in 2006.

Great news for Emperor, but what does this mean for you? It means that if you are thinking about becoming a PADI instructor with Emperor Divers, you will be trained by a Course Director who is "Match Fit" and you'll know that you will be getting the very best training that can be found anywhere in the world. Steve is very popular, and you don't need to look far to find excellent, successful instructors who have been taught by him.

Steve is pictured here with Janet his IDC Staff Instructor wife, together they make "Prior Knowledge".

You can ask Steve any questions on idc@emperordivers.com

In support of HEPCA Earth Day and Beach Clean up on Sunday 22 April, each of our dive centres will be organising its own clean up for guests who want to take part.

Details of how you can get involved will be provided by your dive centre locally - so do ask and help to make a difference.

By Mat Cotton, Manager, Emperor El Gouna

It comes to that time of the year after Christmas, New Year and Easter eggs, following an over-indulgence of too much booze and rich food, that I’ve noticed that I may have gained a pound or two. The only reason I actually noticed this was because my drysuit no longer fits me. We all know that drysuits will shrink after being left for an extended period without use (don’t they?) but mine has ‘shrunk’ to an extent that I can’t even get it on, never mind zip it up!

So, rather than spend loads of hard-earned (!) cash on a new one, I’ve decided that I need to lose some weight. As I used to have the body of a diamond-cut Adonis (my wife is laughing over my shoulder as I write this, it must have been before we met!), I’ve finally realised that it’s time I got back down to a size 32 waist. I headed down to my local gym to see what they can offer but it turns out the best thing I could do to lose weight at the gym was to lighten my pockets by a few hundred quid. Being from up t’north, and therefore rather ‘careful’ with money, this was immediately kyboshed in favour of me exercising at home – which is free. 

After a bit of research on the web, and some distractions of rather fitter bodies than mine, it turns out that one of the best ways to burn calories is to do something that we all love – diving! Great, that’ll save me money on having to buy some new trainers as well then.

According to glamour.com – which I was looking at as research, honest – diving is one of the best sports to keep fit whilst having fun at the same time. Looking back on it, I can’t see why this has never occurred to me before. I have always put on a bit of weight over Christmas (my ‘winter stores’ as I call it) when I am not in the water as much, then always lost this over summer when I diving daily, with no change in diet, or importantly, drinking habits. It turns out that during an average hour-long dive, you can burn up to 650 calories! 650 calories! That’s the same as using a cycling machine in the gym for an hour!

Of course, in order to lose weight, it means I also have to cut out the post-pub Burger King on a Saturday evening but after some quick calculations, I can lose weight by eating a little more healthily and just diving! Whilst this remains to be seen, it is a fact that diving is a great workout for your body. It won’t help you build body mass, but to tone and trim, diving is ideal. Diving helps you tone the muscles in your thighs and calves (as anyone who has had to swim against anything other than a mild current will attest to) as well as your gluteus maximus (that’s your bottom). Diving is also a great cardiovascular workout and studies have shown that divers in general have a larger lung volume and vital capacity than non-divers.  

And it’s not just me. It’s a new fitness trend that our celebrity friends are doing too. Jessica Alba, Katie Holmes, Sandra Bullock, that woman from ‘The Vampire Diaries’, Martin Clunes; they’re all doing it. "Scuba diving provides a full body workout that combines cardio and strength training to burn calories, tone muscles and even improve breathing," says Theresa Kaplan, director of communications for The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). "Although your body is buoyant underwater and you feel virtually weightless while scuba diving, manoeuvring through water requires constant motion by your entire body, thus toning and strengthening muscles in your thighs, shoulders and your core.

" Just remember though, like any sport, it’s important to warm up, stretch and stay hydrated, especially if you come out to dive with Emperor in the Egyptian heat.  "Although you may not feel it underwater, you are actually sweating and exerting energy while scuba diving, so it’s important to stay hydrated during your diving excursion," Kaplan says. "Getting plenty of rest and stretching beforehand will also help prevent any cramping underwater and will allow you to swim through the waters with ease."

So, next time you’re out diving in the Red Sea and you see some idiot swimming against the current during your drift dive, don’t worry, that’s probably just me burning off those extra Sakaras. All I have to do now is convince Jessica Alba to join me.

Of course, if you would care to join me then please do so. There's more about diving El Gouna right here...

 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two enthusiastic MSDT Instructors to join our Dive Centre, based as the Hilton Plaza in Hurghada. Plus, for approximately 12 weeks of the year, you will also work on our liveaboards.

As instructors and experienced divers, you will be confident in both teaching and guiding guests of all certification levels. Get in touch with us if you have excellent interpersonal skills, great team spirit and an enthusiasm for diving that will bring our guests back for more.

Both couples and single diving instructors are welcome to apply. It's essential that you can speak fluent Spanish, Russian and English. Additional European languages are an advantage.

The successful candidates will be offered a 1 year contact and will receive salary and commission.

Please send your CV, including languages spoken and recent photograph, to human.resources@emperordivers.com and quote reference ED103.

Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you.

STOP PRESS! Thanks for looking at this page. We've now filled these jobs but do still send your details to Human Resources as we always like to hear from good people.

human.resources@emperordivers.com

Do you and your partner long to work in the sun? Then grab this opportunity for a couple to help set up and look after an exciting new project at Emperor Divers in Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt.  We've recently opened a new Dive Centre and Boutique Sales Point at two neighbouring hotels (4 star Resta Reef and 5 star Resta Grand) and we're looking for a couple who can take responsibility for providing first class customer service while generating sales of diving trips, snorkelling excursions, boat trips and shop merchandise while living in the sun!
 
Duties also include planning and scheduling boat trips, liaising with sales people, liaising with nearby Emperor Centres, inventory management, cash handling and some basic housekeeping.  
 
You’ll have a professional appearance, demonstrate punctuality and initiative and have the ability to work under pressure. Most importantly you must have excellent customer service skills – a background in face to face customer service, bar and restaurant service and hotel/reception work (especially supervisory levels) and planning and organisational roles will give you a definite advantage.  If you are great team players, flexible and able to work in a remote location, then you may be just what we're looking for.

Both of you must be Open Water Divers (that’s diver – not instructor!) as a minimum and have a love for the sea. For the right candidates this could become an intern position, where we will train you to PADI Divemaster and Assistant Instructor level and at the end of your first year you will have the opportunity to take an OWSI/IDC with Emperor. Once a Divemaster, there may also be some opportunities to work in the water. It should be noted that it is advertised as a ‘dry’ job, though you are more than welcome to dive with Emperor for free on all days off and holidays! The job can also be offered without an internship - to those who don’t want to go down the professional route as yet - at a higher salary.

You must both be fluent in English, speaking and writing, and one must be able to speak, read and write in German. Other languages are advantageous, especially Italian. You also need a minimum certification level of PADI Open Water (or equivalent) and we will also consider PADI Divemasters. Instructors need not apply unless there is an additional reason why you should stay dry. You must be well presented with no imposing tattoos or excessive piercings.
 
We are offering a 12 month contract starting as soon as possible, monthly salary, commission plus accommodation at the Resta Reef and full board.  

If you meet our criteria, please send your CVs showing all relevant diving and non-diving experience along with clear and recent photographs to human.resources@emperordivers.com quoting reference ED102.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has awarded Emperor Divers' liveaboard, the Emperor Superior, a tourism "Certificate of Appreciation " in recognition for its 'outstanding role in enriching the tourism industry in Egypt in 2011'.

Superior and her crew gained the award for being one of the best boats that helped 'with its excellence' to revive tourism in Egypt.

Mike Braun, General Manager, said, "This was unexpected but well deserved by the entire crew and guides of Superior who work hard on all our liveaboards. Our thanks to the Ministry of Tourism and we continue to invite tourists to Egypt knowing they will enjoy a first rate service in a beautiful country."

For more information, visit www.emperordivers.com or email info.safaris@emperordivers.com
 

We have the most excellent opportunity for a couple to join Emperor Divers and help to set up and look after an exciting new project at Emperor Divers in Marsa Alam.

We've recently opened a new Dive Centre and Boutique Sales shop at two neighbouring hotels (4 star Resta Reef and 5 star Resta Grand). Now we need a couple who can take responsibility for providing first class customer service and generate sales of diving trips, snorkelling excursions, boat trips and shop merchandise - all while living in the sun!
 
Duties will also include planning and scheduling boat trips, liaising with sales people, liaising with nearby Emperor Centres, inventory management, cash handling and some basic housekeeping. 
 
You must have a professional business-like appearance, be punctual and have the initiative and ability to work under pressure.  Most importantly you must have excellent customer service skills - a background in face to face customer service, bar and restaurant service and hotel/reception work (especially supervisory levels) and planning and organisational roles will give you a definite advantage.  If you're a great team players, flexible and are able to work in a remote location, then do get in touch.
 
Both of you must be Open Water Divers (that's diver - not instructor!) as a minimum and have a love for the sea. For the right candidates this could become an intern position, where we will train you to PADI Divemaster and Assistant Instructor level and at the end of your first year you will have the opportunity to take an OWSI/IDC with Emperor.  Once a Divemaster, there may also be some opportunities to work in the water.
 
It should be noted that this is advertised as a 'dry' job, though you are more than welcome to dive with Emperor for free on all days off and holidays! The job can also be offered without an internship to those that don't want to progress down the professional route as yet - at a higher salary.
 
 Between you, you must be able to speak, read and write in German and Italian and be fluent in English.  Other languages are an advantage, especially Russian.  A minimum of a PADI certification level of Open Water or equivalent is a must and we will also consider PADI Divemasters. Instructors need not apply unless there is an additional reason why you should stay dry.
 
We will be offering the successful candidates a 12 month contract starting as soon as possible, monthly salary, commission plus accommodation at the Resta Reef and full board. 
 
Tick all the boxes? Then please send your CVs showing all relevant diving and non-diving experience, along with clear and recent photographs, to human.resources@emperordivers.com quoting reference ED102.

We look forward to hearing from you.
 
 

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DIVE magazine is packed with more than 132 pages of diving fun and this digital version has been designed to be available on all major digital platforms and devices.

Register for your FREE digital subscription by clicking on the image on the left or just click here - DIVE Magazine online for Free

We don't often post our guest feedback on our News page, but Mike and Helen Drew were so effusive and praising of our Sharm team that we really wanted to share it...over to Mike...

"If you are looking for the best in Red Sea Diving, I suggest you go check out Emperor Divers.

My wife and I have had 3x great holidays with them over in Sharm and have subsequently booked a fourth trip comprising day boat diving in Hurghada. I've logged 100+ dives although my wife prefers to sunbath/snorkel...fortunately, Emperor Drivers cater for your every need and all grades of diver ability.

It's their attention to detail that sets them apart from other dive organisations. From that initial Internet contact, your request is efficiently dealt with, personalised, and the whole booking process could not be simpler.

When on holiday, your hotel pick-up via courtesy bus is always on time. Their "meet and greet" is a pleasure to be a part of and their Dive Club facilities are of a high standard. Once on-board, Captain, Crew and Dive Leader(s) always make you feel very welcome and the whole day is a relaxed affair which runs like clockwork. However, please don't think "relaxed" means carefree...! Their role calls and dive logs show true professionalism and safety is never taken for granted.

Ooooh...I nearly forgot, the diving is absolutely magic and groups are small and abilities well matched. 1x, 2x, 3x or 4x dives a day, you choose...
Then, as the sun sets, you can laze back with a beer, nurse a little sunburn, and reminisce, "Yes, that was a great days' diving".

So, to all the boys and girls at Emperor Divers, 10 out of 10 for all your hard work in making Red Sea diving such a fabulous experience. It's a pleasure to go diving with you."

Mike & Helen Drew, Kidderminster, England

 

Want to find out more about Sharm team and diving? Click here.