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AIDA Courses Koh Lanta- Anyone done one?
- Thread starterJofish
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
Anyone thinking (as I was when I started this thread) of diving with Blue Planet, I would strongly advise against it.
My experiences with them were extremely poor, from my initial enquiry until now, some 6 weeks later (I just had to personally contact my instructor who has now left Blue Planet and pay the certification fee which was supposed to be included)
The communication I recieved prior to my course was poor, I was advised to pay by bank transfer which incurred a fee. Then I was told they hadn't recieved the full amount, then that they had....then on the last day of the course that they wanted more money and wouldn't process my certification!
The daily transfer from my hotel was on average 35 minutes late.
The food on the boat was inedible.
The course content, equipment and level of instruction were nothing like that advertised on the website.
If you are (or were) thinking of using Blue Planet Divers, then consider your choice carefully; if you have any questions please get in touch.
Does anybody reading this know if there is any "watchdog" which governs dive operations other that the governing bodies? I'd really like to make sure no one else falls foul of this company.
My experiences with them were extremely poor, from my initial enquiry until now, some 6 weeks later (I just had to personally contact my instructor who has now left Blue Planet and pay the certification fee which was supposed to be included)
The communication I recieved prior to my course was poor, I was advised to pay by bank transfer which incurred a fee. Then I was told they hadn't recieved the full amount, then that they had....then on the last day of the course that they wanted more money and wouldn't process my certification!
The daily transfer from my hotel was on average 35 minutes late.
The food on the boat was inedible.
The course content, equipment and level of instruction were nothing like that advertised on the website.
If you are (or were) thinking of using Blue Planet Divers, then consider your choice carefully; if you have any questions please get in touch.
Does anybody reading this know if there is any "watchdog" which governs dive operations other that the governing bodies? I'd really like to make sure no one else falls foul of this company.
That's pretty bleak that you had such an aweful experience with them. I worked in Thailand in 2004/5 and spent some time travelling around on holiday. I had the best time ever in Koh Lanta and found the guys at Blue Planet to be quite helpful and not at all as you have described.
My, how things can change!
My, how things can change!
Yeah, it is a shame that I had such a disappointing trip.
I did my research and asked on here and didn't really get too many negative testimonials.
The company is under relatively new management, this may be the cause.... or maybe it's just another effect of the troubles with the global economy?
I did my research and asked on here and didn't really get too many negative testimonials.
The company is under relatively new management, this may be the cause.... or maybe it's just another effect of the troubles with the global economy?
God Jo my experience could not be more different, I was taught by a guy called Marc in January (was he there when you were there?) fantastic french dude.
My whole holiday in Koh Lanta was fantastic even want to go back this year!
I would really recommend it but sorry to here you had a bad time.
luv
Sarah
My whole holiday in Koh Lanta was fantastic even want to go back this year!
I would really recommend it but sorry to here you had a bad time.
luv
Sarah
Oh dear, this could now get quite complicated!
The company director at Blue Planet that I have been communicating with (or trying too)! contacted me yesterday reference this thread (obviously wasn't happy)!
Now 'Sarah', if you check her profile information, within minutes of me recieving said e-mail joined Deeper blue and made the post above.
Nothing in the introduction section, just joined specifically to make the above comment.
Don't know about everyone else but it seems fishy to me!
I'm almost certain that if the forums moderators check up on 'Sarah' (eg: they can tell where the computer she used was) They may find that it is actually an attempt to limit the negative publicity that this thread may cause.
I may be wrong but if the moderators could look into this it would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
The company director at Blue Planet that I have been communicating with (or trying too)! contacted me yesterday reference this thread (obviously wasn't happy)!
Now 'Sarah', if you check her profile information, within minutes of me recieving said e-mail joined Deeper blue and made the post above.
Nothing in the introduction section, just joined specifically to make the above comment.
Don't know about everyone else but it seems fishy to me!
I'm almost certain that if the forums moderators check up on 'Sarah' (eg: they can tell where the computer she used was) They may find that it is actually an attempt to limit the negative publicity that this thread may cause.
I may be wrong but if the moderators could look into this it would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
I never mentioned names in my comments but now that 'Sarah' has, I feel I should reply to provide relevant information to forum members.
Yes, Marc (I'll use 1st names only) was my instructor and yes, he is a very good instructor and an extremely nice guy (I never suggested otherwise).
My issue was with the content of Blue Planet's website ( Freediving / Apnea in Koh Lanta - Krabi - Thailand )
The information on the site is incorrect.
I have been diving for over a decade (see my intro) and did the AIDA courses purely to get certification I need to work towards my instructor qualifications.
I chose Blue Planet because they promise variable weight sled dives as part of the syllabus -they don't even have a sled!
They also advertise the AIDA **** course (which I aspired to do after the ***) but they didn't have an instructor qualified to teach it!
Basically I travelled halfway around the world specifically to do a course which didn't exist as advertised. The issues over not being accreddited with the certification and the money issues, having to walk to dive shop when transfer didn't turn up (twice!) etc, etc.... just rubbed salt in the wounds adding insult to injury.
Nothing I've written in this thread is vindictive or in spite; I just don't want any fellow divers to have to endure what I did (and still am).
Like I said, anyone with any questions please contact me.
Moderators or anyone else requiring evidence, I will be happy to provide every e-mail that has moved between myself and the company because I have them all saved.
Yes, Marc (I'll use 1st names only) was my instructor and yes, he is a very good instructor and an extremely nice guy (I never suggested otherwise).
My issue was with the content of Blue Planet's website ( Freediving / Apnea in Koh Lanta - Krabi - Thailand )
The information on the site is incorrect.
I have been diving for over a decade (see my intro) and did the AIDA courses purely to get certification I need to work towards my instructor qualifications.
I chose Blue Planet because they promise variable weight sled dives as part of the syllabus -they don't even have a sled!
They also advertise the AIDA **** course (which I aspired to do after the ***) but they didn't have an instructor qualified to teach it!
Basically I travelled halfway around the world specifically to do a course which didn't exist as advertised. The issues over not being accreddited with the certification and the money issues, having to walk to dive shop when transfer didn't turn up (twice!) etc, etc.... just rubbed salt in the wounds adding insult to injury.
Nothing I've written in this thread is vindictive or in spite; I just don't want any fellow divers to have to endure what I did (and still am).
Like I said, anyone with any questions please contact me.
Moderators or anyone else requiring evidence, I will be happy to provide every e-mail that has moved between myself and the company because I have them all saved.
Hi Jofish,
I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience on your AIDA course. If you have any complaints about the course content you should direct them to the AIDA Education Commission, their email address is ec@aida-international.org. There is a review process for AIDA Instructors but I think this is more to do with the actual AIDA course content rather than the overall package that the Instructor or dive shop sells you.
Variable Weight is in some of the AIDA syllabus, but it doesn't necessarily have to be done on a sled, by definition VWT is just using some method of weight to get to depth then leaving the weight there and swimming back up. However if they're advertising sled dives then this is entirely a different matter, it's false advertising if they do not possess, or have access to a sled.
As a forum moderator, we can certainly review people's profiles to make sure there is nothing untoward going on.
A reminder of the forum rules: DeeperBlue Forums - FAQ: DeeperBlue.net Forum FAQ
Cheers,
Ben
I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience on your AIDA course. If you have any complaints about the course content you should direct them to the AIDA Education Commission, their email address is ec@aida-international.org. There is a review process for AIDA Instructors but I think this is more to do with the actual AIDA course content rather than the overall package that the Instructor or dive shop sells you.
Variable Weight is in some of the AIDA syllabus, but it doesn't necessarily have to be done on a sled, by definition VWT is just using some method of weight to get to depth then leaving the weight there and swimming back up. However if they're advertising sled dives then this is entirely a different matter, it's false advertising if they do not possess, or have access to a sled.
As a forum moderator, we can certainly review people's profiles to make sure there is nothing untoward going on.
A reminder of the forum rules: DeeperBlue Forums - FAQ: DeeperBlue.net Forum FAQ
Cheers,
Ben
Last edited:
Hi Ben,
There was absolutely no problem with the AIDA instructor. To the contrary, he was excellent.
My problems have all been with the dive shop operator.
I know that variable isn't on the AIDA syllabus, it was advertised as an addition to the course but was the reason I chose this particular operator.
The problem is because the freediving in this location was set up by a certain individual with an extremely impressive portfolio of qualifications, experience and credentials. He then left (taking sled and equipment with him). The dive shop recruited a new AIDA instructor who although an excellent and professional instructor is a relative novice in terms of qualifications and experience in comparison. However, the website was not changed.
Then the problems with service provided by the shop, payment issues etc...
Just to confirm; there was no problem with the AIDA Instructor, he conducted himself professionally and commendably within the remits of his qualification and experience level.
(I will e-mail you with details as requested)
There was absolutely no problem with the AIDA instructor. To the contrary, he was excellent.
My problems have all been with the dive shop operator.
I know that variable isn't on the AIDA syllabus, it was advertised as an addition to the course but was the reason I chose this particular operator.
The problem is because the freediving in this location was set up by a certain individual with an extremely impressive portfolio of qualifications, experience and credentials. He then left (taking sled and equipment with him). The dive shop recruited a new AIDA instructor who although an excellent and professional instructor is a relative novice in terms of qualifications and experience in comparison. However, the website was not changed.
Then the problems with service provided by the shop, payment issues etc...
Just to confirm; there was no problem with the AIDA Instructor, he conducted himself professionally and commendably within the remits of his qualification and experience level.
(I will e-mail you with details as requested)
Hi Josfish
Sorry you had some bad experience there. Actually I am the one who started developing freediving there. I stayed there for 6 month and really loved being there.
We had indeed a sled, with all the rest necessary to practice no limits and variable weight.
I left there everything so Blue Planet could keep on organising sled dives. And they did.
As a matter of fact it was still there last year and if I am not wrong I might have seen it again in february this year during the Andaman Aida freediving Challenge.
If you are not too far from Nice, just fly down here and I ll offer you a couple of nice sled dives !!!
Take care
F
Sorry you had some bad experience there. Actually I am the one who started developing freediving there. I stayed there for 6 month and really loved being there.
We had indeed a sled, with all the rest necessary to practice no limits and variable weight.
I left there everything so Blue Planet could keep on organising sled dives. And they did.
As a matter of fact it was still there last year and if I am not wrong I might have seen it again in february this year during the Andaman Aida freediving Challenge.
If you are not too far from Nice, just fly down here and I ll offer you a couple of nice sled dives !!!
Take care
F
Hi Francois,
Yes, I thought you would be teaching me when I booked the courses because all the information on the website is from when you were there and all the pictures are of you! Also, when I searched on Youtube the videos are all of you with students on the sled and diving through bubble rings etc... It looked awesome!
When I was on Koh Lanta I was told you had taken the sled with you. The only equipment there was the dinghy with a very stiff, rusty pulley and the instructors line. It's lucky I took my own equipment or I would have been using a scuba mask and fins!!!
Thank you very, very much for the offer of diving with you in Nice, I will definately try to take you up on the offer when I can get time off work.
Kind regards,
Joseph
Yes, I thought you would be teaching me when I booked the courses because all the information on the website is from when you were there and all the pictures are of you! Also, when I searched on Youtube the videos are all of you with students on the sled and diving through bubble rings etc... It looked awesome!
When I was on Koh Lanta I was told you had taken the sled with you. The only equipment there was the dinghy with a very stiff, rusty pulley and the instructors line. It's lucky I took my own equipment or I would have been using a scuba mask and fins!!!
Thank you very, very much for the offer of diving with you in Nice, I will definately try to take you up on the offer when I can get time off work.
Kind regards,
Joseph
I took the Aida */** course with Blue Planet in Nov. 2007 and I had a similar experience as Joseph. I had a really cool instructor, but also had problems during the course. One huge point was that his English wasn't very good. And the courses there are just not as thorough, I think much more recreational holiday thing. Of course I didn't realize it then, but after I took the Aida 3*/4* with Emma, it was a profound difference to say the least. Since I didn't receive an exam for 2* at Blue Planet, Emma had me take the Aida 2* exam with the Deeperblue class material and it was much more complete than the mini-photo copies I received at Blue Planet.
On the other hand, the cost of the course at Deeperblue is much higher compared to Blue Planet so I guess you would expect more...
On the other hand, the cost of the course at Deeperblue is much higher compared to Blue Planet so I guess you would expect more...
Glad it wasn't just me then!
Like you say, the course costs slightly less than Emma's - so should I have expected less? I like to think not.
When you consider that I travelled to Thailand specifically for the course I ended up spending an awful lot more!
I'm trying to forget about it and in future will research companies a lot more before commiting to using them.
Because the service I recieved was so poor and the course content was falsely advertised I thought I may have a chance of getting some of the money I spent on the courses refunded. Unfortunately Blue Planet Divers have been impossible to communicate with and have even been insulting and aggressive!
It is a shame because the AIDA instructors themselves are extremely good. This particular operator however, extremely poor.
Luckily this is an exceptional occurence, everyone I have met in the freediving world has been really friendly and helpfull. Just steer clear of this particular operation!!!
Like you say, the course costs slightly less than Emma's - so should I have expected less? I like to think not.
When you consider that I travelled to Thailand specifically for the course I ended up spending an awful lot more!
I'm trying to forget about it and in future will research companies a lot more before commiting to using them.
Because the service I recieved was so poor and the course content was falsely advertised I thought I may have a chance of getting some of the money I spent on the courses refunded. Unfortunately Blue Planet Divers have been impossible to communicate with and have even been insulting and aggressive!
It is a shame because the AIDA instructors themselves are extremely good. This particular operator however, extremely poor.
Luckily this is an exceptional occurence, everyone I have met in the freediving world has been really friendly and helpfull. Just steer clear of this particular operation!!!
Hi Joseph,
I live in Thailand, in fact in the same province as Blue Planet. Although, I'm more of an underwater hunter, with only a couple of years experience, I thought I would benefit from doing a course to improve my technique.
I came across your thread after searching online for feedback (I knew of B.P. and thought they would be the obvious choice). So, I for one, am grateful. Thanks for what seems an honest and open report of your experiences.
Having lived here for 4 years, I have experienced poor service and false claims/assurances all too often - it's just seems accepted business practice by too many; both 'local' operators and subsequently, foreigner business owners too. Frustratingly, customer service often doesn't compare to the West and in my experience; the prospect of refunding monies paid and/or leaving customers with that 'wow, feel-good' factor, doesn't figure into it, ever!
That said, there are still many things I adore about living in Thailand which far out-weigh these 'foibles.'
So, come on Blue Planet, I would very much like to see your response posted here and have my faith restored.
Charlie
I live in Thailand, in fact in the same province as Blue Planet. Although, I'm more of an underwater hunter, with only a couple of years experience, I thought I would benefit from doing a course to improve my technique.
I came across your thread after searching online for feedback (I knew of B.P. and thought they would be the obvious choice). So, I for one, am grateful. Thanks for what seems an honest and open report of your experiences.
Having lived here for 4 years, I have experienced poor service and false claims/assurances all too often - it's just seems accepted business practice by too many; both 'local' operators and subsequently, foreigner business owners too. Frustratingly, customer service often doesn't compare to the West and in my experience; the prospect of refunding monies paid and/or leaving customers with that 'wow, feel-good' factor, doesn't figure into it, ever!
That said, there are still many things I adore about living in Thailand which far out-weigh these 'foibles.'
So, come on Blue Planet, I would very much like to see your response posted here and have my faith restored.
Charlie
Blue Planet are looking for a new freediving instructor at the moment - so as most of the comments seem to be about the level of instruction available rather than the place itself, perhaps best to wait until someone is appointed and then check out that individual - rather than condemn the place based on some of the comments above.
Sam
Sam
Sam,
Throughout this thread I've praised the standard of the AIDA Instructors. (See in particular serial 11) It was the dive shop management that was poor.
Also, I mentioned that everything I've stated is factual and unbiased, it is by no means an attempt to 'condemn' Blue Planet - it's simply to inform other divers of my experiences (as I would have appreciated before I used them).
Sorry if anything I've written has been misconstrued, I hold AIDA and its instructors in the highest regard. Just using this forum for what it's there for - communication between freedivers!
Thanks,
Joe
Throughout this thread I've praised the standard of the AIDA Instructors. (See in particular serial 11) It was the dive shop management that was poor.
Also, I mentioned that everything I've stated is factual and unbiased, it is by no means an attempt to 'condemn' Blue Planet - it's simply to inform other divers of my experiences (as I would have appreciated before I used them).
Sorry if anything I've written has been misconstrued, I hold AIDA and its instructors in the highest regard. Just using this forum for what it's there for - communication between freedivers!
Thanks,
Joe