Yet another question about careers in diving.

[Stone Fox]

I've read a lot of threads on here about people who want to make a living from diving.

I know it won't be luxury, but provided I get to live by the ocean and surf and dive everyday I'll be happy.

The general opinion is that it's difficult to make a decent living, but my question is:

Does that still hold true if you start your own dive school?

Why I'm planning on doing is training as an instuctor, buying a boat and starting my own dive school somewhere in the Canary islands.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[OldNSalty]

How are you paying for the boat? How many dives have you done? How many other shops are already at that location? Are you going to just teach diving and take people out or will you run a small shop? If running a shop-do you have money to get it started, for that matter, do you have money to get everything you need plus gear for the students?

I have zero experience in running a dive shop but I have often thought it would nice if I could start it with no debt on my part (ie-something to do once retired). I just think some of these questions I would hope you have already asked and have a plan for.

 

[Stone Fox]

I'm due a large insurance payout quite soon which should pay for my training and the setup costs for a dive school.

I'm guessing a shop is a damn site more expensive to set up than a dive school so I probably won't be able to cover that as well.

As for other shops / schools I was planning on a bit of research first as to a good resort in the Canaries with no schools or with enough potential clientelle for a second school.

So I'd be going in to it without loans, purely on capital. I was wondering if owning a dive school is a lot more lucrative than working for one?

 

[Anti-Hero]

You'll need some kind of shop for rental gear, and maintenance on that gear, and someone to do it if you're not able too. You'll need training materials both for instructors and crew packs for students which you will need to stock. You'll need a pool or access to one which will be a recurring cost.

You'll need BIG insurance too, I'm sure.

It's easy to make a small fortune in the dive business, if you start out with a large one. Good luck!

 

[--tom--]

Why not get really good at your profession, be willing to work remote & part time, move next to the beach and dive every day?

This has a lot less risk.

 

[OldNSalty]

The fact that you can start with a boat paid for is very nice but you will also need a crew, no? I don't know if teaching will get you the quality dives you are after and if it is a vacation spot you could probably do better diving as a DM with your boat. Maybe you should get certified up to DM, go down to the islands and get a job working for someone else-learn the business and the waters. Then, if you still think it's a good idea, go back, get the instructor rating and buy your boat.

 

[Stone Fox]

*edited*

Need to have a think about this.

 

[Joe Cool]

Here's my 2-cents on this subject:
A wise entrepreneur does not blow a whole schwack of $$ on something he or she is not familiar with. One of the most important things to consider when establishing a successful business is knowing the business you plan to get into, knowing your market, and knowing your competition. I suggest that you move to the Canaries and start living there. Learn scuba with and work for a local dive op and learn the ropes. Once you know the local tricks of the trade and the local market then go establish your own business. Your chances of success will be much better than just having money, a C-card, and a desire to live and make $$ in paradise.

 

[katdiver]

Well I've just done what you're thinking of! Company, boat, house, training pool, staff the lot. I found that with promises of other dive centres in the area of "support", all that was just words. Be as independent as you can, and don't owe nobody anything. Do it your way. It's hard work, but I'm loving it and my customers get the benefit and come back. I'm now at the point where I could now bring in a partner and really push on forwards. This is Thailand not the Canaries. I do pick up on British clubs using the Canaries as a cheap destination. Maybe good for volume, but low payers.

 

[alcina]

Don't forget things like:
-insurances for your gear, your boat, yourself, your income, your storefront/classroom, liability
-taxes...these are always higher than you think they will be
-employment obligations beyond salaries/wages such as superannuation, extra insurance or whatever may be required locally
-advertising
-a very hefty maintenance fund...things break and everything needs to be maintained
-your income...you shouldn't just slide it out of the business as needed or wanted, it should be a real finite number
-backup people in case you are sick or called away...usually a business can't just stop and then restart
-local permits, licenses and the like...some of these can be extremely costly just to apply for with no guarantee you'll get them
-a running fund for bad times...if you can't survive six to nine very bad months of virtually no income and still pay your expenses then you aren't ready

Even more than diving, get yourself into a good business program. There are zillions of things that someone who hasn't owned a business before just wouldn't think of and a course can help lay a good foundation as you set up for success.