Mark- Instructor Trainer

MEET INSTRUCTOR TRAINER MARK SLINGO

WORKING IN DIVING- PADI & SSI

A fall from the third floor left Mark paralyzed from the waist down. He was hospitalized for four months in the spinal unit in the UK. But he considers that the thought of being able to scuba dive kept him going.

And true enough just three weeks following Mark’s discharge from the spinal unit, he was invited back to teach in his former job in Thailand by his mentors top PADI Course Directors, the late Stephen Blumenthal and Russell Martin, and tech diving legend, the late Stephen Burton.

Delighted that he could still teach as a normal dive instructor, and wanting to pass on that gift to other divers, Mark specialized in working with divers with disabilities.

At the same time he worked as part of a busy dive center team, earning higher instructor certifications until in March 2008 he attained the highest PADI Instructor rating possible for anyone. PADI Course Director. He is at the time of writing the first and only wheelchair user to ever attain this rating.

After becoming a PADI Course Director Mark worked in Egypt, and Phuket & Bangkok, Thailand before settling in Kenya teaching diving courses. The culmination of Mark’s experience and hard work was rewarded when Mark finally opened his own dive centre Ocean Tribe in 2015.

He strives to maintain the highest possible standards of diving instruction and dive trips at Ocean Tribe and introduce people to the wonders of Kenya’s superb diving.

Following Ocean Tribe’s cross to SSI. Mark now works as an SSI Instructor Trainer (also the first wheelchair user to hold this rating). He fully endorses the SSI system of diver training and can’t wait to work with you on your instructor training journey.

MARK IN DISABLED DIVING

In addition to his work for Ocean Tribe, Mark is the former Director of Training and Marketing for Disabled Divers International, one the world’s leading disabled diver training organisation. He travels around the world teaching Divemasters and Instructors to work with disabled divers and instructor trainers how to teach the instructor courses for pros who wish to work with handicapped people. He also works closely with SSI on the Classified Diver Program which does the same as DDI but within the main training organisation.

Mark was directly involved with the launch of the PADI Adaptive Diver Specialty Instructor program in Asia-Pacific, Africa and the USA in 2018.

Scuba Diving is not a wheelchair sport. If you are a diver you are a diver. You may need some assistance in logistics but if you are in the water you are a diver!

In 2017 Mark received the prestigious Platinum Pro 5000 award. This is an award that only a select few of the most elite and prominent divers (including Jacques Cousteau) in the WORLD have been privileged enough to attain.

Mark is a superb choice to come to to complete your dive professional training or simply do a dive course with. He loves just going for a dive too so often you will find he’s the one fighting to the front of the queue to lead divers.

“Wreck diving is a particular love of mine, but any time I’m in the water diving for myself with a cool buddy is the best experience ever!”

MARK AWAY FROM DIVING

Mark is a massive sports fan following England rugby and cricket teams and his beloved Ipswich Town Football Club. As well this. Mark is a fanatical traveler and photographer when he gets the chance.

He also fancies himself as a bit of a chef and Ocean Tribe BBQs might give you this experience. Kenya gives him more than his fair share of opportunities to pursue all his interests without even having to leave the country, which is another reason (aside from the great diving) why he chose to be here.