PADI Members from around the world entered the 2009 Go PRO Challenge Testimonial Contest by submitting inspirational video footage, photo collages and slide shows demonstrating their many reasons for becoming a PADI Pro. While there were many excellent entries, one testimonial in particular caught the attention of the contest judges. With her entertaining story of breaking free from the corporate world by parlaying her graphic design talent into a dive career, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Stephanie Ilner won the $10,000 US Go Pro Challenge Testimonial Contest Grand Prize. PADI Divemaster Bianca Hoang won the $1500 US First Runner-up prize with a video describing how her love for diving led her to Hawaii, USA and a part-time career as a PADI Professional.
The Go PRO Challenge Testimonial Contest is an annual competition recognizing dive professionals for their dedication, passion and enthusiasm for living the life of a PADI Pro. The contest is designed to increase training opportunities for PADI Members and encourage divers to Go PRO by becoming PADI Divemasters. PADI Professionals are also challenged to expand their horizons by achieving new professional ratings and sharing why they became PADI Professionals.
These days, you can find Ilner loving the life she’s built working as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and web designer at Scuba Libre in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. “I love the moments on the boat coming back from a dive. All the divers are smiling because they just had a great dive, the sun is shining, the seawater is splashing along the sides of the boat as it cuts through the waves and the wind is blowing through my salty hair. These moments give me pure happiness and it is always then that I know that I made the right choice when I became a PADI Professional.”
First runner-up Bianca Hoang is a physical therapist also working as a PADI Divemaster at Aaron's Dive Shop in Kailua, Hawaii, USA. She is very excited about her finish in the contest. “Winning runner up in the Go PRO Challenge means that I have the privilege of sharing my story and possibly inspiring others to experience the incredible underwater world,” she explains. “I am also excited that the video will be seen by my family and friends. On a superficial level, they know that I have been diving for over 15 years, but on a deeper level, few know how much it means to me. Some think that diving is an expensive sport, or reserved for those who are privileged or adventurous. To me, diving is not a sport at all - it is a way of life.”
The 2010 Go PRO Challenge Testimonial Contest is just getting started and promises to be more exciting than ever with more winners and prizes. Entrants also have more submission options, including a written testimonial, captioned image, slide show or video testimonial. Entrants will be vying for 100 prizes including PADI-branded Apple iPod Nanos®, Go PRO Challenge Winner's Circle Jackets and free PADI Member renewals.
PADI Americas International Resort and Retailer Associations Members will soon receive an array of customizable Go PRO Challenge promotional templates in the 2010 PADI Marketing Tool Kit. PADI Professionals wanting to motivate divers can find Go PRO Challenge postcards, emails and flyer templates at the PADI Pros’ Site.
For more information on the Go PRO Challenge Testimonial Contest visit padi.com/gpc, email jo.walters@padi.com or call +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2423.
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