PADI Grows ScubaEarth Social Network for Divers and Water Enthusiasts to 100,000 Members

Leading Scuba Diving Organization Offers Online Resource for Planning Water-Based Adventures

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2014 - PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world's largest diver training organization, today announced that ScubaEarth®, a one-stop social network for dive and water enthusiasts, has grown to more than 100,000 members. The site has amassed the advice and expert opinions of over 100,000 PADI members and other experienced divers from around the world, as they offer first-hand knowledge that will prove invaluable to help water enthusiasts dream, plan and share their travel adventures and make the most of their dive lifestyle.

"PADI realized that through its extensive membership of more than 23 million certified divers and over 6,200 dive centers and resorts worldwide, it had the perfect opportunity to establish a valuable, interactive tool for individuals to utilize in planning their scuba diving or snorkeling adventures," said Kristin Valette, vice president of marketing and communications for PADI Americas. "ScubaEarth connects travelers to real-time information and a vast community of experienced divers and passionate water enthusiasts, and enables them to share stories and ask questions about diving or enjoying underwater activities anywhere in the world. The network will be fueled by the strength of PADI's global membership, comprised of more than 136,000 professionals worldwide."

Providing insights into booking a family vacation, diving with whale sharks in a warm water destination, or a local hotspot for snorkeling, ScubaEarth provides adventure seekers, divers and water enthusiasts with a diverse array of relevant information to empower them to compare and make informed travel decisions. ScubaEarth offers user profiles and social media integration, while highlighting over 90,000 dive and snorkel-specific features, including worldwide dive and travel destination overviews, more than 50,000 dive sites, a PADI dive shop and resort locator, gear lockers and real-time water and dive conditions. In addition, users can access over 43,000 photos and videos. Visitors to the site will be able to enroll in PADI's eLearning® program to begin their certification process, in addition to maintaining online logbooks, accessing PADI certification records, building and maintaining personal gear lockers. Users can also enjoy the flexibility of accessing ScubaEarth features while on the go via a mobile app designed for the iPhone and Android.

There's no need to worry if you're not a diver yet, as obtaining a PADI certification is an achievement that can be done year-round and appreciated forever, since the certification never expires and PADI is recognized worldwide. To learn more and begin the certification process, please visit www.PADI.com.

About PADI

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world's largest recreational diver training organization, with more than 136,000 trained PADI Professionals dedicated to introducing new divers to the thrill of scuba diving and enhancing the skills of experienced divers through its 6,200 dive centers and resorts worldwide. PADI Members issue nearly 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, advancing and encouraging the exploration of the ocean, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.

 For more information, visit www.PADI.com.

Contact: Stephanie Proos / Formula/ (619) 234-0345/ proos@formulapr.com

SOURCE PADI