Scuba diving in Pondicherry
| 24 February 2011
Scuba Diving and surfing in Pondicherry : the new wave ?
« Welcome to India's first East Coast Diving center based in idilic Pondicherry, where we "Give time a break ». We currently dive at more than 15 sites (12m - 40m Depth) within 18 kilometres of Pondicherry township ».
Started by two Australians, Padi Dive Centre has recently opened in Pondicherry. The idea is very new, as both diving and surfing appeared recently in the Bay of Bengal (south east coast), contrary to the west coast where you could find some of these activities. Goa beaches for instance. Opening a centre in Pondicherry was thus an original initiative!
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is actually the world's largest recreational diving membership and diver training organization. Founded in 1966, its corporate headquarters, PADI Worldwide, is located in California, United States of America. But the organization has spread and there are now more than 5000 dive centers and resorts in more than 180 countries and territories. Acknowledged by all diving amateurs, PADI offers various levels of instruction and issues approximately 900,000 certifications a year. The main core of activities is scuba diving, surfing and swimming. EFR courses (Emergency First Response) are also offered (www.emergencyfirstresponse.com ). 
Coming from Australia to bring diving and surfing to India can appear as a weird idea. “Sea sports” are traditionally not met much fame in India, where people will prefer activities in which your feet can touch the ground (cricket, football or yoga for instance). However, with the progressive emergence of what is called in Western countries a “leisure society”, these new wave activities are likely to become more and more popular among wealthy circles. According to Rob, one of the owners of Padi Scuba Diving Pondicherry, an evolution in customer profiles is now emerging: previously the centre was mostly dominated by European tourists, it is now welcoming more “locals”. A greater number of Indians are coming from big cities such as Chennai or Bangalore to spend a week-end in Pondicherry where time is “given a break”, and will try surfing or diving on this occasion.
It is certain that these activities are not affordable to all -as going to ski is in Europe, surfing and diving are expensive leisure activities, and a diving centre is also expensive to “keep in shape”, as none of the equipment (surfboards, diving masks, scubas, etc...) has been made in India... Everything is imported. And not from Australia, but from everywhere in the world! Maybe in some years, it will be possible to find equipment here, with the opening of more centres and with the rise in ocean awareness.
Finally, if the ocean bottom is not yet The Dream for Indian masses, let's remember that India is circled by three oceans : the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal (east coast) and the Arabic Sea (West coast), which means that the country is not in the poorest condition in terms of sea sports. And spots such as Kerala or Goa have already started making themselves a golden name for beaches, diving and surfing...
In three words : GRAB YOUR SCUBA !
« If discovery attracts you, welcome to the subaquatic world. This is a cliché, but we know better the surface of the moon than the bottom of the ocean. Even on the most popular diving site, you will see things that most people have never seen, and you will go where most people will never go » (thanks to PADI booklet).
Convinced ?! More detail on Pondicherry Scuba Diving - Temple Adventures