Anna - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Kevin - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Marcus - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Sam - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
“Working with Paul we not only mastered teaching skills but also the intricate realms of dive theory ..."
Niels - Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor
Testimonials
Paul has led and curated numerous IDC’s with a 100% Success rate. Our candidates become part of the lifelong Alpha Divers Pro Community - where career guidance and personal development are at the forefront of what we do. I am honoured and very lucky to work alongside such amazing people.
Check out what our happy and successful instructors are saying…
“On May 30, 2026, I started my PADI IDC training in Cyprus, at Alpha Divers in Larnaca, under the guidance of PADI Course Director Paul Firth. Since I had also completed the TecRec 40/45/50 and Tec Sidemount courses with him, it was no question that I would entrust the next step of my professional career to him.
As a native Hungarian speaker, the English-language course initially posed an extra challenge, but thanks to Paul's brilliant teaching methodology, patience and helpfulness, the presentations, briefings and theory and standards tests quickly became natural. Paul not only prepared me for the IE, but as a true mentor, he shaped us into better instructors day by day.
We passed the IE on July 25-26 – with great results, and I also successfully obtained the 6 extra instructor specialties. Paul was by our side throughout the exams, providing true friendship and mentorship until the certificates were handed over.
Choosing Paul was the best decision: by overcoming the language barrier and spending every minute of my preparation, I managed to achieve my goal of becoming a PADI Instructor in English, as a Hungarian, in Cyprus. Just as I trusted him in my 50m dive, I trusted him in my PADI Pro career, and I would do it again.”
Chris - Padi Open Water Scuba Instructor
“The IDC was outstanding from a practical standpoint. The locations and logistics were brilliantly chosen and extremely convenient, whether it was the beach right by the shop, the pool just next door, or the Zenobia wreck for DPV work. Everything was right on the doorstep, which removed unnecessary stress and let us focus fully on the diving.
The training itself was well scheduled and allowed for genuine gradual progression. Skills and confidence improved dramatically over the course of the programme. There was enough time built in for proper repetition and refinement, supported by detailed, constructive feedback from the Course Director. By the end, the improvements felt solid and lasting rather than rushed.
The IE preparation sessions were excellent. The presentations were outstanding, packed with critical, in-depth information on the exam format, presentation preparation, and PADI standards and procedures. They were engaging and entertaining, which made absorbing a large volume of material much easier.
We were given a substantial number of mock papers to work through, which was invaluable for learning how to navigate the Instructor Manual and the wider PADI system. Feedback was consistently excellent, clearly highlighting where and how to improve. The combination of thorough content and practical practice built both knowledge and confidence in equal measure.
Going into the IE, the rigorous preparation made the whole experience noticeably easier than I had anticipated. Once again, the location and logistics were excellent, confined water and open water were available right at the doorstep, which kept everything efficient and low-stress.
The extensive mock exams meant the real written papers flowed smoothly. By this stage the confined-water and open-water skills, together with the briefings and debriefings, had become almost muscle-memory performances thanks to the constant, thorough repetition during the IDC. Overall it felt like a natural continuation of the preparation rather than a sudden step up great preparation leading to smooth execution.”
Lukas - Padi Open Water Scuba Instructor
“I recently completed my PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) with Alpha Divers and, one month later, successfully passed my PADI Instructor Examination (IE) to become an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).
From the very beginning, Alpha Divers were professional, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating, arranging an out-of-sync IDC to suit my circumstances. Every stage of the process was clearly explained, including the instructor pathway and future course progression, which gave me confidence throughout my training.
Our Course Director, Paul Firth, immediately created a supportive and positive learning environment, putting everyone at ease from day one. The quality of instruction was outstanding, and the course was exceptionally well organised. Paul, along with the wider Alpha Divers instructor and Divemaster team, provided excellent guidance, encouragement, and practical support throughout the IDC.
The support did not end when the IDC finished. The preparation and mentoring provided in the lead-up to the IE went above and beyond expectations, ensuring we were fully prepared and confident for the examination.
The equipment, facilities, and training standards at Alpha Divers are of the highest quality. I will certainly be returning to complete further PADI courses with them in the future.
I highly recommend Course Director Paul Firth and Alpha Divers to anyone considering their IDC or IE. They are an outstanding, professional dive centre that genuinely invests in the success and development of every instructor candidate.”
Stephen - Padi Open Water Scuba Instructor
“I was looking to make the move into technical diving, which is a big step up from recreational diving, so finding the right instructor was really important to me. I researched a lot of technical diving schools before finding Paul Firth at Alpha Divers in Cyprus.
I completed my Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50 with Paul, and it became clear very early on that I had found the right instructor. Paul has an incredibly calm, patient and thorough approach to teaching. He explains things clearly, pays close attention to detail and never rushes you through a skill until you're genuinely comfortable and competent.
Technical diving can be demanding, and having an instructor you completely trust makes a huge difference. From the very first dive, I felt that I was in safe hands with Paul. His knowledge, experience and attention to detail gave me the confidence to push myself while still maintaining a strong focus on safety and good diving practices.
More importantly, Paul didn't just help me complete my Tec qualifications — he made me a much better diver. I came away with a better understanding of planning, procedures, equipment and, most importantly, how to approach technical diving with the right mindset.
I would 100% recommend Paul and Alpha Divers to anyone considering moving into technical diving. If you're looking for an instructor who is knowledgeable, calm, professional and genuinely invested in making you a better diver, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Paul.
I've already decided that I'll be going back to Cyprus to dive with Paul again — and I can't wait.”
Jim - Padi Open Water Scuba Instructor and Tec 50 DIver
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