PADI in Cuba

[oceancrest67]

A few years back I talked with a Canadian dive instructor who, with a partner tried to run a dive shop and operation out of Cuba. The kickbacks...'taxes'...they had to pay to the local government folks became more and more frequent to the point of running the Canadians out of business...I forgot which agency they were using to teach scuba. I suspect it was NOT PADI.

Yes, PADI is a US based operation. US companies / citizens are barred from opening up shop in Cuba. There has been some recent warming with this issue in terms of limited trade and agricultural products...but, the old politics remain.

Pretty fishes or not, Castro is a thorn in the US side...he is an old buffoon interested in one thing...his own dictatorship. Communism never got off the ground as a viable alternative, and any brand of Socialism fails in economic calculation.

Recent issues with European tourist operations and/or companies opening up shop in Cuba (on former US owned land) has also been a thorn.

 

[nessum]

Castro is a thorn in the US's side?

Only because the US chooses to make him such. The cold war has been over for decades... why harbour grudges?
Personally, as far as dictators are concerned I'd take Castro anyday over Kim Jong Il, etc.

I hope to dive in Cuba before Castro dies & the US takes over...

 

[tranqua]

Well id like to help .i am a diving instructor from cuba, I have been working for the barracuda diving center for the last 10 year as an acuc instructor, I am also padi rescue, I was not able to get my dive master and instructor there so I have travel to malta for it. Cuba have not any problem with it ,is all about the embargo and usa. If there any info anybody need about diving in cuba ,my email tranqua@yahoo.com

 

[tkdgodess]

Pristine reefs? I'm canadian, had holidays there, asked for my money back for the dives I paid for. Not worth the effort. Rather drink my face off in the all inclusive. Tourism is not tightly restricted. It's booming. Just not for Americans. As far as being a Padi instructor worrying about crossover.. well, Cuba IS a third world spanish speaking country, so a bit of money in the right palm will make you a whatever is required agency instructor.

 

[Colins]

Dear All,

This is what I found out recently:[FONT=&quot]PADI’s position with regard to PADI diving activities in Cuba.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The U.S. Government has strong restrictions regarding business with Cuba and its citizens. Because PADI has its headquarters in the USA, U.S. Government regulations stipulate that PADI’s programmes may not be offered in Cuba. This situation is not unique to PADI. For example, both SSI and NAUI as U.S. based corporations are subject to the same regulations. Any [/FONT][FONT=&quot]PADI Member who is found to be working in Cuba faces Quality Assurance action for violation of PADI membership requirements.[/FONT]

 

[jmneill]

well, other than Communist party big-wigs, very very very few Cubans would be
able to afford scuba training on their average $20.00 per month salary (yes, twenty
dollars per month).

just a thought

Exactly. While I haven't been there since the late 90's, (flew in through Nassau and paid ten bucks to avoid the passport stamp on the way back) it's easy to see that some are a little ill informed...
BTW, I think it is closer to $30.00 per month.

---------- Post added ----------

Pristine reefs? I'm canadian, had holidays there, asked for my money back for the dives I paid for. Not worth the effort. Rather drink my face off in the all inclusive. Tourism is not tightly restricted. It's booming. Just not for Americans. As far as being a Padi instructor worrying about crossover.. well, Cuba IS a third world spanish speaking country, so a bit of money in the right palm will make you a whatever is required agency instructor.

Tourism booming in Cuba??? What planet are you from? It exists, but I don't think booming would be the right way to describe it.

 

[RTee]

Tourism booming in Cuba??? What planet are you from? It exists, but I don't think booming would be the right way to describe it.[/QUOTE]

Well...you could be surprise. Cuba seems to be one of the favorite winter holiday destinations for Canadians and last time I was there, there seems to be quite a bit of Europeans too. So if your disagreement with the word booming is based on the fact that there are very few Americans going there and fewer more who admit doing so, then I will agree with you...

 

[ScubaFrog01]

PADI instructors are allowed to teach diving to Afgani Al Qaeda operatives that are being held without charge in Guantanamo bay. Weird huh?

I'm going to call major BS.......

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Castro is a thorn in the US's side?

Only because the US chooses to make him such. The cold war has been over for decades... why harbour grudges?
Personally, as far as dictators are concerned I'd take Castro anyday over Kim Jong Il, etc.

I hope to dive in Cuba before Castro dies & the US takes over...

Harbor grudges? Are you serious? Do you know how many people he has killed in the name of Communism?

~30,000

Cuba is not that big. You need a history lesson or an ass whoopin or both.

Sad..

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

PADI instructors are allowed to teach diving to Afgani Al Qaeda operatives that are being held without charge in Guantanamo bay. Weird huh?

Which one is weird?? Guantanamo Bay is the US.