DiverWire) The dive industry in the Bahamas just got stronger! Thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Ralph Erickson Foundation, a new group of PADI Instructors has just received their training and certifications.

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It’s the second year for this impressive program, presented by the Erickson family and Patrick and Sherry Hammer. The event is hosted at Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas in Nassau. The Foundation grants PADI Instructor Development Programs (IDCs) to under privileged candidates.

A few weeks ago, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas hosted a very special training program -the first ever IDC dedicated to building local dive instructors and professionals in the Bahamas. The program was presented by the Ralph Erickson Educational Foundation, a non-profit group providing grants and educational opportunities for qualified candidates in financial need. 

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Officials from the organization met with Stuart Cove during the DEMA Show last Fall to discuss the opportunity. A few weeks ago, well-known PADI Platinum Course Director Patrick Hammer and Karen Erickson took things to the next level, coming to Nassau in order to conduct a PADI IDC program for nine local Bahamian candidates.  

NASSAU, BAHAMAS, February 04, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas in Nassau, one of the largest and most visited SCUBA destinations in the world, is pleased to announce the certification of several new Bahamian Dive Instructors. 

In an effort to help local Bahamians, and offer careers for local countrymen, Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas, working with Patrick Hammer of Scuba Emporium, Chicago, IL, in conjunction with Karen Erickson from the non-profit Ralph Erickson Educational Foundation, and are proud to have helped create eight new PADI Open Water Scuba instructors.