Why Become a PADI Dive Pro with Sugar Land Dive Center
Join us for your PADI Divemaster or Instructor Development Course.
Experience and Convenience
Our award-winning team, led by PADI Platinum Course Director Phillip Hetherington, is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and create a fulfilling career in the dive industry. With experience in training PADI Professionals, both locally and internationally, our convenient schedules, frequency of courses, and all-inclusive pricing structure help make your decision easy.
At Sugar Land Dive Center—PADI PRO Houston, our experienced staff will make your PADI Professional Course a rewarding and fun experience.
International Training Options
Want to combine your PADI Professional training with an experience of a lifetime? Then, join us at our sister operation, Cozumel Dive Academy, and complete your training in the warm, blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean. We offer all our professional-level programs and a full slate of recreational courses through Cozumel Dive Academy. You can also extend your stay in Cozumel to gain real-life experience with the team at Cozumel Dive Academy.
Whether you're looking to take the plunge and complete your PADI Divemaster course and become a PADI Divemaster or complete your PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) and become a PADI Scuba Instructor, we have a program for you. For existing PADI Instructors, we also offer PADI Specialty Instructor training to help you become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor courses as you progress towards your PADI Master Instructor.
What makes us stand out?
At our training center, we offer a unique set of features that set us apart from other programs. From year-round training to small class sizes, we prioritize quality education and hands-on experience. Here are some of the ways we stand out:
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- Year-round training: We offer regularly scheduled PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDCs). Our IDCs are planned around a PADI Instructor Exam, allowing you to complete your PADI Instructor training smoothly and timely. PADI Divemaster courses start each week.
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- Small class sizes: With a maximum of six candidates per IDC, you'll receive personalized attention and support from our instructors.
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- Flexible schedules: We offer weeknight and weekend programs to accommodate your busy schedule.
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- Real-life training: Our industry-specific clinics and online processing center clinics provide quality, practical training for real-world scenarios.
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- Realistic training conditions: Train in conditions similar to those you'll experience in the workplace.
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- MSDT program: Our optional MSDT program offers a wide range of specialty instructor courses to choose from.
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- IDC staff instructor program: We offer an IDC staff instructor program with every IDC to help you further your career in diving.
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- International affiliate in Cozumel, Mexico: Start your PADI Divemaster course or PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) with us and complete the balance of the program and IE in Cozumel.
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- Financing available: We offer financing options to make our program more accessible to students.
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- Job placement assistance: We provide job placement assistance to help our graduates find employment in the diving industry.
With our comprehensive training and support, you'll be well-prepared to pursue a career in diving. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you achieve your goals.
Compare the difference. All our Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) Include:
- Optional Two-Day IDC Prep Course
- IDC Digital Crewpac
- IDC Prep Course
- Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) Course
- Digital EFRI Instructor Start-Up Pack
- Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course
- Job Placement Assistance
We Begin a New PADI Divemaster Course Each Week. Your Course Includes:
- PADI Divemaster Crewpac
- Divemaster eLearning
- Hands-on Training
- Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Course
- Discounts On Additional PADI Courses
- Option to Complete Your Divemaster Course in Cozumel
Our Promise to You:
Our promise to you is simple. We promise to provide you with the best training possible. When you complete an IDC with us we guarantee you will pass your PADI IE or you can come back and participate in another IDC at no additional cost.
(PADI fees not included)
Our goal is for you to become a successful PADI Dive Professional
Meet Your Course Director
Phillip's passion for scuba diving began in 1977 at the age of 15 in the Lakes and surrounding waters of the Northwest of England, where he grew up. Spending almost every weekend in the Lake District, he fell in love with all aquatic activities, especially those involving the underwater world. In the early '80s, Phillip moved to Texas, where he continued to pursue his passion for scuba diving and Rugby. He began teaching diving in 1984 and has since become a Platinum-honored Course Director, receiving the "PADI Elite Instructor" award each year since 2013.
Phillip is the owner of Sugar Land Dive Center and Cozumel Dive Academy, located in Cozumel, Mexico, both of which are PADI 5-Star IDC Centers. He actively teaches PADI IDCs and all levels of PADI courses in Cozumel, Mexico, and Texas. Phillip's ongoing interests and training make him an experienced instructor trainer in Sidemount, Wreck, Deep, and many other specialties. During your IDC/MSDT, you will have the chance to work closely with Phillip, enhancing and developing your teaching and diving capabilities to a whole new level.
Phillip loves his job as a PADI Course Director because it allows him to provide passionate individuals who love diving with the tools they need to become successful Dive Professionals working in the field they love. He has dived everything from the lakes of the UK and Texas to pristine dive sites around the globe. When asked about his favorite dive, Phillip replies, "They each have something unique that makes them all my favorites." He is an actively sought-after trip leader, taking groups to experience diving in Roatan, Cozumel, Fiji, Yap, Palau, Cuba, The Maldives, and the Red Sea, to name a few.