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  Channelnews Asia 21 May 06
Learning to dive in Singapore more popular with locals
By Ng Bao Ying, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Diving is gaining momentum among Singaporeans these days, with tertiary students forming the bulk.

Established dive shops have even attracted foreigners, who come here for lessons.

A growing percentage of Singaporeans have discovered diving as a thrilling alternative to other popular sea sports like wakeboarding.

"Years before only those working adults with stable income will pick up diving. But right now we have students from schools or polyterchnics or universities who are starting to pick up diving. I think the reason why things have changed is because the cost of picking up diving has been lowered down," said Sani Hashi, dive shop owner and dive instructor.

Dive clubs in tertiary institutions have also contributed to promoting the sport. And there are personal reasons too.

"Ok it's illegal to spear fish in marine parks, but the only thing better than eating seafood I guess, would be seeing it," said Ng Kah How, a diver.

According to some instructors, the number of divers in Singapore have increased by about 35 per cent over the past two years. Some divers even consider it as a potential career option.

"There's actually many forms of diving: commercial, technical and recreational. With proper training and experience it's actually quite easy to branch into these forms of diving," said Ng.

Singaporeans are not alone in this craze.

According to instructors, people from around the world are flocking to Singapore for lessons. "I've taught 'students from other parts of the world - UK, Germany, who come to take up scuba diving. According to them, its nice to do diving here because it's cheap, the water in Malaysia is warm, it's good, we can see good reef here - compared to places where they come from," said Sani.

Singapore's reputation as a safe place has also assuaged the worries of these first-time students.
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