Dive center de Aalscholvers: 'we have remained ourselves'

Martijn and Daniëlle Blommaert want to train good divers with their diving school De Cormorants in Tilburg. 'We want divers to feel comfortable, competent and safe so that they can enjoy the sport', says Martijn who grew up with diving from an early age. Thirty years ago, his parents laid the foundation for the diving school, which now attracts both novice and advanced divers from all over the Netherlands and Belgium.

“I don't want people to quit the sport because they don't feel confident. That is why we put a lot of energy into our courses', says Martijn. The diving school offers training from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and from Global Underwater Explorers (GUE). 'We have recently been particularly committed to growing the recreational market for GUE.' In addition, the Cormorants also offers instructor and technical training.

Diversity of diving

After a 26-year career as a PADI instructor, Martijn is now active as an Instructor Trainer for GUE. 'The contact with people and the versatility of diving make it a very enjoyable profession. It's satisfying to give divers that extra security," he says. Martijn started diving at a young age and he couldn't wait to finally get his instructor diploma when he was eighteen.

De Aalscholvers has a modern (web) shop to be able to offer their divers the materials they need. In this way, the company combines high-quality training with old-fashioned service. 'We also choose the brands that we sell in the store based on that. I want to make sure that there is a company behind it that is just as service-oriented as we are.' It is possible to borrow equipment for repairs and service. 'For the divers who cannot do without the materials for long,' explains Daniëlle. With that approach, the company has grown over the past five years. "We just stayed true to ourselves and kept doing what we're good at."

The customer decides

During the PADI courses, the instructors strongly believe in the power of the GUE equipment configuration. "It's a bit more spartan and there's nothing on your set you don't need." A product that they are now very pleased with is the Halcyon wing, which makes you more stable in the water and more streamlined. 'But we like to explain the different options and systems to the customer, who can ultimately decide.'

You can also get acquainted with the products through the workshops they offer. 'During these workshops, customers can really feel and experience what a certain product does. Diving is all about experience and we want to emphasize that', says Daniëlle. During the Duikvaker Fair in February, Martijn and Daniëlle are ready to inform people with a team. 'We want to share what we know and what our vision is on it.'