A New Chapter for Oceans 5 Gili Air
Warren Beyers and Ramon van Santen Joining the SSI Instructor Trainer Pathway
The transition from one training agency to another is never just about changing logos on the wall or replacing banners on the street. It is about philosophy, quality control, long-term vision, and the people who carry those values forward every single day in the water, in the classroom, and inside the dive center.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the move from PADI to SSI marks the beginning of a new chapter in professional dive education on the Gili Islands. Over the past months, every instructor and divemaster has already successfully crossed over to SSI, maintaining their professional levels and teaching credentials. This ensures continuity, consistency, and zero disruption for students and professional candidates.
However, two members of the Oceans 5 leadership team held the very highest professional levels within their previous training agencies:
Warren “Waz” Beyers, former PADI Course Director, and
Ramon van Santen, former SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer.
In the coming days, both Waz and Ramon will take the next step in their professional journey by joining the SSI Instructor Trainer crossover program — right here at Oceans 5 Gili Air. Their transition strengthens Oceans 5’s position as a true professional training hub and ensures that the same high standards that built the center’s reputation over the past 15 years continue well into the future.
Owner Sander Buis will also complete his SSI Instructor Trainer crossover later this year. Due to personal circumstances, he is unable to join the upcoming program, but this has no impact on the SSI Instructor Training Courses already scheduled at Oceans 5. The first SSI ITC will start on 13 February, led by Waz, and will run as a 16-day intensive instructor development program.
This moment represents more than a certification upgrade. It reflects a clear strategy for sustainable growth, instructor quality, and long-term employability for future professionals training on Gili Air.
From the Highest Levels to a New Standard
Becoming a Course Director or Instructor Trainer is not something that happens overnight. It represents years of experience, thousands of dives, countless students, and a deep understanding of educational systems, risk management, standards, and instructional psychology.
Waz has spent many years shaping instructor candidates as a PADI Course Director, guiding them not only to pass their Instructor Examinations but to become confident, responsible educators underwater. His focus has always been on realistic teaching scenarios, strong control in the water, environmental responsibility, and building instructors who can operate independently anywhere in the world.
Ramon brings a complementary background from the technical diving world as an SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer. His experience includes precision, discipline, advanced planning, equipment configuration, and structured progression — qualities that elevate instructor professionalism across all levels of diving, even in recreational programs.
By crossing over to SSI at Instructor Trainer level, both Waz and Ramon are not stepping backwards. They are bringing decades of accumulated experience into a system that offers flexibility, digital integration, and a modern training philosophy that fits today’s dive industry.
For Oceans 5, this means continuity of leadership, teaching depth, and mentoring quality for the next generation of instructors.
Why Sander’s Crossover Will Follow Later — Without Impact on Training
Sander, owner of Oceans 5 Gili Air and long-time PADI Course Director, will complete his SSI Instructor Trainer crossover later in the year. Due to personal circumstances, he cannot participate in the upcoming program.
Importantly, this does not affect any SSI Instructor Training Courses at Oceans 5. The first ITC will be conducted by Waz, supported by the strong in-house instructor team that has already fully transitioned to SSI.
Sander remains deeply involved in operational strategy, quality control, facility development, conservation programs, and long-term training vision. His temporary delay in crossover is purely logistical, not strategic.
This separation between operational continuity and personal timing reflects the maturity of the Oceans 5 team structure. The dive center is not dependent on one individual. Instead, it operates as a stable professional ecosystem with multiple experienced leaders capable of delivering consistent training quality.
The First SSI Instructor Training Course Starts 13 February
The first SSI Instructor Training Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air will begin on 13 February and will run for 16 intensive days, followed by the Instructor Evaluation.
The program focuses on developing confident instructors who are capable of:
Teaching in real-world conditions
Managing students safely and calmly
Understanding learning psychology
Maintaining neutral buoyancy standards
Delivering environmentally responsible diving
Operating professionally inside a busy dive center
Adapting teaching styles to different student personalities
Rather than teaching candidates how to “pass an exam,” the ITC focuses on creating instructors who can actually teach, solve problems, manage risk, and inspire divers.
This approach reflects Oceans 5’s long-standing educational philosophy: quality over quantity, small groups, real mentoring, and long-term competence.
Why Gili Air Is the Perfect Location for an SSI ITC
Gili Air offers a rare combination of environmental simplicity and professional infrastructure that makes it ideal for instructor development.
Calm and Predictable Diving Conditions
The Gili Islands provide warm water, excellent visibility, moderate currents, and easy access to multiple dive sites. These stable conditions allow instructor candidates to focus on teaching quality rather than constantly fighting environmental challenges.
Short Travel Times
Dive sites are only minutes away by boat. There are no long commutes, no wasted time, and no fatigue from extended transfers. This keeps energy levels high throughout intensive training days.
Controlled Training Environments
Oceans 5 operates multiple pools, dedicated classrooms, and well-maintained equipment facilities. Confined water training is efficient, safe, and professionally structured.
A Calm Island Lifestyle
Gili Air remains relaxed, community-oriented, and free from heavy traffic, noise, and urban stress. Candidates can focus on learning, recovery, and mental clarity — essential during an intensive professional course.
Strong Local Community Integration
Oceans 5 maintains deep connections with the island community, conservation organizations, and local partners. Instructor candidates learn not only how to teach diving, but how to operate responsibly inside a sensitive marine environment.
Why Becoming an SSI Instructor Makes Sense on the Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are changing. The dive industry is evolving. Employment markets, training systems, and operational models are shifting toward more flexible and digitally integrated platforms.
One clear trend is the growing number of SSI dive centers across the Gilis. On Gili Air alone, SSI dive centers now outnumber PADI centers. This directly impacts employability for new instructors.
Higher Employability
SSI instructors have more potential job opportunities on the islands simply because there are more SSI centers operating.
Lower Financial Barriers
SSI training materials, professional fees, and ongoing costs are significantly lower than many competing agencies. This reduces financial pressure on new professionals entering the industry.
Integrated Digital System
SSI’s digital platform simplifies student management, certifications, materials access, and teaching preparation — reducing administrative workload for instructors.
Automatic Specialty Ratings
SSI instructors graduate with multiple instructor specialties already included, such as:
Enriched Air Nitrox
Perfect Buoyancy
Science of Diving
Stress & Rescue
Dive Guide / Divemaster
This allows instructors to teach a wider range of courses immediately, increasing income potential and reducing dependency on additional paid specialty upgrades.
Free Nitrox Instructor Rating
Nitrox is one of the most requested specialties worldwide. SSI includes this rating automatically for qualified instructors — a major professional advantage compared to other agencies.
Reduced Burnout Risk
Being able to teach a broader variety of courses prevents monotony and improves long-term motivation and job satisfaction.
Continuity of Quality at Oceans 5
One of the biggest concerns when dive centers change agencies is whether quality will drop. At Oceans 5, the opposite is happening.
The same instructors, same standards, same facilities, same conservation philosophy, and same mentoring structure remain in place. Only the training system evolves.
With Waz and Ramon becoming SSI Instructor Trainers, Oceans 5 retains its ability to develop instructors internally at the highest professional level. This protects long-term stability, knowledge transfer, and instructional consistency.
Candidates benefit from:
Experienced leadership
Small group training
Individual mentoring
Strong environmental integration
Real-world teaching exposure
Long-term career guidance
A Strong Signal for the Future
The decision by two senior professionals — a Course Director and a Technical Instructor Trainer — to fully commit to SSI is a powerful signal. It demonstrates confidence in the system, the business model, and the long-term sustainability of the training pathway.
It also confirms that Oceans 5 is not reacting to market pressure, but proactively shaping its future.
With the first SSI ITC starting on 13 February, Oceans 5 enters a new era of professional training — combining modern systems with old-school teaching discipline, environmental responsibility, and strong mentorship.
Dive Smart. Build Your Future. Become an SSI Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
For divers who want more than just a plastic card — who want a career, a community, and real competence — the pathway is clear.
Gili Air offers the environment.
Oceans 5 offers the infrastructure.
Waz and Ramon bring the experience.
SSI provides the modern training platform.
The future of instructor training on the Gili Islands has already begun.
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