It’s hard to believe, but December 22nd was the 5th anniversary of Thresher Shark Divers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has visited us, dived with us and supported us over the years. We hope you have enjoyed your time on Malapascua Island as much as we have enjoyed having you.
We can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. The dive shop has changed a lot since we first opened – back at Christmas 2004, Trevor and I were working 20 hours a day to keep the dive shop running with only 4 members of staff in a tiny little space.
Although we have grown up a little, Malapascua has changed surprisingly little during out time here. It has become a little busier and a few more businesses and resorts have sprung up, but we are thankful that we have so far escaped mass commercialization.
Staff from 2005
Today we have a new, much bigger space (though somehow still too small) and we employ nearly 40 full time staff. A big change, and thankfully we get a little more sleep these days.
We are very lucky in that we have been blessed with amazing staff. Particularly our dive staff, most of whom have been with us for most of if not all of these 5 years. Our divers always comment on the excellent boat crew and DMs and we are proud to have worked side by side with them for so long.
Old Dive Shop
New Dive Shop
And last but not least, Oscar’s, our new restaurant and bar upstairs has been a welcome addition and has quickly become one of the more popular places to chill for happy hour and get some great food afterwards.
Old bar
New bar
And last but definitely not least, the reason we are all here - the diving remains amazing. Thresher sharks are still around in significant numbers and sightings of mantas and hammerheads have improved dramatically. (It’s still a secret, so shhh don’t tell anyone, but there is even talk of whale sharks migrating nearby, but that is something for further investigation.) Its great news these days to hear of INCREASING shark numbers, rather than the worldwide dwindling populations of which we hear so much.
So our fifth anniversary was a big celebration. We had our traditional staff party, with wives, husbands and children along. Also attending were customers, interns and of course our instructors. Lots of silly games were played, secret santa was a big hit – its amazing what we managed to buy for P100 (USD $2). I got a lovely snowdome with a tiger and gold snowflakes, thank you Secret Santa.
And then after the tables were cleared away it was time for our local Bayut troupe of firebreathing ladyboys. Always a big hit!
The Mid-Air Splits
Here’s to the next five years!
More photos on facebook.
