Teaching all levels of PADI courses and building up an extensive knowledge of the local dive scene, Matt became Operations Manager in 2003, quickly developing the Resort into a 5 Star Instructor Development Center.

During this period he worked alongside some of the region’s leading Course Directors giving him a unique insight into various teaching styles within PADI IDC's.

Boasting a wealth of teaching experience throughout the PADI System, Matt has conducted over 60 PADI IDCs and countless more MSDT Prep & Internship programs, certifying over 1,000 PADI Professionals.

He has also certified over 1,500 PADI diver level students.

As well as boasting over 6 years management experience with one of Thailand's premier scuba diving operations, Matt has 18 Instructor Trainer Specialty ratings as well as being an EFR Primary, Secondary and Care for Children Instructor Trainer.

Matt is also the only Koh Tao Course Director to attend the 3 Day 2005 PADI Business of Diving Seminar's, an exclusive PADI Developmental program aimed at the industry's business leaders.

As Crystal grew in popularity, Matt employed an Operations Manager and moved into a new position, concentrating more on the business side, answering e-mails, devising new marketing strategies as well as new educational initiatives such as the introduction of the Environmental & Conservation curriculum and Technical diving at Crystal.

He continues to spearhead the Instructor Development Programs at the school working alongside fellow PADI Course Directors Kenji Takahashi & Justin Mayers.

In 2008, after 5 years of hard work both Matt and Crystal began to receive recognition from within the industry. Invited to the Asia Dive Expo in Singapore as a guest speaker at the "Business Solutions for the Future" conference hosted by PADI Asia Pacific Matt was also on hand to receive the prestigious "Diver Training" award on behalf of Crystal Dive Resort who became the first, and to this point only Koh Tao based dive operation ever to win an award at the PADI Members Awards.

Crystal were also finalists in the "Marine Environmental" award & the "Instructor Development" award becoming the first Dive center ever to receive three nominations at one ceremony.

2009 has continued along the same lines as 2008. In January Crystal Dive won the Project AWARE Worldwide Environmental Achievement Award, presented annually by Project AWARE a nonprofit environmental & conservation organization.

Then in May PADI CEO Drew Richardson visited Koh Tao for the first time to present Matt with the 2009 PADI Asia Pacific Members Diver Retention award. This award recognizes a dive centers success and popularity in retaining student divers due to high levels of training standards & service.

Crystal also received several finalist nominations becoming not just Koh Tao’s most awarded Dive Center but also Thailand’s.

Matt has also been recognised at Instructor Development level this year receiving the Platinum Course Director rating for the third time in succession. He now belongs to an elite group worldwide that have received this accolade three years in succession and currently the only Platinum PADI Course Director on Koh Tao.

click HERE to read an open letter from Matt >>