Rebecca McGowan, a Team GB Taekwondo athlete, shares her post-Olympic journey into the world of scuba diving. Alongside her partner, Bradly, the couple took a much-needed dive holiday in Thailand to reconnect with a sport that has become a key part of their lives beyond athletics.

It started out with a simple seed her father planted as Margo Peyton grew up exploring the waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. From her father’s fishing boat, she learned how to swim, befriended marine life much larger than herself, and her love for everything ocean grew. Margo was equally passionate about travel and combined those loves while living in Grand Cayman for many years. 

The ocean offers connection, healing, and adventure to millions worldwide, yet for many, physical, mental, or psychological barriers have made it feel out of reach. PADI has long been committed to breaking down these barriers, creating opportunities for people of all abilities to explore and protect the ocean. In support of this mission, PADI is launching the inaugural PADI Adaptive Diving Week from 1-7 December 2024. This week will celebrate the remarkable stories of divers, as well as the contributions of PADI Dive Centers, Resorts, and Professionals in empowering all divers, fostering inclusivity, and expanding access to the life-changing experience of diving.

The PADI Ocean Torchbearer community is a growing global movement of everyday individuals—divers, PADI® Professionals, conservation allies, and advocates—dedicated to protecting the places they love. United by a belief in the power of individual actions to drive meaningful change, this passionate network of ocean champions has made significant strides in 2024 toward a healthier, more resilient ocean. Guided by the PADI Pillars of Change, the Ocean Torchbearer community represents what’s possible when committed people unite to protect what matters. 

If you’re considering taking the next step in your diving career and becoming a PADI Divemaster, Koh Tao should be at the top of your list. Known for its vibrant diving community and exceptional dive training, this small island off Thailand’s eastern coast has earned a global reputation as one of the best places to learn and grow as a dive professional.