The sun is burning, but not in Malta, because there is Saharan sand in the air. At Lothar and Annette from Mad Shark Diving we signed up for the VIT instructor evaluation. We, that's Ecki & Trevor. Since diving holidays in 2006, we know each other and are as a buddy team every now and then under water.

On Sunday, the 15th of April, we arrive at the divecenter in the morning and are warmly welcomed by all. Annette, Lothar, Gary and Rolf are the team of Mad Shark and will show us whats going up the next week. We are told the task for the next few days: We are not only Instructor* candidates, we may also serve two Instructor*** aspirants as dummies.

Before the obligatory check dive, we do the necessary apnea exams and take a visit to the Rozi wreck in Cirkewwa. During the second dive, we will be put to the test for the first time even before the official start: briefing, partner check, everything done a hundred times, and yet there are lurking stumbling blocks right there.

In the afternoon, Edith & Flo arrive at the divecenter. Florian is the second examiner, Edith is a qualified instructor evaluation dummy and sacrifices for us certainly nicer dives. Thanks again!

Further dives follow, sometimes extremely deep (max 4 m) and with gigantic visibility of 2 m, as the weather did not allow otherwise. Here you have to come up with something to get points in the experience part: Either donated to a Instructor**** a towing tour or magic for the student - a blue shark from the jacket. Fortunately, an exception, because the wind turned soon and we were allowed to reward us and our students, among other things with herring kings and dolphins.

The dives including preparation and follow-up demand a lot of concentration and the days are getting long. After the dives there will be lectures and theory, which will lead us to get up before seven and to be back in the hotel room after 10pm. Had someone told us that this is exhausting?

After ten exam dives, including a few with fake exam situations for our Instructor*** candidates, the theory test is still pending on the last day. Theory? Which theory?

Last day of the evaluation - yesterday we rolled the documents late into the night and continue with it early in the morning because we can not sleep anymore. After two hours of exam writing (without keyboard, but with pen) we have a cramp in the wrist and are done, with the nerves, the ability to concentrate and at all.

Wait, next to the briefing our personal favorite discipline. Finally, the theory exams are evaluated and it is clear: We have done it! We are diving instructors! And the VIT has two new Instructor***! Once again we would like to congratulate Garry & Rolf on their passed exam and would like to thank everyone involved for a great, eventful and instructive week in Malta.