PADI celebrates members recognised in 2026 diving awards

PADI has announced that six of its most prominent professional members are to be honoured with some of the dive industry’s highest awards in 2026.

Among those being honored are PADI Course Director and renowned shark conservationist Cristina Zenato, recipient of the 2026 NOGI Award for Environment; Professor Simon Mitchell, a longtime diving physician, technical diver and former PADI Instructor, recipient of the 2026 NOGI Award for Science; and PADI Members Thomas Koch, Syed Abd Rahman, and Jeff and Teri Leicher, who have been named to the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

‘Cristina, Simon, Thomas, Syed, Jeff and Teri represent the very best of what it means to be a PADI Professional,’ said Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide.

‘Together, their achievements demonstrate the extraordinary influence PADI Professionals have not just in teaching people to dive, but also in advancing science, protecting vulnerable marine species and ecosystems, making diving more inclusive, creating sustainable dive communities and inspiring generations of people to become advocates for the ocean.’

Cristina Zenato

PADI Course Director Cristina Zenato will receive the 2026 NOGI Award for Environment for her work in shark conservation, cave exploration and education.

Founder of the nonprofit People of the Water, Zenato is known for her work with Caribbean reef sharks in The Bahamas. Her advocacy supported efforts that led to full shark protection in Bahamian waters in 2011.

She also explores and surveys underwater cave systems and developed the PADI Caribbean Reef Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty.

Professor Simon Mitchell

Professor Simon Mitchell, a diving physician, researcher, technical diver and former PADI Instructor, will receive the 2026 NOGI Award for Science.

His research covers decompression physiology, decompression sickness and oxygen toxicity. Alongside his medical and academic work, Mitchell has participated in deep wreck and cave-diving expeditions, bringing practical experience to his research and teaching on diver safety.

Thomas Koch

Thomas Koch’s induction into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame recognises his work making diving accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Koch founded Aqua Hands in 2010, providing scuba instruction using American Sign Language above and below the surface. In 2015, he became PADI’s first deaf Course Director. He is also a PADI AmbassaDiver.

Syed Abd Rahman

PADI IDC Staff Instructor Syed Abd Rahman has spent more than two decades developing youth and adaptive diving in Malaysia.

As founder and director of Kids Scuba Malaysia and a Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador, he introduces children and young people to diving and marine education while expanding opportunities for people with disabilities.

Rahman is the second Malaysian to be inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.

Jeff and Teri Leicher

Jeff and Teri Leicher are being recognised for more than 40 years of work in diver training, tourism and conservation through Jack’s Diving Locker in Kona, Hawaiʻi.

The couple helped develop permanent mooring systems to reduce anchor damage to coral reefs, with Teri co-founding the Malama Kai Foundation. Their dive operation also helped popularise Kona’s manta ray night dives and the Pelagic Magic blackwater dive.

A global community for Ocean change

PADI says that the achievements of these professional members ‘reflect the breadth of influence dive professionals can have across the global diving community.’

‘For PADI, their recognition is also a reminder that behind the organisation’s global membership of dive professionals are individuals whose passion, expertise and determination continue to change lives and empower more people to seek adventure and save the ocean,’ said Richardson.

For more information visit www.padi.com, or follow along on Facebook @PADI and Instagram @paditv