In 2024, PADI’s Master Scuba Diver™ Challenge invited PADI divers to elevate their skills by becoming Master Scuba Divers, a feat fewer than 2% of all recreational divers achieve. The competition also came with a chance of winning the grand prize — a dive trip of a lifetime to the Maldives.
Today, we introduce and celebrate the winner of the 2024 PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD) Challenge — Zoe Cotterill, a 19-year-old from the United Kingdom.
How Zoe Earned Her Master Scuba Diver Rating & Maximized Her Chances To Win the Challenge
Before we learn more about our competition winner, let’s see what Zoe completed on her path to becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD). If you’re not familiar with what it takes to earn this prestigious rating, a diver must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be at least 12 years old (12-14 year olds can earn a Junior MSD rating)
- PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Diver certified
- PADI (Junior) Rescue Diver certified
- Five PADI Specialty Diver certifications
- Logged a minimum of 50 dives
Zoe more than surpassed the requirements to become PADI Master Scuba Diver certified, making her a truly worthy winner. During the competition period (July 1 – December 31, 2024), Zoe completed the following courses:
- Rescue Diver
- AWARE Shark Conservation Diver
- Delayed Surface Marker Buoy
- Digital Underwater Photographer (Level 2)
- Drift Diver
- EFR Primary (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid)
- Enriched Air Diver
- Night Diver
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
About Our Master Scuba Diver Competition Winner
As part of the Master Scuba Diver (MSD) Competition, each entrant had to answer the question, “Why do you want to become an MSD?” Zoe’s answer was perfect and offers insight into our scuba diving-crazy competition winner. She wrote, “The minute I tried diving I fell in love with it. I want to spread my love for it and do my part in ocean conservation!”
We sat down with Zoe to get to know a little more about the 2024 MSD Challenge winner.
The Journey to Master Scuba Diver
Like many divers, Zoe’s first step in the Master Scuba Diver (MSD) Challenge was discovering what the MSD rating actually is. She told us,“Once I found out what the MSD rating was, I made it my goal to achieve it in a year from when I completed my Open Water course.” And while Zoe admits she didn’t have much hope of being the outright winner, she found the Challenge to be “great motivation while doing the courses.”
As mentioned above, Zoe more than met the requirements to become a Master Scuba Diver and complete the Challenge. She finished seven PADI Specialties — two more than required. Among her favorites were the Night Dive Specialty course and the PADI Rescue Diver course. Zoe explained, ”I really enjoyed the night diving as it has allowed me to experience the underwater world in a different light! It was a great experience to get a feel of how to navigate with limited light and having to be more cautious with buoyancy changes.”
The Rescue Diver course, like it does for many other divers, offered Zoe something a little different. “We experienced a range of scenarios, along with prevention methods to situations that could arise during a dive. On and after this course I felt more capable and confident as a diver, knowing I could help another person if needed,” she revealed.
Zoe explained that becoming a Master Scuba Diver was not only an important stepping stone in her progression as a diver but also an opportunity to develop real-world skills through each Specialty course.
A Rapid Ascent Through the PADI System of Diver Education
With her obvious passion for scuba diving, it’s no surprise that Zoe has progressed swiftly through the PADI courses — including her ascension to Master Scuba Diver. “I completed the Open Water course in January 2024, and went on to do my Advanced Open Water in May, Rescue in October and Specialities in between, achieving MSD in December 2024,” she pointed out.
Among all the courses Zoe has completed, she says she found the PADI Rescue Diver course to be the most challenging — not just because of the course content, but because of her smaller stature. Zoe recalled, “I’m only 5’1” (156 cm), and most of the divers towered above me. Overcoming this challenge was helped by being in a great group of people who I trusted.” Furthermore, her years of training as a gymnast also offered some help. She added, “I am strong and very determined; this helped me overcome the limitations of my stature.”
Zoe was keen to emphasize that she didn’t face the MSD Challenge alone, “I have had an enormous amount of support from the Aquasport international ‘family’. They are friends and mentors who are always willing to give a helping hand, be that to do more diving, introducing new dive spots around the UK or even just the fun chats back at the dive shop.” She credited her instructor, Kieran Mangan, who guided her through several courses, and Dive Director Vini Howlett for his unwavering support and many, many entertaining stories.
Her parents have also played a significant role in her journey. Her mum, who recently returned to diving after a 30-year break at the age of 58, could often be found alongside Zoe as her dive buddy, while her dad was never too far away, as he ”loves looking at dive computers and gear, of course!” Zoe added that her parents “have supported my alternative direction to University, acknowledging my dream of becoming a PADI diving instructor and the opportunities that will give me in life.”
Diving in the UK
We also asked Zoe about her experiences diving in the UK. She completed most of her training in her country of residence. She shared,”Although cold (for me at least), I have really enjoyed diving in the UK. I mostly dive in quarries as they are a good place to practice skills, and also great places to discover hidden treasures, like planes, boats, sculptures and lost gnomes!” Zoe also mentioned the marine life-filled dive sites off the coast of Plymouth, the HMS Scylla shipwreck, and her desire to dive Lundy Island, St Abbs.
When asked how she felt about being PADI’s 2024 Master Scuba Diver Challenge winner, Zoe exclaimed, “I am over the moon to have been selected as the winner of the MSD challenge 2024!” She went on to say, “I’m still shocked that I have won and I doubt this will go away. I am also proud of myself for putting in the work and hope this will open new doors for me in the diving world.”
Zoe also chuckled as she quietly mentioned, “I would love to meet Steve Backshall!” Little did she know, her wish would soon come true. Just weeks later, he presented her prize to her at the UK’s GoDiving Show.
Zoe recalled the moment she got the email saying she had won, ”I hadn’t even got to the end of the email before calling my parents asking if it was a scam email, as I didn’t want to get too excited until I knew it was genuine.” Once the confirmation came, she told us how ecstatic she was, ”I had never even considered that I would have been chosen for such an amazing opportunity, so it felt even more special.”
As the winner of a once-in-a-lifetime dive trip to the Maldives for a six-night stay at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa for two, Zoe is most excited ”to be able to experience this holiday with my mum.” She went on to explain that her triumph has even encouraged her mum to complete the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.
When asked what she’s looking forward to the most, Zoe exclaimed, ”I cannot wait to explore the coral reefs, looking for all of the smaller marine animals such as nudibranchs. It’s one of my favourite things to do while diving.” In addition, Zoe wants “to see some larger marine species and my mum’s reactions.”
What’s Next?
Having achieved the title of Master Scuba Diver, Zoe isn’t slowing down. She relayed, “I recently passed my Divemaster course and cannot wait to start helping out at Aquasport to gain more experience and inspire others to dive. I have been a British gymnastics coach for a few years now and I always love seeing students progress with something they love. I hope to do the same in the diving world.”
When we asked if she had any advice for other budding Master Scuba Divers, Zoe’s answer was clear: ”Make the most of every course and dive you do as you only become an MSD once!” She also encourages potential Master Scuba Divers to surround themselves with supportive, knowledgeable and professional people and – “don’t be scared to ask for help, everyone would have been in your shoes at some point.”
Finally, we asked whether Zoe would encourage others to join the 2025 Master Scuba Diver Challenge. She said, “Absolutely, I have enjoyed every step in earning my MSD and if I could, I would go and do it all again.”
As for what’s to come in the 2025 Master Scuba Diver Challenge, we’ll leave the final words to Zoe: “When I applied, I never expected to win this Challenge in a million years. So never say never — and a big thank you to the PADI family.”
Want To Take Part in the 2025 Master Scuba Diver Challenge?
The PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge will return on June 1, 2025. In the meantime, PADI divers wanting to achieve the title of Master Scuba Diver can do so by signing up to the course here or contacting their local PADI Dive Shop.
Alternatively, if you’re not already a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, why not take part in the 2025 Advanced Open Water Diver Challenge? The prize is a PADI Specialty Diver course and a Fourth Element gear pack. Click below to sign up for that Challenge before March 31, 2025.
