Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
4 different cert agencies, 5 states, 5 scientific agencies
My Certification Journey
My first certification was with NAUI as an Open Water Diver. My advanced and beginning of professional diving certifications were with SSI. My Scientific Dive certification is through the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). My Open Water Instructor certification is from PADI. My experiences and training through the different agencies came down to the instructor I had. My approach to teaching has components from every instructor and agency that I’ve had. There are differences, but there are more similarities than differences. What I feel most important quality that my instructors had, was that they all shared their love for diving and their passion for sharing it with their students. That is what I want to do for you. I want to create an environment that teaches you what you need to know, emphasizes the Safety First approach to diving, and share my love for the marine environment with you. It takes some Northern Attitude to dive in the PNW, but if you dive with me, you can dive anywhere.
My Dive Heros
I appreciate all those who were a part of my diving journey. It started with Sonoma Coast Divers in California. My first certification at Breakwater Cove in Monterey, CA. Then north to Alaska for the University of Southeast Alaska Dive Semester. Diving in the beautiful Southeast Alaska. Some of the most challenging and exhilarating diving I've ever done. From the West Coast to the East Coast! After my time in Alaska, I spent some time in Port Orange, Florida with Spruce Creek Scuba. I didn't have enough time with SCS, but I learned so much with the time I did have. The warm waters and Covid didn't go well in Florida so I returned to the west coast—home of the Pacific Northwest. Where the water is cold, unpredictable, and requires your undivided attention. Those from Sonoma Coast Divers would say, there are divers, but then there are North Coast Divers. If you can dive the North Coast, (and I'll also include the PNW), you can dive anywhere. Ocean Paradise Dive and Travel helped me achieve my goal of becoming an Open Water Instructor. It was fitting that my instructor's certification was also in Monterey, CA. Bringing my diving journey full circle. Thank you. I hope to represent you well and give back to the diving community what you gave me.