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We now carry the full line of Suunto Sport Watches
Details ...
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Dive Center : MEET THE CREW
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South Beach Dive and Surf prides itself with our instructional and retail team. We know of no other facility that has such a diverse, multi-talented and friendly crew. Since 1995, we have certified more than 4500 students, each with the individual attention that they expect. All of our instructors have many years of teaching experience, most of which are Master Scuba Diver Trainers, which allows you to get the best possible dive eduaction while still having great time.
Between our instructors/staff, we speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Sweedish and Dutch.
Many of our customers are referred to us from previous students and we believe this is the ultimate compliment. |
 Growing up in Australia gave me the love I still have today for diving. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the world, left me with the passion to want to dive forever- even though I had only snorkeled on it.
I moved to San Francisco in 1984 (and became old enough to learn to dive). I started my dive education with the PADI Open Water Class in 1986. After moving back to Australia, I then completed the Advanced, Rescue and Dive master classes. In 1990 I decided to travel through Central America and ended up living in Costa Rica for 6 months and my travels ultimately landed me in Miami. In 1991, I got my Instructor license and worked for a company called Team Divers. After some fun filled years and a lot of hard work, I left the company to open my own dive center.
In 1995, my partner Carlos and I opened South Beach Divers located right in the heart of Miami's beautiful South Beach. The original store was only 800 sq ft and after just one year we expanded into the space next door and we now have 2400 sq ft and now I wish we had more space. Since then, I have graduated up to a Master Instructor and also teach many specialty classes including Deep, Wreck, Nitrox, Underwater Photography and an assortment of DAN Oxygen Trainer Classes. In 2010 I completed the American Red Cross CPR Instructor classes due to the demand for this certification.
In 2003, Teresa and I had a daughter named Taylor who is just the best thing that ever happened in my life. She is non stop action and is already snorkeling and looking forward to diving as soon as she is old enough. In 2006 we had a second daughter, Lauren Grace who is just a dream baby. We are thankful that she is not quite as rambunctious as her sister and she brings a great balance to the family.
With over 3500 dives and well over 550 certified students under my belt, my team and I bring you years of experience in teaching and we still have the passion for sharing it with others. My ultimate goal is to travel the world and capture on film (now I am giving away my age) the underwater magic that exists and to show and encourage new divers bringing awareness to all that the ocean is a fragile ecosystem that needs to be protected. You can reach me by email at sasha@southbeachdivers.com.
The solution to pollution is NOT dilution.
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 John was first certified by PADI as an Open Water instructor in 1998 (here at South Beach Dive and Surf) and has since then achieved his Master Scuba Diver Trainer Rating. Having certified more than 800 students from Open Water all the way through Divemaster, John has plenty of experience. In addition to being a MSDT, John is also a gas blending technician. His favorite class to teach is the Open Water Class as he gets to see so many people find a whole new love and respect for the ocean. In addition, he can teach in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Come see why so many of his students are referrals from previous students (I am sure charm and patience has a lot to do with it). You can email John at john@southbeachdivers.com. |
 Angel, born and raised in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, came across his love for the ocean and diving at the age of 16. He pursued his interest in becoming a diving professional attending Barry University in Miami and completing the nation’s only Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Diving. After getting his PADI Scuba Instructors License (1993) and boat Captain License (1996), he moved back to the Southwest of Puerto Rico where he worked and then owned the most recognized dive operation in the island for 11 years. Due to a poor economy he was forced to close.
Angel has been teaching scuba as a PADI MSDT and Emergency First Responseder for 17 years, certified over 600 students, logged over 5,000 dives and teach over 20 specialties, including Nitrox, Gas Blender and Equipment Repair. For the last year he is glad to have joined the best diving team in South Florida.You can email Angel at angel@southbeachdivers.com. |
 Also know as "Mr. Discover Scuba", Alvaro has been a part time employee of South Beach Divers for over 14 years. Every week on Tuesday's, Thursday' and Saturday's, Alvaro guides our Key Largo excursions which many people return year after year to do. It is one of our highlights and we will continue to offer these trips as we feel it is an important part of South Florida diving. If you want to try Scuba Diving without the investment of getting certified you will probably meet Alvaro. Alvaro speaks English and Spanish. |
 Mike came to us in 2002 to help South Beach Divers transition from South Beach Divers to South Beach Dive and Surf. He and his wife Sheryl owned X-Isle surf shop on South Beach for over 15 years before closing its doors. Since joining us he has worked hard to make sure we provide everything you would expect from a surf shop. He is an avid surfer and is extremely creative at finding ways to sneak out for a quick surf in the middle of the day. If you are a seasoned surfer and new to the sport come let Mike pick out the perfect board for you.
Mike is currently working as a helicopter pilot but he is still our surf advisor for the shop.
You can email Mike at mike@southbeachdivers.com.
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Toby has been a surf instructor for 16 years and has worked with us for over 9 years. When the surf is up you will find him out off the 3rd street break. When there is no surf
you can find him in the shop helping new and experienced surfers with all their needs. Toby and his wife Dana just had a baby girl named Haley. Toby was featured on TV recently for his excellent dog training skills. You can see the video here.
Toby has now embarked on a new project, Recon Paddleboards. Shortly he will be unveiling his very own line of Stand Up Paddleboards. Stand by for updates.
You can email Toby at toby@southbeachdivers.com.
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 Nick comes from Poole, Dorset in England and completed his first couple of hundred dives in the beautiful waters of the English Channel (temperature in the 60’s during a good summer) along the south coast of England. After a career in the telecommunications industry working in Paris, London and Atlanta, Nick has found his way to Miami and has been teaching for us since 2001. Nick speaks French as well as his native English. His dive interests vary from decompression theory to reef fish identification on the Florida reefs. As a physicist, Nick teaches some of the best Dive Master theory classes ever.
Nick is one of our seasonal instructors as he spends most his time cruising the seven seas with his wife Agnes. |
 Larry is our resident Key Largo instructor/photographer. He will meet us on our Key Largo trips when needed to help out with customers special requests. Larry has over 15 years experience as a PADI Instructor and enjoys private instruction with small groups. If you are looking for a private guide or someone to take photos of you on your dive, Larry is your guy (and a good guy to have a beer with after your dive).
Just recently Larry has had a photography book published and it is a must have for the amature or professional photographer alike. You can buy the book on line here. It is also for sale in our shop.
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 Mike is our local boat captain. He is the most knowledgeable captain in the Miami area and was also the head captain for Black Beards Cruises. It is not an easy task to know where all the wrecks are without relying on a GPS, but Mike knows them all. You can see his credentials at www.captainmikebeach.com.
Mike Beach was born and grew up in Baltimore, MD (USA). After completing a Bachelors degree from Towson State University in 1994, he began working on dive charter boats as a SCUBA instructor departing Miami for the Bahamas weekly. Earning his Master’s license through the United States Coast Guard, he subsequently worked as a captain, marine technician, SCUBA instructor, and underwater archaeologist while earning a Masters degree from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Mike then spent 4 years in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews working towards a PhD in maritime history and underwater archaeology. Having sailed, dived, moored and explored throughout the Azores, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canaries, Caribbean, East Coast USA, Florida Keys and parts of Europe, Mike is proud to offer a unique perspective and acumen to the yachting community. |
 Megan is our newest addition to the team. She considers herself to be a renaissance adventurer, loves the outdoors and is an avid traveler. Born in Hawaii, she has always had a passion for the ocean. Originally a Paramedic for several years in the Pacific Northwest, she realized that life is short and has since found her niche as surf instructor and first aid/CPR instructor. She enjoys many sports including surfing, skateboarding, diving, wakeboarding, rock and ice climbing, snowboarding, rafting, kayaking and mountaineering to name but a few. Her favorite thing to do is taking people out to surf for the first time and help them catch their first wave. “You never forget your first wave. It’s an amazing and indescribable feeling! I am just thrilled to be a part of it.”
We offer surf lessons year around so if you are interested please call the shop.
You can email Megan at megan@southbeachdivers.com |
 Gary has a wide range of life and diving experiences. He was born and raised in a very rural area in Iowa. Although the Midwest and farming was a great experience growing up he knew from a very young age that he wanted to experience more of what the World had to offer. After graduation from college he was chosen for flight training in the US Navy. Gary flew with Navy for 5 years with his last tour as a jet flight instructor. The Navy then sent him to Dental School and after that further hospital training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, eventually becoming Board Certified in that specialty. During his military years he had the opportunity to visit many parts of the planet. Gary retired from the Navy after serving 20years followed by solo private practice in Charleston, South Carolina. He now spends his time traveling, sport motorcycle riding, and scuba diving. He was first certified as a Scuba Diver in 1977 and has been diving since then. Gary is an IDC Staff Instructor and is able to teach 21 specialties. In addition to open circuit diving he is also a rebreather and Tec diver.
Gary can be reached at gary@southbeachdivers.com |
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 Laurent, a native Belgian, has had a lifelong love for the sea, which he pursued first as a sailing instructor in France and then in the USA, where he attended the Berkelee College of Music.
He later obtained his MCA/RYA Yacht Master Ocean in England, certifying him as a professional captain for large private and commercial sailboats. Laurent sailed across the Atlantic and is now based in Miami, where he is a DAN and CPR Instructor, and also teaches Night Diving, Enriched Air Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Photography, and Underwater Naturalist specialties.
Laurent speaks English, French, and Dutch, and is working on his Italian and Spanish. You can email Laurent at laurent@southbeachdivers.com
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 Georgia has just completed her IDC and is now a PADI Instructor. She helps out with our web site creation and updates. Gerogia is also one of our boat captains. You can contact Georgia at georgia@southbeachdivers.com
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 Our shop dog. Lani is a Golden Retriever mix born April15th 2008. Her favorite food is chicken and she is very sociable and loves to play... unless you are the UPS driver, so don't be afraid if she runs up to you.
Lani currently has no email address :) |
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