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Atomic Vision Masks
Atomic Aquatics continues to turn the dive industry on edge with its innovative products.
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Dive Center : MEET THE CREW
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South Beach Divers prides itself with our instructional and retail team. We know of no other facility that has such a diverse, multi-talented and friendly crew. Many of our customers are referred from previous students and this is the ultimate compliment. Since 1995, we have certified more than 3500 students, each with the individual attention that they expect. All of our instructors have many years of teaching experience which allows you to get the most out of your class while still having fun.
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 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 and Underwater Photography.
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 looking forward to diving one day herself. 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 3300 dives and well over 550 certified students under my belt, my team and I bring you years of experience in teaching and still have the passion for sharing it with others. My ultimate goal is to travel the world, capturing the underwater magic that exists on film and to show and encourage new divers and to bring awareness to all that the ocean is a fragile ecosystem that needs to be protected BEFORE we destroy Mother Nature's most beautiful creation. 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 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. |
 Anthony has been with us since 2005 and came to us after spending 2 years diving on the Island of Guam. Originally from Iowa, Anthony spent time with the USAF in England. After getting his release from the service in 1990, he spent 3 more years in the UK playing with the Brit group The Craneflies. Since his return to the States, he has lived in California, Washington, South Carolina, and finally Guam, where his passion for diving was found. Since becoming an Instructor in 2005, Anthony has certified over 450 new divers.
Anthony is also an accomplished photographer, musician & writer, and continues to chase his interests in film and photography, both on land and in the water.
You can email Anthony at anthony@southbeachdivers.com.
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 Also know as "Mr. Discover Scuba", Alvaro has been a part time employee of South Beach Divers for over 12 years. Every week on Tuesday's and Thursday'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 into South Beach Dive and Surf and is now our retail manager. 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.
Every Sunday morning you will find Mike out off of 3rd street offering intro surf lessons. Call the store if you would like to give it a try, you will have a blast.
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 5 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.
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 is our newest instructor. Nick speaks French as well as his native English. His dive interests vary from decompression theory to reef fish identification on the Florida reefs. |
 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 10 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). |
 Mike is our local boat captain. He is one of the most knowledgeable captains in the Miami area and is 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. |
 The gentle giant. Like John, Sam started here as an Open Water Diver and is now one of our great instructors.
Sam speaks English and Spanish and during lunch breaks you can find him surfing at the 3rd St break. Since working with South Beach Divers Sam has been on film productions such as Penn and Teller as a stunt double for the underwater scenes.
You can email Sam at sam@southbeachdivers.com. |
 Spencer is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer capable of teaching five specialty courses. He was certified Open Water in 1989 and achieved his Instructor rating in 1994. He has over 1500 dives to his credit, and loves teaching Open Water classes to excited students and interested juniors curious to get into the sport of SCUBA. He enjoys teaching eager or nervous students who want to conquer a new and life-changing experience. Spencer is also an award-winning television commercial director who periodically travels the continent shooting national spots for major advertisers. He worships diving and is a committed member of the SBD staff. Constantly expanding his dive knowledge, he loves meeting new people to introduce to this fantastic underwater sport. |
| Lt. Commander Alexander Nunez |
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"100% American Hero." These are the words of President Bush during a recent press conference about former US Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Commander Nunez. This phenomenon brings to South Beach Divers a wealth of expertise with over 30 years diving experience and 8,000 dives, ranging from the frozen and unforgiving conditions of the antarctic assisting marine archaeological researchers discover lost treasures to deep sea technical re breather daredevil diving to depths of over 1000m. Forever bent on pushing his absolute limits, he leaves the mediocrity of his prior challenges behind to tackle his greatest adventure to date, daring to serve humanity as that highest of callings......a PADI Scuba Instructor
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Georgia has just completed her IDC and is now a PADI Instructor. She also does a lot of our web site creation and updates. You can contact Georgia at georgia@southbeachdivers.com 
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| Girard has been a trusted part of the South Beach community and Florida surfing family for many years. "I remember how frustrating it was for me to learn surfing without any help when I began some 28 years ago.....all the unnecessary fears you build up just from not having any coaching, not knowing how to managing the ocean or proper surfing techniques " Girard has a Masters in Education, has served as Principal of a school in the Abacos, Bahamas (great waves!), served as Team Chaplain (Sports Counselor) for the University of Miami football and baseball teams, a singer/songwriter, and has been teaching surfing for over four years just for the love of it. " I love the fact that everyone whom I teach has dreamed about surfing most of their life, and I get to be the one to help them fulfill their dream and have an amazing first experience". |
Born and raised on Miami Beach, Danny has been diving in South Florida his  entire life. With more then 2,500 dives to his credit, he is one of our most experienced DiveMaster's. He has an extensive knowledge of Miami Beach, the local reef systems and artificial reefs. Danny was first Open Water certified in 1983 by Jean-Jacques Mayol, a world renowned Free-Diver. You will find him teaching along side of our Instructors nearly every weekend in Miami Beach or down in Key Largo. Danny is also available as a guide to lead certified divers on private yachts and chart |
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