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South Beach Dive & Surf has the most knowledgeable employees when it comes to surfing in Florida and specifically Miami Beach. With a combined 60 years of surfing in South Beach, we have great stories of old and new. Come by the shop and see the chaos and fun we have everyday (on good surf days, most of us will be at the beach).
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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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 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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 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." |
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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.
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 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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 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.
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| Lt. Commander Alexander Nunez |
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Alex is the newest addition to our scuba instruction staff. A Master Scuba Diver Trainer capable of teaching ten specialty courses, including Night, Search & Recovery and Underwater Navigation, he brings to South Beach Divers considerable diving experience of over 18 years and 3,000 dives to his credit. He has recently returned to his hometown of Miami after a term of service with the U.S. Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diver, where he gained experience with closed-circuit rebreathers to depths of 300 feet. Alex teaches classes in English or Spanish and is always eager to assist new divers gain the experience they need to venture off on their own underwater adventures.
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Staff