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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. 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 (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 15 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 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 7 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. |
 AKA “Lara Croft”,
Divemaster
Natalie is our most recent addition to South Beach Divers Pro Team. Having grown up on a horse farm in Atlanta, Georgia, she moved to Miami in 2002. She currently splits her time between Miami Beach and Southern California. Having exposure to both ocean waters has been a fantastic experience for her. Natalie received her PADI Open Water Certification in 1996 in Grand Cayman and her Divemaster certification here with South Beach Divers. When in Miami, she can usually be found on our dive charters assisting with classes (her favorite is Rescue) or helping out around the shop. Natalie loves seeking out new challenges and fits right in with the guys. She enjoys everything from MMA to shooting guns. "I have always been drawn to the ocean and I try not to let a day pass without taking a moment to enjoy the water. I love the power and mystery of the ocean, it's intoxicating to me”.
Natalie can also be booked for private guided dives in Miami and Key Largo. Her favorite dives are the U.S.S. Duane and the Speigel Grove. |
 Gary has been on or near an ocean his entire adult life after leaving the Midwest at age 21. He retired From the US Navy after serving 20 years as a jet pilot and an Oral &Maxillofacial Surgeon. Originally certified in 1977, he continued his Scuba Diving training to become a MSDT(Master Scuba Diver Trainer) and is PADI certified to teach 12 specialties. He is also an avid sport motorcycle rider and enjoys riding in the USA as well as Europe. |
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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.
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 Georgia has just completed her IDC and is now a PADI Instructor. She also helps out with our web site creation and updates. Geogia 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 April 6th 2008. 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.
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