At Divers Direct, we are proud to have a highly knowledgeable staff. While many of our team members are experienced in scuba diving, freediving, and/or spearfishing, some truly stand out due to their expertise.

Whether you are interested in new gear or have some general questions, you'll want advice from someone who can ease your concerns. Fortunately, our stores are staffed with experts who are more than just diving enthusiasts. These experts will not only address any questions you may have but also share valuable insights they've gained over the years, ensuring you feel confident in your choices. Here, we celebrate those exceptional individuals across our stores, highlighting the significant experience that separates them from average enthusiasts.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel has always felt a deep connection to the water, likely influenced by his father and grandfather, who both made their living from the ocean. From Margarita, Venezuela, Emmanuel became an SSI Open Water Instructor shortly before earning his Bachelor’s degree in marine biology in 2012. Initially drawn to underwater photography, it wasn’t long until he expanded his knowledge and became a trimix diver, cave diver, and instructor. He has been teaching divers through Divers Direct since 2022.

When asked about his most memorable dive, it was difficult for him to choose just one, stating, "Every dive is unique, and there’s always something fascinating to discover." Emmanuel aims to cement his impact in the diving community by working towards becoming an Instructor Trainer and a Technical Diving Instructor. His advice to both new and experienced divers is to always plan your dive and stick to that plan. He emphasizes not diving beyond your training limits, a safe diver is one who can fully enjoy the underwater experience. "Keep diving," he adds, "it’s great for your body and mind."

Walter

Walter has spent years in the hospitality industry, which shines through in his exceptional customer service skills. Scuba diving started as just a suggestion for him, but who could have predicted it would become his true passion? That's the magic of diving—it often hooks people for life. Walter fell in love with the sport's tranquility and beauty. He got his first certification in 1994 and has since advanced to earn his Dive Master certification, witnessing the growth of the scuba diving industry firsthand.

Among his favorite dive spots are the Bahamas and Belize, but his top pick is Roatan, where he had unforgettable dives with his son. Walter is on a mission to reach 1,000 dives—he’s almost there, with 947 under his belt! He’s been part of the Divers Direct team for 18 years and feels honored to have met fascinating people from all walks of life, many of whom join in on the tropical adventure trips he loves to plan. If you ever find yourself in the Orlando store, be sure to say hi to Walter—he’d be thrilled to share his passion for diving and dive travel with you.

Zach

After college, Zach spent three incredible months in Roatan, Honduras, becoming a PADI Instructor. Before joining the team at Divers Direct, he worked as a PADI Instructor and an SDI Course Director. Although he’s had the chance to dive in amazing places like Roatan and Grand Teton National Park, Zach finds a special kind of beauty in the simplicity of Florida springs like Blue Grotto and Lake Denton.

Of course, having spent three months in Roatan, he might be a bit biased, but he highly recommends it. "Roatan is affordable, friendly, and has dozens of dive spots like Mary’s Place and Mandy’s Eel Garden that defy imagination," Zach says. His goal is to continue growing within the diving community and helping others do the same. Working at Divers Direct not only expands his knowledge in equipment repair but also allows him to connect with both new and veteran divers. "Being part of such a great community is the best perk of the job!" he adds.

Mike

Mike's diving journey began at the age of 10 off Hollywood Beach. Following in his father's footsteps, Mike and his brother embraced the underwater world. He got certified in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, at 19. Soon after, he became a NASDA, PADI, and SSI dive instructor in the 70s. To emphasize Mike’s longevity in the diving community, his SSI # is 12. 

Between 1970 and 1980, Mike ran his own dive shops in Florida. However, a vertebrae injury temporarily halted his diving pursuits. It wasn't until he joined Divers Direct in 2007 that he returned to diving. Associated with Divers Direct, he has explored incredible dive sites like Roatán and the Cayman Islands, with his favorite being Providencia, Colombia. Mike has witnessed significant changes in the scuba diving world and has many unbelievable stories to share from his extensive experience.

Ralph

Ralph has been diving for over 40 years, earning his Open Water Certification in California in the late '70s before moving to Florida and becoming a dive instructor. With extensive experience in all aspects of scuba diving—from retail and manufacturing to service tech—Ralph is a true expert in the field.

He joined Divers Direct, then known as Divers Outlet, in 1995. After many years, Ralph took time off to travel the Caribbean, where he shared his expertise in cylinder inspections and trained both divers and public safety officials, including firefighters and officers. Eventually, Ralph returned to Divers Direct, where he continues to provide cylinder services and expert advice to our customers. Fun fact: Ralph was the instructor who certified our current CEO.

Cyndi

Cyndi’s love for diving transformed her life forever. Living in New York and working in a corporate office, she initially only dove during vacations. Each year, she took a specialty course to deepen her diving knowledge, such as Peak Performance Buoyancy or Underwater Navigation. On one pivotal vacation, Cyndi spent 10 days in the Cayman Islands, diving multiple times a day. This experience solidified her passion, leading her to pursue a career in diving. In 1998, she sold her New York home, left her corporate job, and moved to Florida to become a scuba instructor. Over the next 20 years, she certified over 1,000 individuals. Since 2018, Cyndi has been a valuable member of Divers Direct, where her passion for diving continues to shine as she personally tailors each customer's needs on the sales floor.

Ron inherited his love for the ocean from his father, who was an excellent swimmer. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Ron experienced scuba diving at 15. While studying in Canada, he completed his first official scuba training with TAM Dive in Toronto, where the ex-military instructor led a challenging program.

Initially, scuba diving was just a hobby while Ron worked as a banker for 10 years. However, after meeting the owners of the “SCUBA Shop,” he began helping with teaching and leading dive trips. Encouraged by his instructor Keith, Ron became a PADI instructor in the cold waters of Florida’s Crystal River. He traded his business suit for a wetsuit, leaving the finance world to swim with sharks.

Soon after, Ron opened his first dive store in Port of Spain, Trinidad, followed by another in Charlotteville, Tobago. His contributions to the diving community, from instruction to service repairs, commercial diving, and island conservation, have been significant. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism and training to a halt, leading to the closure of his dive stores.

One of Ron’s favorite dive sites is Marble Island, located at the northern tip of Trinidad and Tobago, known for its incredible marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and wild dolphins. Ron especially cherished seeing his students transform from nervous beginners to passionate divers. Although he has taken a break from actively diving, Ron plans to return to the water soon and continue his ocean conservation efforts.

TJ

A fourth-generation Key West native, TJ is a true expert when it comes to spearfishing. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you—he's got a decade of experience under his belt that will leave you impressed. His passion for spearfishing runs in the family, passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now to him, living proof of the saying, "like father, like son."

TJ has been handling spearguns since he was 8 years old and shot his first fish at just 9. He’s also certified in freediving, and his most memorable dive was freediving the Vandenberg. Although he’s yet to venture beyond the Florida Keys, TJ’s knowledge of spearguns is unmatched, thanks to his deep family roots in the sport. If you’re looking for spearfishing advice, TJ is your go-to guy.

Colton

Colton, a true native of the Conch Republic, discovered his passion for scuba diving during his senior year of high school in an honors Marine Science class. Since then, he’s earned an impressive array of certifications, including Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster, with plans to explore the world of technical diving even further. It’s no surprise that he also serves as a co-team leader for the Key West Fire Department dive team. Colton thrives on the thrill of spearfishing along the vibrant reefs and mysterious wrecks of Key West, with his all-time favorite dive being the legendary USS Hoyt Vandenberg.

Kevin

Kevin has been diving nonstop since he got certified in 2020, and in just four years, he’s climbed the ranks to become a Divemaster. Along the way, he’s also earned certifications in wreck diving, self-reliant diving, and nitrox. Among his most memorable experiences are diving the Vandenberg wreck and discovering a 5-inch megalodon tooth in Venice, Florida. As a true ocean enthusiast, Kevin’s future goals include guiding divers in witnessing the ocean’s beauty firsthand. He also dreams of cave diving and exploring World War II wrecks.

If you visit one of our stores and happen to see one of our esteemed experts, we encourage you to take the opportunity to introduce yourself. You already know quite a bit about their expertise, and they are genuinely excited to get to know you, too. Share your diving goals and experiences with them—they're eager to help you on your underwater adventures and provide personalized advice tailored to your needs. Don't be shy; building that connection can enhance your experience and ensure you get the most out of your time in our store and underwater. Happy Diving!

FAQs

What are Divers Direct’s hours of operation? 

To find the store hours, click here and choose the tab for the specific location you'd like to visit. Each store has different hours, so be sure to check the details for the one you're interested in. 

Can I get scuba-certified at Divers Direct? 

Of course! Whether you learn in our Orlando or Fort Lauderdale location, our professional instructors will gladly guide you into the underwater world of scuba diving. For more information on dive certification and instructions - click here!

How can I work for Divers Direct?

We appreciate your interest in working with Divers Direct. If you’re passionate about tropical adventure then this is the place for you. Discover a career at Divers Direct here!

Where is Divers Direct? 

Divers Direct currently has four stores across Florida: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Key Largo, and Key West. Each one of our great locations has certified and trained individuals to assist you in your diving gear purchase.