THE DIVE ACADEMY TEAM
At The Dive Academy, we are very selective when choosing people to join our crew. We could not be more proud of the exceptional group of Dive Professionals who call The Dive Academy home. Each of the individuals listed below bring integrity, a wealth of experience, a sincere passion for our sport, along with a dedication to deliver a safe and fun training experience. They create an inclusive, generous atmosphere and are always willing to go the extra mile for our students. It is important to note that our team only teaches at The Dive Academy, so our students can expect a professional, consistent program.
Dean McConnachie (Doc)
Co-Founder of The Dive Academy
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Platinum Instructor - SSI ( Scuba Schools International )
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Master Instructor - SSI
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Extended Range (XR) Instructor - SSI
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Recipient of the prestigious SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Award
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44+ years underwater, with over 4000 logged dives
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Dean is a passionate dive professional, with an attention to detail, and a true desire to help other divers enjoy our sport to the fullest
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Underwater Photographer and Videographer
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Favourite Dive Destination: "still looking" Loved the diving at Atlantis Resorts in the Philippines and Raja Ampat is a "must" for all divers!
Paula Booker (FILO)
Co-Founder of The Dive Academy
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​Assisstant Instructor - SSI ( Scuba Schools International )
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SSI XR Diver
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Diving since 2008 with 1400+ dives
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Paula loves to travel and diving has taken her all over the world
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Passionate Underwater Photographer - Paula enjoys nothing more that exploring the rivers, lakes and oceans, and documenting her dives with photographs
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Favourite Dive Destination: All of them! But, Raja Ampat, Indonesia would be at the top of the list!
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As for FILO? First in, Last out!
Brendan Neil
Instructor Trainer - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Platinum Instructor Award - SSI ( Scuba Schools International )
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2900 logged dives with 35+ years diving experience
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Underwater photography is quickly becoming a favourite hobby for Brendan
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Attorney by day, TDA Instructor by night, Brendan's dynamic teaching style is thoroughly enjoyed by our students
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Long term plan: Can you say Turks and Caicos?
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Favourite Dive Destination? God's Pocket, British Columbia. He says it's the best diving in the world
Sue Butterfield (SooBee)
Open Water Diver Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Century Instructor Award - SSI ( Scuba Schools International )
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1600+ dives completed since 1973
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A retired educator, SooBee brings a wealth of experience and patience to our teaching crew
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Favorite Dive Destination: Lake Ontario. JUST KIDDING, SHE HATES THE COLD WATER! Maybe St. Lucia instead
James Crouch (Sparky)
Open Water Diver Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Gold Instructor Award - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Technical Diver - TDI
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Diving since 1979, James has been exploring underwater for over 45 years
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A retired television/film producer, James is an avid underwater photographer & videographer
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Favourite Dive Destination: Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon, Micronesia
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"The spherical mines on the San Fransisco Maru are tough to beat!"
Jason McCormack
Open Water Diver Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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One of the first Instructors to join The Dive Academy Team in 2010
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Certified in 1996 and now has 2000+ logged dives
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Jason lives in the Niagara Region and coordinates our Training Dives at the Welland Scuba Park
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Students and crew love Jason's ability to make even the difficult skills FUN!
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​Loves to share the underwater world with his 3 children
Sarah Jane Miller (SJ)
Store Staff & Assistant Instructor SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Certified to blow bubbles in 2013
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200+ logged dives
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Happy diving anywhere, but happiest diving in warm water with pretty fish.
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A good dive is with a puffer fish, turtle or a ray.
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Would like to one day see a whale shark and a sea horse
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Favourite Dive Destination? Nowhere in particular, as long as it's warm
Heather Niefer-Simon
Store Staff & Assistant Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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ACUC & SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Certified to blow bubbles in 2008
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Has logged over 400+ dives
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XR Sidemount Diver
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Heather brings years of experience diving in cold water
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The Chippawa Queen
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Favourite Dive Destination? Diving the WWII wrecks of Chuuk (Truk Lagoon)
Miki Susic (Polo)
Assisstant Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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He's been at this a while. Started in 1978
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Miki dived with the Polish Military and he really doesn't know how many dives he's done!
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Favourite Dive Destination? Has to be the shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon!
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As for the nickname Polo? Miki is a water polo enthusiast and often dives with his water polo cap
Adrian Pierorazio (A.P.)
Assistant Instructor - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Certified in 1991 and has Certifications with SSI, ACUC, Naui & Padi
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Has logged over 300 dives
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SSI XR Diver
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Self-described "Big Technical Nerd who is an Engineer by day
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Favourite Dive Destination? The cool waters of Buzios Brazil,
Truk Lagoon and Fiji! -
"I believe that diving is a sport that is about continuous improvement. Every diver can be a great diver!"
Mark Klimitz
Assistant Instructor In Training - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Divemaster - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Certified to blow bubbles in 2010
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170 logged dives
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Mark is a high school teacher and has been in teaching since 2007
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Future plans include becoming an SSI OWD Instructor... Why not combine his love of teaching and diving?
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Favourite Dive Destination? I’ll dive anywhere! Take me to a puddle deep enough…
Brian Smith
Divemaster - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Divemaster - PADI & SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Started diving in 2000
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Has logged over 400 dives
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Night diving enthusiast
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Favourite Dive Destination? Has to be the Shark Hotel in Turks & Caicos!
John Steadman (Steady)
Divemaster - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Divemaster - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Started diving in 2017
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Can often be found at TDA inspecting and filling tanks
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Shipwreck enthusiast
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Fun Fact: John only dives in Ontario... something Paula is tryng hard to "fix"
Dean Simon (Chum)
Divemaster - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Certified in 2014 with ACUC
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Has logged 300+ dives
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XR sidemount diver
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Loves Cold Water Diving, exploring shipwrecks and diving with sharks
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Underwater photographer
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For the record... he'll always be"Baby Dean" to Paula
Shannon Sutter
Divemaster I.T. - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Originally Certified with NAUI in 2007, then took a break to start a family
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Re-Certified with SSI in 2019
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Has logged over 200 dives
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Favourite Dive Destination? Raja Ampat... so far!
Elizabeth Dundas
Divemaster I.T. - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Citizen Science Diver
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Has logged over 450 dives
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CMO at a tech start-up by day
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Favourite Dive Experience? Diving with shy sharks in South Africa
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Wonders: WWWS? What would whales say
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Believes breathing underwater is the best super power!
Jeff Mark
Divemaster I.T. - SSI (Scuba Schools International) and Regulator Technician
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Divemaster in Training - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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First Dive? Boy Scout Camp in 1968!
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Has logged 3000+ dives
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Former NAUI Divemaster
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Dentist by day, regulator technician by night; Jeff has an affinity for working in small spaces
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Technical Rebreather & Sidemount Diver
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Underwater photographer
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Favourite Dive Site? The Gunilda shipwreck in Lake Superior, with Port Hardy on Vancouver Island running a close 2nd
Adrian Whitfield (Chef)
Divemaster I.T. - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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250 logged dives
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Master Chef by day, Divemaster by night!
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Underwater photographer
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Extended Range and Sidemount Diver
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Favourite Dive Destination: Probably Galapagos... we saw EVRYTHING!
Jana Susic
Divemaster I.T. - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Started diving in 2016
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Has logged over 30+ dives
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Favourite Dive Destination? Anywhere with Shipwrecks!
Ilaina Kelly
Store Staff Student Volunteer
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Advanced Open Water Diver - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Started diving in 2019 as a Junior OWD
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Ilaina is a fish enthusiast and is consideringa career in Marine Biology
Declan Bergin
Store Staff Student Volunteer
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OWD - SSI (Scuba Schools International)
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Started diving in 2024 and has logged 17 dives so far!
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Favourite Dive Destination: Curacao
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Future Study: Marine Biology at Dalhousie