OUR STAFF

Meet the crew at Aquatic Adventures

We have a large and dedicated staff of Scuba Diving Professionals at Aquatic Adventures, who come from a variety of backgrounds and industries. Our staff each bring their own unique skills and knowledge base to the company, offering our customers an unparalleled level of experience within the Victorian dive industry.

OLLIE PAYNE

PADI Course Director, Tec Deep Instructor Trainer, EFR Instructor Trainer, RTO Trainer

Originally from the UK, Ollie worked all over the world as a Scuba instructor before settling here in Victoria. He became a PADI Course Director so that he can train the next wave of enthusiastic Instructors, and pass the wealth of his global experience on to a new generation of Scuba Divers.

Favourite local dive sites: Spectacular Reef & Rye Pier

Favourite international dive destination: Mabul island, Malaysian Borneo

JOSH EADES-SEDGERS

PADI IDC Staff Instructor, EFR Instructor, RTO Trainer

Josh has done much of his training in the temperate Victorian waters including his Open Water Scuba Instructor course meaning he has got extensive knowledge on the best places to go and the best teaching methods for cold water diving. He is qualified to teach everything from open water to divemaster plus a great many specialties. Josh is also a qualified first aid instructor both nationally and internationally recognised.

Favourite local dive sites: The Plateau & Rye Pier

Favourite international dive destination: Aese Island, Vanuatu

SKYE GODFREY

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Skye did some stuff etc etc

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

CHRISTIE PAYNE

PADI IDC Staff Instructor, EFR Instructor

Christie learned to dive in Melbourne in 2014 and found her introduction to the underwater world far more challenging than she expected. Not everyone loves everything about diving when they first start to learn; this is something that Christie recognises as an instructor, and she works hard to support and encourage all levels of divers, helping them turn their fears into courage and a sense of accomplishment.

Favourite local dive sites: Party Point & Rye Pier

Favourite international dive destination: Mabul island, Malaysian Borneo

BEN CLAYDON

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Ben has done some stuff, probably in caves ;P

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

DARRELL PEARCE

PADI IDC Staff Instructor, EFR Instructor

Having completed most of his training in the temperate waters of Melbourne, Darrell is well adapted to all kinds of diving from wrecks through to caverns, recreational to technical. He likes to keep himself busy, so his spare time is taken up as a professional photographer and professional musician.

Favourite local dive sites: Ex-HMAS Canberra & Blairgowrie Marina

Favourite international dive destination: Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

CHRIS ROULSTON

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, TecRec Deep Instructor, EFR Instructor

After diving with the sharks in Melbourne Aquarium in 2001, the very next weekend Chris completed his Open Water Course. He is passionate about all levels of Scuba, from diving Flinders pier, to caves, wrecks, technical diving and closed circuit rebreathers. Weekends off usually involve exploring and taking photos of the vast number of wrecks we have or exploring the extensive reefs of our local Lonsdale & Nepean walls.

Favourite local dive sites: Lonsdale wall & Flinders Pier

Favourite international dive destination: Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia

STUART WATSON

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, EFR Instructor

Stu started diving in Melbourne in 2014. He enjoys everything about our local diving, from the wrecks, to the reefs, walls and piers. Passionate about sharing his love for diving and passing on his experience to students, Stu can often be found leading a club dive somewhere, or in the mountains at the snow over Winter.

Favourite local dive sites: Ex-HMAS Canberra & Lonsdale Arches

Favourite international dive destination: Havannah Bay, Vanuatu

HANNAH TRIMBY

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, TecRec Instructor, EFR Instructor

Hannah started diving while she was at uni in the UK. After a few years as a recreational diver, she took a career break and moved to Koh Phi Phi in Thailand to train and work as a Divemaster. Hannah is a big wreck diving enthusiast, so Melbourne – with its extensive Ships’ Graveyard – was the logical location for her next move to become an instructor. Since arriving in Melbourne, she has been introduced to cave diving, and closed circuit rebreather diving.

Favourite local dive sites: HMAS Canberra

Favourite international dive destination: Oite Destroyer, Truk Lagoon

STEPHEN MARSHALL

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Stephen began his scuba diving life off Williamstown back-beach when he was 18 and his love for diving in Victoria has continued to grow. He particularly enjoys the sense of community in the Victorian dive scene and loves to make new comers feel welcome. As an experienced teacher, he applies these skills to help others to become confident, competent divers so that they too can enjoy this great sport for many years to come.

Favourite local dive sites: Party Point & Flinders Pier

Favourite international dive destination: SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu

ALEX BUTCHARD

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Alex has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

EMILY HUGHES

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Emily started diving as an escape from people whilst working onboard cruise ships. After completing her PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course she was hooked and completed all the Specialties she could in her almost weekly calls to Vanuatu! While most of Em’s diving has been in tropical waters, with the right gear she now happily enjoys the beautiful diving we have to offer here in Victoria.

Favourite local dive sites: The J4 Submarine & Flinders Pier

Favourite international dive destination: The Cathedral, Port Vila, Vanuatu

JOHN LI

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

John has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

DON COLLINS

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Don has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

DAVE GODFREY

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Dave has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

MARC ALEXANDER

PADI Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor

Born and raised in Melbourne, Marc's diving began in Port Phillip Bay, and it is still his favourite area in the world to dive. The passion to be in the water led to the desire to help others enjoy their diving in Victoria’s best dive spots, hence why he decided to become a PADI Divemaster. But when Marc isn’t diving, you’ll find him out bush walking, cycling, or watching the footy.

Favourite local dive sites: Blairgowrie Marina

Favourite international dive destination: Ari Atoll, Maldives

GIAN INDUNI

PADI Assistant Instructor, EFR Instructor

Gian has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

JAYDEN BELL

PADI Assistant Instructor, EFR Instructor

Jayden has yet to write his staff profile - presumably he's been too busy diving!

Favourite local dive sites: TBC

Favourite international dive destination: TBC

MARK TRACEY

PADI Divemaster

Mark learned to dive after a Shark cage experience a few years back. He has a passion for Sharks, Underwater Photography, and loves just spending time underwater in general. Whether fun diving or helping fellow dive professionals & students, Mark is sure to see you in the water soon!

Favourite local dive sites: North Wall Corner & Flinders Pier

Favourite international dive destination: SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu

JOE SASSO

PADI Divemaster

Joe's day job is as a mechanical engineer in motorsport, but when he's not busy working on fast cars, he likes to relax with some diving. He learned to dive up on Magnetic Island, but has since done all his training in our local waters in Victoria. Joe decided to become a Divemaster to challenge himself and to learn more about Scuba, and now enjoys passing on his diving experience and knowledge to others.

Favourite local dive sites: Ex-HMAS Canberra & Blairgowrie Marina

Favourite international dive destination: Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia

GLYN THOMAS

PADI Divemaster

Glyn is one of the most passionate and active divers you will ever meet, always keen to lend a hand, and ready to buddy up for a fun dive. His favourite kinds of diving involve catching Crayfish, and drifting for Scallops, however no matter what the dive site or activity, Glyn is always keen to join in, and is a regular face on local boat dives.

Favourite local dive sites: Lonsdale Wall

Favourite international dive destination: Menjangan Island, Bali