I first got certified in 2008 as a high school graduation present to myself in the waters of Southern California. But it wasn’t until 2020, when I needed an outlet to beat the boredom of COVID, that I began my journey toward becoming a professional diver in Seattle, ultimately completing that path here in the Twin Cities.
Now, as an IDC Staff Instructor, I work closely with our Course Director to train and develop future dive instructors. For me, diving is all about exploration, growth, and the unmatched peace that comes with being underwater. I love sharing that passion with others, whether it’s introducing students to the underwater world or helping them become safer, more adventurous divers.
While I teach a wide range of courses, from Open Water to Intro to Tech, my favorites are Sidemount, Drysuit, and Solo/Self Reliant. I love how easily sidemount helps you get into trim and how much more comfortable it is compared to backmount. I also enjoy passing on the Sidemount knowledge I gained while training with top instructors in the caves of Marianna, Florida. Diving in a drysuit is second nature to me because cold water diving is a favorite—whether I’m exploring the wrecks of Lake Superior or searching for Giant Pacific Octopus in Puget Sound—you’ll even find me in the warmer waters of Square Lake wearing a drysuit. What I love about teaching Solo/Self Reliant is that it’s less about diving alone and more about developing the skills and confidence to be a safer diver and a more reliable buddy.
When I’m not teaching, you can catch me at Square Lake or Wazee diving with my KISS Sidewinder rebreather, fine-tuning my configuration and refining skills to stay sharp and ready for the next adventure. You may also find me taking a new course, always eager to continue growing as a diver.