Karen: is a PADI Course Director, and is one of the most qualified female instructors in the UK. She gained an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Swansea University, and holds a post graduate degree in teaching, (Physics and Maths ‘A’-level !!). Karen has been diving for over 20 years, has logged over 4000 dives worldwide, and has run premier dive operations in Australia and Fiji. She holds several scuba technician qualifications, teaches first aid, is a commercially endorsed boat skipper and is the proud owner of West Wales Diving Centre. Meet the boss !
Grace: now at the grand old age of 8 is a qualified PADI Seal. She is always by Mums side entertaining people and helping Mum fill tanks. She has mastered the art of fitting ‘A’-clamps and first stages to tanks and she says she is saving up to do her Gas Blending Course....
She is a champion swimmer and skin diver, and loves to sit in on dive courses, often offering advice to new divers on how best to clear their mask and the principles of Diving Physics.
Kate: also known as ‘Karen’s sister’, is an Instructor and commercially endorsed skipper. She used to work for the Coast Guard in the Ops room, hence knows the Pembrokeshire coastline like her own back yard. She has now ventured back to college and has just become a qualified school teacher too. She is brilliant with teaching children to dive and is presently having a break from diving whilst having a baby. Look out another water baby coming soon!!
Gareth: is a PADI Dive Master, EFR Instructor, RYA Powerboat qualified, Gas Blender and an avid 'Techie and Wreckie' Diver. He has a wealth of knowledge of local Diving and has a very friendly and helpful personality, hence makes a Top Buddy and Dive Guide. He also loves his underwater photography and videography and doesnt mind admitting it !! You cant miss him as hes taller than most of the human race!
Bish: is a PADI Instructor, EFR Instructor, Gas Blender and Gareths side kick!! Put them together and you have an underwater comedy act of Little & Large. He too is a Techie Wreckie with a wealth of local knowledge. Dont think hes so keen on diving with Gareth and his camera though!!
Ruth: is a Special Needs School Teacher, and in her spare time frequents the Dive Centre to help out with the busy stream of divers. She is also a Rescue Diver herself and an EFR Instructor, and is known as the organised one. If you dont want something forgotten - tell Ruth.
Jason: is an Instructor and commercially endorsed skipper. He is also very handy with plumbing electrics and anything technical. As he’s a big lump he’s also useful for carrying your kit down to the water’s edge on a low water spring tide at St. Bride’s beach ! His gentle giant nature will put you at ease, as he lifts you and your donned equipment into the water in one big swoop! Jason is also a firefighter, so if you catch fire underwater your in safe hands !
Phil: aka the 'Tractor Man' is a RYA Commercially endorsed powerboat skipper and Rescue Diver. He will look after you as your skipper on Big Bertha, and has a passion for birds too, so will make your journey to the dive site an informative one.
Darren:is an Assistant Instructor and soon to be Instructor. He is also a first Aid Instructor and an Engineer. Usually you will see him with his little 'mini-me' - son Lloyd who already is a junior diver and endeavouring to follow in his Dads footsteps. Darren mostly works as a dive guide and as an assistant in diver training.
Kevin: is a Commercially endorsed skipper, BSAC Instructor and PADI Divemaster. He also runs his own business in boat repairs.
He is a friendly, knowledgeable and capable seaman, and if not driving the RIB is usually sailing his yacht...He is also known to be very inventive with his slightly pre- historical dive kit....check out his fin straps!!
Dai: is a qualified Divemaster and Dive Guide, and despite trying to hang his fins up to dry after spending a lifetime career with the Royal Marines, has an affinity to St Brides Bay. He knows every nook and cranny and grain of sand like the back of his hand. He is a funny and personable guy and a fab buddy if you want to dive St Brides Bay.
Keith: - Dai's parner in crime, is famous at the Dive Centre for his artistic talent with Dive Maps. He also is a Divemaster and Guide, and has an amazing abilty of finding lost dive kit.... You will rarely see Keith without Dai, and together they make a brilliant Duo (apart from when their camping together) of which some people say should be a stage act.
Ceri: is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, SAA instructor, commercial skipper and Scuba Technician and now a HSE Commercial Diver. His knowledge of Pembrokeshire Diving is second to none, having been an active club diver in the area for the past 15 years. He has recently set up a Commercial Dive Centre in Milford Haven where he now concentrates his talents, but still likes to keep his hand in the recreational world from time to time.
Lloyd: is Ceri's son, who has trained with us all the way through from novice to now a PADI Divemaster. He worked with us for 3 years manning the old shop, and now having finished his college course in film and photography has returned from his travels in Australia to help his Dad in their new commercial enterprise. He is a passionate underwater photographer and has a keen eye for finding even the most obscure creatures.
Dave & Claire: are a husband and wife team who have been instructing at the centre during the 2006 season. Both of them qualified as instructors with WWDC a few years ago. Since then they have taught the full range of PADI courses at a couple of different centers within Wales. They are well known for the patience and smiley faces, and are valuable members of the WWDC team.