Scuba Goat

Today I'm joined by the incredibly talented Matt Krumins - a Melbourne-based professional photographer with over 15 years of experience across landscapes, wildlife, events, and underwater photography.  A keen diver, he commenced his underwater journey over 2 decades ago and I've admired Matt's work for several years, particularly his striking big animal imagery from South Africa and his captivating underwater shots from Tufi Resort - where I had the privilege of living for a year.  Matt's passion for nature and storytelling through imagery is unmistakable, and his journey back underwater is one I've been looking forward to.  He was named an Olympus Underwater Ambassador back in 2016 and in 2022 took out the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award in the Monochrome category.  Beyond the accolades, Matt is a passionate educator who believes photography should be fun, creative, and accessible to everyone.  Get ready for an inspiring chat with one of the most down-to-earth talents in the field. Let's dive right in!Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Support the showLove the show? Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here. Want to be a guest on the show? GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting. Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he's a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

In this episode of The Scuba GOAT Podcast, host Matt Waters is joined by marine surveyor Mick Uberti to take a deep dive into the realities of dive liveaboard safety—what's working, what's failing, and what needs to change. With over two decades of experience in maritime safety, Mick has worked with boat owners worldwide, including the UAE royal family and Richard Branson. As the founder of Maritime Survey Australia (MSA) and an AMSA-accredited Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) surveyor, he has conducted vessel surveys across the globe, including some of Egypt's Red Sea liveaboard fleet. His expertise has led to a collaboration with Taucher.net, a leading German diving platform, which has publicly recommended that dive operators in the Red Sea undergo safety audits by Mick's team at Maritime Survey International (MSI). This episode is part of a larger series on liveaboards, aiming to provide a

A little over three years ago I interviewed Andre Borell, director of Envoy: Shark Cull, a hard-hitting documentary highlighting the archaic shark mitigation systems employed by the Australian government throughout Queensland and New South Wales. The doco, narrated by Eric Banna, was initially aired exclusively on Stan and three years down the line has a much greater global audience through many other popular media streams including Netflix. During today's episode, I grab an update from Andre and an excellent insight into his latest project, the Shark Stop wetsuit. Now, in its second round of funding, the Shark Stop wetsuits were originally designed by surfer Haydon Burford, who wanted to find a wetsuit similar to the impact protection for motorcyclists via Kevlar. Through his research and development, he created what we see now as the bite-resistant wetsuit Shark Stop. Tested by Flinders University on board the Rodney Fox vessel, Andre shares the impressive results and findings, so join me as we delve deeper into the creation, those results, the progress of the business, and the opportunities available for investors seeking to make a change. Please enjoy.Links:Watch on The Scuba GOAT Podcast: YouTube channelSharkstop website: https://sharkstop.co/Investment details: Birchall websiteFlinders University: Peer-reviewed reportSocial links for Andre:InstagramDo you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agencyPromoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showLove the show? Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here. Want to be a guest on the show? GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting. Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he's a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

SummaryIn this conversation, Todd shares his journey as a dive instructor and underwater photographer, discussing his experiences in various diving locations worldwide, including the Galapagos and Thailand. He reflects on the changes in his life, including starting a family and writing a book about the best dive experiences globally. The discussion also touches on the beauty of cold-water diving and the thrill of encountering marine life, particularly Orcas. In this engaging conversation, Todd shares his extensive diving experiences across various global locations, highlighting each site's unique marine life and conditions. From the seasonal dynamics of herring in Norway to the vibrant underwater ecosystems of Tubbataha and the Coolidge wreck in Vanuatu, Todd provides insights into the best diving practices and the importance of conservation. He also discusses the allure of blackwater diving, the majestic manta rays of the Maldives, and the thrilling shark encounters in Fuvahmulah. The conversation culminates with Todd's reflections on his most memorable dive locations and the upcoming launch of his book, Ultimate Dive Sites. Todd's book is currently on sale at a 15% discount and can be purchased via this Amazon LinkDo you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agencyPromoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showLove the show? Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here. Want to be a guest on the show? GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting. Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he's a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to Maxime Cheminard, a talented dive photographer who I first met at the inaugural International Underwater Photography Competition in Aqaba, Jordan, where he received an honorable mention at the award ceremony for his awesome image of the Cedar Pride.Max's journey into the world of diving began during his time in the French military and after transitioning to civilian life, He pursued his passion as a dive instructor in Thailand. During this time, he found himself under the tutelage of Mikko Paasi, a dive shop owner and Thai cave rescue hero.Together with Mikko and other diving legends, Max has explored Thailand's long-forgotten flooded mines and through the fantastic bottom line initiative, they've mapped kilometres of submerged tunnels, and created options for mine diving training. And revitalized tourism, boosting the local economy. Join me as I catch up with Max and dive deeper into his career, past, present, and future, please enjoy. Listen here: Scuba GOAT websiteMax's socials:YouTube:  @MaximeCheminade  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxime_underwater/  Website: https://www.maximecheminade.com/  Bottomline Projects: https://www.bottomlineprojects.com/  Divernet article, Underwater photography competition, Jordan: https://divernet.com/photography/aqaba-hosts-inaugural-international-underwater-photo-competition/  Koh Tao Divers website: https://kohtaodivers.com/Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Support the showREVIEWS are fabulous and tell us that you are listening, thank you in advance for your support and for taking the time to leave a review. PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - "Guest Registration"Nomadic Scuba is your ultimate dive travel partner! Founded by Matt, it's an online travel booking agency tailored specifically for scuba divers. Whether you're ready to explore, need expert advice, or want assistance with bookings, visit Nomadic Scuba today. MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this captivating episode, award-winning film director Nays Baghai and legendary cave explorer Jill Heinerth discuss their collaborative journey in creating the film 'Diving into the Darkness.' They delve into the complexities of underwater filming, the importance of safety protocols, and the emotional depth of storytelling. The conversation highlights the challenges faced during production, the role of fear in diving, and the significance of sound design. Both guests share personal anecdotes, bloopers, and insights into the diving community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and authenticity in filmmaking.Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Support the showREVIEWS are fabulous and tell us that you are listening, thank you in advance for your support and for taking the time to leave a review. PROSPECTIVE GUESTS -

Growing up in the UK, Adrian Stacey decided that scuba diving might be slightly more adventurous than selling photocopiers. With that in mind, he embarked on a 13-year scuba travelling adventure that would catapult him around the world to explore many of the great dive destinations. Egypt, Oman, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Saba, the Bahamas, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, and Fiji certainly is quite a list! Nevertheless, he has now settled down in Brisbane, Australia with his wife and kids, and as the Editor of Scuba Diver Magazine, he continues his passion vicariously through the reports within its covers. The Go Diving Show originates in the UK and we've previously discussed it with Mark Evans, Editorial Director of Scuba Diver Magazine. Adrian joins me today for a quick catch-up and overview of the show and the speakers that will be gracing the stage. Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agencyPromoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showREVIEWS PLEASE - Here's how to leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device) Open the Podcasts app Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter Scuba GOAT into the search field Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes) Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews Click “Write a Review” underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate us on a 5-star scale, and write a review if you choose (you can rate without writing, if you'd prefer) PROSPECTIVE GUESTS -

Diving Deep: Lissenung Island Adventures, Challenges, and Conservation EffortsIn this captivating episode, we journey to Lissenung Island in Papua New Guinea, where Ange Amon narrates the island's history after recalling a fall which resulted in a horrific leg-break injury! Moving on, Ange tells of how she met her husband Dietmar and how he became the island owner, and highlights transformation of this paradise into a sanctuary for turtles. Their conservation efforts reach beyond the island's shores as Dietmar and Ange welcome school children from various regions, educating them through hands-on research about turtles and their importance in our delicate eco-system. The children receive a hands on approach to learning by measuring, weighing, and ultimately releasing mature clutches into the ocean once the turtles are fit enough to fend for themselves.Ange also highlights the thrilling dive sites around the island and why divers should add this destination to their bucket list. Additionally, we explore the logistics of traveling to Lissenung, the PNG-wide Divers Association and its collaborative efforts to enhance PNG tourism, and the future of scuba diving in this beautiful country, including Lissenung Island itself.We highly recommend obtaining dive and travel insurance for any adventure you embark on and we love to use DiveAssure. If you don't have insurance, simply click HERE to find out more details and get that all important cover. Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Support the Show.REVIEWS PLEASE - Here's how to leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device) Open the Podcasts app Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter Scuba GOAT into the search field Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes) Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews Click “Write a Review” underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate us on a 5-star scale, and write a review if you choose (you can rate without writing, if you'd prefer) PROSPECTIVE GUESTS -

Lyndi Leggett is a passionate scuba diving professional, and founder of The Scuba Gym Australia. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic scuba diving experiences for individuals with disabilities and challenges, both physical and cognitive. Alongside offering unique underwater therapy, Lyndi has expanded her outreach to include the Scuba Warrior program, specifically designed for first responders and veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. Her work not only emphasizes physical rehabilitation, but also environmental conservation efforts through local cleanup dives.Episode Summary:In this inspirational episode of the Scuba Goat podcast, I welcome Lyndi Leggett back on the show to discuss the transformative power of scuba diving for individuals with disabilities, cognitive difficulties and divers facing post-traumatic stress. Lyndi first appeared on the show in October 2022 during season 3.  We have a good catch-up and delve back into the exceptional work at the Scuba Gym, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of being underwater, where gravity no longer constrains the body, allowing for remarkable physical and cognitive exercises.  There has been a lot happening since we first heard from Lyndi, new divers, amazing experiences and even collaborating with the Sydney Aquarium where several lucky divers have now experienced lifetime goals and dived with the sharks therein.Lyndi's dedication to environmental stewardship shines through as she recounts the proactive cleanup drives she runs with her team, helping to remove significant debris like motorbikes and numerous plastic bags from oceanic waters. The stories shared by Lyndi are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of diving, showcasing how individuals like a former policeman now turned diving instructor have found a renewed purpose in life.The Scuba Gym is actively seeking corporate financial support to continue its transformative work with individuals facing disabilities, cognitive difficulties, and post-traumatic stress. Potential corporate supporters can obtain all the necessary information to consider contributing to this impactful cause, supporting both human resilience and environmental conservation.Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now. Support the Show.SUPPORT - Have you enjoyed the episode? I would LOVE a 5-star review via your favourite streaming platform. It helps with promoting the show & increases its reach. FEEDBACK - I love to get feedback and there are several ways available to you: Leave a comment Use the Contact Form on the website tabs up top Send me a DM via social media PROSPECTIVE GUESTS -

Join me on the podcast as I sit down with Mark Evans, co-founder of Rork Media and Editorial Director of Scuba Diver Magazine. We delve into his fascinating career journey, intertwining scuba diving with journalism, his profound passion for the sport, and his commitment to delivering top-notch information to the global audience. Mark's love affair with diving began at the tender age of 10, and it has only deepened over the years.In this episode, we explore Mark's hectic schedule and gain insights into the workings of Scuba Diver Magazine, as well as the exciting launch of the inaugural Go Diving Show ANZ, scheduled for this September at the Sydney Showground. It's at this point I would highlight that the show is FREE to enter and also has free parking! Mark's journey includes his tenure as the editor of PADI's Sport Diver UK magazine, which unfortunately came to an end in January 2017. Undeterred, Mark, along with colleague Ross Arnold, seized the opportunity to fill the gap in the market by founding Rork Media. Just a month later, Scuba Diver magazine emerged, offering readers quality content and expert insights.As Editorial Director of Scuba Diver, Mark oversees three magazine editions: UK, North America, and Australia/New Zealand. But his ambition doesn't stop there. Recognizing the need for modernized in-person events, Mark and his team introduced the Go Diving Show in the UK. After three successful years, including a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, the UK show attracted over 10,000 attendees. Now, it's Australia's turn to experience the excitement.The Go Diving Show boasts a stellar lineup of speakers across various stages, including the Main, Photo, Australia/New Zealand, Inspiration, and Tech stages. Attendees can indulge in interactive experiences like VR diving, try dives, encounters with Bruce the rodeo shark, mermaid sightings, and even catch a glimpse of a podcaster you may recognise.Alongside these attractions, a diverse array of exhibitors, ranging from tourist boards to conservation organizations, will surround the stages, providing a comprehensive showcase of the diving world. Join us as we unravel the journey of Mark Evans and explore the vibrant world of diving journalism and events.LINKS:GO Diving ShowScuba Diver MagazineRork MediaDiver Net websiteFOLLOW ON SOCIALS:FacebookHave some thing to share with us? Flick us a Text Message now.Support the Show.SUPPORT - Have you enjoyed the episode? I would LOVE a 5-star review via your favourite streaming platform. It helps with promoting the show & increases its reach. FEEDBACK - I love to get feedback and there are several ways available to you: Leave a comment Use the Contact Form on the website tabs up top Send me a DM via social media PROSPECTIVE GUESTS -

Tim Morrish is an Instructor Certifier with Scuba Schools International (SSI).  Based in Koh Tao, Thailand, Tim runs the professional training arm of Big Blue Diving and is also part of the management team of the dive centre. An extremely thorough individual, Tim is very meticulous when it comes to explaining the complexities of our sport which is all too apparent during this interview and is reflective of the successes he has achieved throughout his career, particularly as an Instructor Certifier. It's taken an absolute age to get him on the show, but at last, he's here. We reflect on how Tim transitioned from mountain bikes into the dive industry, how he ended up in Koh Tao, where the jobs have taken him globally and of course, how our paths crossed and ultimately became great friends. Links:Big Blue Pro trainingBig Blue Diving Koh TaoBig Blue Diving Khao LakTim on socials:Instagram FacebookOzBob Scuba Prescription masksScuba Schools InternationalLink to the Black Jack B-17 video footageTufi Resort, Papua New GuineaSupport the showThanks for listening legends! Enjoyed this episode? GREAT, we would LOVE a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review via iTunes or your favourite streaming platform. It all helps with promoting the show. ☎️ We also appreciate any feedback, especially if you have topics or people you would like to hear on the show. Simply leave us a comment, use the Contact Form or flick us a DM via social media

Roni Ben-AharonIf you've ever visited a dive show in the last few years you may have seen this lady representing Atlantis on stands or even on stage providing presentations about the amazing diving on offer in the Philippines. Roni is super vibrant and just as passionate about our sport and what she doesn't know about diving in the Philippines could probably be written on the back of a postage stamp with an oversized marker. Talking with me during this episode we take an audible trip through the various locations on offer and what makes them so unique. So, take a seat, strap yourself in, and let Roni put your imagination into overdrive! Nomadic Scuba (me in my other role) I'm pleased to say that I represent Atlantis through my scuba booking agency Nomadic Scuba, so if this episode whets your appetite and you would like more info or simply want a seamless and easy booking process... get in touch, and let's get planning your adventure.  (info@nomadicscuba.com or Whatsapp +61499021920)Puerto GaleraSituated amidst the scenic hills of Sabang Beach, Atlantis Puerto Galera is a magnificent resort that provides easy access to over forty captivating dive spots. Nestled within lush vegetation, our dedicated beachfront resort boasts 40 well-appointed rooms and a comprehensive range of amenities, promising an unforgettable diving vacation.Puerto Galera is widely recognized for its abundance of scuba diving sites and has gained UNESCO recognition as a Man and Biosphere Reserve since 1973. Positioned at the heart of the "Coral Triangle," it boasts some of Asia's most diverse coral reef diving experiences.DumagueteDauin (pronounced Da-win), adorned with its distinctive black volcanic sand, is renowned as the Frogfish capital of the Philippines, offering a unique haven for critter diving enthusiasts. Atlantis Dumaguete, strategically positioned just minutes away from over 20 local dive spots, the majority of which are protected marine areas, also provides day trips to nearby attractions such as Apo Island, and Siquijor.Azores LiveaboardFrom January to early March, the itinerary includes exploring the captivating wrecks of Coron, coupled with the vibrant and colorful walls of Apo Reef along the way. Guests embark and disembark from the resort in Puerto Galera.The Tubbataha season runs from mid-March to early June.For information about Atlantis including dive sites information www.atlantishotel.comFor videos on the incredible diving with AtThe Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy 10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOATDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showNomadic Adventures is a registered Australian business and consists of the Scuba GOAT podcast and Nomadic Scuba, a travel booking agency specifically focused on scuba diving.Are you a dive operation wishing to promote your business on the Scuba GOAT podcast and via Nomadic Scuba? If the answer is YES! then get in touch today via any of the media streams, email (info@nomadicscuba.com), or WhatsApp at +61499021920, and let's start getting creative and tell the world about your services. Nomadic Scuba not only promotes operators but provides an online concierge service to divers wishing to travel. With our expansive network, we have the knowledge and know-how to organize your dream vacation so let's get planning!

THE END OF TALKING. THE AGE OF DOING. Attention, nature enthusiasts and aspiring conservationists! An incredible opportunity has emerged that allows you to become an integral part of saving one of the world's most precious natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Prepare to be amazed as Citizens of The Great Barrier Reef unveil their groundbreaking AI system, inviting individuals from all corners of the globe to contribute towards its preservation and the best part? It's absolutely free! Have you ever yearned to contribute to conservation efforts, but felt discouraged by financial constraints? Look no further, because this innovative platform offers you the chance to make a difference without spending a penny. Gone are the days of dedicating countless hours or leaving the comfort of your home to aid a cause you hold dear. Now, with just a few moments of your spare time, you can actively contribute to safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef. Are you like me? Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone during moments of boredom or while commuting? We've all fallen victim to the allure of endless, algorithm-selected content, keeping us awake into the wee hours. But imagine channeling that time into something meaningful. Picture yourself utilizing those precious moments for a higher purpose. Introducing the Great Reef Census ( https://greatreefcensus.org/ ), an extraordinary initiative that allows you to engage with thousands of meticulously collected reef photos, offering an unparalleled opportunity to participate in vital conservation work. While the photo collection continues to grow, the power of AI can only go so far. That's where you come in! In under a minute, you can join forces with the AI system, working hand in hand to analyze reef photos. The AI highlights a specific section, and you simply select the category that best describes it. Rest assured, you don't need to be a scientist to partake in this endeavor. The platform provides clear explanations of each category, making the selection process effortless. And once you've completed the analysis, your dashboard will reveal the precise location of the surveyed photo within the vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef. See a full explanation and video of how the software works here.So, the next time boredom strikes or your passion for conservation ignites, don't plump for aimless scrolling—reach for the Great Reef Census instead. Take a moment to explore the captivating photos and lend your expertise to the Citizens of The Great Barrier Reef. By joining their noble cause, you contribute to the protection of our mesmerizing Blue World. Together, let's ensure that future generations can revel in the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef, knowing that we played a pivotal role in its preservation. Link: https://greatreefcensus.org/ #greatreefcensus #citizensgbr #donateyourfocusThe Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy 10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOATDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Simon's correct title reads... Professor Simon Mitchell MB ChB, PhD, DipOccMed, DipAdvDHM (ANZCA), FUHM, FANZCA, Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland.  This clearly does not fit in the title of this episode however, it goes a LONG way to explaining why Simon is one of the top dogs when it comes to being able to pour a healthy amount of clarity over the common confusions between decompression sickness, decompression illness, and arterial gas embolism. Simon is a physician and scientist with specialist training in diving medicine and anesthesiology. He is widely published with over 150 papers or book chapters. He co-authored the 5th edition of 'Diving and Subaquatic Medicine' and has two chapters on decompression illness in the most recent edition of Bennett and Elliott. He has twice been Vice President of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society (USA) and in 2010 received the society's Behnke Award for contributions to the science of diving and hyperbaric medicine. In the past, Simon was a naval diving medical officer and medical director of the Wesley Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine in Brisbane. He now works as a consultant anaesthetist at Auckland City Hospital, and Professor in Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland. He provides on-call cover for diving and hyperbaric emergencies at the North Shore Hospital Hyperbaric Unit in Auckland. Simon assumed the role of Editor of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine in January 2019. Simon's diving career has included more than 6,000 dives spanning sport, scientific, commercial, and military diving. He has been a lead member of teams that were the first to dive and identify three deep wrecks of high historical significance in Australia and New Zealand. At the time of one of these dives (2002) the 180 m depth represented the deepest wreck dive ever undertaken. He was elected to Fellowship of the Explorers' Club of New York in 2006, and was the DAN Rolex Diver of the Year in 2015. Ref: www.dhmjournal.com. (n.d.). DHM, Simon Mitchell. [online] Shearwater Shearwater dive computersDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today, we are thrilled to have a distinguished guest with us a man whose passion for diving spans over three decades and has led him to become one of the most skilled technical divers and instructors in the southern hemisphere. Google the name of Pete Mesley, and you'll find his namesake website, which contains his passion in life, two of which are the list first and shocking or big animal diving. And if that's not enough, you'll also find a rundown of all the technical training he has on offer. As a member of the Explorers Club, Pete's love for Wreck diving has taken him to some of the most historically significant sites across the globe, where he has documented them through his stunning photography and his work as a safety diver. Today, we have the pleasure of hearing firsthand from Pete about his experiences as an adventurer, and his unique perspective on the world beneath the waves. So sit back, relax, raise a glass and join us for an unforgettable conversation with Pete Mesley on the Scuba GOAT podcast. Links: Lust4Rust website - http://www.lust4rust.co Shock and Awe diving - http://www.biganimaldiving.com The Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy 10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOATDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Ladies and gents, welcome to the Scuba GOAT podcast.  Last year at the OzTek dive show in Melbourne, I had the pleasure of meeting Nathalie Lasselin. Our introduction was brief, but it was enough to pique my interest in her inspiring story and make me realize that she needed to be featured on the show.  In this episode, join me as I chat with Nath and uncover her motivations for venturing into the uncharted waters of the Arctic, spending over 30 hours submerged over two consecutive dives, and searching for evidence of the First Nations' presence in Quebec hydro-electric reservoir, Canada, and that's just for starters! Get ready to dive deep into the world of underwater exploration and documentary film-making in the next exciting episode featuring Nathalie Lasselin.  Nathalie is an award-winning film-maker, dive expedition leader, cave and wreck explorer, and instructor with a passion for documenting our planet and raising awareness for our freshwater resources. As a keynote speaker and on-camera talent for TV shows, she shares her love for discovery and empowering people to have a better relationship with their environment. With numerous critically acclaimed films and awards, Nathalie's work has been released in over 25 countries and featured on networks like Discovery and Nat Geo. Formally trained as a director of photography, Nathalie casts an inquisitive eye on our blue planet and with Pixnat Productions she documents the captivating exploration of our earth. Her films have been critically acclaimed and have received numerous awards at international festivals as well as being released in over 25 countries. Nathalie regularly organizes small group diving expeditions for surveying, filming, 360 degree photography and other missions through her non-profit organization Aqua Sub Terra Exploration (ASTEX) RECOGNITIONSWomen Diver Hall of Fame inducteeRoyal Canadian Geographical Society fellowExplorers club fellowNATHALIE'S LINKSFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMAQUA SUB TERRA AQUANATH.COMSupport the show

Welcome to the latest episode of Scuba GOAT! In this episode, we talk to Vanessa Torres Macho and Talia Greis, the founders of Liquid Lens, a project promoting and encouraging women in underwater photography. Vanessa is a 20+ year dive professional and the owner of Underwater Imaging Australia, while Talia is a scuba and photography enthusiast who started diving 7 years ago.Vanessa and Talia share their love for the oceans and photography, and how they bonded over their passion for scuba diving and underwater photography. They discuss Liquid Lens, their project that aims to showcase the photographs of women alongside their male counterparts on the world stage.We discuss a variety of photography-related topics including model shoots, commercial photography and the impact of digital cameras, social media and the expectation of free products for influencers.We also touch upon overseas group expeditions planned and led by Vanessa and Talia.  Matt also highlights his expeditions via his company Nomadic Scuba. So, if you're looking for some exciting scuba and photography trips, be sure to check them out! If you'd like to get in touch or follow Vanessa, Talia or both, hit the links below: VanessaVanessa's websiteVanessa on FBAquatic Imaging Australia websiteAquatic Imaging Australia on IGAquatic Imaging Australia on FB TaliaTalia's websiteTalia on FBTalia on IG Liquid LensLiquid Lens websiteLiquid Lens on FBLiquid Lens on IG And finally, a friendly reminder that The Underwater Club is launching on the 31st of March, and there's still time to enter the free giveaway draw. So, if you're interested in joining a community of like-minded scuba enthusiasts and getting access to exclusive content and discounts, don't miss out! Enter the giveaway here Tune in to this episode to learn more about underwater photography, Liquid Lens, and equality for women in the industry. As always, share the show with your dive buddies, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Scuba GOAT on your favourite podcast platform. Happy listening!Support the show

Are you intrigued by the complexities of underwater photography? Nicolas Remy (multi award-winning underwater photographer and founder of The Underwater Club) joins me in the studio to shed some light on this intricate art.Nicolas and his wife Lena caught my attention initially with their stunning photos and furthermore because they dived on rebreathers. To me, rebreather diving to photograph marine life makes inherent sense, and I wanted to explore this fascinating topic with Nicolas in this episode. The extended dive times, the silence, and the opportunity to get much closer to your subject without disturbance are some of the benefits Nicolas highlights, while also discussing the two rebreathers they use, the Revo and Horizon.Not only does Nicolas take a superb shot; he enjoys sharing his skills with others. Teaching people and breaking subjects down into a more understandable format is truly a passion of his. So, Nicolas has quit the corporate world and devoted the last 18 months to fine-tuning The Underwater Club and its contents. It is an exceptional forum for two-way communications and jam-packed with Nicolas' knowledge to be shared with all club members through various means, expanding on his availability as a one-on-one coach.A keen writer, he has also penned content for Scuba Diver magazine and Narked at 90, with additional content in WETPIXEL and OZ Diver.We anticipate the launch of the Underwater Club's website very soon; to stay in the loop you can sign up for the newsletter (and have an added chance to win a prize).  Join me in the studio as Nicolas takes us from his first discover scuba dive on Kangaroo Island, to global recognition for his underwater photography and the formation of The Underwater Club. DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! DO THAT HERE Nicholas' LinksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaslenaremyNicolas & Lena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaslenaremy/Photography website:https://www.nicolaslenaremy.com/ The Underwater Club linkswebsite: https://theunderwaterclub.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theuwclub/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUWClub/ Nicolas' awards and winsThere are so many to mention so it best you head on over to Nicolas and Lena's website to see the full list: Awards page Additional linksRevo rebreathers: https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/Horizon by Mares: https://www.mares.com/en/horizonWhalex article: https://createdigital.org.au/engineers-fake-whale-poo-carbon-removalThe Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy 10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOATDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Welcome to the latest episode of Scuba GOAT! In this episode, we talk to Vanessa Torres Macho and Talia Greis, the founders of Liquid Lens, a project promoting and encouraging women in underwater photography. Vanessa is a 20+ year dive professional and the owner of Underwater Imaging Australia, while Talia is a scuba and photography enthusiast who started diving 7 years ago. Vanessa and Talia share their love for the oceans and photography, and how they bonded over their passion for scuba diving and underwater photography. They discuss Liquid Lens, their project that aims to showcase the photographs of women alongside their male counterparts on the world stage. We discuss a variety of photography-related topics including model shoots, commercial photography and the impact of digital cameras, social media and the expectation of free products for influencers. We also touch upon overseas group expeditions planned and led by Vanessa and Talia. Matt also highlights his expeditions via his company Nomadic Scuba. So, if you're looking for some exciting scuba and photography trips, be sure to check them out! If you'd like to get in touch or follow Vanessa, Talia or both, hit the links below: Vanessa Vanessa's website Vanessa on FB Aquatic Imaging Australia website Aquatic Imaging Australia on IG Aquatic Imaging Australia on FB Talia Talia's website Talia on FB Talia on IG Liquid Lens Liquid Lens website Liquid Lens on FB Liquid Lens on IG And finally, a friendly reminder that The Underwater Club is launching on the 31st of March, and there's still time to enter the free giveaway draw. So, if you're interested in joining a community of like-minded scuba enthusiasts and getting access to exclusive content and discounts, don't miss out! Enter the giveaway here Tune in to this episode to learn more about underwater photography, Liquid Lens, and equality for women in the industry. As always, share the show with your dive buddies, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Scuba GOAT on your favourite podcast platform. Happy listening!

Do you struggle to understand the complexities of underwater photography? Nicolas Remy (Multi award-winning underwater photographer and founder of The Underwater Club) joins me in the studio to shed some light on this intricate art. Nicolas and his wife, Lena caught my attention initially through their awesome pictures and furthermore because they dived on rebreathers. From what I see, there is a lot of sense in rebreather diving for photographing wildlife so who better to ask than the man who's doing just that? The extended dive times, the silence, and the opportunity to get much closer without disturbing your subject. Nicolas talks us through the two rebreathers they use, the Revo and Horizon. Not only does Nicolas take a fine shot, he really enjoys sharing his skills with others. Teaching people and breaking subjects down into a more understandable format is truly a passion of his. So, Nicolas has quit the corporate world and devoted the last 18 months fine-tuning The Underwater Club and its contents. It is an exceptional forum for two-way communications and ram packed with Nicolas' knowledge to be shared with all club members through various means, expanding on his availability as a one-on-one coach. A keen writer, he has also penned content for Scuba Diver magazine and Narked at 90, with additional content in WETPIXEL and OZ Diver. We anticipate the launch of the website very VERY soon, to stay abreast of that date you can sign up early (and have an added chance to win a prize). Join me in the studio as Nicolas walks us along the path from a discover scuba dive on Kangaroo island, to global recognition for his underwater photography and the formation of The Underwater Club. DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! DO THAT HERE Nicholas' Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaslenaremy Nicolas & Lena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaslenaremy/ Photography website:https://www.nicolaslenaremy.com/ The Underwater Club links website: https://theunderwaterclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theuwclub/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUWClub/ Nicolas' awards and wins There are so many to mention so it best you head on over to Nicolas and Lena's website to see the full list: Awards page Additional links Revo rebreathers: https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/ Horizon by Mares: https://www.mares.com/en/horizon Whalex article: https://createdigital.org.au/engineers-fake-whale-poo-carbon-removal/ Scuba Diver mag: https://www.scubadivermag.com/ Narked at 90:

 Are you a fan of scuba diving or luxury watches? Well, Sean Clements certainly is, and a few years ago, he found a way to combine his passions and create a path for the future away from the corporate rat-race. Sean's vision led him to create SDC Watches, a dive watch brand that offers luxurious watches for everyday dive adventures.What sets SDC Watches apart is their commitment to protecting the oceans. Sean recognized that there is a huge amount of neoprene waste, particularly old and used wetsuits, that ultimately end up in landfills. To tackle this issue, Sean decided to repurpose these watery rags and incorporate them into his watches. The result is an encapsulated neoprene strap design that not only looks great but also helps reduce waste and protect our oceans whilst maintaining that luxury feel. The attention to detail in these watches is evident in every aspect. The SDC cookie logo and laser engraving, and original styling of an older dive watch with its rotational dive bezel, harks back to a time when chunky Seikos were the epitome of a diver's watch (flashbacks to eye-balling my dad's watch as a kid). And the naked rear case, which allows you to see the inner mechanism, is a luxurious touch that completes the package. With a 300m depth rating these really are a sexy statement.As a fellow diver, I'm eagerly awaiting my own SDC Watch to arrive. I appreciate the company's commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts, and I'm excited to show my support by wearing one of their watches. It's clear that Sean has put his heart and soul into creating a product that not only looks great but also makes a positive impact on our planet.If you would like your own SDC watch, head on over to the SDC website and use SCUBAGOAT10 to recieve a 10% discountJoin us on this episode as we dive deeper into Sean's journey as a diver, businessman, and conservationist. We'll learn more about his vision for SDC Watches and how he's making a difference in the world of luxury watches and ocean conservation. Don't forget to use SCUBAGOAT10 for your 10% discount through the SDC websiteSupport the show

You must be a fan of scuba diving if your listening to me right now, and are you also interested in watches? Even more so, luxury dive watches? Rolex, Breitling, and Omega all have quite a few commonalities, with one key feature, they were created with passion. This leads me nicely to introduce this week's guest, Sean Clements. Sean has two passions, watches and diving and a few years ago, he found a way to combine them and create a path to align with his future away from the corporate rat race. Sean Clements' vision Sean's vision led him to create SDC Watches, a dive watch brand that offers luxurious watches for everyday dive adventures whilst also contributing to conservation, both by upcycling and donating some of the profits to conservation projects. The SDC brand What sets SDC Watches apart is their commitment to protecting the oceans. Sean recognized that there is a huge amount of neoprene waste, particularly old and used wetsuits, that ultimately end up in landfills. To tackle this issue, Sean decided to repurpose these watery rags and incorporate them into his watches. The result is an encapsulated neoprene strap design that not only looks great but also helps reduce waste and protect our oceans whilst maintaining that luxury feel. The attention to detail in these watches is evident in every aspect. The SDC cookie logo and laser engraving, the original styling of an older dive watch with its rotational dive bezel, harks back to a time when chunky Seikos & Omega's were the epitome of a diver's watch (flashbacks to eye-balling my dad's watch as a kid). And the naked rear case, which allows you to see the inner mechanism, is a luxurious touch that completes the package. With a 300m depth rating these really are a sexy statement. As a fellow diver, I'm eagerly awaiting my own SDC Watch to arrive. I appreciate the company's commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts, and I'm excited to show my support by wearing one of their watches. It's clear that Sean has put his heart and soul into creating a product that not only looks great but also makes a positive impact on our planet. If you would like your own SDC watch, head on over to the SDC website and use SCUBAGOAT10 to recieve a 10% discount Join us on this episode as we dive deeper into Sean's journey as a diver, businessman, and conservationist. We'll learn more about his vision for SDC Watches and how he's making a difference in the world of luxury watches and ocean conservation. Don't forget to use SCUBAGOAT10 for your 10% discount through the SDC website

Don Silcock, Senior travel editor of Scuba Diver magazine, owner of Indo Pacific Images and my good mate joins me in the studio for a long overdue catch-up, a good yarn and a couple of beers. Join me as we discuss Don's travels and many other topics; travelling through India by motorcycle, collecting photogrammetry images in Papua New Guinea with Sean Twomey, South Australia - sharks and cuttlefish, Tasmania in search of handfish and DEEP corals, Mexico to dive with crocodiles and enter the Cenotes Patagonia to dive with Southern Write Whales El BLANCO!! Camera equipment Yucatan chaos International flights Raja Ampat - Sorido Bay Resort and interviews with Max Ammer This episode is simply STACKED and not one to miss. Don goes into detail about the political complexities/ authorisations required to be able to dive in Patagonia with the Southern Right Whales. He also gives a full breakdown of some heart-pounding moments and close calls with a 5-ton calf. That's without mentioning El Blanco... The White OneDon is on form as ever and an absolute encyclopedia of information, so pin your ears back and dive in to hear about many locations that you may recognise and many that may also be new to you.

Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving."Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.

Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving."Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.

Nusa Penida is a stunning island off the east coast of Bali– one look at the dazzling cliffs, hidden coves and secret beaches, and you'll think you've stumbled into a spectacular island paradise.  Each time I visit I am blown away by the location, the people, and the diving.  This location benefits from several powerful currents that bring nutrient-rich waters, which support a vast array of marine biodiversity and reef growth. In my opinion, Nusa Penida is the next up-and-coming dive location in the region.  I say that loosely, as it is already well-known for its diving and in particular, diving with mantas at Manta Point.  But this is not yet reflected in the number of travellers to the island; and neighbouring islands like Nusa Lembongan tend to be more well known.  In the last few years, Nusa Penida has had a build and growth spurt with a number of dive shops opening up as well as hotels, hostels, homestays and restaurants. My good buddy Jason Fondis, co-owner and manager of Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida was the first guest to record a Scuba GOAT podcast episode back in 2020, against a backdrop of remote connection issues!  Today I join him on location, at the dive shop, to catch up and see what has been occurring over the last two years at Blue Corner Nusa Penida.Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida is one of the three locations under the Blue Corner umbrella.  HQ is located just a 10-minute ferry ride away on Nusa Lembongan and the third location is situated on the northwestern coast of Bali, Menjangan.  Specialists in PADI training from Open Water through to professional certifications, the Blue Corner team are a fantastic bunch and I would recommend diving with them at any of their awesome locations.If you are considering a trip to Nusa Penida and would like advice on how to get there, which hotel to use, and booking your diving then get in touch with me directly and I can arrange an entire package for you. 

Josh Richards may not have decades of caving experience under his belt, however what he does have is a love for Wombats and the desire to act like one at times.  Joking aside, Josh's thirst for adventure started whilst diving as a kid with his father, continuing into a military career as a soldier and Royal Marine, a comedian, a science geek, and even as a candidate with a one way ticket to inhabit Mars!Josh talks openly about his journey through life and its various stages leading up to his discoveries with his dive wife, Matt Aisbett and in detail about the discovery itself. The Engelbrechts east extension.  Englebrechts cave history1865 - Originally described in a publication by Julian Tenison-Woods, the cave system was referred to as Vansittarts cave. 1885 - Carl Engelbrecht's purchase of a flour mill located nearby, which he converted  into a whiskey distillery (good man!) used the cave as a dumping ground for his waste products.  This led to the cave system being referred to as the Engelbrecht cave. 1929 - the land on which the cave is located was purchased by the then District Council and the cave was sealed off. 1969 - The council invites expressions of interest to open the cave for potential tourism.  Reportedly, it was not suitable for tourist development and remained shut.1979 - The Lions Club of Mount Gambier commenced a project to beautify the cave to the tune of $10,0001995 - Engelbrecht Cave was added to the South Australian Heritage Register 2019 - Dive buddies Matthew Aisbett and Josh Richards mooch around the end of the east cave system and find access to an enormous previously undiscovered cave system running under the centre of town. 2022 - Josh joins me on the show to reflect on many of his life adventures and what is now known as the Engelbrechts east extension. 

Jolyon Collier is the founder of Counting Coral, a not-for-profit organisation bridging the gap between conservation, art, corporations, tourism and local interests.As a highly successful businessman, Jolyon created his wealth in the construction industry.  Over the years his success has fed his appetite to be in the ocean, initially as a surfer, then videographer and diver, and now conservationist.  As a young man, Jolyon found himself drawn to Fiji with his surfboard under one arm and a video camera in the other.  The videography of surfers was still relatively new, so Jolyon capitalised on this and sold his footage to the tourist surfers and whilst waiting for them to cruise past, Jolyon's attention was drawn to (you guessed it) the reefs.With a rather humorous, if not completely dangerous introduction to diving, Jolyon experienced the underwater world off the coast of Malibu and was instantly hooked.  Since those days he has had an entire and rewarding career in the construction industry, ultimately leading to an early retirement and a change of focus back to the reefs.Counting Coral is leading the development of Sculptural Coral Banks, a new and advanced method to aid coral growth.  These structures are designed to support the growth of corals in a manner, that once they bloom they become part of the overall artistic design.  Furthermore, the corals introduced to the structures are carefully selected from local reefs so that they can be reintroduced once a favourable parent coral has propagated. Jolyon and his team of scientists, divers and conservationists install the sculptures themselves, select and collect the corals and will, in turn, reintroduce the corals back to the original reef locations. There are multiple benefits to this system, not only are we protecting, preserving and promoting coral growth but we are creating a new attraction for tourism.  Divers, freedivers and snorkelers eager for that next amazing picture or video have an epic backdrop with radiant natural light striking through the clear Fijian water.  Local resorts that partner with Counting Coral can proudly announce their part in developing the ongoing eco-protection of their reefs.  More importantly, the natural reefs receive some relief from visitors who may be unaware of how delicate an environment it is.  Finally, the structures can aid in scientific research and support those corals that may be diminishing.  It's also worth noting that those corals registered as "known" in Fiji are actually just a replication of what is found throughout Australasia, Jolyon's team are able to identify those corals and have even possibly found corals that may previously have been unknown to Fijian Waters.If you can spare two minutes, please review the podcast on any of the major streaming platforms (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ are awesome btw

Michael Menduno has been diving and reporting on technical diving since 1990 when he founded the AquaCORPS magazine and its sister publication Technical Diver. A reporter, technologist and member of the Board of Directors for the historical diver's society, Michael is the editor-in-chief of Global Underwater Explorers online magazine InDEPTH. He is also a contributing editor for Dan Europe's ALERT DIVER and X-ray magazine, and he also writes for DEEPER BLUE. To top it off, Michael also worked with Captain Billy Dean to set up the first tech diving centre, based in Key West, which rapidly became a global mecca for tech diver training.Michael is also the organiser of the Rebreather Forum, with the latest conference being RF4 (20-22 April 2023). Held in Malta, the Rebreather Forum has a stellar line-up of presenters including Mark Caney, Brian Carney or designee, Simon Caruana, John Clarke, David Doolette, Vince Ferris, Oscar Franberg, Timmy Gambin, Kevin Gurr, Richard Harris, Paul Haynes, Gareth Lock, Alessandro Marroni, Michael Menduno, Simon Mitchell, Andy Pitkin, Neal Pollock, Frauke Tillmans, and Paul Toomer. So if there is anything you ever wanted to know about rebreather diving, this is the place to be.Topics of conversationMichael's background in divingThe origins of the term "Tech Diver"Rebreather Forum origins and Rebreather 4Michael's first breaths underwater to technical diverHistorical overview of tech divingThe origins of AquaCORPS and InDEPTH magazinesThe background of Michael and Captain Billy DeanThe passage of information prior to computersPADI joins the tech chatThe bridging of the gap between recreational and technical divingThe importance of Human Factors in divingClose Calls, authored by Stratis S Kas (Amazon link)'Stoned' with Bill Stone - A harp back to the early days of reportingWhat's next for Michael?Links and exit.

"Not all heroes wear capes." This is so true... they sometimes wear fins too! Lyndi Leggett wears fins, and to many she is an absolute superhero.  A few years ago, sick of the corporate world Lyndi was trawling through social media and came across an article about David J Lawrence Sr and his son, Scuba Junior.  Following surgery, David Jr was rendered disabled, paralyzed from the neck down.  Today, albeit he is still paralyzed on one side, David Jr has regained use of his right side and leads a much more fulfilling life.  Lyndi reached out to David Sr asking what it would take for her to open a Scuba Gym in Australia.The Scuba Gym Australia operates out of the Central Coast and provides diving possibilities for people with a vast array of disabilities.  Throughout this episode Lyndi talks with passion about the successes of her divers so far (see below for links to the videos of those mentioned during the show) and what the future holds for The Scuba Gym. The Scuba Gym is now a not-for-profit operation and Lyndi holds the golden ticket to the growth of it.  Lyndi's dream is to see a Scuba Gym in every major city in Australia. Quite rightly so too. If you would like to help Lyndi in any way possible then get in touch.  You can email or send a message to Lyndi directly or through the show links and social media. For those of you that would love to join the scuba gym but are not sure if you can. Lyndi has a qualified dive doctor who can talk to you about your disabilities and confirm if you can be authorised to get in the water and have a go at scuba diving.  #getinvolved you'll love it!! The scuba gym America

Lady Elliot Island is a destination that epitomises eco-centric tourism.  It is a true reflection of the dedication, hard work, focus and drive afforded to her by so many people over the years, past and present, and none more so than the island's current custodian, Peter Gash.I am elated to host Peter on the show and discuss not only his success in realising his dreams so far but also the island's successes.  Peter has dedicated a lifetime to the islands in this region and first visited Lady Elliot as a child, and was instantly struck by its beauty and mysticism.Lady Elliot is approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Bundaberg and is nestled between Fraser Island and Lady Musgrave Island.  The is also the closest Great Barrier Reef island to Brisbane, Queensland's southern capital.  lady Elliot Island lies within a Marine National Park ‘Green Zone' and forms part of Australia's World Heritage Listed Area on the Great Barrier Reef.Though I'm yet to visit Lady Elliot Island, I can tell there is something very special about this location. Obviously, it is stunning; a spectacular tropical destination that's apart from the bustle of everyday life, not to mention a scuba diver's dream; but it's much more than that.  Through minimal digital connectivity, it forces visitors to put down their smartphones and realise the beauty of a moment, our earth, our ocean and our home  - but not viewed through a screen enhanced by Photoshop and alike.  Much more importantly, Lady Elliot is not an example, but THE example of what we can do for our earth and its inhabitants when we focus, dedicate and commit to doing the right thing.As for the man making this happen, you won't find him on social media at all, he's far too busy working on the next major project and looking after this island paradise.  You can, however, read more about him on their webpage, better still, go and pay him a visit!!Scuba GOAT is an independent production and can be found across all social media platforms.  Are you a dive pro or operator? Do you know your location? Do you want to increase your customer base? If the answer is yes, get in touch as we would love to host you on the show and help raise awareness of your operations and/ or passions.  Simply fill out the form found on our LinkTree.

Stephen Fordyce is sometimes described as a mad professor and I can't help thinking that there is some truth in that.  When it comes to listening to his explorations deep beneath the surface of the earth and then beneath the surface of the water therein.  Scuba diving is a relatively niche sport, and within it there are many more niche areas and I think Stephen has found the pinnacle of niche as a 'sump diver.'   Spending days lugging gear to remote locations, trekking into dry(ish) caves and creating base camps therein, to then explore kilometres of routes underwater certainly confirms that he's barking mad, but also justifies the recognition he rightly deserves as a fantastic explorer. 'Stephen has dived many caves around Australia and further afield - being a successful push diver at the pointy end of projects in Elk River Cave (Victoria), Growling Swallet and Niggly Caves (Tasmania), on the Nullarbor (WA) and West Timor (Indonesia). This culminated in receiving the 2019 OZTek Emerging Explorer Award.Since then, Stephen was the push diver in a large team effort which connected Growling Swallet and Niggly Cave, setting a new record for the deepest (mostly dry) cave in Australia, as well as for several other significant Tasmanian push dives.With a degree in Mechatronics Engineering and a professional background of designing industrial gas equipment, Stephen started TFM Engineering Australia, to combine his passions for 'making cool stuff' and technical diving, and now works full time designing and building technical diving equipment of all shapes and sizes.Despite enduring the pandemic in the most locked-down city in the world (Melbourne), Stephen spent his lockdown time developing a system of water tracing equipment and much of the rest field-testing and exploring caves in Tasmania. (OzTek biography 2022)Joining me on the show today, Stephen chats about some of his adventures including that fantastic latest achievement conducted with 8 equally barking mad explorer buddies

OZTek Advanced Diving Conference & OZDive Expo is a major international event that, since its inception in 1999, has done more to highlight the adventure and excitement inherent in diving than any other show. The show continues to play a key role in creating broad awareness of new techniques and technologies which transform and push back the boundaries of underwater knowledge.Produced by divers for divers, both OZTek Conference & OZDive Expo offer unique insights into the entire world of underwater adventure by encouraging a better understanding of all diving has to offer. This unique event represents a broad spread of diving interests - reflected by the Speaker and Exhibitor list - including many prominent world leaders in their particular fields of expertise; people whose wealth of knowledge is second-to-none and who are instrumental in helping to shape the future growth and development of diving.Focused on the full spectrum of underwater activities, (from recreational, technical, commercial, military and scientific diving through to free-diving and marine conservation issues) the two-day OZTek Advanced Diving Conference and OZDive Expo merge all facets of diving into one event aimed at promoting the exhilaration and adventure of diving to a passionate and enthusiastic audience.Joining me in the studio is Sue Crowe to discuss a variety of topics including a shout-out to a number of presenters that will be sharing their experiences during the two-day event. TicketsOZDive SHOW GENERAL ENTRY - $45.00Tickets are available at the door from 8 am Saturday and Sunday.General entry tickets allow a full range of The OZDive Show (see who'll be there); the Exhibitor workshops (unless otherwise stated); and the Photographic Image Centre which includes an Underwater Photographic Exhibition, Photographic Workshops and a Winners' Display of the OZDive 2022 Underwater Photographic Competition (including the Nikon Dive Shot of the Year). Come and explore!Children under 15 are FREE if accompanied by an adultOZTek SINGLE SPEAKER TICKET - $45.00 + entry ticketNever been to OZTek before? Want to try just a small taste? Perhaps there is one presentation you simply MUST see - then the Single Speaker Ticket is perfect for you. This ticket includes one speaker of your choice as well as UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities. Please see the important note above. Single speaker tickets will be available during the event from the registration office.Please note: Unless otherwise stated, admission to all OZTek2022 speaker presentations will be restricted to Gold, Silver Passes and Single Speaker Tickets.OZTek2022 Single Speaker Ticket AUD $45.00 (these tickets will be available at registration and is on top of your General Entry)OZTek SILVER (SINGLE-DAY) PASS - $195 (Saturday OR Sunday)If you're unable to make both days of the Conference, you can purchase an OZTek2022 Silver Passes (Saturday) offering single-day access to the full spectrum of activities for the day of use, either Saturday or Sunday. A Silver Pass offers full access to ALL the OZTek speaker presentations, break-out sessions, workshops and seminars, plus UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities. A silver pass also includes on-demand access.Please note: Excludes the Gala Awards Dinner - held as a separate eventOZTek GOLD (TWO-DAY) PASS - $295Absolutely no better way to enjoy the full OZTek2022 experience than with the purchase of an OZTek2022 Gold Pass. Offering delegates full two-day access to ALL the OZTek speaker presentations, break-out sessions, workshops and seminars, plus UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities.

Gareth Lock and Mike Mason return to the Scuba GOAT podcast for a catch up on the latest in human Factors in diving.  Recently Gareth invited me to complete the remote training package "Essentials of human factors in diving" followed by a 2-day face-to-face course held at Dive Centre Bondi.  The course delves deeper into the meaning of Human Factors and how it relates to the dive industry and how it can be used to enhance not only our safety but our day-to-day processes before, during and after diving.  By creating The Human Diver training programs I believe Gareth has created a clear path of evolution for not only the scuba diving industry but for individual divers, regardless of their experience and qualification levels.  As a stand alone structure, the human diver is not designed to enhance any one training agency but focuses on how the diver, and his or her peers can operate to the best of their abilities.  No one decides that today I am going to go diving and lose a customer, run out of gas, damage coral or bolt to the surface.  Accidents happen, whether they are minor or major however, we can minimise these risks by being open to discussing sensitive subjects, errors in judgement and being honest with ourselves.  This is my review following The Human Diver training I received:"I have just completed the "Essentials of Human Factors in Diving" pre-learning for an HF course that I am excitedly attending later this week. The ‘Essentials' is delivered remotely via online bite-sized tutorials. It is a little over 3 hours long in total, and as a 17-year military veteran turned 10-year multi-agency dive professional, I firmly believe that it should be included in ANY recreational diver training course, from try dives through all training programs and all agencies, to the top of the qualification tree and here's why… We are taught from a very young age that there is a ladder of authority in all that we do. When we entered schooling that authority figure was a teacher and as such, there is an expected level of respect from the bottom up which ultimately prevents us from questioning the teacher. The same expected hierarchy occurs as we enter the workforce and beyond. It is therefore of no surprise that when we return to the learning environment, we are naturally holding back on questions and dampening down doubts or nerves for fear of perceived reprisal or embarrassment. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Next time we'll do it differently. What if… Just a few old phrases that are common and really have no place in our sports vocabulary. The Human Diver shines a light on such antiquated quotes, promptly kicks them in the bin and opens the door to a modern, safer, and more transparent diving environment. If you are considering becoming a diver, if you have been actively diving for 50 years, or anything in between you need The Human Diver in your scuba life!"

Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist and shark conservation lead at the Australian Marine Conservation Society joins us in this episode to talk through a variety of topics ranging from personal experiences swimming and diving with our apex predators to the conservation efforts currently in place throughout Australia and across the globe.Leo is actively involved in many projects including the "Nets out now" call for shark nets to be removed throughout Australia, he .appeared in the documentary produced by Andre Borell Envoy Shark Cull which focuses on the subject.  Leo emphasises the indiscriminate targeting that hails from these antiquated defence systems with a prime example being that of a Humpback Whale being caught in a net only a few days prior to this recording, with a further 2 more whales entangled since.We also discuss the apparent movement of sharks from locations such as South Africa pushing further south, presumably due to climate change and rising water temperatures.  With larger predators such as Great Whites moving into locations inhabited by more docile species such as Grey Nurse Sharks, are they to become a new target for the larger shark and what impact does this have on the overall balance in the regions?Leo talks with such passion it's hard to break away from listening to his experiences, skills and knowledge across a wide spectrum of conservation.  Actively sharing his knowledge via social media, Leo regularly posts updates on what is happening within Australia and you can follow him via the links on the Scuba GOAT website.

Comedy alert! Each season we have a little get together episode with Don Silcock, senior travel editor for Scuba Diver magazine and Lissa Rebec of Sea Shepherd.  However, now that borders are open, trying to get Lissa and Don in Sydney and available at the same time is virtually impossible!With that said, we managed to coax Don into the studio by waving a beer under his nose and as a bonus for the show his dive buddy of 20 years came along too... During this episode, we explore a number of topics, including Jayne's diving, international travel lounges that I didn't even know existed, Don's movements and writings, beer, wide-angle camera equipment preferences and diver training.  A little teaser of what may be occurring with the expansion of Scuba GOAT and the upcoming relaunch of Nomadic Scuba, all served up with a large dollop of hilarity, giggles and maybe the odd cuss word (you've been warned). The sensible text and a REAL intro to Jayne JenkinsJayne learnt to dive in the chilly waters along the rugged Welsh coastline before moving to Australia in 1973. She is actively involved in many facets of the diving industry and has been for over four decades and was previously a volunteer diver with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Sydney.  This led to Jayne working as a safety diver and researcher for various underwater film, television and photographic expeditions focusing on diving in the Pacific, including the cave diving spectacular Sanctum. Having been an active underwater photography instructor for many years, Jayne went on to establish the first digital shoot-out competition at Lord Howe Island and has won many awards for her photography and remains a regular editorial contributor to Dive Log and Ocean Geographic. For the past 18 years, Jayne has devoted time as Vice President of Australasia for the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) - a scholarship sponsored by Rolex for young underwater enthusiasts. Jayne has been an invaluable mentor to a lucky 13 scholars and has played a significant part in their lives but has now passed it on to one of the younger generation and one of the past scholars. Jayne is currently the resident photographer /consultant with The Ocean Agency formally the Catlin Seaview Survey a fast game-changing creative scientific project. Using specially designed technology, the Catlin Seaview Survey recorded and revealed the world's oceans and reefs like never before, in high-resolution, 360-degree panoramic vision. This led to being part of the brilliant documentary Chasing Coral. Jayne was also a safety diver/camera assistant for a documentary filmed in what she calls “her back yard” Chowder Bay, for the BBC National History unit about seahorses called Fierce Queens.Over her years working in travel and being a keen traveller, Jayne has visited places such as - South Africa, Socorro, Cuba, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, Maldives, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Antarctica, Arctic and many more including Australia.Jayne is also a member of the prestigious Woman Divers Hall of Fame and a Fellow International of The Explorers Club.  Jayne on FacebookDon on FacebookMatt on Insta

Scuba IQ operates from Port Douglas, (north of Cairns) Queensland, Australia.  Clearly, Port Douglas is a perfect destination to get out and explore the Great Barrier Reef and that's exactly what Scuba IQ do. Originally from New Zealand, Martin Connolly spent a few years in the navy and then saw the light, jumped into a wetsuit and spent the next 20 years as a multi-agency dive instructor working in various locations such as Tonga, Spain, Turkey and Thailand.  Scuba IQ and Scuba IQ Expeditions are operated by Martin and his wife,  Louise.  Working closely with local operators they organise training packages as well as full boat charters, delivering an attentive service to the guests who choose to join them. Martin joins us on the show to provide an overview of how Scuba IQ became what it is today, were it is heading and what to expect from an adventure on the MV Argo and the future expeditions organised by Scuba IQ. Expeditions with available spaces:23-28 June 2022 - 5 nights - Minke Whales9-13 November 2022 - 4 nights - Coral SpawningSocial Media links:Scuba IQ websiteScuba IQ InstagramScuba IQ FacebookScuba IQ expeditions InstagramScuba IQ expeditions FacebookMartin on LinkedIn

Steve Crosby walks us through his journey to become a dive pro and what it has taken to stay connected to the dive industry particularly during the pandemic years. Many people have asked me how to get into and become successful in the dive industry.  Hard work and determination... Be like Steve.  He is a shining example of how to progress and focus on the goals one at a time without taking your eye off the prize and all whilst maintaining the right attitude, with a smile.  Steve is one of the nicest guys you would ever wish to meet and I have no doubt that anyone wishing to dive and/or learn from him will have an amazing time whilst doing so.  I'm a big fan of humility and Steve exudes this, just take a listen and you'll see what I mean. Should you wish to get in touch with Steve and arrange some dives you can connect with him through his website at Crosby DiveSteve's diving journey:2004 - He became a NAUI Open Water Diver - Instantly hooked on divingFun dives throughout Central America and the Caribbean.2008 - Completed NAUI Nitrox Course.2013 - Arrives in Koh Tao and realises diving is the industry for him2014 - Completed SSI Dive master and then OW Instructor training2014 - 2015 Teaching various SSI courses2015 - RAID Deco 50 course completed and became a RAID Instructor2016 - TDI Trimix course in Malaysia2016 - RAID Advanced Wreck Instructor 2016 - RAID Instructor TrainerBack to Malaysia to gain qualifications to become a Tech InstructorTioman, Malaysia - completed RAID Deco 40 and 50 Instructor programsTDI instructor course, enabling me to teach technical diving though TDI as well.2017 - Worked for Bali Dive Trek and became a Side-mount and DPV Diver and later received my DPV Instructor CertificationLate 2017 - Koh Tao for Sidemount Instructor and ADV Wreck Instructor Trainer2018 - Co-founded Unique Descent Dive Adventures (UDDA), with the goal of leading expeditions around the worldSept 2018 - Mexico to attain Full Cave Diver CertificationMar 2019 - Egypt to start working at Red Sea ExplorersOct 2019 - Mexico to complete Stage and Multi Stage Courses2020 Covid hit - re-organisation of life and objectivesDec 2021 - Mexico full time to engage in further training and qualifications.  Currently working as a cave and cavern guide having completed CCR Mod 1 and focussing on Cave Instructor qualifications. 

Dr Jen Matthews has pioneered the application of metabolomics to unravel the metabolic interactions underpinning coral health and resilience to environmental change.Increasing environmental pressures, such as increased sea temperatures, are causing the catastrophic loss of coral cover around the globe, including the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world: the Great Barrier Reef. So, it's unsurprising we are starting to see corals migrate poleward to cooler waters. In fact, Sydney has recently become home to a new subtropical coral. This raises a significant question: Could Sydney be a refuge for corals from the warming GBR? A Human Frontier Science Programme Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, Jen holds a PhD in Marine Biology (Dean's list, Victoria University Wellington), a MRes (Imperial College London) and a BSc (Honours, Bath University). Jen is dedicated to finding solutions to current environmental challenges, targeting local (e.g. tropicalization of coastal NSW), national (e.g. Great Barrier Reef restoration), and global topics (e.g. microplastic pollution).Her contributions are internationally recognised, being invited to join the prestigious Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network, and the International Metabolomics Society Early-Career Members Network. In 2009, she founded ‘Big Blue Conservation', a not-for-profit organisation protecting and restoring beautiful reef ecosystems in Thailand. Her industry engagement while developing the innovative microplastics removal tool, funded by Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Seed Innovation Grant, has shown her to be an emerging STEMprenuer. Despite her early-career stage, Jen has secured $300,000 in competitive funding, produced 14 publications and actively advocates for effective science communication and women-in-STEM, through programs such as SoapboxScience Sydney 2019-2020.

Kate Parker is a full-time paediatric Speech Pathologist but in her spare time has been a volunteer with Sea Shepherd since 2015, originally taking on a role as an onshore volunteer helping to raise funds through selling merchandise at events and sharing the work of the organisation through outreach and education. She then progressed to offshore crewing and has been on 7 campaigns with Sea Shepherd, starting out as deck crew and most recently Bosun and is now about to head off on another campaign as an officer in the Bridge.Kate also crews with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and spends most weekends out on the bay training and recovering vessels in distress. Kate has been working her way up for the last 4 years and is soon to take her Coxswains license to become a Skipper for the organisation. Kate also launched her own charity last year called ‘Daughters of the Deep' which is now a globally registered group whose aim is to address gender inequality throughout the marine industries. With her team of 4 colleagues they help raise the profile of women in such roles as well as fundraise to support women into their own marine based careers. Kates links:daughtersofthedeep.orgseashepherd.org.au/divecoastguard.com.au

With over 20 years as a fighter pilot under his belt, Mike Mason currently teaches pilots of the Australian Air Force how to hone their skills and use the aircraft they are flying as a weapons platform.  Human Factors is used on a daily basis to achieve the goals these men strive for, so its fair to say that Human Factors is pretty much second nature to Mike.  Armed with this and Gareth Lock introducing HF to the diving industry; Mike touched base with Gareth and began to learn about the Human Diver and how he could get involved.  Initially learning to dive in the UK, Mike now works in his spare time as a Dive Master at Lets Go Dive Adventures, Nelson Bay.  Following Gareth's tutorage he is also now part of the Human Diver instructional team and is bringing Human Factors to Australia. Mike has planned a FREE introductory zoom meeting on Thursday 17th Feb at 7:30pm (AEDT) for anyone wishing to learn more about what Human Factors is and how you can get involved in the courses that Mike will be providing.  Click here for the link to Mikes intro commencing 730pm, 17th Feb. Links:The Human Diver - Mikes biographyThe Human Diver Australia on Facebook

What a great way to round out Season 2 of the show - Expanding on our look at the Technical side of recreational diving, I'm joined by Ryan Duchatel, JJ CCR Trimix Instructor, cave diver and co-owner of Total Immersion Diving based in Newcastle , Australia.I've found many recreational divers are curious about the tech divers out there and the complex equipment they use.  It seems to be a bit of a dark art and I've regularly heard comments along the lines of "It's for people wanting to dive deep" or "that it is too complex and expensive for me".  The reality is very much to the contrary, technical diving is for anyone who wishes to extend their dives, either in time, depth, range or all of the above.  Ryan talks about the evolution of Total Immersion Diving and provides us with great detail on how a  closed circuit rebreather works and  the many advantages that they provide, such as being able to get closer to wildlife, warmer diving, longer NDL's at all depths, variable partial pressure  Ryan's Links:Websites:totalimmersiondiving.com.aurebreathers.com.auSocial:Total Immersion Diving - FacebookRyans Pro page - FacebookRyans personal page - FacebookWe gave a shout out to the Behind The Mask team during the show as they are supporting and calling for support from you to ban shark finning in the EU,  please follow the link and sign the petition (EU nationals only) Link to the petition

Graham Willis is a professional dive Instructor operating out of Frog Dive, Sydney, Australia.  Having lived in Sydney for over 30 years it's a fair assumption that Graham knows a lot of the dives sites pretty well and during a chance meeting via mutual friends Graham began chatting with a chap about writing books, namely dive books; Johan Boshoff has the experience of creating publications and with Grahams knowledge of New South Wales the book was born. With 240 dive locations, details about the dive site and considerable detail about the location and local amenities , this book is perfect for the adventurous diver wishing to explore the NSW coastline.If you would like to purchase a copy of Graham's book you can reach him via Frog Dive in Sydney, via Facebook or the link below.  We will also have a link available on the soon to be released new Scuba GOAT website too! The Dive Spots of New South WalesGraham on Facebook

Jeffrey is a dive industry titan specialising in all areas of technical, cave and rebreather diving. He's logged more than 20 years experience at the pointy end of diver and instructor development, and is also the owner of GoPro Asia and Bans Technical Diving, based on Koh Tao, Thailand. His qualifications include multi-agency accreditations, such as a PADI Course Director and Technical Instructor Trainer, TDI/SDI Course Director, Instructor Trainer for RAID International (which is the world's fastest growing and most dynamic dive agency), Raid Cave 2 Instructor, TDI Full Cave Instructor, and Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer for all 3 agencies.Jeff is also an instructor for the world's 3 leading exploration rebreathers: the JJCCR, the XCCR and the SF2.  He's certified well over 1000 divers in technical, rebreather and cave diving as well as countless technical diving instructors at all levels of their diver training.Jeff is a member of international dive teams assembled for scientific research and exploration objectives.  Two of these currently include Major Projects Foundations led by Dr Matt Carter as well as Bottomline Projects, led by close friend and trusted dive buddy, Mikko Paasi.

Rebecca Griffiths first grabbed my attention via Instagram.  Her account displays some beautiful photographs which I recognised instantly as having had minimal post-shot editing (quite a rare commodity these days).  I continued to follow for a while and found that she was not only a photographer but a diver, free-diver and conservationist too.   As a youngster, Rebecca developed a life-long love for nature whilst living on the southern shores of England.  Fast forward a number of years and she's swapped out the white cliffs and overcast skies for the much warmer,  bluer waters off the Sunshine Coast, Australia.   Keen to protect the oceans inhabitants Rebecca picked up a camera whilst simultaneously becoming a volunteer with Sea Shepherd. This has led to her representing and documenting 6 campaigns at home, and overseas with them.Today we take a more in-depth look at Rebecca's storyline and how Freediving is more advantageous during the efforts she is currently involved in.  As well as discussing her passion and thoughts on photography.  Rebecca is very humble about her achievements, and I feel that she is a shining example of how an individual can be loud and make a statement without  the need of a bellowing voice.  I believe she has only just started her journey so I'm looking forward to what the future may hold for her and her talents with a camera. 

The second part of our mini-series with Deb and I talking through more destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned. See chapter markers for locations discussed and S02 E12 for the first part of this series. Deborah Dickson-Smith, is a writer, editor and publisher who has built a career in the travel media industry.  She has managed to travel (and dive) through most of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.  Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to sharedive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has sincemorphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travelagency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.Deborah's Links:www.diveplanit.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DivePlanIt/https://www.instagram.com/diveplanit/https://twitter.com/DivePlanithttps://www.linkedin.com/company/diveplanit/https://www.youtube.com/diveplanitNote:Travel information was collected from various sources and correct on the day of recording the show.The travel discount offered by Diveplanit is for international travel (excluding flights), terms and conditions apply. Thanks to Master Liveaboards for their travel information input.

As the world starts to open up,  I reckon it is time to take a look and remind ourselves as to what is on offer. Joining me today is Deborah Dickson-Smith, a writer, editor and publisher who has built acareer in the travel media industry.  She has managed to travel (and dive) through most ofthe South Pacific and Southeast Asia.  Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.Over the next 2 episodes, Deb and I talk through numerous destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned.Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to sharedive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has sincemorphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travelagency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.Deborah's Links:www.diveplanit.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DivePlanIt/https://www.instagram.com/diveplanit/https://twitter.com/DivePlanithttps://www.linkedin.com/company/diveplanit/https://www.youtube.com/diveplanitNote:Travel information was collected from various sources and correct on the day of recording the show.The travel discount offered by Diveplanit is for international travel (excluding flights), terms and conditions apply. Thanks to Master Liveaboards for their travel information input. 

Earlier this year Norwegian born Samuel Rostøl decided to leave mainstream employment as a nurse so that he could focus all of his available time on supporting animal activism.   Soon thereafter, Samuel was invited to join Sea Shepherd in the Faroe Islands as they documented the annual Grindadrop or Pilot Whale hunts.  His footage has shone an even brighter light on the islands and albeit he casts an imposing figure, Samuel's approach to activism is far from that which most would assume.  During this episode Samuel explains the Grind, the animosity, violence and threats to kill and also the silent support and the reasons behind the reluctance of locals wishing the Grind to halt.On Sunday 12th September the Grind slaughtered 1,428 Atlantic White-sided Dolphins. Albeit this podcast is predominantly non-political I feel the need to include such activity to assist in creating a global response for the betterment of the animals involved. Samuel's social media links: FacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterIf like me you feel that Samuel's work is invaluable then please join me and show your support  on his Patreon page:  https://www.patreon.com/samrostolFinally, this episode is also available to watch on the Scuba GOAT YouTube channel, make sure you hit subscribe to keep up to date with the next release.  If you are enjoying the show and would like to support the podcast, a review goes an amazingly long way, thank you.  Podchaser review link

Marcel Van Den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director, super passionate about professional training and eager to help anyone wishing to become a dive pro.  During this episode, I have a catch up to see how he is supplementing his income during the pandemic, what he is doing regarding pro training and how he is preparing for the borders to allow travel once more. Marcel's passion for training extends far beyond the classroom as he brings his skills to a variety of social media sources, including Youtube.  His main channel "Marcel Van Den Berg" has accrued over 11,000 followers as he posts detailed presentations on how to perform in-water skills demonstrations that budding dive pros will need to be able to emulate to pass their Dive Master and/ or Instructor training courses.  His second channel "Scuba Diving Tips" also has a healthy following of around 8,500 subscribers and is designed to provide a wealth of information on how to perform skills required to pass various non-professional training, such as the PADI Open Water and Advanced courses. We cover a variety of topics in this open and honest look at the dive industry and what the future may hold for the industry post-pandemic and dare I say, quite insightful for those considering entering into the pro side of the business. Marcel is based in Koh Tao, Thailand and operates out of Sairee Cottage Diving, below are their social media links along with details of how to get in touch with Marcel directly.   Finally, (and it's a first for Scuba GOAT) we've also put this Scuba GOAT podcast episode on Youtube too, so if you'd like to see Marcel accidentally breaking his picture frames head on over to the Scuba GOAT youtube channel and while you're there hit subscribe and let me know what you think of the channel. You TubeMarcel Van Den Berg (professional diver training)Scuba Diving Tips  (recreational diver training)WebsiteScuba diving tips websiteProfessional trainingIDC training at Sairee Cottage Diving FacebookInstagramTwitterAnd of course, you will find Marcel in the Scuba Goat Network group on Facebook along with all of the previous podcast guests.  Come and join the network!    xNuLzRtuzsbkny8up61M

An absolutely mind-blowing highlight of my Scuba GOAT journey to date is the 2hrs I recently spent with Dr Sylvia A. Earle on the show.  I'm sure this guest needs little by way of introduction; though her credentials, experience, passion and dedication to our oceans is awe-inspiring and incredible to witness.Sylvia is without a doubt one of my lifelong heroes, and when her office contacted me to arrange some time with her on the show, I was stunned and star struck!  But Sylvia quickly made me forget my nerves with her humility and generosity.Vibrant and ever the optimist, Sylvia shares stories from her remarkable career, insights from her lifetime of learning, and her hopes for ongoing preservation and conservation of our blue planet.  We discuss her latest book National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey, which will have readers fall in love with the ocean all over again (along with being a powerful wake-up call that the ocean is effectively the planet's “life-support system” and needs to be respected as such).I feel truly honoured to have had the pleasure of connecting with Sylvia via the Scuba GOAT podcast.  If you've enjoyed the show, make sure to share it with your buddies and spread the word about Sylvia's book.  Links Find Sylvia's book at the following link: National Geographic Ocean: A Global OdysseyThe Mission Blue websiteSylvia's social media streamsFacebookInstagramTwitterDon't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the shows guests.