|
Alpha Dive and Kayak
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
Alpha Dive and Kayak has been Powell River B.C.’s only full-service dive shop since 2004. In August of 2006, the ownership changed hands, and new owners Scott and Kathy Friesen have been working hard to make sure the dive shop provides everything divers of any level could need. From charters and courses to equipment and information, Alpha Dive and Kayak has it all!
|
|
Scott Friesen - SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer and Owner
info@divepowellriver.com
Scott has been diving since 1986 and teaching scuba since 2004. He holds instructor ratings through Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Technical Diving International (TDI) to the level of Instructor Trainer and also holds instructor ratings through Scuba Schools International (SSI) and Divers Alert Network (DAN). He teaches our instructor courses, and most of our technical courses, as well as most of the specialty courses. A retired Canadian Navy Clearance Diver and commercial diver, he has experience diving in many parts of the world. A very experienced technician, Scott has worked on everything from rebreathers to recompression chambers, and is one of our gas blenders.
Besides scuba instruction, Scott is also a Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Instructor, and a certified Guide with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. In addition, he is a licensed Paramedic and when time permits he works part-time for BC Ambulance.
|
|
Kathy Friesen - Store Manager and Owner
info@divepowellriver.com
Co-owner of Alpha Dive (President of the company if you ask her), Kathy is the company’s Business Manager. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the shop and the company’s marketing plan. She has an extensive business background. Kathy has a Masters Degree in Business Management and has worked for IBM, and for newspaper and radio media. Kathy got certified to dive shortly after taking over the shop, and has since completed Nitrox training and is a certified Nitrox blender. One of Kathy’s other duties is new program development, and programs such as Scuba Rangers and expanding our technical training to include rebreathers are the direct result of her efforts.
|
|
|
|
Cheryl Kelly- PADI and SSI Open Water Instructor, EFR Instructor, Store Manager
We welcome our newest staff member, Cheryl Kelly. Cheryl hails from the Rocky Mountain area of British Columbia. Though originally certified locally in Vancouver in 2004, she has also worked overseas as a PADI and SSI Open Water Instructor in the New Zealand and Australia dive Industries. She pulls knowledge from a variety of experience, everything from retail, live-a-boards, managing a dive shop on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, to recently managing Suncoast Diving in Sechelt BC. If you’re ever in need of advice or tips when traveling Down Under, Cheryl's the person to ask. New to the Powell River area, she is always keen to develop further familiarity with our local waters, so if you're in need of a Dive Buddy, look no more. She is always willing to share her experiences with people and enjoys hearing about your adventures too!
|
|
|
Gary Lambeth- SDI OWSI
Gary moved to Powell River a couple of years ago from the Lower Mainland. Gary learned to dive while living in Vancouver, and is quite familiar with Pacific Northwest Diving. He has completed his course progression from Rescue Diver through to Open Water Scuba Instructor with Alpha Dive. Gary now teaches Open Water Diver courses for us.
Gary likes to spend his leisure time exploring the local area for new dive sites. He also enjoys underwater videography and video editing.
|
|
|
|
Helen Whitaker - SDI OWSI and Scuba Ranger Instructor
Helen came to Powell River in February of 2007 from England. She has been diving for many years - she obtained her Open Water Diver certification with PADI over 17 years ago. She recently completed her SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor Course and now teaches Open Water courses. She is also our Scuba Ranger Instructor.
Helen is also a RLS Lifeguard, and holds CPR and First Aid qualifications. She currently works at the Recreational Complex in Powell River where she lifeguards, and teaches a variety of water-based activities such as swimming, snorkeling and aquacise. She is also a qualified BC Board Diving Instructor and runs both children and adult courses for all levels of ability.
Helen loves teaching the Scuba Rangers Program. "The program is SO much fun and a wonderful experience for young diving enthusiasts!!!!"
|
|
Andrew Hamilton- SDI/TDI Instructor
Andrew Hamilton has been diving since 1997 and instructing since 2005. He has had the opportunity to dive across the world (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America). Andrew currently holds ratings as an SDI Instructor (Open Water & a number of specialties) and a TDI Instructor (up to Decompression Procedures), and teaches out of Calgary, Alberta. His favorite dives are deep, wreck dives but enjoys diving anywhere for any reason.
|
|
|
|
Darren Fox- Rebreather Instructor at large
Darren owns his own dive shop, Ocean Legends Hawaii, in Honolulu, but he conducts Closed Circuit Rebreather Training for Alpha Dive here in Powell River. He holds Instructor Trainer ratings with SDI/TDI, and instructor ratings with IANTD and Padi. Darren teaches our rebreather courses on the Titan CCR and can also certify divers on the Inspiration and Evolution CCR.
Darren considers the Powell River area, with it’s many shore accessible wall dives, deep wrecks and abundant sea life, an ideal place to conduct rebreather training.
|
|
Wayne Allen- SDI/TDI Divemaster, Gas Blender and VIP Cylinder Inspector
Wayne has been diving for many years, and his former career as an airline pilot allowed him to dive in many different places. An avid tech diver, he enjoys decompression diving on the local walls and wrecks, and will soon be a Rebreather diver.
Wayne is one of our gas blenders, conducts cylinder visual inspections and occasionally works in the shop.
|
|
|
|
|
Andi Hagen-SDI Divemaster
Andi moved here with his wife and two teenagers as an Emergency Nurse from the UK in 2006. Soon after he began scuba diving all along the Sunshine Coast.
Andi received training at Alpha Dive, and more than 300 dives later, local and our numerous returning international dive visitors refer to Andi affectionately as "The Dive Slut"!
"I have built up a good local knowledge of shore and boat entry dive sites around the area and I am very keen to share this with all who are lucky enough to experience 'The Emerald Sea,' which is my playground.
"Diving is a passion for me and my aim is to have a fun-packed but safe experience on every stolen submarine visit. As a Divemaster, my style is maybe best described as a bit like a laughing sheepdog! I look forward to sharing experiences with you..."
Andi is currently working on becoming an Assistant Instructor with Alpha Dive and Kayak.
|
|
Anamieke Tataryn- Kayak Guide
Anamieke started working this past year at Alpha Dive and Kayak after completing her Level One Guide course with SKILS in Ucuelet. Her duties include conducting guided kayak, trips, running instructional classes and clinics, and maintaining our fleet of rental kayaks. She is also a certified Open Water diver and works part-time in the shop.
When not working at Alpha Dive, Anamieke keeps busy working as a lifeguard at the Recreation Complex, teaching karate, or out enjoying the Powell River area with her family and friends.
|
 |
Bruce Waites- Kayak Instructor/Guide
Bruce has been paddling and diving for many years. He is also a former Navy Clearance Diver and still dives as much as he can. Bruce is also a Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Instructor and a Level One Kayak guide. Bruce teaches rolling and kayak rescue clinics for Alpha Dive and Kayak.
|
|
|
