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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!
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Scott Friesen
scott@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 IT Staff Instructor 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, he has experience diving in many parts of the world, from the Canadian Arctic to the South China Sea. Scott also holds Unrestricted Surface Supply and Unrestricted Scuba commercial dive certifications. A very experienced technician, Scott has worked on everything from scuba regulators to recompression chambers.
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.
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Kathy Friesen
kathy@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. As a new diver, she gives a fresh perspective on things. She is the shops' friendly face and can answer any of your diving-related questions.
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Andrew Hamilton
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.
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Helen Whitaker
Helen Whitaker is a divemaster, 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 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 is now working her way through Alpha Dive's highly professional Dive program with a view to obtaining her DiveMaster Certification, and to ultimately become a fully qualified SDI Instructor. She recently obtained her Rescue Diver Certification and Scuba Ranger Instructor certification.
Helen teaches ScubaRangers, which she loves. "The program is SO much fun and a wonderful experience for young diving enthusiasts!!!!"
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Andi Hagen
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 dive-master my style is maybe best described as a bit like a laughing sheepdog! I look forward to sharing experiences with you..." |
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Other Alpha Dive and Kayak Dive Masters:
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Gary Lambeth
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Wayne Allen
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