HIGHMOUNTAINSEA
UPCOMING COURSES
2025 COURSE SCHEDULE COMING SOON!
Looking to do some specific training? Send me a message!
WHERE I TEACH
THE DIVE SHOP - CALGARY, AB
Welcome to one of my happy places. I started diving with The Dive Shop in 2012, and found a community of divers which was welcoming, open to new ideas, patient, and professional. I trained with the team for my Divemaster and Instructor levels, and am so stoked to be able to teach alongside some of the most amazing people I have ever met. The thing that really makes this place stand out is the inclusivity. We don't care in the slightest who you dive with, what configuration, where you trained or with what agency - if you have stoke for a dive (and are safe about it), heck yeah we'll jump in with you. Don't forget - diving is supposed to be fun, and we try and keep it that way.
Learn more about The Dive Shop
Stats:
-Established 1967
-PADI Five Star IDC Training Facility
-PADI Freediving Training Facility
-All sorts of retail therapy
-Service Center
-Dive Travel
-On-site pool (it's cozy warm)
-Local diving and freediving adventures
TEACHING STYLE:
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
EVERY INSTRUCTOR IS DIFFERENT
This is a good thing. Just as everyone learns a little differently, having instructors who teach differently means you can match up your learning style to an instructor you mesh with.
Before taking a course, I encourage you to find out who the instructor is, and have a quick chat with them. Ask them anything that might be on your mind about the course you want to take, and if you have goals that reach further - ask how to take that extra step. They may have insight you didn't consider. If they don't want to answer your questions? Well, I'd find a different instuctor.
CONSIDER YOUR GOALS AS A DIVER
If you know what you want to do with your diving, seek out an instructor with that experience. There are instructors out there who do some incredible things, and are veritable explorers in their own right. If you can't find one yourself - feel free to ask! A local instructor may know of someone who has the experience you're looking for, and may be able to put you in touch with someone who might just become a mentor.
Don't be afraid to learn from multiple instructors either. Sometimes it takes a bit to find the right fit, or you may prefer different instructional styles for different types of diving. Your instructor also has the potential to become your mentor, and you should always pick your mentors carefully - just as mentors should be selective of who they choose as mentees.
FIGURING OUT YOUR "WHY"
We all have diferent reasons for getting into diving. Exploring the ocean, seeing a specific critter, wrecks, travel, because it makes you look cool (no judgement) - your reasons for diving are important. As you continue your dive training, it's important to keep in mind why you got into diving, and work to align your training to achieve that. You'll want to consider not only the courses you would need to get to where you want to be, but where you take those courses - and the instructor you choose. I love figuring out what excites my students about diving, what would be their absolute dream to experience - their "Why" for diving - and then help them develop the skills to get there.
One of my big "Why's" - Underwater Archaeology. Piloting an Underwater archaeology course with Thermocline Diving. Photo Credit: Andrea Petersen
One of my big "Why's" - Underwater Archaeology. Piloting an Underwater archaeology course with Thermocline Diving. Photo Credit: Andrea Petersen
HUMAN FACTORS
(MORE TO COME)
I'm a huge fan of Human Factors in Diving. I first took it when I started my GUE Fundies course, and I found it so valuable that I now offer it to students on certain courses. More info on this soon.
If you would like to take the Human Factors Essentials Class, click the link to the right to register. This is an affiliate link; I get a kickback if you register. What do I do with that kickback? Well, it's a vicious cycle. It goes back into paying for students on certain courses take the Human Factors course. A different circle of life.
