ABOUT DIVEWORLD Meet the Diveworld Team

PADI IDC Staff Instructor & EFR Instructor. #273166

"After being mad about football for most of my life I decided due to constant injury that I’d have to retire at the grand old age of 26! Rather than sitting with my pipe and slippers I decided I needed a new hobby and had always been fascinated with the underwater world. I decided to pop into Diveworld one day whilst passing and signed up on the spot for the next PADI Open Water course...that was August 2008, the rest is history! 

I enjoyed diving but yearned for something more, to be part of the team and teach something I was so passionate about. I became a PADI Divemaster in 2010 and an PADI OWSI in 2011,  PADI MSDT in 2013 and most recently in 2018 gained my IDCS, all through the expert teaching at Diveworld. 

I enjoy all aspects of diving, particularly wrecks and I love a shark sighting, but my main focus since 2012 has been Sidemount, so if you fancy a “bit on the side”, I could well be your man! "

Gareth is a long standing & popular member of the dive team having come through from Open Water Diver to IDC Staff Instructor with Diveworld. You will find him underwater at most of our training weekends and trips. Gareth is our resident PADI Sidemount expert and Instructor, because one tank is never enough.

PADI IDC Staff & EFR Instructor. #308491

"I first learnt to dive with Diveworld in 2015 and before I’d even finished my PADI Open Water training i’d already been inspired by Louise, Steve and the staff at Diveworld to take my training to the highest level. From then on I did as many courses as I could to gain experience and become the best diver possible. The next step was to go pro and I started my PADI Divemaster internship with Diveworld. Once I’d become a PADI Divemaster I was hungry to get more involved with teaching people how to scuba dive, so I signed up to the PADI Assistant Instructor course. Once completed I had PADI Open Water Instructor in my sights so with Steve as my Course Director I signed up to the first Diveworld Instructor Development Course and in 2017  became a PADI OWSI, a proud achievement.

Learning to dive and becoming a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor has changed me as a person, I have now got so much more confidence I can honestly say it’s been one of the best things that I’ve done in my life and I can’t thank the guys here at Diveworld enough. I’ve done all my training with Diveworld and they’ve made me the Instructor I am today. As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer  I love to teach people how to scuba dive and inspire them on becoming the best diver they can be there isn’t anything better than working with a student to help them master skills and seeing there success and progress as a diver .

Learning to dive with Diveworld wasn’t just becoming a diver it was also becoming part of the Diveworld family and I would recommend it to everyone."

Mark has been and is, an inspiration to the whole team for his attitude and commitment to scuba. His rise to IDCS is suitable reward for the effort.

PADI IDC Staff Instructor & EFR Instructor. #646768

"Always loved snorkelling & swimming my first scuba experiences were the usual "try-dives" on holiday about 20 years ago. After a few of these it started to register that I was actually loving being underwater.

Diveworld was my local school and I have dived with them since. Progression up the PADI  ladder of education until reaching my current pro rating of PADI IDCS. i have been a PADI Pro for over 11 years and decided to cross to professional certification as i love the buzz of introducing new people to the underwater world.

I am a keen sidemount diver and enjoy producing expert sideount divers as a PADI Sidemount Instructor.

Main love underwater is wreck diving."

Mat is one of our longest serving & most popular PADI Instructors having come through from PADI Open Water Diver right through to current level of IDC Staff Instructor with Diveworld, leaving very little out in between. An avid diver, Mat is our PADI Sidemount expert & Instructor.

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer & EFR Instructor. #323882

"I got my first taste of the underwater world in Cyprus in 2009. When I came back, I searched for dive clubs in Sheffield, rang what I thought was ScubaDuba and got Steve!! Best mistake I ever made. Since 2010 I have never looked back (and will probably never get my weekends back either!)

Becoming a PADI Pro wasn't a decision I took lightly but now being a MSDT it opens up so many chances for me to enable others to discover what makes up 71% of the Earths surface. What a gift!

Sarah is one of our latest PADI Instructor success stories achieving MSDT and one of our busiest instructors..

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer & EFR Instructor. #362924

"I started diving in early 2013 for something to do on holiday. I quickly realised that holiday diving was not going to satisfy me, I walked into Diveworld, one cold January Friday in 2014 and before I knew it I was rising through the ranks from Advanced Open Water to Rescue Diver and Divemaster (my original goal), Open Water Scuba Instructor and recently Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

I get so much enjoyment from being under water, that I wanted to give something back, so I became an instructor to help others enjoy the underwater world as much as I do. Expanding into PADI Specialty training keeps the personal growth going too"

Andy Farry PADI OWSI & EFR Instructor.

“Previously I have done all my diving training with Go Dive in Derby but unfortunately they did not have the numbers to run an IDC for the date i needed. So I needed to look for another dive centre, something I was quite nervous about doing not knowing anyone and their instructors. After some research I decided to use Diveworld in Sheffield. All I can say is positive things about them, Steve and Louise made me feel so welcome and actually part of the dive club which is like a family! They have given me so much support more than I could of asked for. I’m so glad i choice to complete my AI/ IDC with them.";

Andy is working hard with both centres tobuild up his scuba CV and is currently heading for MSDT.

Open Water Scuba Instructor.

David is an experienced OWSI, recently joining our team after requalifying. Working in many beautiful parts of the world, he will soon be aquanting himself with the delights of UK diving and all that it has to offer.

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor & EFR Instructor #415056

"I started diving in September 2016 but due to having other commitments I didn't really get going until June 2017 when I signed up for the Underwater Navigation course with Diveworld. Since then it has been a whirlwind of courses and trips. 1 year and 9 months on from becoming an Open Water Diver, I became an Open Water Scuba Instructor.

Becoming a diver has given me the opportunity to travel to places such as Mexico, the Maldives and Egypt and have such amazing experiences. I feel very lucky to have found something that I am so passionate about that I no longer want it to be just a hobby to me, I hope to one day make it my full time career."

I can honestly say, without an ounce of exaggeration, that scuba diving has changed my life. I'm very thankful to Diveworld for introducing me to the underwater world and as an instructor I look forward to doing the same for others. "

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor & EFR Instructor #415309

Recently qualified as PADI OWSI we welcome Tom to full, PADI Professional ranks. Super cool both in and out of the water we are looking forward to Tom`s progression up the PADI ladder with Diveworld.

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor & EFR Instructor #423522

"Diving for me started accidentally in Egypt back in December 2014, I've never been one for sitting around hotel pools, all my holidays have been active ones especially as up until this holiday the kids have always been the focal point of any holiday, this was our first holiday without 'the children'.  Day one, mid afternoon, already restless, I just happened to wander into a dive shop and from there, as they say, the rest is history.

I did a 4 day Open Water course, thoroughly enjoyed what I learned and then dived in the Red Sea.  Within a week of arriving back in the UK and thoroughly hooked on diving, I signed up with a local dive school to develop my skills further.  Unfortunately personal circumstances, (accident with another diving school), prevented me from diving until October 2016, when I joined Diveworld, that's when I was really able to start learning how to dive and enjoy myself more by being a better diver.  In almost two years, at my own pace, I've progressed to become a PADI Divemaster with numerous dive experience certifications under my 'weight belt', and the ambition to attain yet higher levels and standards within the diving world.

By undertaking the PADI Divemaster Internship, I've not just become a better and more confident diver, I know and understand what's expected of me and others while diving and I've hopefully developed an ability to share my skills and encourage others to be more aware of how to dive and have a great time doing so.  Throughout my training I've watched people from all sorts of back grounds and with numerous reasons, (holidays, always wanted to have a go, overcome a fear of water), enter confined water, (sometimes a little scared), and emerge as capable divers.  They have that same look and feeling I must have had when I started and it's a great feeling to watch other people grow in confidence and know you've play a small part in their achievement."

There are many places I still wish to dive, both abroad and around the UK and I can't wait to take what I've learned about diving in this new underwater world.

My wife keeps asking me "why scuba diving?", my short reply; "It's fun, it's as technical as I want it to be, I get to be involved in experiences that most people will only ever see on TV, so WHY NOT".

We are looking forward to working with Richard while he climbs the PADI Pro education ladder.

Open Water Scuba Instructor & EFR Instructor #401582

"I always wanted to dive but never found the time due to me teaching skiing around the world for years and building my business. On finishing active ski instructing and establishing my business I decided to finally take up Scuba. On completing my Open Water course I realised I had the bug! Also as an instructor in a number of other disciplines I quickly realised that I wanted to help other people experience the awesome feeling of being able to Scuba dive. To do this I would have to climb the professional PADI ladder.   I achieved Dive Master in 2017 then completed my Assistant Instructor rating this year. I hope to achieve my OWSI rating before the end of the year.Becoming an AI has made me even hungrier to progress further in this epic sport, I love the feeling of learning something new from more experienced instructors on every dive, every day’s a school day!"

Micks ambition to reach OWSI has been reached in December 2018.

I hope to progress as far as I can as a PADI professional and continue to enjoy the pleasure on people’s faces when they experience the thrill of becoming fully fledged OW divers, this is the part that makes me smile the most:) 

PADI Assistant Instructor & EFR Instructor #349273

"I wish I had started scuba diving when I was twenty! I have been an electron microscopist, flown planes, been a fire fighter and even tried freefall parachuting. Nothing beats the thrill of scuba diving. When I'm walking down to the water with a ton of weight on my back, I sometimes question why I'm doing this, then I get into the water and I say to myself - oh yeah, that's why!"

PADI Assistant Instructor #266889

‘I learnt to dive with Diveworld in 2005, along with my son and daughter, in preparation for a family holiday to Turkey.  I continued my training, always with Diveworld, working my way to Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, Divemaster and Assistant Instructor, achieved in 2011.

Diving has given me fantastic memories and experiences in seas and oceans all over the world.  I have dived in The Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Caribbean Sea, Bali Sea, North Sea, Indian Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean and English Channel.  My top three memories are being among a shoal of Hammerhead Sharks in the Red Sea, getting close to an Ocean Sunfish in the Bali Sea and seeing a squadron of Eagle Rays in the Caribbean."

PADI Assistant Instructor #354680

"I started diving in Lanzarote in 2007 after trying a dsd with my daughter on holiday in Lanzarote the previous year  and I’ve  never stopped, I've taken numerous courses with various dive schools and have found the best in Diveworld. I joined the dive team in 2013, after taking early retirement/redundancy from my job as a trainer/ assessor in the gas and oil industry . I enjoy all aspects of diving but if I had to chose a favorite it would be underwater photograph. I’ve been lucky enough to have dived some really fantastic places and its my ambition at the moment to achieve 1000 logged dives.  I enjoy being a member of the team, and as you can probably see from my photo I'm always up for a laugh, but aim to be totally professional when diving."

A valued member of the Diveworld Team we are currently trying to twist Paul's arm to move up to full Instructor level.

PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer

"Hi, my name is Steve Millard, I am a PADI Instructor Trainer in the sport of Freediving. I teach, and I am on the Education commission for the main International Freediving agency, AIDA International. I am happy to announce that jointly with Diveworld we are offering Freediving courses and a Freediving club to add to the activities already on offer." Steve also runs and organises the Mermaiding activities on our club nights, so contact him if you fancy your own tail.

PADI Divemaster #421538

"I started diving at 8 years old through the PADI Seal Team and fell in love with diving. From this I decided I wanted a career in marine biology I’m currently starting my 3rd year at the university of Hull".

Recent welcome addition to our qualified professionals, Shannon is juggling Divemaster duties with a university career as a marine biologist. We are looking forward to Shannon bringing her expertise into Diveworld.

Lee Hewitt  PADI Divemaster 261119

Lee is a seasoned professional with many years diving experience under his weight belt. Lee certified with Diveworld, and we are delighted to welcome him back onto the team again.

PADI Divemaster #421627

"I was always terrified of water, stemming from the age of 4 sat on the side of the pool refusing to have swimming lessons, and on holiday if I couldn’t see the bottom I wasn’t going in! January 2016 – that all changed – my brother Tom said right we’re going to Thailand you need to learn to dive…that’s where Diveworld came in… I got in the pool and hated it! I had no idea how to breath underwater it was completely alien to me, but… luckily for me Louise came to my rescue, without her I wouldn’t be diving today, she took me through everything slowly, I gained so much confidence in the water, completed my Open Water Course in 6 degrees of water and jetted off to Thailand to 26 degrees water! I came back hooked, I did a few more diving holidays, saw a few sharks and dolphins along the way and worked my way through various courses with Diveworld – the Rescue Course been an absolute favourite and then signed up to be a PADI Divemaster Trainee at the end of 2017. I’ve just completed my PADI Divemaster course 8 months later and I have made some amazing friends and been part of and witnessed some fantastic achievements within the club. Every holiday now revolves around diving, luckily for I met my partner Mark through Diveworld so we can jet off and enjoy the amazing experiences that diving can offer together. Being part of the Diveworld team has opened up a complete new lease of life, the sense of your own achievement is immense but for me to now as a PADI Divemaster see the achievements of others and to see people conquering their fears as I did is so inspiring."

Having recently joined the ranks of PADI Professional diver, Kim shows that you can go from nervous first time bubble blower to full on pro with the right will power and motivation. We are immensely proud to add Kim to our Dive Team as a PADI Divemaster.

PADI Divemaster #426022

"I grew up fascinated by the underwater world as a child and finally took the step to try SCUBA in 2011. After a pool session with Diveworld, I was hooked.

Although originally content to be a recreational diver; I soon realised that going pro would allow me more readily share my passion with others. My happiest times as a divemaster in training have been helping people take their first steps in the pool; quickly watching nerves and trepidation turn into excitement and elation, really looking forward to more as a qualified PADI DM.

Diving has taken me places I never thought I'd go; and seen things I'd never believe I'd see.

Whale Sharks; Mantas, Turtles and Rays........ All with the expert guidance of Diveworld".

 PADI Divemaster. #408666

'I first learnt to dive while traveling in New Zealand. Completing my PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water while there. When I returned to the UK, day to day life took over and I didn't put on SCUBA again for about 5 years. That's when I started training for the British Stunt Register and found Diveworld. Over the course of around 2 years I went through from reactivate to Divemaster picking up a few specialties on the way. Now having completed my training for the stunt register I enjoy getting back in the water at every opportunity I can and helping others find that same love of the underwater world.'

PADI Divemaster.

Having grafted to achieve the PADI Divemaster ranking he now brings his calm, relaxed style to most of our PADI Discover Scuba Diving sessions and club nights. Loves warm water diving and we regularly lose him to foreign destinations, luckily he always comes back to join us.

Shaun Hickey PADI Divemaster

Our latest addition to the PADI Professional Roster, Shaun has worked hard to perfect all aspects of his diving and we are happy to have him on our PADI Divemaster team.

PADI Divemaster #421274

"Like many other divers, I started my scuba journey on a holiday try dive way back in my teens. Following a time lapse which would not be polite to mention, Stu and I were looking for something we could do together particularly on holidays and returned to scuba. After a couple of tries our scuba journey picked up a pace with the excellent training and encouragement from Diveworld, not to mention the trips and club spirit. I'm not sure how we'd plan a holiday again without the diving and I'm now loving sharing that passion and fun with people at the start of their journey". 

Always highlighting what a true PADI Pro should look like, it is with great pleasure that we add Teresa to the Dive Team as a PADI Divemaster. Upwards and onwards for Teresa.

PADI Divemaster.

Edward recently qualified as PADI Divemaster. Always calm and collected underwater, Edward is also a climbing and outdoor pursuits Instructor and the crossover of method works very well for him and within the dive team.

PADI Divemaster #422786

Anton is a seasoned diver, trained from the off with Diveworld and now a Diveworld Divemaster. Doing the internship the hard way meshing it in with work, family and all the rest, Anton is a shining example of what is possible. Never a dull moment when Anton is on the team!

"I've always been interested in marine biology and there is no better way to study it than scuba diving, so I couldn't resist when the opportunity arose to learn through uni. That was 5 years ago and I've never looked back.
My main interests in scuba diving is to use it for research and progressing marine conservation.
I decided to go pro to repay Diveworld for their fantastic tuition through my training and to increase the general interest in our oceans.
My ambition is to work in marine research, primarily studying the impacts of climate change and behavioural biology".

Another experienced young diver with a calm, relaxed manner, he joined Diveworld to do the PADI Rescue Diver course, and is progressing through the PADI Divemaster internship with Diveworld.

“I started my journey into diving purely by fluke when driving past Diveworld on my way home from the gym.... I was signed up to open water within the hour.

I have never looked back; fantastic (expensive, but worth every penny) hobby, the ‘strangers’ on day 1 of the classroom soon became the friends and familiar faces urging you to carry on and convincing you that ‘this isn’t cold, and the constant reminders that you can do it! Thats the point I decided eventually I wanted to be one of those people!

I still love it just as much as i did from the first time i got my feet wet, the thrill, the relaxation, the amazing views and sights you see are indescribable to anyone who hasn’t seen it..... the best thing about diving..... NO QUEUE’S!

Thinking about diving?...... DO IT!! Best fluke of my life!!” 

I started diving because I wanted to do a research assistantship studying reefs which included diving. Before that I wanted to be in the military afterwards I wanted to be a marine biologist, I think that really speaks for itself how much I loved it!

Training to be a divemaster is improving my day to day life in a very big way. I feel more relaxed in high pressure situations and go about tough issues in a calm and logical manner. The best bit is obviouly in the water but its amazing how many people you bump into who also share a love for diving and can spend all day talking about it.

In the future I hope that I'll be able to couple my job as a microbiologist with diving and sell marine microbes to pharma companies who want them for their novel compounds. Until I then, I'll just keep learning and adventuring anywhere and anyway that I can!

My Favorite past time underwater is watching damsel fish making tiny seaweed gardens or playing poker, which is most fun when theres big swell.

PADI Divemaster Intern

"I started diving 18 years ago whilst on a conservation expedition to Malaysian Borneo. As well as educating locals, we also surveyed coral reefs, where dynamite and bleach were being used to catch the marine life, which was utterly destroying the reef. I also spent a year diving in New Zealand where, whilst I was admiring the marine life,  the locals preferred grabbing it, stuffing it in a bag, and having it for tea. 

 I am studying towards my Divemaster qualification to advance my diving skills and for self achievement, but it also gives me opportunity to take a welcome break from my real life as a GP for a bit. I enjoy diving in caves and wrecks, and just generally exploring underwater. My life long ambition is to dive with Whale Sharks, but I’ll settle for a Basking Shark off the UK coastline".

Tom is one of our latest additions to the Diveworld Team. We are all looking forward to his progression towards PADI Divemaster.

James is one of the latest additions to our Dive Team building up experience and expertise within the Diveworld Instructor Development Team. A keen UK diver James will be one of the rising stars in the Diveworld Team.

Lizzie is recently promoted from our PADI Rescue Diver Course, and a welcome addition to the dive team.

Matt is working the PADI Divemaster Internship around a busy working life and young family. An experienced UK diver who is always great fun to have working on the team.

PADI Divemaster Intern.

"I first started diving during holidays few years ago and fell in love with it straight away. Later on I decided to obtain qualifications within the field and wanting the nest training available, this is how I ended up with Diveworld. Since then I learned how to be safe and last longer underwater, obtained all the qualifications that interested me. I also enjoy Diveworld trips sharing experiences with club members and and building up on professional experiences too. Now I am training as a PADI Divemaster as I want to assist everyone who helped me to achieve my goals. "

Man of many languages, Tomas once boasted of never working more than 3 hours each day. Lets see if that can be maintained now he is part of the Diveworld Team. There is never a dull moment with Tomas on the team.

Making it a family affair, Elizabeth`s ambition is to join big brother Edward as a PADI Professional with Diveworld.          A self confessed warm water diver Elizabeth is looking forwardto getting aquanted with the many pleasures of UK diving during her internship.

Fresh from our latest PADI Rescue Course Wayne is a welcome addition to the dive team

"Like many divers, I got into diving through a holiday ‘try dive’. Even though I never saw a single fish or other sea creature I started to fall in love with the idea of exploring the oceans and finding out what life thrives deep beneath the waves. I started to dive in November 2017 and I really enjoyed  learning  new skills and the knowledge that came from diving in quarries and the occasional sea dive. I didn`t see much exotic wildlife from beneath the water when diving in quarries and the British sea but I still felt passionate towards diving. 

Getting to dive more often, I get to see a wide variety of fish and have well and truly fallen in love with the sport. Around a year after first learning how to dive I joined Diveworld’s incredible team and I hope to keep thriving and growing along side of them through my diving journey on the way to becoming a PADI Professional."

Patrick is a welcome, recent addition to the team.