OUR STAFF

Kim Tucker – Owner, Divemaster in training, Diving since 2005 I started diving when I met my husband. He jokes that it was a criteria for us to be in a relationship. I don’t think it was a joke, but luckily I loved it. It was a whole new world that I never dreamed I would be exploring. I love the fact that as soon as you go under the water every day life just disappears. I enjoyed it so much that my husband and I bought the dive shop. I never would have guessed this is what I would have been doing as a career, but I found my niche where I can do everything I ever wanted to do; teach, work with kids, sign language and travel. I couldn’t think of a more perfect career.

Favorite Dive Location – Ask me in a couple of years. So far I have only experienced Costa Rica (which I love and where I became engaged) and Roatan, which was wonderful (my honeymoon) but my favorite dive site there so far was Spooky Channel.

Terry Tucker – Owner, MSDT, Service Tech, EFR Instructor, Diving since 2001

I “Dove into diving” about 7 years ago, being a Durango native I always longed for the salt water I had never been to. I spent most of my summers at any body of water Durango had to offer (Navajo, Molas, McFee, and so on). I became an Instructor because it kept me diving and I love to see the look on the face of a new diver, the first time they experience the three dimensional world of diving.

Favorite Dive Location--- Any body of water that most people shutter at, My Thought is the deeper, the darker, the colder, the better. I love to push my limits. What the heck, GO DEEP OR GO HOME!!!!!!!

Mark Oliger - IDC Staff Instructor, Diving since 2000

I enjoy the relaxing aspects of tropical diving and tropical climates. I also like the challenges of technical diving and pushing my limits with decompression diving and using alternative breathing gases. Whether it’s a warm water coral reef in Bonaire or a cold and dark drysuit dive in a mountain lake, I feel equally comfortable and I enjoy both extremes and everything in between.

Favorite Dive Location – Caribbean, Pacific & Technical sites. The tropical destinations put my mind at ease. The technical dives give me a challenge.

Allisa Waldo – MSDT Diving since 2002 “Diving has become a passion in my life – I feel blessed to have discovered it. Breathing underwater is the most amazing experience. Being able to move around the underwater world in all directions instead of being stuck on the ground is one of my favorite aspects to diving. Becoming a dive instructor has brought me the additional thrill of seeing new divers experience the underwater world. My favorite type of diving would have to be warm tropical water with lots of fish and other creatures. I like the feeling that I am swimming around in my own private aquarium.”

Favorite thing about diving – No cell phones! (Ha Ha) It’s peaceful magical, weightless, usually beautiful

Favorite Dive Destination – Fiji, Cozumel and Bonaire

Why – Fiji - Diversity and beauty underwater as well as topside overall experience

Cozumel – Great Diving, easy to get to

Bonaire – Beautiful diving and freedom to dive when and where you want.

Barry Mason – Instructor, Diving since 1977

I am a 4th generation Durangoan, that developed an enthusiasm for being underwater at an early age. At the age of 14/15, I was employed to clean the deep end of the Durango Swimming Pool using mask and surface supplied air. This led to a lifetime of Scuba enjoyment and world travel. I have dove with whale sharks in Belize, the whales off Maui, the hammerheads of Galapagos and the Mantas of Fiji. Hopefully this is just the start of many more dive adventures.

Favorite Thing about Diving – I enjoy the warm, clear waters of planet earth. The worlds reef systems and fishes are exciting to explore.

Favorite Dive Destination – Cozumel & Palau

Why – Been to Cozumel over 15 times and continue to go at least once a year. For a close and affordable dive vacation Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera can’t be beat.

George Brenton – Master Instructor, Diving since 1973

I am a retired firefighter and have been certified to dive since 1973. I enjoy teaching new divers and seeing their reaction the first time they dive in open water. I have started to photograph underwater and find it to be very challenging. Besides scuba my other hobbies include playing ice hockey and building/restoring hot rods.

Favorite Thing about Diving – Seeing new things and being with friends. I also like the feeling of being weightless.

Favorite Destination – Caribbean, Sea of Cortez, California Coast, Florida Keys

Why – Warm, clear water with lots of sea life and corals to see and photograph.

Kristen David – Master Scuba Diver/Divemaster in training, Diving since 2006

I discovered a whole new world when I became a certified diver in 2006. It gave my life a new meaning. I love the sense of freedom I feel when I’m underwater and I am able to let go of the everyday worries. I have recently become a Dive Master and I am excited to be a part of the open water classes and meeting new divers.

My favorite type of diving is in warm water with good visibility, the Caribbean being my favorite. Though, I am looking forward to the challenge of cold water, dry suit diving. Being underwater is my favorite place to be.

My favorite thing about diving: Hearing my bubbles and the sounds of the underwater creatures. Diving in new places around the world is a dream come true.

Zane Bilgrav –

Erik Schlom – OW Instructor, Diving since 1977

I was born loving the ocean. I surf, sail and scuba dive. I currently hold a Captains license, own a cruising catamaran and love to sail away with my family. I love to travel to remote islands in the Pacific and the Caribean. I am currently working on my second degree black belt in Taekwondo. My job keeps me way to busy as I am in charge of all machinery at Wolf Creek Ski Area for the last fourteen years. I have two great kids, a daughter and avid dive partner and a son and gear hauler. My girlfriend won’t haul my gear, but does dive with me!

Favorite Thing about Diving – Everything! I love the freedom under the water, the strange but fascination critters, I like the new people and places my wandering takes me. I love the closeness diving gives me with my family.

Favorite Dive Destination – Somewhere warm! I have dove the Caribean, Honduras, French Polynesia, Fiji, Southern California, and the Bahamas.

Jeremy David – I became a certified diver in 2006 and it has changed my life. Breathing underwater and being weightless is phenomenal. I loved diving so much I continued my education to Advanced, Rescue diving and Master Scuba Diver. I am now a Dive Master and loving it. I look forward to meeting and assisting new divers in our Open Water Classes. Diving has opened up a whole new world for me, including traveling to new destinations around the world and submerging myself in new cultures. I can’t think of a better, more positive way to spend my life.

My favorite thing about diving: The freedom I have underwater, exploring the most amazing creatures and terrain.

My favorite destination: Bonaire, because I can dive easily on my own time and schedule, as many times a day that I want and breathe unlimited Nitrox. The water is a beautiful, protected marine park with lots of sea life.