Frank Barry – Master Instructor

Frank learned to scuba dive through the SJSU program in 1970. He quickly became addicted to the sport, and in addition to diving for pleasure every opportunity available, rapidly progressed through the advanced program, and through all the leadership courses to become an instructor in 1972. He has thoroughly explored the Monterey coast, the North Coast, the Channel Islands, and countless “exotic” dive locations over his 40 year diving career. He is an avid hunter and talented photographer/videographer.

Frank has been teaching people to dive continuously since 1972 and has certified over 2,500 students. His love of the sport led him to a career in diving, and ultimately to open Any Water Sports in 1984, where he has spent 27 years serving divers in the Bay Area. Currently, in addition to teaching Any Water Sports programs, he is the scuba instructor for the SJSU scuba program. He also offers private instruction for those who are unable to fit the standard class format into their busy schedules.

Frank has a reputation for excellence, delivered with the voice of experience and a dose of very dry humor. Those who put forth the effort to learn, will find him to be a patient instructor eager to share the joys of the underwater world.

Sue Skidmore – Master Instructor

Inspired by the beauty and diversity of the ocean, Sue has been diving for over 20 years. Since early 2001, she has introduced over 1,200 students to the wonderful world of scuba diving in Monterey Bay. “I love the expression on a new diver’s face when they see something amazing underwater – a sea cucumber, a harbor seal or a school of senorita fish – its like they just went to Disneyland”. “This is my escape from the daily grind of high tech marketing. I don’t think about work at all when I’m diving.”

Sue’s classes are taught in a very comfortable, relaxed environment. There is a lot of one-to-one time and focus on fundamentals of good diving practices. “If a diver has the basics down, the rest will come more easily to them and the program will be more fun – and fun is Mandatory.”

Sue also teaches advanced programs, including Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver,  the DiveMaster program, and a variety of specialty classes at Any Water Sports. “The advanced programs are a blast to teach. You really get to know your students and the classes are focused on the ocean diving – what could be better?”

Nick Copping – Master Instructor

Nick has lived in and around the water his entire life, swimming, snorkeling, diving and boating. He really caught the diving bug as a college post doc where he jumped into scuba after studying the physics of gasses, water and sound while learning the names of all the critters he saw underwater. Nick joined the professional ranks of diving in 1998 and has taught classes in the San Mateo/Santa Clara area since 2005. He loves working with students as they move from open water to the professional level. To Nick, everyone brings something unique to diving, so everyone learns and grows at each step… that’s the magic!  Nick serves on the PADI Retail Advisory Committee. In his spare time he has been a VP at HP and Microsoft and is the coCEO of ZOOM Marketing, a firm that purveys strategic positioning for high-tech companies all over the world. Nick brings his passion for diving and his strategic marketing experience to the Any Water Sports team to help address the enormous, untapped diving and instructional marketplace here in Silicon Valley.

Ted Heublein – IDC Staff Instructor

Hans Haas and Mike Nelson taught me what was then called skin diving. Then along came certifying agencies and safety equipment for skin – now called scuba diving. Originally certified with NAUI, I have continuously enjoyed the California ‘tropical’ diving up and down the Pacific Coast including Baja and other equally exotic locations. In 2002 I discovered this enjoyable fun of sharing my diving with others through teaching thus I became an instructor and am still growing, my current level being a PADI IDC Staff Instructor.

Along the way, my interest in CSI-type diving (long before there was a CSI show) led lead to teaching Public Safety Diving with the San Mateo Sheriff Cliff/Dive/Marine Unit (yes, we repel from cliffs with full scuba gear – fun!). I smile when people at the ocean tell me the viz is bad with less than 10 ft – 99% of Public Diving is zero viz. Very Zen.

Any day at the ocean is a bonus. Actually getting into and out of the water is a blessing. Being able to float in and be surrounded by water is beatific. I think you can gather that no matter the conditions, for me there is always something to be gained, learned and shared from our diving experience. Sharing this love and excitement is what keeps me coming back for more. Particularly at my #1 spot in the world – Point Lobos State Preserve. I look forward to sharing that fun with you

Dan Thomas – Master Instructor

Dan became a certified diver in 1992. “Dive buddies introduced me to Any Water Sports just after I became a certified diver. I have been a fan ever since. I have had the good fortune to work with great divers who know how to dive and teach.  I started helping with classes and became an instructor about 10 years ago. I enjoy the family atmosphere and being around divers who love the sport.”

Dan’s focus is on teaching important dive fundamentals in a friendly structured environment. “I love watching a new student enter an open water class to try diving for the first time and then see their excitement and enthusiasm infect those around them as they become the diver they envisioned.  It can be a life altering experience!”

Phil Sammet – Master Instructor/Tech Guru

Phil has intimate knowledge of the dive sites surrounding the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur coast. He has many, many, many stories to tell, all of which provide endless entertainment during travel time and surface intervals. Most of the time you’ll find Phil on or below our local seas serving as a tour guide, technical dive instructor, or crew aboard a research vessel.

Dennis Imfeld – Instructor

Dennis has crafted diving into a lifestyle for family and students. What began as an intrepid journey to discover new family activities blossomed into world travel in search of that perfect diving destination. Dennis’ natural passion for growth and sharing attracted him to diving instruction in 2008 where he began to share his experiences and excitement nurturing new and advanced students on their own diving journeys.

You will find Dennis—and his family—in Monterey and Point Lobos enjoying the cold water, where they are constantly teaching and building a network of diving fun. He loves working with children because; in his words ‘They are so amazed and have no fear.’ In his spare time, Dennis owns and operates a successful HVAC company and—after you finish talking with him about diving—ask him to share a little about fast cars and drag boat racing, both of which fit easily into his philosophy and way of life.

Kevin Barry – Instructor

I grew up in the dive business… I never intended to make it my career, but after graduating from Univ. of Washington in Seattle with a Business Degree and spending 6 months in Australia, I realized there was no denying that the scuba business is a natural fit. I have been working at Any Water Sports full time since 2010 and became a PADI instructor in 2011. I literally have a lifetime of experience and have dived incredible locations worldwide. I enjoy watching people progress from being a bit intimidated by the idea of scuba to becoming comfortable in the water and fascinated by what the underwater world has to offer. I am a firm believer that specialty certifications are the best way to grow your confidence as a diver, and enjoy teaching all levels of instruction.

Bruce Fischer – Instructor

There’s no good diving in California!? HA! That thought changed quickly during my OW certification in Monterey in early 2004. Since then, I’ve been averaging 100-dives per year – not including dives with classes. As an avid photographer, I also have the pleasure of enticing others to dive when they see my underwater pictures and videos. And, yes… I’m into high tech so have earned the nickname of “GadgetMan”. Interested in learning more? Come dive with me!!

Terry Martin – Instructor

I first learned to dive in the rough and tough days of the early 80′s. I find that diving today is far more enjoyable and easier than those ‘Dive knife in the teeth’ days. I have been affiliated with Any Water Sports since 2004 in various roles including divemaster, and I made the decision to become a PADI instructor in 2011. If I am providing a refresher, conducting a tour, working on a speciality, or instructing open water/adventure classes I always approach it the same way: have fun, be safe and learn something new along the journey.

Chris Waddell – Instructor

What is there to say but – LET’S DIVE!  I started diving in 2002 through a senior high school sub tidal marine research course where I fell in love with the underwater world and what it has to offer.  Shortly after graduating in 2003, I started working at a local dive shop in Monterey and have been working in the industry ever since.  In 2006 I started working at Any Water Sports as well as helping as a divemaster for Frank’s San Jose State classes.  Over the years of helping, I decided that the best way to share my love and knowledge of the underwater world is to teach people how to dive. So, I became a PADI instructor. I invite you to come explore the “rest of the world.”

Melissa Ann Boyd – Instructor

As Melissa grew up, she spent her entire life living a mere block away from the beach. Needless to say, she was very fortunate and always in the water. Living so close to the sea resulted in her becoming an avid swimmer, diver and overall beach lover. Melissa has been a PADI professional since age nineteen and is still continuing her education advancing to the next instructional levels. Although Melissa has been diving all over the world, right here in Monterey is still her favorite spot. Professional, enthusiastic and never-ending-fun, her students have been quoted as ‘infecting them’ with her deep love of diving.

Adele Heublein – Assistant Instructor

I have been diving since 2004 with 99.9% of my dives in the Monterey Bay Area.  We are so fortunate to live so close to a fabulous underwater environment with access by shore or boat.  Each dive is unique, there is always something new and exciting to see. I love the anticipation before each dive, wondering what fabulous sights are waiting for us beneath the sea.

As an Assistant Instructor, I love working with students and supporting the Instruction Staff.  Safety First is my motto!  Diving is a wonderful sport and the underwater environment is to be respected by all.  In classes and fun dives, you will normally see me with a clipboard reviewing paperwork and making sure everyone has checked their own gear, performed their buddy check and is ready to dive!

Along with my Safety First motto, I believe it is important that we strive to be better divers and learn all we can about our underwater environment and, of course, Safety.  As an EFR Instructor, I thoroughly enjoy sharing skills that will help us and others in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Vern Selvy – Assistant Instructor

As I approached a significant birthday my wife offered me a choice of new skis or the SCUBA certification I’d always wanted. Eventually I got the new skis anyway, but that didn’t even come close to my immediate passion for being underwater. Within a year my wife and both kids were certified and we were off to see three fourths of the planet. Being a good dad meant becoming an Assistant Instructor so I could assure the safety of my family – that’s when I discovered passing the spark was almost as thrilling as diving. Teaching SCUBA enables me to meet great people and share with them my joy of photography and critter identification.

James Bringetto – Divemaster

Having developed a love for water as a swimmer, it was a natural fit for James to take up scuba diving in 1991. Since then the limitless adventure of the ocean, the experience of weightlessness, the sensation of breathing underwater, and the wonderful community of divers have kept him coming back for more. James enjoys sharing his passion for scuba diving by assisting with classes because it allows him to help others discover what he did – scuba diving is a positive, life changing experience.

Dave Faraone – Divemaster

Dave began his diving career about 3 years ago, and became addicted immediately.  He is very dedicated to his dive training and fitness regime and became a PADI Divemaster in 2010.   He’s a true diving fanatic and dives as often as he can with friends, classes, and his wife, Donna.  “Whether in the chilly waters and kelp forests of Monterey Bay or the warm, clear water of Kauai, I really enjoy the feeling of freedom and being part of the underwater world.”

Dave is frequently seen helping out with Any Water Sports classes.  “I really enjoy helping out with classes, and providing assistance to new students.   It’s a great feeling to give something back to the dive community.”

When he’s not diving, Dave, enjoys backpacking, hiking, motorcycle riding, and snowboarding.

Sergio Schirripa – Divemaster

A long time ago…  In the year 2000… Sergio was looking for a PE elective at SJSU and signed up for scuba class.  He absorbed diving like a sponge and soon fell in love with the sport.  So much so, that he took the advanced class the following semester, and quickly became an assistant in the SJSU program.  A patient man, he loves the aspect of interacting with students and helping them fine tune skills.  Sergio’s love for diving soon brought him to seek a position in sales at Any Water Sports…  And they haven’t been able to get rid of him since… even after he was hired as a geologist upon graduation from SJSU.

Sergio can still be seen loitering about the shop,  but when he’s not diving the coast, he can typically be found in the warm tropical waters of San Jose State’s indoor pool assisting with classes.  In addition to the Northern California coast, Sergio has had the pleasure of diving Cozumel, the Philippines, and Cortes Banks, and would be happy to tell you all about it sometime.  Sergio’s philosophy always remains, “What better way to enjoy your passion, than to teach and share it with others?”

Kevin Walter – Divemaster

Kevin learned, became a scuba diver through the SJSU Scuba program in early 2008 and has been addicted to diving ever since.  He became a PADI Divemaster and has been assisting with classes since 2009.  His most recent accomplishment is becoming an Emergency First Response Instructor.

“Diving in the kelp forests of Monterey Bay is both fun and relaxing.  I enjoy spending time with friends while diving, swapping stories after a dive, and learning about the ocean and the animals that live in it.”

Kevin enjoys taking certified divers on guided tours in Monterey Bay, conducting refresher courses, and hosting Any Water Sports “Fun” dives in Monterey and diving for abalone on the north coast.    “Hunting for lobster or abalone brings a unique challenge to diving.  It’s great to sit down to a nice meal after a trip and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.”

When he isn’t diving, Kevin can be found house-boating, water-skiing, snow-skiing, camping or anything outdoors.

Tawnee Chan – Divemaster

I first started diving when I took a P.E. class at San José State University in 2008. While I continued my scuba education at SJSU, I decided to get my Diver Master certification along with many of my friends who I started with at SJSU.

In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with scuba diving. There is everything to love about it: enjoying great friendships, exploring the world down under, diving all over the world, and sharing endless stories. It brings me great joy when I can help someone else experience the same great wonders of scuba diving.

 

Dusty – Dive Dog

Divers are some of the nicest people I know… I spend my days in the dive store or at the beach either napping or making sure everyone is enjoying themselves. I’m very friendly and always happy to greet our customers with a tail wag, discreetly walking the boundary between the back room and the retail floor.