Title: NAUI Regional Representative, Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, Turks & Caicos
Diving Since: 1994
Andy Olday, born in Newcastle, England. I was a resident of Key West Florida since 1994 and held the Training & Community Manager position for Divers Direct, Key West prior to re-locating and recently accepting the NAUI Florida Regional Manager position. With a deep passion for safe and fun underwater exploration, I have been a SCUBA Instructor since 1996. As owner / operator of Nekton Crew (Marine Hazard Prevention), I was a member of Diana Nyads 2012 Cuba to Florida swim attempt. I was also the Captain for ultra-marathon swimmer and world record holder Chloe McCardel’s safety crew in 2013/14. I have been privileged to teach and dive in many locations around the world. An avid free diver, boater and spear fisherman I also enjoy sharing my photography and videography skills.
Favorite Dive Site: Vandenberg Wreck, Key West, Florida
Favorite Fish: Parrot Fish
Certifications: NAUI Instructor/ Course Director
Dustin Steele
Title: NAUI Instructor
A NAUI CERTIFIED DIVER since 1987. I have been introducing and teaching people to dive for over a decade and love it. I am an NAUI course director at Brandon Scuba and am happy to teach all levels of NAUI diving, including instructors.
Can’t wait to see you down there!!
Favorite Dive Site: Vandenberg
Favorite Fish: Hammerhead Shark
Certifications: NAUI Course Director
Jim Waschbusch aka Jdub
Diving since: 2011
Any day on, in or under the water is a good day for me. I am passionate about diving and the amazing things it allows us to experience. At Brandon Scuba I work with Open Water Students and serve as a trip leader for planned events. My favorite thing to do is share our Florida critters big and small with new divers. You can ask me about spearfishing/hunting and dive travel. I am also crazy about fitness being a Crossfit Coach/athlete and obstacle course racer.
Favorite Dive Site: Scarface (Jupiter)
Favorite fish: Scrawld filefish
Certifications: AOW, EAN, Adv Rescue, Divemaster
Robbie Steele
Title: Instructor NAUI #44660
Diving Since: 1999
I got into scuba diving when I gave it as a gift to myself after graduating from the University of Florida. It was something that I had always wanted to do, but never really had the chance until then. In 2005 I became an instructor and began teaching scuba classes. I have been associated with Brandon Scuba since before it was Brandon Scuba. The thing I like most about diving is the calming effect that it has. The thing I like the most about being an instructor is introducing and teaching people how to dive.
Favorite Dive Site: Roatan in Honduras, water is crystal clear, and the marine life is abundant.
Favorite fish: the Caribbean reef sharks I encountered when I was diving in the Bahamas.
Certifications: I currently hold an active Instructor certification from NAUI and I am currently working on (as this is being written) becoming a First Aid/CPR/AED with oxygen administration Instructor.
NOW STOP READING ABOUT ME AND GET OUT THERE AND DIVE!!!
Joseph Head
Title: NAUI Instructor/Service Technician
Diving Since: 2006
I was convinced to try diving but didn’t get hooked until my certification dives in Cozumel. The water was pristine with visibility of >100ft. Since I lived in Chicago at the time but had to continue to dive more often than once a year, my next specialties were nitrox, drysuit, and wreck to enjoy the local wrecks in the great lakes. I moved to Florida a few years ago and pursued cave training to explore the springs when the ocean is too rough. Any type of diving makes for a good day and I’m all for making any day a good day!
If you are interested in drysuit, sidemount, technical or cavern to start pushing your diving beyond the ocean in the warmer months, let’s talk.
Favorite Dive Site: Vandenberg wreck (Key West), Peacock Springs, Bonne Terre Mine (St Louis, MO)
Favorite Fish: Octopus
Certifications: Nitrox, Drysuit, Wreck, Navigation (Search and Recovery), Deep, Night, Underwater Naturalist, Rescue, Sidemount, Cavern, Full cave, Intro to Tech, Decompression procedures, Advanced Nitrox, Gas Blending, O2 Service
Chris
Title: Store Manager
Diving Since: January 2017
I enjoy the trill of seeing all of the life underwater. I recently have taken an interest in underwater photography to catch rare moments that only few in this world have seen.
Favorite Dive Site: John Pennekamp, Key Largo
Favorite Fish: Mahi
Certifications: Open Water, Nitrox, Advanced Open Water, First Aid/CPR, Rescue
Alex
Title: Sales Associate
Diving Since: 2017
I love experiencing the underwater world and its inhabitants. I enjoy helping and assisting people explore the wonderful underwater world, especially if it’s for the first time. It’s also always great hearing divers stores and experiences.
Favorite Dive Site: Venice Beach
Favorite Fish: Smalltooth Sawfish
Certifications: Open water/ Nitrox