| Bob Croasdale
Bob Croasdale has been at the helm of Blue Zone Scuba since it opened its doors in 1998. Having started his diving when he was 16 at the Halifax Sub Aqua club in the UK, Bob still enjoys telling people new to the sport how easy they have it these days. Initially trained with BSAC and with stories of having to swim miles and miles in the pool before even being given a mask and snorkel to use, the new divers find it quite amazing to say the least. After moving to Australia in 1988 Bob took up the sport again. Basically starting again Bob gained his Instructor Qualification in 1994. Now with over 5000 dives he is one of the most experienced instructors around and still gets his big feet wet now and again. Along with Gary Smith (5000+ dives), who is Blue Zone's Instructor Certifier they have a formidable team of very experienced professional dive trainers who insist on giving their Dive Controllers and Instructors the very best training available so they can pass that down to new divers who are coming into the sport. |
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Gary Smith
Hi, my name is Gary Smith & I've been around the dive industry quite awhile. I started off snorkeling around Caloundra & Alexandra Headlands on the sunshine coast. I just couldn't get enough of the thrill that I felt underwater. Once I learnt to dive I started looking around for good bunch of divers to go diving with. Lucky for me I walked into a place called Brisbane Dive Systems, own by Col McKenzie.
Col proceeded to not only show me the wonders of the underwater world, but also to instill in me a desire to show other people what they were missing.
My jouney from open water diver to instructor certifier took over 5000 dives & involved a long & enjoyable process meeting thousand of dive buddies & making lots of friends alond the way. One of those friends happened to own Blue Zone Scuba Centre & had a very similar philosophy to me. The more you learn about scuba diving & the more you do, the more enjoyable it is. Add in some great people I've got to know at Blue Zone since & you can't ask for much more. (training is never wasted) |
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Dean "at the end of the day" Wort
Dean is our resident "sparky" and well respected Dive master. Dean has been known to party on a few occasions here at Blue Zone but we are gradually calming him down and increasing his dosage of Valium (only joking). Dean has dived extensively with trips to the Coolidge, Solomon Islands and the Philippines under his belt. Dean is yet another example of a quality dive master here at Blue Zone Scuba who can be trusted and who is well loved by all. Voted "Australia's Best Dive Master" by readers of DiveOz |
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Steve Budd
Steve, joined Blue Zone in 2006, and has been on the Brisbane diving scene for a number of years. He has worked in the diving industry in Cairns and Brisbane; and has travelled to many overseas dive locations. He is a SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor. Steve has gained a reputation of making sure everyone has a great time whilst diving. Steve has become a regular on dive trips and courses and is a favourite with the students and staff alike. |
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Nerida Budd
Nerida has been scuba diving since 1989 and is a qualified dive master. Nerida is an avid amateur underwater photographer. Motivated by the love of marine life, she enjoys capturing the interesting and the exciting experiences of the underwater world.
Nerida has dived many lovely underwater locations, including Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Malaysia, Tonga and locally along the Queensland and New South Wales coast. Over the years Nerida has developed a passion for diving and dive travel. Nerida particularly enjoys the opportunity to share her photographs and experiences with others. |
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Jacky Bray
Diving was always one of those things I always wanted to do, so in September 2004 when I changed jobs I had some time off and took the opportunity to get my Open Water Certification. Being a person who loves the water it wasn't a hard decision to continue diving and go onto get my Dive Control Specialist qualifications in December 2007.
Having had such wonderful experiences with diving since I commenced I wanted to help other people enjoy this truly amazing environment so I completed my Open Water Instructor Certification in 2008.
I love diving around the Brisbane area and after going to Truk Lagoon at Easter 2007 with Blue Zone will be doing regular overseas trip over the next few years. Hope to see you guys in the water in the near future.
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Steve Cottrell
Steve started diving in 1993 on the NSW Mid North Coast as a hobby when he wasn't busy racing Go-Karts and Cars. After diving finally won out for his passion he took to diving very seriously and after much badgering from his old dive shop owner, became a Divemaster and eventually an Instructor.
Steve has worked for various dive shops along the NSW coast from the Newcastle/Nelson Bay Region to South West Rocks famous for Fish Rock Cave and has dived the East Coast in NSW and Southern QLD extensively.
In October 2007 Steve decided to make the trip north for warmer weather (and water) and soon settled into Blue Zone where he is an Advanced Instructor. Testament to Blue Zone's reputation, it is the furthest dive shop from where he lives in Brisbane!
His main passion is wreck diving, and loves the Moreton Area sites such as St Paul, Cement Co and Aarhus. But also loves taking new students diving showing them the wonders of the underwater world, either the first time they dive, or continuing their diving education. |
