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Scubaverse

Scubaverse

By Jane Herbert

The latest scuba diving, travel, underwater photo & video, and marine conservation news and features from the Scubaverse Media and Dive Travel Adventures Team.
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Jeff chats to... Underwater Photographer Maria Bereozka about her work and films

ScubaverseJul 13, 2022

00:00
15:39
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about scuba diving and safaris in Africa (5 of 5)
May 29, 202325:41
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about scuba diving in St Helena (4 of 5)
May 23, 202313:20
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about scuba diving in Dominica and Mexico
May 16, 202315:23
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about scuba diving in Papua New Guinea (2 of 5)
May 10, 202310:37
Jeff chats to… Christopher Bartlett, MD of Indigo Safaris, about their scuba diving and wildlife adventures (1 of 5)
May 03, 202316:27
Jeff chats to... Anca Vaida - Doctor, Actor, Director, Writer and Producer - about her love of Scuba Diving
Jan 11, 202317:07
Jeff chats to... Paul Cox, CEO of the Shark Trust about the Big Shark Pledge
Dec 06, 202214:01
Jeff chats to... Craig Waller, Underwater Lighting Technician on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Jeff chats to... Craig Waller, Underwater Lighting Technician on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Craig Waller, Underwater Lighting Technician on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Craig is a Key Grip and Lighting Director with 10,000s of hours of Set Experience.

In Craig's own words:

I started my career when I was in my first year of college.  I always had that creative side of the brain that needed to be followed as a career.  I thought that would be in designing engineering pieces but wasn’t happy about the idea of an office cubicle and drafting table.

I accidentally found my way onto a big commercial job for a week and decided “THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO”.   I made it my career after that. This is a quick list of recent and big projects in my 35 yrs of TV / Film / Photography.

Most Recently:

  • “Black Panther 2” - UW Lighting Technician / 2nd Unit Underwater Team
  • “Stranger Things” Season 4 - UW Lighting Technician / 2nd Unit Underwater Team
  • “Suicide Squad 2” - UW Gaffer / 2nd Unit Underwater Team
  • NASCAR / FOX Sports 1 - Network TV Lighting Director - 7 years / 700 races of Live BIG track TV shows
  • 10,000s of commercials / music videos / tv shows

I started diving when I was 18 years old with my OW and then AOW with PADI. I was diving with lots of friends in the late 80s and early 90s and then moved onto Kayaking. I got my daughter into diving when she turned 14 and have picked up where I left off.

I have approx 5000 dives now and spend most of my free time diving.

Here are my certs:

  • OW - AOW 1989
  • Adv Nitrox / Deco 2020
  • Cavern - Intro Cave 2021
  • CCR Tech - Fathom - 2021

You can find out more at www.craigwaller.com

Nov 28, 202222:48
Jeff chats to... Margo Peyton, CEO Kids Sea Camp Inc. & Family Dive Adventures

Jeff chats to... Margo Peyton, CEO Kids Sea Camp Inc. & Family Dive Adventures

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Margo Peyton, President / CEO of Kids Sea Camp Inc. & Family Dive Adventures.

Margo is also a Member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, a SCUBAPRO Deep Elite, PADI Ambassadiver and PADI Elite MSDT instructor. She has been awarded The PADI Lifetime Achievement, PADI Award of Excellence in training and education, Beneath The Sea Diver of the Year, and the DEMA Hall Of Fame/ Reaching Out Award. Margo is a Wyland Icon nominee, SSI Platnum Pro Diver, a Lifetime member of the Historical Diving Society, The Family Travel Associations Person Of The Year, and a recipient of The Legends of The Sea Award.

Margo has contributed to over 7,600 certified youths and zero dive accidents. A leader, pioneer, and inspiration to her peers, she has dedicated her life to children and diving. Margo is a passionate ocean advocate who promotes education, training and travels in every part of her life. Margo is also the founder of Ocean Wishes, a charity designed to protect, preserve and educate, through training grants, donations, and conservation. Margo is a writer and contributor to many dive magazines. She is an expert consultant with regard to children and diving and has been published in Diver Magazine, Scuba Diving Magazine, Dive Training, Diver Alert Magazine, Sport Diver Magazine, Working Mothers Magazine, USA Today, The Sun Sentinal, The State, Departures Magazine, The Undersea Journal, Ocean Realm, Scuba Diver Magazine, and others.

Find out more at: www.familydivers.com/kids-sea-camp/

Nov 21, 202231:16
Creative conservationist Dove Jones interviews Scubaverse's Editor-at-Large and Underwater Film Maker Jeff Goodman - Part 2 of 2
Jul 20, 202232:54
Creative conservationist Dove Jones interviews Scubaverse's Editor-at-Large and Underwater Film Maker Jeff Goodman - Part 1 of 2
Jul 20, 202215:37
Jeff chats to... Underwater Photographer Maria Bereozka about her work and films

Jeff chats to... Underwater Photographer Maria Bereozka about her work and films

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Maria (Mary) Bereozka, winner of the Scubaverse February video competition about her work and films.

Her winning video can be seen on Scubaverse HERE  www.scubaverse.com/february-2022-video-contest-winner-and-review/

Maria Bereozka Bio in her own words...

I am passionate about the underwater world.

My love for diving happened in 2018 and completely turned my life around.

I was born and grow up in the city of Minsk, Belarus and we don't have a sea. I lived in a not calm area and my mother would not let me play alone on the street. I just counted the hours until the program about the underwater world of Jacques Yves Cousteau. I dreamed of seeing all the beauty of the underwater world and visiting all these exotic countries. But my mother told me that this is all a fairy tale and I want too much...

At the age of 14, my mother died and I forgot about my dreams for a long time. After many years, I tried diving in Egypt and could not leave the sea. Now: I learned freediving on my own, without a computer and post-processing, with a $25 camera, and entered the top 100 underwater photographers of the 35awards 2020 international competition only thanks to online information and freelancing.

I have been living for the last 6 years in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. I am in the top 100 underwater photographers and top 50 photographers in Egypt for the 6th 35awards 2020. I am in the top 70 underwater photography nominations, top 50 underwater photography, top 100 photography Belarus 7th 35awards. I was among the finalists of the underwater photo awards Fotovideosub 2021 - https://fotovideosub.es/participantes-concurso-de-fotografia-submarina-fotovideosub-2021/, and Siena Awards 2021. I shoot on a Go Pro 9 camera. I am a Rescue Diver.

I created my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7tKqgWuyuPKJ-Jaa9tcPw about the underwater world of the Red Sea, and my Instagram is 99% underwater content: www.instagram.com/mary_bereozka/

Jul 13, 202215:39
Jeff chats to... Esther Jacobs from Fire Island Conservation in Mozambique
Jul 06, 202219:36
Jeff chats to... Ana Filipa Sobral, Founder of The Manta Catalogue Project in the Azores
Jul 04, 202218:53
Jeff chats to… Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart

Jeff chats to… Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jim Elliott, Founder and President of Diveheart, and Tinamarie Hernandez, Executive Director, about the new documentary 'Adapting to Dive' by David Marsh.

Diveheart, a Downers Grove-based nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and Los Angeles filmmaker David Marsh will be presenting the world premiere of the documentary called “Adapting To Dive” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave. in Downers Grove.

Since 2001, Diveheart has been helping youth, veterans, and others with disabilities through adaptive scuba and scuba therapy. Last year, Marsh went on a life-changing Diveheart scuba adventure trip to Cozumel, Mexico. As a result, he experienced a transformational journey while doing the film after losing his son to an overdose just seven days before the trip.

After doing some pre-trip research, Marsh felt he understood the spirit of the Diveheart mission and vision. He had completed backstories on many of the adaptive divers who went on the trip when his son passed. He chose to go on the trip and said nothing to anyone until asked about his experience on the very last day. He then shared his loss and that he had been remotely planning his son’s funeral while filming the documentary.

David Marsh is amazing and awesome. Despite his loss and grief, he soldiered on and captured the spirit, love, and hope that emerges from every Diveheart trip,” said Diveheart Founder and President Jim Elliott. “He really captured the essence of our mission and shared the real-life experience of what Diveheart does to help those with disabilities experience freedom underwater.”

In the documentary, every day embraces a theme. One day it is trust. Another day it is about freedom and then finally adapting. Audiences will see how Marsh emphatically listened and translated the feelings of the adaptive divers who shared with him their losses, struggles, fears, and hopes.

“We are so grateful to David for capturing Diveheart in action,” Elliott said. “I’m hoping this documentary will reach many people and give awareness to Diveheart’s mission: to revolutionize rehabilitation by using zero gravity underwater to help those with everything from mobility issues to chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. We help our participants find that self-confidence, personal strength, and independence, and we will continue to do so in the years to come.”

Tickets to the premiere are $12 for general admission and accessible seating. For information about the documentary and tickets, visit this link.

Find out more at www.Diveheart.org.

Apr 12, 202221:33
Jeff chats to… Arlindo Serrao, Founder of PortugalDive.com about diving in Portugal, The Azores and Madeira
Mar 14, 202237:40
Jeff chats to… Shawn Heinrichs - Emmy Award-winning cinematographer and conservationist

Jeff chats to… Shawn Heinrichs - Emmy Award-winning cinematographer and conservationist

Feb 02, 202235:20
Jeff chats to… Joanna Ruxton MBE, filmmaker and conservationist, about her life and work
Jan 17, 202234:41
Jeff chats to... freelance journalist and filmmaker Clayton Conn
Jan 17, 202226:59
Jeff chats to… Hannah (Mermaid) Fraser - underwater mermaid, performance artist and ocean activist
Jan 06, 202234:31
Jeff chats to… photographer and cinematographer Jim Abernethy who pioneered shark encounters without a cage
Dec 13, 202148:16
Jeff chats to… Dr Katey Lesneski from Coral Vita, winners of the Earthshot Prize

Jeff chats to… Dr Katey Lesneski from Coral Vita, winners of the Earthshot Prize

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Dr. Katey Lesneski, Director of Restoration Science at Coral Vita, about the future of coral reefs.

Coral Vita are the winners of the £1million Revive Our Oceans Earthshot Prize. You can read our story on this HERE.

While often mistaken as being from lower latitudes, Katey is a true New England native at heart. Escaping the winter at opportune times, Katey has volunteered, studied, and worked in Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Belize, and the Florida Keys. Her time in these communities before college, studying abroad while at Brown, and during her PhD at Boston University led her to appreciate the importance of community involvement, which she gained a deeper understanding of as a 2018 Switzer Environmental Fellow. Katey has enjoyed weaving her knowledge of coral reef conservation and management into lesson plans for when she was a middle school science teacher, a graduate Teaching Fellow, and a divemaster and assistant scuba instructor.

Katey currently works as the Director of Restoration Science at Coral Vita, where she applies her background of marine ecology and genetics to reef restoration projects. Now that she is done with her PhD she is rediscovering "free" time, and enjoys freshwater fish husbandry, plant cultivation, reading sci-fi novels, and just about any watersport. She lives with her adopted potcake pup Dogtor Pepí in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Find out more about the work of Coral Vita at www.coralvita.co

Nov 03, 202126:09
Jeff chats to… Sylvia Earle - diving legend and explorer

Jeff chats to… Sylvia Earle - diving legend and explorer

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to diving legend and explorer Sylvia Earle about her new National Geographic book - Ocean: A Global Odyssey - and the Mission Blue project.

Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer, scuba diver, and research scientist. She founded Mission Blue, an organization dedicated to protecting the ocean from threats such as climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and the dramatic decrease in ocean fish stocks.

Sylvia has dived in all five of the world’s oceans, and plays a leading role in establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) as “hope spots” around the world. MPAs are intended to "protect and restore the blue heart of the planet."

Find out more at www.mission-blue.org

Oct 25, 202149:02
Jeff chats to… Ahmed Fadel and Elke Bojanowski from Scuba Scene Liveaboard in the Red Sea

Jeff chats to… Ahmed Fadel and Elke Bojanowski from Scuba Scene Liveaboard in the Red Sea

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Ahmed Fadel and Elke Bojanowski from Scuba Scene Liveaboard in the Red Sea.

Ahmed started working as safari guide in 2000 giving him unique experiences exploring the southern Egyptian Red Sea. It gave him a great opportunity to learn and gain a lot of experience in the nature of the Red Sea, and also qualified him to become the author of the book ‘Southern Red Sea Dive Guide’.

He is also an experienced dive instructor since 1997 and an experienced Tech instructor up to the level of Advanced Trimix.

Working for a number of reputable companies has given Ahmed an in-depth understanding of the nature of boats and the way they have developed over the years, as well as great connections to the local crews and staff.

Elke moved to Egypt in April 2004 after completing her Ph.D. in biology (focusing on the behaviour and communication of bottlenose dolphins), to combine her interests in marine biology and diving.

Using Egyptian liveaboards as a platform, she started collecting data on shark populations, while working as a guide in the Red Sea since October 2004.

In 2012 she founded – and is still running – the Red Sea Sharks Trust, an officially registered charity in the UK. This is the umbrella organisation for a variety of projects on sharks, including the biggest database for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in the world.

The general goals of this charity are to collect as much information on sharks as possible to be made available for shark conservation, and to increase the awareness among divers about the problems and conservation issues that sharks are facing worldwide

Besides collecting scientific data, Elke is giving educational presentations and seminars for the guests on board her Marine Park trips, covering shark topics such as: species identification, biology and behaviour, and conservation and research.

Since January 2019, all diveguides working on liveaboards in the Egyptian Red Sea have had to attend a mandatory seminar on guidelines and safe diving practices for interactions with Oceanic Whitetip Sharks. The seminar written and presented by Elke has been attended by more than 1400 guides and other dive professionals to date.

Find out more at https://scubasceneliveaboard.com

Oct 20, 202125:10
Jeff chats to… Rich Somerset,Territory Director PADI EMEA
Oct 06, 202115:56
Jeff chats to… Andy Foster, Project Director of Dive Project Cornwall
Sep 28, 202118:49
Jeff chats to… Underwater Photographer Ellen Cuylaerts
Jul 28, 202139:22
Jeff chats to… Staci-lee Sherwood about how light pollution in Florida is harming sea turtle hatchlings

Jeff chats to… Staci-lee Sherwood about how light pollution in Florida is harming sea turtle hatchlings

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Staci-lee Sherwood, Founder & Former Director of S.T.A.R.S. - Sea Turtle Awareness Rescue Stranding - about Florida’s latest assault on sea turtles and why the global community should be concerned.

Find out more about Staci-lee on Instagram and YouTube @realitycheckswithstacilee

Jul 20, 202129:54
Jeff chats to… Marine Biologist, Underwater Photographer and Author Paul Naylor

Jeff chats to… Marine Biologist, Underwater Photographer and Author Paul Naylor

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Paul Naylor about his new book Great British Marine Animals (4th Edition). You can read Jeff's review of the book here.

Paul is a marine biologist and underwater photographer with a passion for showing people what beautiful and fascinating animals live around the British coast, through articles, talks, films, social media and TV, as well as his latest book.

The creatures’ intriguing behaviour and colourful life stories are the particular focus of his still photography and video, both for scientific research and engaging audiences.

Paul works with conservation organisations and the media to raise the profile of our wonderful marine life and the importance of caring for our seas.

Find out more about Paul and his work at www.marinephoto.co.uk

Jul 20, 202119:41
Jeff chats to… Daniel Fernando, Marine Biologist and Co-Founder of Blue Resources Trust
Jun 22, 202138:31
Jeff chats to… Kimberley Ray, Founder and CEO of Marine Conservation Network

Jeff chats to… Kimberley Ray, Founder and CEO of Marine Conservation Network

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Kimberley Ray, Founder and CEO of Marine Conservation Network, about her work and some of the issues around marine conservation.

As Founder and CEO of Marine Conservation Network, Kimberly started her passion for ocean and marine conservation as a teenager wanting to become a dolphin trainer. Her dad was a fisherman and took her boating nearly every weekend, and that is what motivated her to get involved with marine life and education. She received her marine biology degree and quickly realized that the oceans were under threat from plastic trash, overfishing, and lack of compassion for marine life. She initially began a company called “Sustainable Seafood Experience,” but realized more coverage and education was needed concerning the many issues involving ocean conservation.

She then incorporated MCN, Marine Conservation Network, and began a global effort to link ALL conservation organizations around the world so that knowledge can be shared and efforts in marine conservation could become more effective. She also developed a common language in her efforts to educate the general public on the issues facing our oceans, one that even the public can relate to and not just other scientists. To this end, she has implemented a new focus of a Youth Ambassador Program involving children around the world from the ages of 8–15 who are becoming actively involved in marine conservation efforts and spreading the word of this mission. A scholarship is awarded to those who stay with the program when they reach their majority and go on to college. Kimberly believes that the oceans are the lungs of the planet providing half of the oxygen we breathe, and if we kill the oceans, then we will die with it.

Find out more about Kimberley and her work at www.marineconservationnet.org.

Jun 22, 202128:02
Jeff chats to… filmmaker, photographer and explorer Kip Evans
Jun 02, 202142:23
Jeff chats to… Andrej A Gajic, CEO Sharklab ADRIA, about the effects of pollution on sharks, skates and rays

Jeff chats to… Andrej A Gajic, CEO Sharklab ADRIA, about the effects of pollution on sharks, skates and rays

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Andrej A Gajic, CEO Sharklab ADRIA, about the effects of pollution on the development of disease in sharks, skates and rays.

Andrej A. Gajic  NGE, BEng (Hons.), M.Sc., Prof. biol is a proactive and awarded scientist, author, research diver, ROV pilot and documentary filmmaker with academic specialization in fish pathology, ecology and conservation - focused on sharks, skates and rays.

Andrej has more than 5 years of professional experience including National Geographic, Discovery Channel and he has published over 60 papers and two books. His current research is focused on the effects of pollution and war waste on disease development towards the mitigation of those negative effects through revitalization and long-term in-situ conservation. In the past 5 years, Andrej was the principal investigator (PI) of 15 cutting-edge regional and international projects. Over 150 media reports are covering his work including National Geographic, FOX, Disney, BBC, Discovery Channel, CNN, Al Jazeera and many more.

  • National Geographic Explorer (Shark Tales) and Early Career Leader (Washington, D.C.)
  • Discovery channel and Explorers club, "Plastic Sharks expedition leader (New York, USA)
  • Sharklab ADRIA: Center for marine and freshwater biology, General director (Sarajevo, BiH)
  • UNESCO fellow for renewable energy and sustainable development (Paris, France)

Find out more about Andrej and his work at www.andrejgajic.com.

Jun 02, 202129:55
Jeff chats to... Marine Biologist Dr Emma Camp about the future of coral reefs
May 25, 202133:12
Jeff chats to... Shark Biologist and Conservationist Michael Scholl
May 25, 202145:58
Jeff chats to… Dove Joans aka Dolphingirl and gets an insight into her wonderful world
May 17, 202101:01:17
Jeff chats to… David 'Strikey' Strike about his diving career in the military and beyond
May 11, 202134:04
Jeff chats to… Brendon Sing, Director of Shark Guardian
May 11, 202131:18
Jeff chats to… Underwater Photographer and Cinematographer Marty Snyderman

Jeff chats to… Underwater Photographer and Cinematographer Marty Snyderman

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Underwater Photographer and Author Marty Snyderman.

Honored with the 2018 NOGI Award in the Arts by the Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, an EMMY Award for cinematography, a Reaching Out Award in 2008 as a photographer presented by the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association’s (DEMA), Marty Snyderman is a widely published still photographer and author who has worked to conserve and share the magic of the undersea world for more than four decades.

Marty serves as the Marine Life Editor of Dive Training magazine and the Senior Editor of California Diving News. His still photography has been used by many major diving and wildlife publications, natural history museums, and aquaria. Representing Nikon Inc., Sea&Sea USA, and through his own one-on-one courses taught on Zoom, Marty has taught underwater photography in person and offered instruction as a magazine columnist for more than four decades. He enjoys sharing what he has learned and takes a lot of pride in his ability to teach others.

With his partner Eric Riesch, Marty has recently launched a publishing company - www.wisedivers.com -  specializing in a line of eBooks for anyone interested in the world beneath the waves. Their first book, 101 Tips for Underwater Photographers, was released in February 2021. Amazing Animals You Can See Underwater, Volumes One and Two, will be released next month. All are available through Apple Books and Amazon

Find out more about Marty and his work at www.martysnyderman.com.

May 11, 202137:60
Jeff chats to… Underwater Photographer and Explorer Jett Britnell

Jeff chats to… Underwater Photographer and Explorer Jett Britnell

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jett Britnell of Jett Britnell Photographics.

Jett Britnell is an underwater, wildlife and expedition photographer, internationally published writer, explorer, scuba diver and speaker based in Vancouver, Canada. His images and editorial are published worldwide in print and online media. He has achieved what is known in explorer circles as being the “Holy Trifecta!” having been named a Fellow in three of the world’s most prestigious explorer societies: The Explorers Club (New York), the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (Ottawa) and the Royal Geographical Society (London). From Jan 2019 to Dec 2020, Jett served a two-year term as Regional Director BC/Yukon in The Explorers Club’s Canadian Chapter.

A 30-year diving photojournalism veteran with 57 magazine covers to his credit, Jett is also an Ocean Artists Society member, an Ambassador in EXPLOCEAN’s League of Underwater Explorers, a featured photographer with The Ocean Agency, and consultant to Elephanatics, an elephant advocacy organization based in Vancouver whose mission is to assist global elephant conservation efforts by educating Canadians about issues of ivory poaching, habitat loss, and the continued exploitation of elephants by humans, and to connect Canadians directly with elephant conservation partners in Africa and Asia. In December 2015, Jett was named one of “122 Inspiring Shooters You Should Know” in Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Magazine’s special underwater photography issue. Jett is also the inventor of the official “Sedna Epic Expedition Martini.”

Find out more about Jett at www.jettbritnell.com

Apr 27, 202132:36
Jeff chats to… Underwater Cinematographer David Diley
Apr 26, 202130:19
Jeff chats to… Underwater Cinematographer Nathalie Lasselin
Apr 26, 202132:32
Jeff chats to… Tec Clark, Founder of ScubaGuru
Mar 25, 202145:60
Jeff chats to… Bill Beard and Vanessa Willing about diving in Costa Rica

Jeff chats to… Bill Beard and Vanessa Willing about diving in Costa Rica

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Bill Beard and Vanessa Willing about scuba diving in Costa Rica.

Bill Beard is the true pioneer of scuba diving and combining adventure tours in Costa Rica. He started diving in Costa Rica from dug out canoes in 1970. He was the first working instructor and had the first professional dive shop in Costa Rica located in San Jose. In 1974, Bill Beard branched out by opening a beach location in Playas del Coco on the Pacific Ocean and operated daily scuba diving trips from there and Playa Hermosa. Bill has many firsts to his credit, including bringing scuba diving and adventure tours to Guanacaste. Bill’s wife Nadine joined him in 1988 and they formed an association to combine scuba diving and adventure tour packages, the first in the country to do so. Bill Beard's Costa Rica reservation office is located in La Fortuna and all of their agents are scuba divers and adventurers.

Vanessa Willing was born and raised in Oregon and California. She moved to Costa Rica in 2001 and founded Wave Rafting Adventure Company and Find My Costa Rica Travel Agency with the motivation to create personalized trips throughout Costa Rica. In 2013 she also joined Bill and Nadine Beard  in managing operations for Bill Beard Costa Rica.  Her love for diving, rafting and all things adventure combined with her expertise in Costa Rica allows her to take over all the complexities and logistics of planning a Costa Rica vacation, so her guests can simply enjoy their trip! She is constantly travelling throughout Costa Rica to source every activity, operator and experience featured within their products. One of her favorite locations in Costa Rica is Bajos de Toro waterfall region with mountain landscapes, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls and a natural landscape like no other in Costa Rica.

Visit www.billbeardcostarica.com to find out more!

Mar 17, 202124:53
Jeff chats to... PJ Prinsloo - Director Technical Diving at RAID South Africa
Mar 17, 202130:18
Jeff chats to… Mehgan Heaney-Grier - freediver, explorer and educator
Mar 10, 202140:04
Jeff chats to... Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation
Mar 06, 202132:02
Jeff chats to... Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart
Mar 02, 202137:27
Jeff chats to... Sean Webb, Director of O'Three, about diving in the UK and the O'Three brand
Mar 02, 202118:26
Jeff chats to... Marine Biologist and Underwater Videographer Jake Davies

Jeff chats to... Marine Biologist and Underwater Videographer Jake Davies

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jake Davies, Marine Biologist, HSE Professional scuba diver, underwater videographer (using videos and 360 clips for VR) and CAA licensed drone pilot.

Jake grew up on Pen Llŷn, North Wales and coming from a maritime family meant that from a young age the underwater world and marine life have played a major role in his life. His interest in marine life and the sea led to him studying Marine Biology at Bangor University where he was successful in obtaining a year in industry with the Intertidal & Coastal team at Natural Resources Wales.

​In 2017 Jake was successfully awarded a Sea-Changers Grant to run 'Dive Into Monitoring: Seagrass' surveys with SeaSearch North Wales. The surveys aimed to gather updated information on the Seagrass bed in Porthdinllaen with volunteer divers and local dive clubs.

As a media diver, Jake has worked as part of the dive team (Marine Ecosol) filming for BBC Wales Hidden Wales with Will Millard (Lazerbeam Productions & Folk Films).

Footage which Jake has filmed off the Welsh Coast, as well as the Canary Islands, has been featured for a variety of BBC programmes including an episode of Countryfile where he was interviewed about the Seagrass in Porthdinllaen, Wales along with the rest of the Project Seagrass team. He is also a blogger and contributor to Scubaverse @JDScuba, and a co-director of Under Water Wales @dandwrcymru.

​As well as being a HSE Scuba Diver Jake is also employed as the Project Coordinator for Angel Shark Project: Wales. He is also a Project Leader on a Save Our Seas Foundation Project.

​Through sharing underwater videos and photos of amazing and unique wildlife/habitats that are found beneath the waves along the Welsh Coast as well as abroad Jake hopes to inspire people to go beneath the waves and making the underwater world more accessible for all.

Find out more about Jake and his work at: https://jakeddavies1996.wixsite.com/jdscuba

Feb 22, 202124:11