Meet the Ocean Adventures Dive Team

Steve Ladd

PADI Master Instructor # 160670

Emergency First Response and Divers Alert Network O2 Instructor

Emergency Medical Service / EMT

Steve earned his Open Water certification at age 15. Now the owner of OADC/PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center spreading his life long passion for the ocean to his community. He offers high quality equipment, instruction and dive travel. Having a family of divers and a network of diving friends has kept Steve's enthusiasm strong. His passion is watching our local dive community flourish, as the dive club grows and the barbecues get bigger! Steve encourages his staff to excel and provide advanced instruction. Steve is also a past volunteer presentation diver at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Andy C. Huber

IANTD Adv. Recreational Trimix Instructor

TDI Adv. Nitrox Instructor

SDI Open Water Instructor

PADI IDC Staff Instructor

DAN BLS-Pro & DEMP Instructor

GUE Tech 1 Diver

IANTD Full Trimix Diver

TDI Adv. Trimix Diver

Andy was born and raised landlocked in Switzerland. His love for the ocean began during a childhood stint in Kenya where he spent the great deal of time free-diving. Andy's enthusiasm as a diver and instructor guides fellow divers into the realm of advanced diving. Revealing new horizons to the ambitious and curious, he promotes the DIR-philosophy of diving through simplicity and knowledge. Using this platform of technical diving, Andy cherishes the ocean as a playground and aims to foster an aware and respectful diving community. Andy has been with Ocean Adventures' dive team since 2002.

Fluent in German

Joseph Guarino

PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer #158845

Joseph came to us from Hawaii. He learned to dive in Vermont and was soon teaching scuba diving and captaining boats in the Cayman Islands. He moved on to Hawaii where he became very involved in saving marine life, creating marine sanctuaries and owned a dolphin/whale watching business. After he took a several month RV trip around America, he found himself diving in the kelp beds off Catalina Island and has never left. Although he wishes the surf was better, teaching and diving have kept him here. Joseph doesn't think it is possible to spend too much time under, in, or on the water. He is also a Vegan, a Virgo and currently single.

Steve Cramer

PADI SCUBA Diver Trainer #193572

DAN Instructor

Steve started diving several years ago while stationed in Hawaii. As a helicopter crewman and Search and Rescue swimmer, he had a natural affinity for the water. Over the years, he was out of diving while raising a family and building a career, but returning to So Cal three years ago gave him the opportunity to return to his roots. "I grew up in Santa Barbara and Ventura, so I feel a strong connection to the ocean and the islands off the coast. What I didn't know untill I started diving here is how spectacular it frequently is". Steve trys to work on a personal level with each student, and build a sense on community in the class. "I want people to relax and have the time of their lives. Learning to SCUBA takes commitment, but it tends to bring out the best in people. The positive energy and sense of accomplishment is contageous. It's gratifying to lead people through different courses and watch them become more profiecient, confident and safe. You get to watch the lights go on and I love being a part of that."

Rachel McPherson

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer #153863

Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen Instructor

Certified in the early 90's, Rachel worked in the Red Sea as an underwater photographer. She became an instructor in 97 and has taught in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Central America.She's also a full time student of marine biology, Rachel's passion is increasing people's awareness of the underwater world. She loves teaching kids to dive and giving the ocean a stronger voice with each new diver.

John Lumb

PADI Course Director Level

Emergency First Response Instructor

Divers Alert Network / DEMP Instructor

In his 28 years of diving he has been all over the globe, where he has met and dived with many of the industry' celebrities. As with any old pirate stories abound - just buy him a drink to get him started. As for diving instruction, John believes he learned from the best, who set a high standard he now passes on to those who want to share his experience and knowledge. He has a lot to offer students at any level, but specializes in very rewarding and fun course in Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Instructor certification.

E. George Gonyaw

PADI Specialty Instructor #187489

USCG Captain's Licence

ADC Commercial Diver

Emergency First Response Instructor

Divers Alert Network O2 Instructor

When George is not busy commercial deep diving in Alaska he's teaching our students how to enjoy the underwater world. George is also an underwater photographer and videographer.

Shawna McLean

President, Ocean Adventures Dive Club

Dive Master

Shawna learned to dive in the Philippines, then began diving at each Caribbean island she visited until she landed at Ocean Adventures gearing up for a trip to Bonaire. We invited her to dive Santa Barbara Island in March 2005 and after playing with all the sea lions she was hooked on diving the California coast and all the Channel and outer islands. She quickly began logging dives, taking courses, working part-time in the shop and planning dives and après-dive parties. Steve recognized that these skills might be put to good use when the Ocean Adventure Dive Club needed a new president. Shawna is continuing her education.