Scuba Goat: Recent Episodes

Matt Waters

Whether you’re a scuba addicted wannabe fish, an ocean-loving conservationist, or simply inquisitive about science and nature, the Scuba GOAT podcast is for you. Join dive pro, Matt Waters, as he takes a light-hearted dip into a variety of topics and hosts global game-changers, leading advocates of conservation, service providers and rising stars alike. Matt aims for the podcast to supply relevant scuba and oceanic related news, highlight operators and conservation efforts around the globe and provide the information from source. Go on, dip a toe into the Scuba GOAT podcast and receive a boat load of information all served with a healthy splash of humour to top it off.

In this episode of the Scuba GOAT Podcast, we follow the extraordinary journey of underwater stuntwoman Liz Parkinson. Growing up across three countries - the US, England, and South Africa - Liz discovered her love of the water early, and a fierce competitive streak in South Africa pushed her to always outswim her friends. As a teenager, she trained to become a competitive international swimmer for Ireland, earning a university scholarship in the US, where new coaching provided a rude awakening and elite training that reshaped her approach to performance.

Liz’s dive career then took her across the Caribbean, working in Turks and Caicos and eventually at Stuart's Cove, where she got her first taste of on-screen work - even if it meant emulating a squid. She had no idea this was the start of a Hollywood journey, but soon she was called to audition and ultimately move to Los Angeles, where she began shaping the underwater movements of major films. Beyond performing stunts herself, Liz also taught actors how to move, breathe, and perform convincingly underwater, bridging the gap between dive expertise and cinematic magic.

Passionate about inspiring the next generation of dive professionals, Liz regularly participates in interviews, panels, and public appearances to share her experience and guidance. She has also taken on hosting roles, including as MC for the Go Diving Show. If you’re attending any dive events this year, keep an eye out—Liz may be on stage sharing stories from her time bringing the world of Pandora and the Na’vi to life.

Please enjoy.

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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

Samir Alhafith, founder of The Sydney Project, and Navy Clearance Diver Lieutenant Rus Pnevski take us deep into one of NSW’s most enduring maritime mysteries — the rediscovery of the SS Nemesis. Built in 1880 by Thomas Turnbull & Sons in Whitby, England, the steamship was later used to haul coal between Newcastle and Melbourne and was tragically lost in a savage gale off Wollongong on the night of July 8–9, 1904, taking all 32 crew members with her.

For over a century, the location of the 73-metre iron-hulled wreck remained unknown. Debris and bodies washed ashore at Cronulla, but the hull eluded discovery — until May 2022, when Subsea Professional Marine Services stumbled upon it by accident while searching for lost shipping containers roughly 26 km offshore in about 160 metres of water.

Identification came after CSIRO’s RV Investigator conducted high-resolution seafloor mapping with multibeam echosounders and captured drop-camera footage of key structural features — including two of the ship’s anchors — confirming the wreck as the long-lost SS Nemesis.

Now the wreck lies upright on a sandy plain, with serious damage to its bow and stern. The storm appears to have overwhelmed the engine, and a massive wave struck before lifeboats could be launched, sealing its fate.

In this episode, Samir and Rus walk us through their historic dive — the first human dive on the wreck in over 120 years. We share video footage from the team, taking you deep into the thrill and discovery, the history that nearly vanished, and even the gear troubles they faced in 160-metre depths.

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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

Today I’m joined by the incredibly talented Matt Krumins - a Melbourne-based professional photographer with over 15 years of experience across landscapes, wildlife, events, and underwater photography.

A keen diver, he commenced his underwater journey over 2 decades ago and I’ve admired Matt’s work for several years, particularly his striking big animal imagery from South Africa and his captivating underwater shots from Tufi Resort - where I had the privilege of living for a year.

Matt’s passion for nature and storytelling through imagery is unmistakable, and his journey back underwater is one I’ve been looking forward to.

He was named an Olympus Underwater Ambassador back in 2016 and in 2022 took out the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award in the Monochrome category.

Beyond the accolades, Matt is a passionate educator who believes photography should be fun, creative, and accessible to everyone.

Get ready for an inspiring chat with one of the most down-to-earth talents in the field. Let’s dive right in!

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Love the show?
Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here.

Want to be a guest on the show?
GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting.

Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

In this episode of The Scuba GOAT Podcast, host Matt Waters is joined by marine surveyor Mick Uberti to take a deep dive into the realities of dive liveaboard safety—what’s working, what’s failing, and what needs to change. With over two decades of experience in maritime safety, Mick has worked with boat owners worldwide, including the UAE royal family and Richard Branson. As the founder of Maritime Survey Australia (MSA) and an AMSA-accredited Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) surveyor, he has conducted vessel surveys across the globe, including some of Egypt’s Red Sea liveaboard fleet. His expertise has led to a collaboration with Taucher.net, a leading German diving platform, which has publicly recommended that dive operators in the Red Sea undergo safety audits by Mick’s team at Maritime Survey International (MSI). This episode is part of a larger series on liveaboards, aiming to provide a 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 exploration of the industry. While many operators uphold and even exceed safety expectations, others fall dangerously short—often due to a complex web of contributing factors. Mick and Matt discuss legal loopholes, flag states with differing safety standards, lack of enforcement, financial pressures driving a race-to-the-bottom pricing model, inadequate crew training, and the role of divers themselves in demanding luxury at unsustainable costs. By learning from both the best and worst examples, this series aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to identify safe liveaboards and understand the broader challenges at play. Whether you’re a seasoned liveaboard diver or considering your first trip, this conversation will shed light on the unseen forces shaping safety standards in the industry. 🎧 Tune in now for an essential discussion on the future of liveaboard safety!

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Love the show?
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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

A little over three years ago I interviewed Andre Borell, director of Envoy: Shark Cull, a hard-hitting documentary highlighting the archaic shark mitigation systems employed by the Australian government throughout Queensland and New South Wales. The doco, narrated by Eric Banna, was initially aired exclusively on Stan and three years down the line has a much greater global audience through many other popular media streams including Netflix.

During today's episode, I grab an update from Andre and an excellent insight into his latest project, the Shark Stop wetsuit. Now, in its second round of funding, the Shark Stop wetsuits were originally designed by surfer Haydon Burford, who wanted to find a wetsuit similar to the impact protection for motorcyclists via Kevlar. Through his research and development, he created what we see now as the bite-resistant wetsuit Shark Stop.

Tested by Flinders University on board the Rodney Fox vessel, Andre shares the impressive results and findings, so join me as we delve deeper into the creation, those results, the progress of the business, and the opportunities available for investors seeking to make a change. Please enjoy.

Links:

Watch on The Scuba GOAT Podcast: YouTube channel

Sharkstop website: https://sharkstop.co/

Investment details: Birchall website

Flinders University: Peer-reviewed report

Social links for Andre:

Instagram

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Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agency
Promoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Love the show?
Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here.

Want to be a guest on the show?
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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

Summary
In this conversation, Todd shares his journey as a dive instructor and underwater photographer, discussing his experiences in various diving locations worldwide, including the Galapagos and Thailand. He reflects on the changes in his life, including starting a family and writing a book about the best dive experiences globally. The discussion also touches on the beauty of cold-water diving and the thrill of encountering marine life, particularly Orcas. In this engaging conversation, Todd shares his extensive diving experiences across various global locations, highlighting each site's unique marine life and conditions.
From the seasonal dynamics of herring in Norway to the vibrant underwater ecosystems of Tubbataha and the Coolidge wreck in Vanuatu, Todd provides insights into the best diving practices and the importance of conservation. He also discusses the allure of blackwater diving, the majestic manta rays of the Maldives, and the thrilling shark encounters in Fuvahmulah. The conversation culminates with Todd's reflections on his most memorable dive locations and the upcoming launch of his book, Ultimate Dive Sites.

Todd's book is currently on sale at a 15% discount and can be purchased via this Amazon Link

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Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agency
Promoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Love the show?
Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here.

Want to be a guest on the show?
GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting.

Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy… Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.

🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to Maxime Cheminard, a talented dive photographer who I first met at the inaugural International Underwater Photography Competition in Aqaba, Jordan, where he received an honorable mention at the award ceremony for his awesome image of the Cedar Pride.

Max's journey into the world of diving began during his time in the French military and after transitioning to civilian life, He pursued his passion as a dive instructor in Thailand. During this time, he found himself under the tutelage of Mikko Paasi, a dive shop owner and Thai cave rescue hero.

Together with Mikko and other diving legends, Max has explored Thailand's long-forgotten flooded mines and through the fantastic bottom line initiative, they've mapped kilometres of submerged tunnels, and created options for mine diving training. And revitalized tourism, boosting the local economy. Join me as I catch up with Max and dive deeper into his career, past, present, and future, please enjoy.

Listen here: Scuba GOAT website

Max's socials:

YouTube: @MaximeCheminade

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxime_underwater/

Website: https://www.maximecheminade.com/

Bottomline Projects: https://www.bottomlineprojects.com/

Divernet article, Underwater photography competition, Jordan: https://divernet.com/photography/aqaba-hosts-inaugural-international-underwater-photo-competition/

Koh Tao Divers website: https://kohtaodivers.com/

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REVIEWS are fabulous and tell us that you are listening, thank you in advance for your support and for taking the time to leave a review.

PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - "Guest Registration"

Nomadic Scuba is your ultimate dive travel partner! Founded by Matt, it’s an online travel booking agency tailored specifically for scuba divers. Whether you're ready to explore, need expert advice, or want assistance with bookings, visit Nomadic Scuba today.

MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this captivating episode, award-winning film director Nays Baghai and legendary cave explorer Jill Heinerth discuss their collaborative journey in creating the film 'Diving into the Darkness.' They delve into the complexities of underwater filming, the importance of safety protocols, and the emotional depth of storytelling. The conversation highlights the challenges faced during production, the role of fear in diving, and the significance of sound design. Both guests share personal anecdotes, bloopers, and insights into the diving community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and authenticity in filmmaking.

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REVIEWS are fabulous and tell us that you are listening, thank you in advance for your support and for taking the time to leave a review.

PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - 🎙️ Would you like to appear on the show? Click on the "Guest Registration" link and let's get chatting

Nomadic Scuba - Matt founded Nomadic Scuba in 2017 and has been curating, organizing, and often personally leading tailored dive trips ever since. Whether you have a destination in mind or need expert advice and guidance, reach out today and let’s start planning your next scuba adventure. Send a message to Matt

MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Growing up in the UK, Adrian Stacey decided that scuba diving might be slightly more adventurous than selling photocopiers. With that in mind, he embarked on a 13-year scuba travelling adventure that would catapult him around the world to explore many of the great dive destinations.

Egypt, Oman, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Saba, the Bahamas, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, and Fiji certainly is quite a list! Nevertheless, he has now settled down in Brisbane, Australia with his wife and kids, and as the Editor of Scuba Diver Magazine, he continues his passion vicariously through the reports within its covers.

The Go Diving Show originates in the UK and we've previously discussed it with Mark Evans, Editorial Director of Scuba Diver Magazine. Adrian joins me today for a quick catch-up and overview of the show and the speakers that will be gracing the stage.

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Nomadic Scuba - Your dive travel agency
Promoting liveaboards, Resorts, Group expeditions, Dive shops & hand-picked dive ambassadors.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REVIEWS PLEASE - Here's how to leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device)

Open the Podcasts app
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter Scuba GOAT into the search field
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes)
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews
Click “Write a Review” underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate us on a 5-star scale, and write a review if you choose (you can rate without writing, if you’d prefer)

PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - 🎙️ Would you like to appear on the show?
Click on the "Guest Registration" link in the Header bar and let's get chatting

DIVE AND TRAVEL INSURANCE - Trust me, when the time comes and you need to get assistance, you need insurance. If you need to save money on your trip I would highly recommend trimming back elsewhere and make sure you budget for the correct insurance for safe peace of mind. We highly recommend DIVEASSURE. Click the link now to create your account and start your cover.

MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Diving Deep: Lissenung Island Adventures, Challenges, and Conservation Efforts

In this captivating episode, we journey to Lissenung Island in Papua New Guinea, where Ange Amon narrates the island's history after recalling a fall which resulted in a horrific leg-break injury! Moving on, Ange tells of how she met her husband Dietmar and how he became the island owner, and highlights transformation of this paradise into a sanctuary for turtles. Their conservation efforts reach beyond the island's shores as Dietmar and Ange welcome school children from various regions, educating them through hands-on research about turtles and their importance in our delicate eco-system. The children receive a hands on approach to learning by measuring, weighing, and ultimately releasing mature clutches into the ocean once the turtles are fit enough to fend for themselves.

Ange also highlights the thrilling dive sites around the island and why divers should add this destination to their bucket list. Additionally, we explore the logistics of traveling to Lissenung, the PNG-wide Divers Association and its collaborative efforts to enhance PNG tourism, and the future of scuba diving in this beautiful country, including Lissenung Island itself.

We highly recommend obtaining dive and travel insurance for any adventure you embark on and we love to use DiveAssure. If you don't have insurance, simply click HERE to find out more details and get that all important cover.

Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now.

Support the Show.

REVIEWS PLEASE - Here's how to leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device)

Open the Podcasts app
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter Scuba GOAT into the search field
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes)
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews
Click “Write a Review” underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate us on a 5-star scale, and write a review if you choose (you can rate without writing, if you’d prefer)

PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - 🎙️ Would you like to appear on the show?
Click on the "Guest Registration" link in the Header bar and let's get chatting

DIVE AND TRAVEL INSURANCE - Trust me, when the time comes and you need to get assistance, you need insurance. If you need to save money on your trip I would highly recommend trimming back elsewhere and make sure you budget for the correct insurance for safe peace of mind. We highly recommend DIVEASSURE. Click the link now to create your account and start your cover.

MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Lyndi Leggett is a passionate scuba diving professional, and founder of The Scuba Gym Australia. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic scuba diving experiences for individuals with disabilities and challenges, both physical and cognitive. Alongside offering unique underwater therapy, Lyndi has expanded her outreach to include the Scuba Warrior program, specifically designed for first responders and veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. Her work not only emphasizes physical rehabilitation, but also environmental conservation efforts through local cleanup dives.

Episode Summary:

In this inspirational episode of the Scuba Goat podcast, I welcome Lyndi Leggett back on the show to discuss the transformative power of scuba diving for individuals with disabilities, cognitive difficulties and divers facing post-traumatic stress. Lyndi first appeared on the show in October 2022 during season 3. We have a good catch-up and delve back into the exceptional work at the Scuba Gym, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of being underwater, where gravity no longer constrains the body, allowing for remarkable physical and cognitive exercises. There has been a lot happening since we first heard from Lyndi, new divers, amazing experiences and even collaborating with the Sydney Aquarium where several lucky divers have now experienced lifetime goals and dived with the sharks therein.

Lyndi’s dedication to environmental stewardship shines through as she recounts the proactive cleanup drives she runs with her team, helping to remove significant debris like motorbikes and numerous plastic bags from oceanic waters. The stories shared by Lyndi are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of diving, showcasing how individuals like a former policeman now turned diving instructor have found a renewed purpose in life.

The Scuba Gym is actively seeking corporate financial support to continue its transformative work with individuals facing disabilities, cognitive difficulties, and post-traumatic stress. Potential corporate supporters can obtain all the necessary information to consider contributing to this impactful cause, supporting both human resilience and environmental conservation.

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Leave a comment
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MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Join me on the podcast as I sit down with Mark Evans, co-founder of Rork Media and Editorial Director of Scuba Diver Magazine. We delve into his fascinating career journey, intertwining scuba diving with journalism, his profound passion for the sport, and his commitment to delivering top-notch information to the global audience. Mark's love affair with diving began at the tender age of 10, and it has only deepened over the years.

In this episode, we explore Mark's hectic schedule and gain insights into the workings of Scuba Diver Magazine, as well as the exciting launch of the inaugural Go Diving Show ANZ, scheduled for this September at the Sydney Showground. It's at this point I would highlight that the show is FREE to enter and also has free parking!

Mark's journey includes his tenure as the editor of PADI's Sport Diver UK magazine, which unfortunately came to an end in January 2017. Undeterred, Mark, along with colleague Ross Arnold, seized the opportunity to fill the gap in the market by founding Rork Media. Just a month later, Scuba Diver magazine emerged, offering readers quality content and expert insights.

As Editorial Director of Scuba Diver, Mark oversees three magazine editions: UK, North America, and Australia/New Zealand. But his ambition doesn't stop there. Recognizing the need for modernized in-person events, Mark and his team introduced the Go Diving Show in the UK. After three successful years, including a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, the UK show attracted over 10,000 attendees. Now, it's Australia's turn to experience the excitement.

The Go Diving Show boasts a stellar lineup of speakers across various stages, including the Main, Photo, Australia/New Zealand, Inspiration, and Tech stages. Attendees can indulge in interactive experiences like VR diving, try dives, encounters with Bruce the rodeo shark, mermaid sightings, and even catch a glimpse of a podcaster you may recognise.

Alongside these attractions, a diverse array of exhibitors, ranging from tourist boards to conservation organizations, will surround the stages, providing a comprehensive showcase of the diving world. Join us as we unravel the journey of Mark Evans and explore the vibrant world of diving journalism and events.

LINKS:
GO Diving Show
Scuba Diver Magazine
Rork Media
Diver Net website

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SUPPORT - Have you enjoyed the episode? I would LOVE a 5-star review via your favourite streaming platform. It helps with promoting the show & increases its reach.

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Leave a comment
Use the Contact Form on the website tabs up top
Send me a DM via social media

PROSPECTIVE GUESTS - 🎙️ Do you want to appear on the show? Click on the "Guest Registration" link in the Navigation bar.

MUSIC (legend!): Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Tim Morrish is an Instructor Certifier with Scuba Schools International (SSI). Based in Koh Tao, Thailand, Tim runs the professional training arm of Big Blue Diving and is also part of the management team of the dive centre.

An extremely thorough individual, Tim is very meticulous when it comes to explaining the complexities of our sport which is all too apparent during this interview and is reflective of the successes he has achieved throughout his career, particularly as an Instructor Certifier.

It's taken an absolute age to get him on the show, but at last, he's here. We reflect on how Tim transitioned from mountain bikes into the dive industry, how he ended up in Koh Tao, where the jobs have taken him globally and of course, how our paths crossed and ultimately became great friends.

Links:

Big Blue Pro training
Big Blue Diving Koh Tao
Big Blue Diving Khao Lak

Tim on socials:
Instagram
Facebook

OzBob Scuba Prescription masks

Scuba Schools International

Link to the Black Jack B-17 video footage

Tufi Resort, Papua New Guinea

Support the show

Thanks for listening legends!

Enjoyed this episode? GREAT, we would LOVE a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review via iTunes or your favourite streaming platform. It all helps with promoting the show.

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Music credit to: Forever Young by AudioCoffee | https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Roni Ben-Aharon
If you've ever visited a dive show in the last few years you may have seen this lady representing Atlantis on stands or even on stage providing presentations about the amazing diving on offer in the Philippines. Roni is super vibrant and just as passionate about our sport and what she doesn't know about diving in the Philippines could probably be written on the back of a postage stamp with an oversized marker. Talking with me during this episode we take an audible trip through the various locations on offer and what makes them so unique. So, take a seat, strap yourself in, and let Roni put your imagination into overdrive!

Nomadic Scuba (me in my other role)
I'm pleased to say that I represent Atlantis through my scuba booking agency Nomadic Scuba, so if this episode whets your appetite and you would like more info or simply want a seamless and easy booking process... get in touch, and let's get planning your adventure. (info@nomadicscuba.com or Whatsapp +61499021920)

Puerto Galera
Situated amidst the scenic hills of Sabang Beach, Atlantis Puerto Galera is a magnificent resort that provides easy access to over forty captivating dive spots. Nestled within lush vegetation, our dedicated beachfront resort boasts 40 well-appointed rooms and a comprehensive range of amenities, promising an unforgettable diving vacation.

Puerto Galera is widely recognized for its abundance of scuba diving sites and has gained UNESCO recognition as a Man and Biosphere Reserve since 1973. Positioned at the heart of the "Coral Triangle," it boasts some of Asia's most diverse coral reef diving experiences.

Dumaguete
Dauin (pronounced Da-win), adorned with its distinctive black volcanic sand, is renowned as the Frogfish capital of the Philippines, offering a unique haven for critter diving enthusiasts. Atlantis Dumaguete, strategically positioned just minutes away from over 20 local dive spots, the majority of which are protected marine areas, also provides day trips to nearby attractions such as Apo Island, and Siquijor.

Azores LiveaboardFrom January to early March, the itinerary includes exploring the captivating wrecks of Coron, coupled with the vibrant and colorful walls of Apo Reef along the way. Guests embark and disembark from the resort in Puerto Galera.

The Tubbataha season runs from mid-March to early June.

For information about Atlantis including dive sites information www.atlantishotel.com

For videos on the incredible diving with At

The Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy
10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOAT

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the showNomadic Adventures is a registered Australian business and consists of the Scuba GOAT podcast and Nomadic Scuba, a travel booking agency specifically focused on scuba diving.

Are you a dive operation wishing to promote your business on the Scuba GOAT podcast and via Nomadic Scuba? If the answer is YES! then get in touch today via any of the media streams, email (info@nomadicscuba.com), or WhatsApp at +61499021920, and let's start getting creative and tell the world about your services.

Nomadic Scuba not only promotes operators but provides an online concierge service to divers wishing to travel. With our expansive network, we have the knowledge and know-how to organize your dream vacation so let's get planning!

THE END OF TALKING. THE AGE OF DOING.

Attention, nature enthusiasts and aspiring conservationists! An incredible opportunity has emerged that allows you to become an integral part of saving one of the world's most precious natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Prepare to be amazed as Citizens of The Great Barrier Reef unveil their groundbreaking AI system, inviting individuals from all corners of the globe to contribute towards its preservation and the best part? It's absolutely free!

Have you ever yearned to contribute to conservation efforts, but felt discouraged by financial constraints? Look no further, because this innovative platform offers you the chance to make a difference without spending a penny. Gone are the days of dedicating countless hours or leaving the comfort of your home to aid a cause you hold dear. Now, with just a few moments of your spare time, you can actively contribute to safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef. Are you like me? Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone during moments of boredom or while commuting? We've all fallen victim to the allure of endless, algorithm-selected content, keeping us awake into the wee hours. But imagine channeling that time into something meaningful. Picture yourself utilizing those precious moments for a higher purpose. Introducing the Great Reef Census ( https://greatreefcensus.org/ ), an extraordinary initiative that allows you to engage with thousands of meticulously collected reef photos, offering an unparalleled opportunity to participate in vital conservation work. While the photo collection continues to grow, the power of AI can only go so far.

That's where you come in! In under a minute, you can join forces with the AI system, working hand in hand to analyze reef photos. The AI highlights a specific section, and you simply select the category that best describes it. Rest assured, you don't need to be a scientist to partake in this endeavor. The platform provides clear explanations of each category, making the selection process effortless. And once you've completed the analysis, your dashboard will reveal the precise location of the surveyed photo within the vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef.

See a full explanation and video of how the software works here.

So, the next time boredom strikes or your passion for conservation ignites, don't plump for aimless scrolling—reach for the Great Reef Census instead. Take a moment to explore the captivating photos and lend your expertise to the Citizens of The Great Barrier Reef. By joining their noble cause, you contribute to the protection of our mesmerizing Blue World. Together, let's ensure that future generations can revel in the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef, knowing that we played a pivotal role in its preservation.

Link: https://greatreefcensus.org/

greatreefcensus #citizensgbr #donateyourfocus

The Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy
10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOAT

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Support the show

Simon's correct title reads... Professor Simon Mitchell MB ChB, PhD, DipOccMed, DipAdvDHM (ANZCA), FUHM, FANZCA, Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland. This clearly does not fit in the title of this episode however, it goes a LONG way to explaining why Simon is one of the top dogs when it comes to being able to pour a healthy amount of clarity over the common confusions between decompression sickness, decompression illness, and arterial gas embolism.

Simon is a physician and scientist with specialist training in diving medicine and anesthesiology. He is widely published with over 150 papers or book chapters. He co-authored the 5th edition of 'Diving and Subaquatic Medicine' and has two chapters on decompression illness in the most recent edition of Bennett and Elliott. He has twice been Vice President of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society (USA) and in 2010 received the society’s Behnke Award for contributions to the science of diving and hyperbaric medicine. In the past, Simon was a naval diving medical officer and medical director of the Wesley Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine in Brisbane. He now works as a consultant anaesthetist at Auckland City Hospital, and Professor in Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland. He provides on-call cover for diving and hyperbaric emergencies at the North Shore Hospital Hyperbaric Unit in Auckland. Simon assumed the role of Editor of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine in January 2019.

Simon’s diving career has included more than 6,000 dives spanning sport, scientific, commercial, and military diving. He has been a lead member of teams that were the first to dive and identify three deep wrecks of high historical significance in Australia and New Zealand. At the time of one of these dives (2002) the 180 m depth represented the deepest wreck dive ever undertaken. He was elected to Fellowship of the Explorers’ Club of New York in 2006, and was the DAN Rolex Diver of the Year in 2015.

Ref: www.dhmjournal.com. (n.d.). DHM, Simon Mitchell. [online]

Shearwater
Shearwater dive computers

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Today, we are thrilled to have a distinguished guest with us a man whose passion for diving spans over three decades and has led him to become one of the most skilled technical divers and instructors in the southern hemisphere. Google the name of Pete Mesley, and you'll find his namesake website, which contains his passion in life, two of which are the list first and shocking or big animal diving. And if that's not enough, you'll also find a rundown of all the technical training he has on offer. As a member of the Explorers Club, Pete's love for Wreck diving has taken him to some of the most historically significant sites across the globe, where he has documented them through his stunning photography and his work as a safety diver. Today, we have the pleasure of hearing firsthand from Pete about his experiences as an adventurer, and his unique perspective on the world beneath the waves. So sit back, relax, raise a glass and join us for an unforgettable conversation with Pete Mesley on the Scuba GOAT podcast.

Links:
Lust4Rust website - http://www.lust4rust.co
Shock and Awe diving - http://www.biganimaldiving.com

The Underwater Club with Nicolas Remy
10% discount on the annual subscription to The Underwater Club with promo code SCUBAGOAT

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Ladies and gents, welcome to the Scuba GOAT podcast. Last year at the OzTek dive show in Melbourne, I had the pleasure of meeting Nathalie Lasselin. Our introduction was brief, but it was enough to pique my interest in her inspiring story and make me realize that she needed to be featured on the show. In this episode, join me as I chat with Nath and uncover her motivations for venturing into the uncharted waters of the Arctic, spending over 30 hours submerged on a single dive, and searching for evidence of the First Nations' presence in the Great Lakes region of Canada, and that's just for starters!

Get ready to dive deep into the world of underwater exploration and documentary film-making in the next exciting episode featuring Nathalie Lasselin.

Nathalie is an award-winning film-maker, dive expedition leader, cave and wreck explorer, and instructor with a passion for documenting our planet and raising awareness for our freshwater resources. As a keynote speaker and on-camera talent for TV shows, she shares her love for discovery and empowering people to have a better relationship with their environment. With numerous critically acclaimed films and awards, Nathalie's work has been released in over 25 countries and featured on networks like Discovery and Nat Geo.

Formally trained as a director of photography, Nathalie casts an inquisitive eye on our blue planet and with Pixnat Productions she documents the captivating exploration of our earth. Her films have been critically acclaimed and have received numerous awards at international festivals as well as being released in over 25 countries. Nathalie regularly organizes small group diving expeditions for surveying, filming, 360 degree photography and other missions through her non-profit organization Aqua Sub Terra Exploration (ASTEX)

RECOGNITIONS

Women Diver Hall of Fame inductee

Royal Canadian Geographical Society fellow

Explorers club fellow

NATHALIE'S LINKS

FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
AQUA SUB TERRA
AQUANATH.COM

Welcome to the latest episode of Scuba GOAT! In this episode, we talk to Vanessa Torres Macho and Talia Greis, the founders of Liquid Lens, a project promoting and encouraging women in underwater photography. Vanessa is a 20+ year dive professional and the owner of Underwater Imaging Australia, while Talia is a scuba and photography enthusiast who started diving 7 years ago.

Vanessa and Talia share their love for the oceans and photography, and how they bonded over their passion for scuba diving and underwater photography. They discuss Liquid Lens, their project that aims to showcase the photographs of women alongside their male counterparts on the world stage.

We discuss a variety of photography-related topics including model shoots, commercial photography and the impact of digital cameras, social media and the expectation of free products for influencers.

We also touch upon overseas group expeditions planned and led by Vanessa and Talia. Matt also highlights his expeditions via his company Nomadic Scuba. So, if you're looking for some exciting scuba and photography trips, be sure to check them out!

If you'd like to get in touch or follow Vanessa, Talia or both, hit the links below:

Vanessa

Vanessa's website

Vanessa on FB

Aquatic Imaging Australia website

Aquatic Imaging Australia on IG

Aquatic Imaging Australia on FB

Talia

Talia's website

Talia on FB

Talia on IG

Liquid Lens

Liquid Lens website

Liquid Lens on FB

Liquid Lens on IG

And finally, a friendly reminder that The Underwater Club is launching on the 31st of March, and there's still time to enter the free giveaway draw. So, if you're interested in joining a community of like-minded scuba enthusiasts and getting access to exclusive content and discounts, don't miss out! Enter the giveaway here

Tune in to this episode to learn more about underwater photography, Liquid Lens, and equality for women in the industry. As always, share the show with your dive buddies, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Scuba GOAT on your favourite podcast platform. Happy listening!

Do you struggle to understand the complexities of underwater photography? Nicolas Remy (Multi award-winning underwater photographer and founder of The Underwater Club) joins me in the studio to shed some light on this intricate art.

Nicolas and his wife, Lena caught my attention initially through their awesome pictures and furthermore because they dived on rebreathers. From what I see, there is a lot of sense in rebreather diving for photographing wildlife so who better to ask than the man who's doing just that? The extended dive times, the silence, and the opportunity to get much closer without disturbing your subject. Nicolas talks us through the two rebreathers they use, the Revo and Horizon.

Not only does Nicolas take a fine shot, he really enjoys sharing his skills with others. Teaching people and breaking subjects down into a more understandable format is truly a passion of his. So, Nicolas has quit the corporate world and devoted the last 18 months fine-tuning The Underwater Club and its contents. It is an exceptional forum for two-way communications and ram packed with Nicolas' knowledge to be shared with all club members through various means, expanding on his availability as a one-on-one coach.

A keen writer, he has also penned content for Scuba Diver magazine and Narked at 90, with additional content in WETPIXEL and OZ Diver.

We anticipate the launch of the website very VERY soon, to stay abreast of that date you can sign up early (and have an added chance to win a prize). Join me in the studio as Nicolas walks us along the path from a discover scuba dive on Kangaroo Island, to global recognition for his underwater photography and the formation of The Underwater Club.

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! DO THAT HERE

Nicholas' Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaslenaremy

Nicolas & Lena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaslenaremy/

Photography website:https://www.nicolaslenaremy.com/

The Underwater Club links

website: https://theunderwaterclub.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theuwclub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUWClub/

Nicolas' awards and wins

There are so many to mention so it best you head on over to Nicolas and Lena's website to see the full list: Awards page

Additional links

Revo rebreathers: https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/

Horizon by Mares: https://www.mares.com/en/horizon

Whalex article: https://createdigital.org.au/engineers-fake-whale-poo-carbon-removal/

Scuba Diver mag: https://www.scubadivermag.com/

Narked at 90: https://www.narkedat90.com/

Oz Diver mag: https://ozdiver.com.au/

Welcome to the latest episode of Scuba GOAT! In this episode, we talk to Vanessa Torres Macho and Talia Greis, the founders of Liquid Lens, a project promoting and encouraging women in underwater photography. Vanessa is a 20+ year dive professional and the owner of Underwater Imaging Australia, while Talia is a scuba and photography enthusiast who started diving 7 years ago.

Vanessa and Talia share their love for the oceans and photography, and how they bonded over their passion for scuba diving and underwater photography. They discuss Liquid Lens, their project that aims to showcase the photographs of women alongside their male counterparts on the world stage.

We discuss a variety of photography-related topics including model shoots, commercial photography and the impact of digital cameras, social media and the expectation of free products for influencers.

We also touch upon overseas group expeditions planned and led by Vanessa and Talia. Matt also highlights his expeditions via his company Nomadic Scuba. So, if you're looking for some exciting scuba and photography trips, be sure to check them out!

If you'd like to get in touch or follow Vanessa, Talia or both, hit the links below:

Vanessa

Vanessa's website

Vanessa on FB

Aquatic Imaging Australia website

Aquatic Imaging Australia on IG

Aquatic Imaging Australia on FB

Talia

Talia's website

Talia on FB

Talia on IG

Liquid Lens

Liquid Lens website

Liquid Lens on FB

Liquid Lens on IG

And finally, a friendly reminder that The Underwater Club is launching on the 31st of March, and there's still time to enter the free giveaway draw. So, if you're interested in joining a community of like-minded scuba enthusiasts and getting access to exclusive content and discounts, don't miss out! Enter the giveaway here

Tune in to this episode to learn more about underwater photography, Liquid Lens, and equality for women in the industry. As always, share the show with your dive buddies, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Scuba GOAT on your favourite podcast platform. Happy listening!

Do you struggle to understand the complexities of underwater photography? Nicolas Remy (Multi award-winning underwater photographer and founder of The Underwater Club) joins me in the studio to shed some light on this intricate art.

Nicolas and his wife, Lena caught my attention initially through their awesome pictures and furthermore because they dived on rebreathers. From what I see, there is a lot of sense in rebreather diving for photographing wildlife so who better to ask than the man who's doing just that? The extended dive times, the silence, and the opportunity to get much closer without disturbing your subject. Nicolas talks us through the two rebreathers they use, the Revo and Horizon.

Not only does Nicolas take a fine shot, he really enjoys sharing his skills with others. Teaching people and breaking subjects down into a more understandable format is truly a passion of his. So, Nicolas has quit the corporate world and devoted the last 18 months fine-tuning The Underwater Club and its contents. It is an exceptional forum for two-way communications and ram packed with Nicolas' knowledge to be shared with all club members through various means, expanding on his availability as a one-on-one coach.

A keen writer, he has also penned content for Scuba Diver magazine and Narked at 90, with additional content in WETPIXEL and OZ Diver.

We anticipate the launch of the website very VERY soon, to stay abreast of that date you can sign up early (and have an added chance to win a prize). Join me in the studio as Nicolas walks us along the path from a discover scuba dive on Kangaroo island, to global recognition for his underwater photography and the formation of The Underwater Club.

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! DO THAT HERE

Nicholas' LinksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaslenaremy

Nicolas & Lena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaslenaremy/

Photography website:https://www.nicolaslenaremy.com/

The Underwater Club linkswebsite: https://theunderwaterclub.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theuwclub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUWClub/

Nicolas' awards and winsThere are so many to mention so it best you head on over to Nicolas and Lena's website to see the full list: Awards page

Additional linksRevo rebreathers: https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/

Horizon by Mares: https://www.mares.com/en/horizon

Whalex article: https://createdigital.org.au/engineers-fake-whale-poo-carbon-removal/

Scuba Diver mag: https://www.scubadivermag.com/

Narked at 90: https://www.narkedat90.com/

Oz Diver mag: https://ozdiver.com.au/

Chapter Markers00:08:02:07 Nicolas' introduction to diving at Kangaroo Island
00:10:2918 Diving in the Med
00:13:16:23 Shallow dives and biodiversity
00:17:06:18 The Underwater Club
00:27:54:09 Nicolas' introduction to diving
00:36:20:04 Matt's introduction to photography
00:38:51:23 From knowing a compact to novice mirrorless cameras
00:42:44:07 The Underwater Club structure
00:57:36:03 Battling Groupers on camera
01:02:17:17 The Scuba GOAT podcasting process
01:07:46:05 Pre-launch free trial and prizes
01:16:49:11 Nicolas' choice of rebreather - Revo CCR a...
01:26:24:07 Citizenship down under
01:28:12:20 Eye correction underwater

10 questions

01:34:04:22 How do you describe your job as a diver to people who are not familiar with the activity?

01:35:31:17 Can you share a memorable diving experience that stands out to you as the best you've had?

01:40:37:22 If someone wanted to pursue a career similar to yours, what advice would you give them?

01:51:05:02 If you could change anything about the diving industry or scuba diving in general, what would it be?

01:54:16:13 What are your thoughts on ways to minimise human impact on the oceans?

02:03:01:16 Has your passion for (diving or your industry) changed over time, and if so, how?

02:04:00:15 Is there a particular conservation effort that you are particularly passionate about? If so, which one and why?

02:06:58:23 Of the many safety procedures, we have in the industry, if you had to choose one as the most important, what would it be?

02:10:30:02 What are your top five bucket list destinations?

02:12:19:21 How would you describe the dive community to a non-diver?

Are you a fan of scuba diving or luxury watches? Well, Sean Clements certainly is, and a few years ago, he found a way to combine his passions and create a path for the future away from the corporate rat-race. Sean's vision led him to create SDC Watches, a dive watch brand that offers luxurious watches for everyday dive adventures.

What sets SDC Watches apart is their commitment to protecting the oceans. Sean recognized that there is a huge amount of neoprene waste, particularly old and used wetsuits, that ultimately end up in landfills. To tackle this issue, Sean decided to repurpose these watery rags and incorporate them into his watches. The result is an encapsulated neoprene strap design that not only looks great but also helps reduce waste and protect our oceans whilst maintaining that luxury feel.

The attention to detail in these watches is evident in every aspect. The SDC cookie logo and laser engraving, and original styling of an older dive watch with its rotational dive bezel, harks back to a time when chunky Seikos were the epitome of a diver's watch (flashbacks to eye-balling my dad's watch as a kid). And the naked rear case, which allows you to see the inner mechanism, is a luxurious touch that completes the package. With a 300m depth rating these really are a sexy statement.

As a fellow diver, I'm eagerly awaiting my own SDC Watch to arrive. I appreciate the company's commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts, and I'm excited to show my support by wearing one of their watches. It's clear that Sean has put his heart and soul into creating a product that not only looks great but also makes a positive impact on our planet.

If you would like your own SDC watch, head on over to the SDC website and use SCUBAGOAT10 to recieve a 10% discount

Join us on this episode as we dive deeper into Sean's journey as a diver, businessman, and conservationist. We'll learn more about his vision for SDC Watches and how he's making a difference in the world of luxury watches and ocean conservation.

Don't forget to use SCUBAGOAT10 for your 10% discount through the SDC website

Don Silcock, Senior travel editor of Scuba Diver magazine, owner of Indo Pacific Images and my good mate joins me in the studio for a long overdue catch-up, a good yarn and a couple of beers.

Join me as we discuss Don's travels and many other topics;

travelling through India by motorcycle,
collecting photogrammetry images in Papua New Guinea with Sean Twomey,
South Australia - sharks and cuttlefish,
Tasmania in search of handfish and DEEP corals,
Mexico to dive with crocodiles and enter the Cenotes
Patagonia to dive with Southern Write Whales
El BLANCO!!
Camera equipment
Yucatan chaos
International flights
Raja Ampat - Sorido Bay Resort and interviews with Max Ammer

This episode is simply STACKED and not one to miss. Don goes into detail about the political complexities/ authorisations required to be able to dive in Patagonia with the Southern Right Whales. He also gives a full breakdown of some heart-pounding moments and close calls with a 5-ton calf.

That's without mentioning El Blanco... The White One

Don is on form as ever and an absolute encyclopedia of information, so pin your ears back and dive in to hear about many locations that you may recognise and many that may also be new to you.

Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.

PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.

If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving.

"Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)

Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.

In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.

Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.

PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.

If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving.

"Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)

Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.

In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.

Nusa Penida is a stunning island off the east coast of Bali– one look at the dazzling cliffs, hidden coves and secret beaches, and you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a spectacular island paradise. Each time I visit I am blown away by the location, the people, and the diving. This location benefits from several powerful currents that bring nutrient-rich waters, which support a vast array of marine biodiversity and reef growth.

In my opinion, Nusa Penida is the next up-and-coming dive location in the region. I say that loosely, as it is already well-known for its diving and in particular, diving with mantas at Manta Point. But this is not yet reflected in the number of travellers to the island; and neighbouring islands like Nusa Lembongan tend to be more well known. In the last few years, Nusa Penida has had a build and growth spurt with a number of dive shops opening up as well as hotels, hostels, homestays and restaurants.

My good buddy Jason Fondis, co-owner and manager of Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida was the first guest to record a Scuba GOAT podcast episode back in 2020, against a backdrop of remote connection issues! Today I join him on location, at the dive shop, to catch up and see what has been occurring over the last two years at Blue Corner Nusa Penida.

Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida is one of the three locations under the Blue Corner umbrella. HQ is located just a 10-minute ferry ride away on Nusa Lembongan and the third location is situated on the northwestern coast of Bali, Menjangan. Specialists in PADI training from Open Water through to professional certifications, the Blue Corner team are a fantastic bunch and I would recommend diving with them at any of their awesome locations.

If you are considering a trip to Nusa Penida and would like advice on how to get there, which hotel to use, and booking your diving then get in touch with me directly and I can arrange an entire package for you.

Josh Richards may not have decades of caving experience under his belt, however what he does have is a love for Wombats and the desire to act like one at times. Joking aside, Josh's thirst for adventure started whilst diving as a kid with his father, continuing into a military career as a soldier and Royal Marine, a comedian, a science geek, and even as a candidate with a one way ticket to inhabit Mars!

Josh talks openly about his journey through life and its various stages leading up to his discoveries with his dive wife, Matt Aisbett and in detail about the discovery itself. The Engelbrechts east extension.

Englebrechts cave history
1865 - Originally described in a publication by Julian Tenison-Woods, the cave system was referred to as Vansittarts cave.

1885 - Carl Engelbrecht's purchase of a flour mill located nearby, which he converted into a whiskey distillery (good man!) used the cave as a dumping ground for his waste products. This led to the cave system being referred to as the Engelbrecht cave.

1929 - the land on which the cave is located was purchased by the then District Council and the cave was sealed off.

1969 - The council invites expressions of interest to open the cave for potential tourism. Reportedly, it was not suitable for tourist development and remained shut.

1979 - The Lions Club of Mount Gambier commenced a project to beautify the cave to the tune of $10,000

1995 - Engelbrecht Cave was added to the South Australian Heritage Register

2019 - Dive buddies Matthew Aisbett and Josh Richards mooch around the end of the east cave system and find access to an enormous previously undiscovered cave system running under the centre of town.

2022 - Josh joins me on the show to reflect on many of his life adventures and what is now known as the Engelbrechts east extension.

Michael Menduno has been diving and reporting on technical diving since 1990 when he founded the Aqua Corps magazine and its sister publication Technical Diver. A reporter, technologist and member of the Board of Directors for the historical diver's society, Michael is the editor-in-chief of Global Underwater Explorers online magazine InDepth. He is also a contributing editor for Dan Europe's alert diver and X-ray magazine, and he also writes for deeper blue. To top it off, Michael also worked with Captain Billy Dean to set up the first tech diving centre, based in Key West, which rapidly became a global mecca for tech diver training.

Michael is also the organiser of the Rebreather Forum, with the latest conference being RF4 (20-22 April 2023). Held in Malta, the Rebreather Forum has a stellar line-up of presenters including Mark Caney, Brian Carney or designee, Simon Caruana, John Clarke, David Doolette, Vince Ferris, Oscar Franberg, Timmy Gambin, Kevin Gurr, Richard Harris, Paul Haynes, Gareth Lock, Alessandro Marroni, Michael Menduno, Simon Mitchell, Andy Pitkin, Neal Pollock, Frauke Tillmans, and Paul Toomer. So if there is anything you ever wanted to know about rebreather diving, this is the place to be.

"Not all heroes wear capes." This is so true... they sometimes wear fins too!

Lyndi Leggett wears fins, and to many she is an absolute superhero. A few years ago, sick of the corporate world Lyndi was trawling through social media and came across an article about David J Lawrence Sr and his son, Scuba Junior. Following surgery, David Jr was rendered disabled, paralyzed from the neck down. Today, albeit he is still paralyzed on one side, David Jr has regained use of his right side and leads a much more fulfilling life.

Lyndi reached out to David Sr asking what it would take for her to open a Scuba Gym in Australia.

The Scuba Gym Australia operates out of the Central Coast and provides diving possibilities for people with a vast array of disabilities. Throughout this episode Lyndi talks with passion about the successes of her divers so far (see below for links to the videos of those mentioned during the show) and what the future holds for The Scuba Gym.

The Scuba Gym is now a not-for-profit operation and Lyndi holds the golden ticket to the growth of it. Lyndi's dream is to see a Scuba Gym in every major city in Australia. Quite rightly so too.

If you would like to help Lyndi in any way possible then get in touch. You can email or send a message to Lyndi directly or through the show links and social media.

For those of you that would love to join the scuba gym but are not sure if you can. Lyndi has a qualified dive doctor who can talk to you about your disabilities and confirm if you can be authorised to get in the water and have a go at scuba diving. #getinvolved you'll love it!!

The scuba gym America

Lady Elliot Island is a destination that epitomises eco-centric tourism. It is a true reflection of the dedication, hard work, focus and drive afforded to her by so many people over the years, past and present, and none more so than the island's current custodian, Peter Gash.

I am elated to host Peter on the show and discuss not only his success in realising his dreams so far but also the island's successes. Peter has dedicated a lifetime to the islands in this region and first visited Lady Elliot as a child, and was instantly struck by its beauty and mysticism.

Lady Elliot is approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Bundaberg and is nestled between Fraser Island and Lady Musgrave Island. The is also the closest Great Barrier Reef island to Brisbane, Queensland’s southern capital. lady Elliot Island lies within a Marine National Park ‘Green Zone’ and forms part of Australia’s World Heritage Listed Area on the Great Barrier Reef.

Though I'm yet to visit Lady Elliot Island, I can tell there is something very special about this location. Obviously, it is stunning; a spectacular tropical destination that's apart from the bustle of everyday life, not to mention a scuba diver's dream; but it's much more than that. Through minimal digital connectivity, it forces visitors to put down their smartphones and realise the beauty of a moment, our earth, our ocean and our home - but not viewed through a screen enhanced by Photoshop and alike. Much more importantly, Lady Elliot is not an example, but THE example of what we can do for our earth and its inhabitants when we focus, dedicate and commit to doing the right thing.

As for the man making this happen, you won't find him on social media at all, he's far too busy working on the next major project and looking after this island paradise. You can, however, read more about him on their webpage, better still, go and pay him a visit!!

Scuba GOAT is an independent production and can be found across all social media platforms. Are you a dive pro or operator? Do you know your location? Do you want to increase your customer base? If the answer is yes, get in touch as we would love to host you on the show and help raise awareness of your operations and/ or passions. Simply fill out the form found on our LinkTree.

Stephen Fordyce is sometimes described as a mad professor and I can't help thinking that there is some truth in that. When it comes to listening to his explorations deep beneath the surface of the earth and then beneath the surface of the water therein. Scuba diving is a relatively niche sport, and within it there are many more niche areas and I think Stephen has found the pinnacle of niche as a 'sump diver.' Spending days lugging gear to remote locations, trekking into dry(ish) caves and creating base camps therein, to then explore kilometres of routes underwater certainly confirms that he's barking mad, but also justifies the recognition he rightly deserves as a fantastic explorer.

'Stephen has dived many caves around Australia and further afield - being a successful push diver at the pointy end of projects in Elk River Cave (Victoria), Growling Swallet and Niggly Caves (Tasmania), on the Nullarbor (WA) and West Timor (Indonesia). This culminated in receiving the 2019 OZTek Emerging Explorer Award.

*Since then, Stephen was the push diver in a large team effort which connected Growling Swallet and Niggly Cave, setting a new record for the deepest (mostly dry) cave in Australia, as well as for several other significant Tasmanian push dives.

With a degree in Mechatronics Engineering and a professional background of designing industrial gas equipment, Stephen started TFM Engineering Australia*, to combine his passions for 'making cool stuff' and technical diving, and now works full time designing and building technical diving equipment of all shapes and sizes.

Despite enduring the pandemic in the most locked-down city in the world (Melbourne), Stephen spent his lockdown time developing a system of water tracing equipment and much of the rest field-testing and exploring caves in Tasmania. (OzTek biography 2022)

Joining me on the show today, Stephen chats about some of his adventures including that fantastic latest achievement conducted with 8 equally barking mad explorer buddies

OZTek Advanced Diving Conference & OZDive Expo is a major international event that, since its inception in 1999, has done more to highlight the adventure and excitement inherent in diving than any other show. The show continues to play a key role in creating broad awareness of new techniques and technologies which transform and push back the boundaries of underwater knowledge.

Produced by divers for divers, both OZTek Conference & OZDive Expooffer unique insights into the entire world of underwater adventure by encouraging a better understanding of all diving has to offer. This unique event represents a broad spread of diving interests - reflected by the Speaker and Exhibitor list - including many prominent world leaders in their particular fields of expertise; people whose wealth of knowledge is second-to-none and who are instrumental in helping to shape the future growth and development of diving.

Focused on the full spectrum of underwater activities, (from recreational, technical, commercial, military and scientific diving through to free-diving and marine conservation issues) the two-day OZTek Advanced Diving Conference and OZDive Expo merge all facets of diving into one event aimed at promoting the exhilaration and adventure of diving to a passionate and enthusiastic audience.

Joining me in the studio is Sue Crowe to discuss a variety of topics including a shout-out to a number of presenters that will be sharing their experiences during the two-day event.

Tickets

OZDive SHOW GENERAL ENTRY - $45.00

Tickets are available at the door from 8 am Saturday and Sunday.

General entry tickets allow a full range of The OZDive Show (see who'll be there); the Exhibitor workshops (unless otherwise stated); and the Photographic Image Centre which includes an Underwater Photographic Exhibition, Photographic Workshops and a Winners' Display of the OZDive 2022 Underwater Photographic Competition (including the Nikon Dive Shot of the Year). Come and explore!

Children under 15 are FREE if accompanied by an adult

OZTek SINGLE SPEAKER TICKET - $45.00 + entry ticket

Never been to OZTek before? Want to try just a small taste? Perhaps there is one presentation you simply MUST see - then the Single Speaker Ticket is perfect for you. This ticket includes one speaker of your choice as well as UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities. Please see the important note above. Single speaker tickets will be available during the event from the registration office.

Please note: Unless otherwise stated, admission to all OZTek2022 speaker presentations will be restricted to Gold, Silver Passes and Single Speaker Tickets.

OZTek2022 Single Speaker Ticket AUD $45.00
(these tickets will be available at registration and is on top of your General Entry)

OZTek SILVER (SINGLE-DAY) PASS - $195 (Saturday OR Sunday)

If you're unable to make both days of the Conference, you can purchase an OZTek2022 Silver Passes (Saturday) offering single-day access to the full spectrum of activities for the day of use, either Saturday or Sunday. A Silver Pass offers full access to ALL the OZTek speaker presentations, break-out sessions, workshops and seminars, plus UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities. A silver pass also includes on-demand access.

Please note: Excludes the Gala Awards Dinner - held as a separate event

OZTek GOLD (TWO-DAY) PASS - $295

Absolutely no better way to enjoy the full OZTek2022 experience than with the purchase of an OZTek2022 Gold Pass. Offering delegates full two-day access to ALL the OZTek speaker presentations, break-out sessions, workshops and seminars, plus UNLIMITED access to the exhibition and associated activities.

Gareth Lock and Mike Mason return to the Scuba GOAT podcast for a catch up on the latest in human Factors in diving. Recently Gareth invited me to complete the remote training package "Essentials of human factors in diving" followed by a 2-day face-to-face course held at Dive Centre Bondi.

The course delves deeper into the meaning of Human Factors and how it relates to the dive industry and how it can be used to enhance not only our safety but our day-to-day processes before, during and after diving.

By creating The Human Diver training programs I believe Gareth has created a clear path of evolution for not only the scuba diving industry but for individual divers, regardless of their experience and qualification levels. As a stand alone structure, the human diver is not designed to enhance any one training agency but focuses on how the diver, and his or her peers can operate to the best of their abilities. No one decides that today I am going to go diving and lose a customer, run out of gas, damage coral or bolt to the surface. Accidents happen, whether they are minor or major however, we can minimise these risks by being open to discussing sensitive subjects, errors in judgement and being honest with ourselves.

This is my review following The Human Diver training I received:

"I have just completed the "Essentials of Human Factors in Diving" pre-learning for an HF course that I am excitedly attending later this week. The ‘Essentials’ is delivered remotely via online bite-sized tutorials. It is a little over 3 hours long in total, and as a 17-year military veteran turned 10-year multi-agency dive professional, I firmly believe that it should be included in ANY recreational diver training course, from try dives through all training programs and all agencies, to the top of the qualification tree and here’s why…

We are taught from a very young age that there is a ladder of authority in all that we do. When we entered schooling that authority figure was a teacher and as such, there is an expected level of respect from the bottom up which ultimately prevents us from questioning the teacher.

The same expected hierarchy occurs as we enter the workforce and beyond. It is therefore of no surprise that when we return to the learning environment, we are naturally holding back on questions and dampening down doubts or nerves for fear of perceived reprisal or embarrassment.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Next time we’ll do it differently.

What if…

Just a few old phrases that are common and really have no place in our sports vocabulary. The Human Diver shines a light on such antiquated quotes, promptly kicks them in the bin and opens the door to a modern, safer, and more transparent diving environment. If you are considering becoming a diver, if you have been actively diving for 50 years, or anything in between you need The Human Diver in your scuba life!"

Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist and shark conservation lead at the Australian Marine Conservation Society joins us in this episode to talk through a variety of topics ranging from personal experiences swimming and diving with our apex predators to the conservation efforts currently in place throughout Australia and across the globe.

Leo is actively involved in many projects including the "Nets out now" call for shark nets to be removed throughout Australia, he .appeared in the documentary produced by Andre Borell Envoy Shark Cull which focuses on the subject. Leo emphasises the indiscriminate targeting that hails from these antiquated defence systems with a prime example being that of a Humpback Whale being caught in a net only a few days prior to this recording, with a further 2 more whales entangled since.

We also discuss the apparent movement of sharks from locations such as South Africa pushing further south, presumably due to climate change and rising water temperatures. With larger predators such as Great Whites moving into locations inhabited by more docile species such as Grey Nurse Sharks, are they to become a new target for the larger shark and what impact does this have on the overall balance in the regions?

Leo talks with such passion it's hard to break away from listening to his experiences, skills and knowledge across a wide spectrum of conservation. Actively sharing his knowledge via social media, Leo regularly posts updates on what is happening within Australia and you can follow him via the links on the Scuba GOAT website.

Comedy alert!
Each season we have a little get together episode with Don Silcock, senior travel editor for Scuba Diver magazine and Lissa Rebec of Sea Shepherd. However, now that borders are open, trying to get Lissa and Don in Sydney and available at the same time is virtually impossible!

With that said, we managed to coax Don into the studio by waving a beer under his nose and as a bonus for the show his dive buddy of 20 years came along too...

During this episode, we explore a number of topics, including Jayne's diving, international travel lounges that I didn't even know existed, Don's movements and writings, beer, wide-angle camera equipment preferences and diver training. A little teaser of what may be occurring with the expansion of Scuba GOAT and the upcoming relaunch of Nomadic Scuba, all served up with a large dollop of hilarity, giggles and maybe the odd cuss word (you've been warned).

The sensible text and a REAL intro to Jayne Jenkins

Jayne learnt to dive in the chilly waters along the rugged Welsh coastline before moving to Australia in 1973. She is actively involved in many facets of the diving industry and has been for over four decades and was previously a volunteer diver with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Sydney. This led to Jayne working as a safety diver and researcher for various underwater film, television and photographic expeditions focusing on diving in the Pacific, including the cave diving spectacular Sanctum.

Having been an active underwater photography instructor for many years, Jayne went on to establish the first digital shoot-out competition at Lord Howe Island and has won many awards for her photography and remains a regular editorial contributor to Dive Log and Ocean Geographic.

For the past 18 years, Jayne has devoted time as Vice President of Australasia for the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) - a scholarship sponsored by Rolex for young underwater enthusiasts. Jayne has been an invaluable mentor to a lucky 13 scholars and has played a significant part in their lives but has now passed it on to one of the younger generation and one of the past scholars.

Jayne is currently the resident photographer /consultant with The Ocean Agency formally the Catlin Seaview Survey a fast game-changing creative scientific project. Using specially designed technology, the Catlin Seaview Survey recorded and revealed the world's oceans and reefs like never before, in high-resolution, 360-degree panoramic vision. This led to being part of the brilliant documentary Chasing Coral.

Jayne was also a safety diver/camera assistant for a documentary filmed in what she calls “her back yard” Chowder Bay, for the BBC National History unit about seahorses called Fierce Queens.

Over her years working in travel and being a keen traveller, Jayne has visited places such as - South Africa, Socorro, Cuba, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, Maldives, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Antarctica, Arctic and many more including Australia.

Jayne is also a member of the prestigious Woman Divers Hall of Fame and a Fellow International of The Explorers Club.

Scuba IQ operates from Port Douglas, (north of Cairns) Queensland, Australia. Clearly, Port Douglas is a perfect destination to get out and explore the Great Barrier Reef and that's exactly what Scuba IQ do.

Originally from New Zealand, Martin Connolly spent a few years in the navy and then saw the light, jumped into a wetsuit and spent the next 20 years as a multi-agency dive instructor working in various locations such as Tonga, Spain, Turkey and Thailand. Scuba IQ and Scuba IQ Expeditions are operated by Martin and his wife, Louise. Working closely with local operators they organise training packages as well as full boat charters, delivering an attentive service to the guests who choose to join them.

Martin joins us on the show to provide an overview of how Scuba IQ became what it is today, were it is heading and what to expect from an adventure on the MV Argo and the future expeditions organised by Scuba IQ.

Expeditions with available spaces:

23-28 June 2022 - 5 nights - Minke Whales
9-13 November 2022 - 4 nights - Coral Spawning

Social Media links:

Scuba IQ website

Scuba IQ Instagram

Scuba IQ Facebook

Scuba IQ expeditions Instagram

Scuba IQ expeditions Facebook

Martin on LinkedIn

Steve Crosby walks us through his journey to become a dive pro and what it has taken to stay connected to the dive industry particularly during the pandemic years.

Many people have asked me how to get into and become successful in the dive industry. Hard work and determination... Be like Steve.

He is a shining example of how to progress and focus on the goals one at a time without taking your eye off the prize and all whilst maintaining the right attitude, with a smile.

Steve is one of the nicest guys you would ever wish to meet and I have no doubt that anyone wishing to dive and/or learn from him will have an amazing time whilst doing so.

I'm a big fan of humility and Steve exudes this, just take a listen and you'll see what I mean.

Should you wish to get in touch with Steve and arrange some dives you can connect with him through his website at Crosby Dive

Steve's diving journey:

2004 - He became a NAUI Open Water Diver - Instantly hooked on diving
Fun dives throughout Central America and the Caribbean.
2008 - Completed NAUI Nitrox Course.
2013 - Arrives in Koh Tao and realises diving is the industry for him
2014 - Completed SSI Dive master and then OW Instructor training
2014 - 2015 Teaching various SSI courses
2015 - RAID Deco 50 course completed and became a RAID Instructor
2016 - TDI Trimix course in Malaysia
2016 - RAID Advanced Wreck Instructor
2016 - RAID Instructor Trainer
Back to Malaysia to gain qualifications to become a Tech Instructor
- Tioman, Malaysia - completed RAID Deco 40 and 50 Instructor programs
- TDI instructor course, enabling me to teach technical diving though TDI as well.
2017 - Worked for Bali Dive Trek and became a Side-mount and DPV Diver and later received my DPV Instructor Certification
Late 2017 - Koh Tao for Sidemount Instructor and ADV Wreck Instructor Trainer
2018 - Co-founded Unique Descent Dive Adventures (UDDA), with the goal of leading expeditions around the world
Sept 2018 - Mexico to attain Full Cave Diver Certification
Mar 2019 - Egypt to start working at Red Sea Explorers
Oct 2019 - Mexico to complete Stage and Multi Stage Courses
2020 Covid hit - re-organisation of life and objectives
Dec 2021 - Mexico full time to engage in further training and qualifications. Currently working as a cave and cavern guide having completed CCR Mod 1 and focussing on Cave Instructor qualifications.

Dr Jen Matthews has pioneered the application of metabolomics to unravel the metabolic interactions underpinning coral health and resilience to environmental change.
Increasing environmental pressures, such as increased sea temperatures, are causing the catastrophic loss of coral cover around the globe, including the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world: the Great Barrier Reef. So, it’s unsurprising we are starting to see corals migrate poleward to cooler waters. In fact, Sydney has recently become home to a new subtropical coral. This raises a significant question: Could Sydney be a refuge for corals from the warming GBR?

A Human Frontier Science Programme Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, Jen holds a PhD in Marine Biology (Dean’s list, Victoria University Wellington), a MRes (Imperial College London) and a BSc (Honours, Bath University). Jen is dedicated to finding solutions to current environmental challenges, targeting local (e.g. tropicalization of coastal NSW), national (e.g. Great Barrier Reef restoration), and global topics (e.g. microplastic pollution).

Her contributions are internationally recognised, being invited to join the prestigious Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network, and the International Metabolomics Society Early-Career Members Network. In 2009, she founded ‘Big Blue Conservation’, a not-for-profit organisation protecting and restoring beautiful reef ecosystems in Thailand. Her industry engagement while developing the innovative microplastics removal tool, funded by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Seed Innovation Grant, has shown her to be an emerging STEMprenuer. Despite her early-career stage, Jen has secured $300,000 in competitive funding, produced 14 publications and actively advocates for effective science communication and women-in-STEM, through programs such as SoapboxScience Sydney 2019-2020.

Kate Parker is a full-time paediatric Speech Pathologist but in her spare time has been a volunteer with Sea Shepherd since 2015, originally taking on a role as an onshore volunteer helping to raise funds through selling merchandise at events and sharing the work of the organisation through outreach and education. She then progressed to offshore crewing and has been on 7 campaigns with Sea Shepherd, starting out as deck crew and most recently Bosun and is now about to head off on another campaign as an officer in the Bridge.

Kate also crews with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and spends most weekends out on the bay training and recovering vessels in distress. Kate has been working her way up for the last 4 years and is soon to take her Coxswains license to become a Skipper for the organisation.

**Kate also launched her own charity last year called ‘Daughters of the Deep’ which is now a globally registered group whose aim is to address gender inequality throughout the marine industries. With her team of 4 colleagues they help raise the profile of women in such roles as well as fundraise to support women into their own marine based careers.

Kates links:**daughtersofthedeep.org

seashepherd.org.au/dive

coastguard.com.au

With over 20 years as a fighter pilot under his belt, Mike Mason currently teaches pilots of the Australian Air Force how to hone their skills and use the aircraft they are flying as a weapons platform. Human Factors is used on a daily basis to achieve the goals these men strive for, so its fair to say that Human Factors is pretty much second nature to Mike. Armed with this and Gareth Lock introducing HF to the diving industry; Mike touched base with Gareth and began to learn about the Human Diver and how he could get involved.

Initially learning to dive in the UK, Mike now works in his spare time as a Dive Master at Lets Go Dive Adventures, Nelson Bay. Following Gareth's tutorage he is also now part of the Human Diver instructional team and is bringing Human Factors to Australia.

Mike has planned a FREE introductory zoom meeting on Thursday 17th Feb at 7:30pm (AEDT) for anyone wishing to learn more about what Human Factors is and how you can get involved in the courses that Mike will be providing.

Click here for the link to Mikes intro commencing 730pm, 17th Feb.

Links:
The Human Diver - Mikes biography
The Human Diver Australia on Facebook

What a great way to round out Season 2 of the show - Expanding on our look at the Technical side of recreational diving, I'm joined by Ryan Duchatel, JJ CCR Trimix Instructor, cave diver and co-owner of Total Immersion Diving based in Newcastle , Australia.

I've found many recreational divers are curious about the tech divers out there and the complex equipment they use. It seems to be a bit of a dark art and I've regularly heard comments along the lines of "It's for people wanting to dive deep" or "that it is too complex and expensive for me". The reality is very much to the contrary, technical diving is for anyone who wishes to extend their dives, either in time, depth, range or all of the above.

Ryan talks about the evolution of Total Immersion Diving and provides us with great detail on how a closed circuit rebreather works and the many advantages that they provide, such as being able to get closer to wildlife, warmer diving, longer NDL's at all depths, variable partial pressure

Ryan's Links:
Websites:
totalimmersiondiving.com.au
rebreathers.com.au

Social:
Total Immersion Diving - Facebook
Ryans Pro page - Facebook
Ryans personal page - Facebook

We gave a shout out to the Behind The Mask team during the show as they are supporting and calling for support from you to ban shark finning in the EU, please follow the link and sign the petition (EU nationals only) Link to the petition

Graham Willis is a professional dive Instructor operating out of Frog Dive, Sydney, Australia. Having lived in Sydney for over 30 years it's a fair assumption that Graham knows a lot of the dives sites pretty well and during a chance meeting via mutual friends Graham began chatting with a chap about writing books, namely dive books; Johan Boshoff has the experience of creating publications and with Grahams knowledge of New South Wales the book was born.

With 240 dive locations, details about the dive site and considerable detail about the location and local amenities , this book is perfect for the adventurous diver wishing to explore the NSW coastline.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Graham's book you can reach him via Frog Dive in Sydney, via Facebook or the link below. We will also have a link available on the soon to be released new Scuba GOAT website too!

The Dive Spots of New South Wales

Graham on Facebook

Jeffrey is a dive industry titan specialising in all areas of technical, cave and rebreather diving. He’s logged more than 20 years experience at the pointy end of diver and instructor development, and is also the owner of GoPro Asia and Bans Technical Diving, based on Koh Tao, Thailand.

His qualifications include multi-agency accreditations, such as a PADI Course Director and Technical Instructor Trainer, TDI/SDI Course Director, Instructor Trainer for RAID International (which is the world’s fastest growing and most dynamic dive agency), Raid Cave 2 Instructor, TDI Full Cave Instructor, and Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer for all 3 agencies.

Jeff is also an instructor for the world’s 3 leading exploration rebreathers: the JJCCR, the XCCR and the SF2. He’s certified well over 1000 divers in technical, rebreather and cave diving as well as countless technical diving instructors at all levels of their diver training.

Jeff is a member of international dive teams assembled for scientific research and exploration objectives. Two of these currently include Major Projects Foundations led by Dr Matt Carter as well as Bottomline Projects, led by close friend and trusted dive buddy, Mikko Paasi.

Rebecca Griffiths first grabbed my attention via Instagram. Her account displays some beautiful photographs which I recognised instantly as having had minimal post-shot editing (quite a rare commodity these days). I continued to follow for a while and found that she was not only a photographer but a diver, free-diver and conservationist too.

As a youngster, Rebecca developed a life-long love for nature whilst living on the southern shores of England. Fast forward a number of years and she's swapped out the white cliffs and overcast skies for the much warmer, bluer waters off the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Keen to protect the oceans inhabitants Rebecca picked up a camera whilst simultaneously becoming a volunteer with Sea Shepherd. This has led to her representing and documenting 6 campaigns at home, and overseas with them.

Today we take a more in-depth look at Rebecca's storyline and how Freediving is more advantageous during the efforts she is currently involved in. As well as discussing her passion and thoughts on photography.

Rebecca is very humble about her achievements, and I feel that she is a shining example of how an individual can be loud and make a statement without the need of a bellowing voice. I believe she has only just started her journey so I'm looking forward to what the future may hold for her and her talents with a camera.

The second part of our mini-series with Deb and I talking through more destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned.

See chapter markers for locations discussed and S02 E12 for the first part of this series.

Deborah Dickson-Smith, is a writer, editor and publisher who has built a career in the travel media industry. She has managed to travel (and dive) through most of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.

Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to share
dive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has since
morphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travel
agency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.

Deborah's Links:

www.diveplanit.com

https://www.facebook.com/DivePlanIt/

https://www.instagram.com/diveplanit/

https://twitter.com/DivePlanit

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diveplanit/

https://www.youtube.com/diveplanit

Note:

Travel information was collected from various sources and correct on the day of recording the show.
The travel discount offered by Diveplanit is for international travel (excluding flights), terms and conditions apply.
Thanks to Master Liveaboards for their travel information input.

As the world starts to open up, I reckon it is time to take a look and remind ourselves as to what is on offer.

Joining me today is Deborah Dickson-Smith, a writer, editor and publisher who has built a
career in the travel media industry. She has managed to travel (and dive) through most of
the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-
made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.

Over the next 2 episodes, Deb and I talk through numerous destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned.

Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to share
dive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has since
morphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travel
agency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.

Deborah's Links:

www.diveplanit.com

https://www.facebook.com/DivePlanIt/

https://www.instagram.com/diveplanit/

https://twitter.com/DivePlanit

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diveplanit/

https://www.youtube.com/diveplanit

Note:

Travel information was collected from various sources and correct on the day of recording the show.
The travel discount offered by Diveplanit is for international travel (excluding flights), terms and conditions apply.
Thanks to Master Liveaboards for their travel information input.

Earlier this year Norwegian born Samuel Rostøl decided to leave mainstream employment as a nurse so that he could focus all of his available time on supporting animal activism. Soon thereafter, Samuel was invited to join Sea Shepherd in the Faroe Islands as they documented the annual Grindadrop or Pilot Whale hunts. His footage has shone an even brighter light on the islands and albeit he casts an imposing figure, Samuel's approach to activism is far from that which most would assume. During this episode Samuel explains the Grind, the animosity, violence and threats to kill and also the silent support and the reasons behind the reluctance of locals wishing the Grind to halt.

On Sunday 12th September the Grind slaughtered 1,428 Atlantic White-sided Dolphins. Albeit this podcast is predominantly non-political I feel the need to include such activity to assist in creating a global response for the betterment of the animals involved.

Samuel's social media links:

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter

If like me you feel that Samuel's work is invaluable then please join me and show your support on his Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/samrostol

Finally, this episode is also available to watch on the Scuba GOAT YouTube channel, make sure you hit subscribe to keep up to date with the next release.

If you are enjoying the show and would like to support the podcast, a review goes an amazingly long way, thank you. Podchaser review link

Marcel Van Den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director, super passionate about professional training and eager to help anyone wishing to become a dive pro. During this episode, I have a catch up to see how he is supplementing his income during the pandemic, what he is doing regarding pro training and how he is preparing for the borders to allow travel once more.

Marcel's passion for training extends far beyond the classroom as he brings his skills to a variety of social media sources, including Youtube. His main channel "Marcel Van Den Berg" has accrued over 11,000 followers as he posts detailed presentations on how to perform in-water skills demonstrations that budding dive pros will need to be able to emulate to pass their Dive Master and/ or Instructor training courses.

His second channel "Scuba Diving Tips" also has a healthy following of around 8,500 subscribers and is designed to provide a wealth of information on how to perform skills required to pass various non-professional training, such as the PADI Open Water and Advanced courses.

We cover a variety of topics in this open and honest look at the dive industry and what the future may hold for the industry post-pandemic and dare I say, quite insightful for those considering entering into the pro side of the business.

Marcel is based in Koh Tao, Thailand and operates out of Sairee Cottage Diving, below are their social media links along with details of how to get in touch with Marcel directly.

Finally, (and it's a first for Scuba GOAT) we've also put this Scuba GOAT podcast episode on Youtube too, so if you'd like to see Marcel accidentally breaking his picture frames head on over to the Scuba GOAT youtube channel and while you're there hit subscribe and let me know what you think of the channel.

You Tube
Marcel Van Den Berg (professional diver training)

Scuba Diving Tips (recreational diver training)

Website

Scuba diving tips website

Professional training

IDC training at Sairee Cottage Diving

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

And of course, you will find Marcel in the Scuba Goat Network group on Facebook along with all of the previous podcast guests. Come and join the network!

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An absolutely mind-blowing highlight of my Scuba GOAT journey to date is the 2hrs I recently spent with Dr Sylvia A. Earle on the show. I’m sure this guest needs little by way of introduction; though her credentials, experience, passion and dedication to our oceans is awe-inspiring and incredible to witness.

Sylvia is without a doubt one of my lifelong heroes, and when her office contacted me to arrange some time with her on the show, I was stunned and star struck! But Sylvia quickly made me forget my nerves with her humility and generosity.

Vibrant and ever the optimist, Sylvia shares stories from her remarkable career, insights from her lifetime of learning, and her hopes for ongoing preservation and conservation of our blue planet. We discuss her latest book National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey, which will have readers fall in love with the ocean all over again (along with being a powerful wake-up call that the ocean is effectively the planet’s “life-support system” and needs to be respected as such).

I feel truly honoured to have had the pleasure of connecting with Sylvia via the Scuba GOAT podcast. If you’ve enjoyed the show, make sure to share it with your buddies and spread the word about Sylvia’s book. Links

Find Sylvia's book at the following link:
National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey

The Mission Blue website

Sylvia's social media streams

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the shows guests.

National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey

I catch up with two of my dive buddies whilst we are stuck in lockdown. Lissa Rebec is Sea Shepherd's co-ordinator in Sydney, Australia and Don, the Senior Travel Editor for Scuba Dive magazine. We discuss a few topics that have caught our attention recently and also highlight a number of excellent people working hard to educate the world on how we should be protecting our blue world.

Envoy Shark Cull is a hard-hitting Australian documentary directed by Andre Borell. The film shines a much-needed light on the outdated and antiquated shark control methods deployed in QLD and NSW, that have not changed in methodology since being introduced in 1936. I was shocked and devastated to learn about this brutal culling program (also discussed with Jonathan Clark on S01 E15) that is not backed by science and urgently needs to be replaced with modern and non-lethal alternatives.

If the report Queensland Shark Control Program catch statistics for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is to be believed, 286 sharks were captured between June 2020 and July 2021, of which only 57 sharks were released alive. The report does not specify or account for the animals caught and killed as bycatch.

Envoy Shark Cull is a Mike Tyson sized punch in the face of reality, it is heavily researched and brutally honest; culminating in a unified voice for the animals of the Pacific Ocean. It is an absolute pleasure to have Andre on the show and I applaud all of his efforts and those who are actively involved in pursuing a resolution in this needless onslaught of our oceans wildlife.

Become an Envoy and 'Act Now'

Watch Envoy Shark Cull

Envoy shark Cull website

The cast:
Paul De Gelder
Madison Stewart
Eric Bana
Layne Beachley
Juan Oliphant
Tom Carroll
Holly Richmond
Dr. Leonardo Guida
Jonathan Clark
Lawrence Chlebek

Instagram: @envoyfilm
Twitter: @envoyfilm
TikTok: @envoyfilm
Facebook: @envoyfilmau

Originally from Melbourne, Jeff Hansen resides in Perth, Western Australia and is one of 6 Global Directors for Sea Shepherd. As leader or co-lead he has played a pivotal role in protecting Australia's coastline. Stopping the West Australian shark cull, preventing the worlds gas hub titan from ploughing through the largest Humpback Whale nursery on earth and stopping BP from drilling for oil in the rich, fragile and biodiverse waters of the Great Australian Bight.

Jeff is humble, passionate and dedicated to the world's wildlife and joins me on the show to discuss various elements that keep him ticking, his opinions and achievements he and the larger global Sea Shepherd team have made.

Jeff's links:

Facebook

Instagram

Sea Shepherd links:

Sea Shepherd Australia Facebook page

Sea Shepherd website

Sea Shepherd donation link

Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the shows guests.

Connecting with us from Magnetic Island, Australia, we hear from Dr Andy Lewis who managed the ecotourism activities aboard the luxury vessel True North for over a decade and visited a plethora of remote locations throughout the Coral Triangle. Armed with his PhD in coral reef ecology from James Cook University, and a passion for the reefs, islands and people of the South-Pacific, Andy developed the Coral Sea Foundation which has evolved at an impressive rate since its conception.

Andy covers a variety of topics and locations and later in the episode, airs his views as to how we should be focusing our efforts to ensure that life on Earth is sustainable for all.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/coralseafoundation

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coralseafoundation/

Twitter https://twitter.com/coralseafound

Website http://coralseafoundation.net/

Donation link https://hub.benojo.com/connect/org/CoralSeaFoundation/donate

Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the shows guests.

Elaine Brett is a dive professional, the resident manager and co-owner of one of the oldest and most successful dive centres on Koh Tao, Thailand.

The northernmost of 3 islands in the Gulf, Koh Tao has attracted many tourists wishing to dive and obtain their certifications (with the added chance of seeing a Whaleshark). At times Koh Tao has been frowned upon for how busy it can get however, this tiny island is without a doubt a fantastic location to visit and is currently having some major rest from activity. Cue the aquatic life... I'm going to put it out there that post pandemic, Koh Tao should be on every divers wish list!

During this episode I catch up with Elaine and hear about life on the island and the exploratory diving she is conducting alongside other long-standing local dive pro's.

Master Divers webpage: https://www.master-divers.com

Master Divers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MasterDivers

Master Divers Instagram: http://instagram.com/masterdiverskohtao

Muck diving Koh Tao, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muckdivingkohtao

Much diving Koh Tao, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muckdivingkohtao/

Elaine's email: info@master-divers.com

During the show, we mention the book "Nudibranchs and sea slugs of Koh Tao and nearby islands" – written by Rahul Mehrotra

Available from www.conservationdiver.com

Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the shows guests.

Libby Sterling is a dive pro who specialises in teaching solo training for divers wishing to be self-sufficient. She's a dab hand with a camera and doesn't mind sharing her knowledge with those who ask. You'll regularly find Libby on one of the many boats operating out of Cairns, Australia and as a member of the Nautilus dive club, she's also won a couple of tasty awards for her camerawork too.

Facebook: Libby Sterling Photography | Facebook

Instagram: Libby_Sterling_Photography

Nautilus dive club: https://www.nautilus-scuba.net/

Links to local Cairns operators Libby dives with:

Passions Of Paradise: Passions of Paradise - Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns

Deep Sea Divers Den: Great Barrier Reef - Dive & Snorkel Tours | Divers Den

Frankland Island Tours: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises | Cairns Day Tours | Island Day Trips

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions: Cairns Liveaboard Scuba Diving - Great Barrier Reef, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea. (mikeball.com)

we hope you enjoy the episode and as usual, you will find Libby on the Scuba Goat Network on Facebook should you have any questions for her. Click to join and answer the 3 questions, that's it.

Connecting with us from Costa Rica, Pete Bethune has committed his life to wildlife conservation. Following his world record journey circumnavigating the world on a bio-fuel driven trimaran, Pete joined forces with Sea Shepherd in their fight to prevent whaling in Antarctica. When Earthrace became low on fuel a Japanese whaling vessel took the opportunity to ram the boat with Pete and his crew still onboard which ultimately led to its sinking. Following this, Pete boarded the Japanese vessel in a bid to present the captain with a bill for his boat. Since that day Pete's story has led him to prison in Japan, leading special forces teams into hostile environments, producing a TV show called The Operatives, assisting governments in the fight against poachers and illegal fishing, shot at and even stabbed. Pete doesn't claim to be a diver albeit he has 4-500 dives under his belt and an amazing story to tell. For an adventure of a lifetime, you can get in touch with Pete and volunteer to become part of the team.

Ted Talk: Find a cause worth dying for

website: www.earthrace.net

Donate: https://www.earthrace.net/support/donate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pete.bethune

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petebethune

Twitter: https://twitter.com/petebethune

We have recently created the Scuba Goat Network group to maintain connectivity between listeners and guests. The network will be available through the new website coming soon and is available now via Facebook, all are welcome to join.

Dr Simon Pierce is the worlds top whale shark conservation biologist. Co-founder of Marine Megafauna Foundation, he also founded MMF’s flagship global research program on whale sharks. Simon led the research team whose efforts resulted in whale sharks being recognized as globally endangered for the first time on the IUCN Red List, led the technical proposal that successfully listed whale sharks as globally protected via the UN Convention on Migratory Species, and led the first IUCN Green Status assessment of the species. Simon is a scientific advisor to the global whale shark database (www.whaleshark.org) and a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.

He has recently co-edited a textbook, 'Whale Sharks: Biology, Ecology, & Conservation', which will be available in August. Simon has also been involved in the publication of over 50 scientific papers.

Simon is not too shabby with a camera either and co-hosts a wildlife and travel photography gig called Nature Tripper, a website and magazine with his better half and conservation designer Madeliene Pierce aka Mads. Oh and to top it all off, he’s a Kiwi so not only is he a brainbox but he’s got a sense of humour too!

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonjpierce/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonpierce

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonjpiercephotography

None

Trying out something new with this episode, entitled "Surface Interval." My idea is that once a month we have a few people in the studio and have a wee catch-up with what's caught our eyes in the scuba news from around the world.

I'm joined by an old favourite, Don Silcock and a newbie to the show, Lissa Rebec.
Don and Lissa both come to the show with some big announcements linked to their involvement with Scuba Diver magazine and Sea Shepherd respectively.

During this episode, topics range from conservation to travel, upcoming documentaries to home-based Australian diving, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives and the Bahamas. All whilst having a beer, or in Lissa's case, a cup of tea.

Dons website: Indo Pacific Images

Lissa's next event: EveryFin Matters
Sea Shepherd Australia

Scuba Diver magazine:
Australia & New Zealand
Global edition

Mike Scotland has been diving since 1976 and taught over 1,000 divers during his career as a dive pro. In 2019, Mike stepped up and took over as the editor of Divelog magazine and has been collating scuba news from across the Australasian region ever since. With a passion for photography and education as a Marine Biologist, Mike regularly shares his knowledge of the underwater world within each publication. He actively invites divers to share their own knowledge by writing articles and sharing their photographs to create a bumper edition in the region of 112 pages every 2 months.

During this episode, Mike talks about the magazine, career highlights, his passion for the underwater world and his thoughts on the future for Divelog.

To get a FREE copy of Divelog emailed to you please follow this link: Divelog registration
and if you are interested in sharing your stories and photo's make sure you hit Mike up via the website too!

Don Silcock joins me in the studio today to talk about Papua New Guinea. Having travelled to PNG many times over the last 20 years Don guides us through the country as we highlight many of the stunning locations available to tourism and in particular, divers.

Dons website: Indo Pacific Images

Topics of discussion include:

The history of various locations, the people who explored and created what we have today and the origins of the phrase "Muck Diving."

Locations:

Tufi Resort
Kokopo
Kavieng
Tawali Resort
Walindi Plantation Resort
Port Moresby and Loloata
Milne Bay
Kimbe Bay
New Ireland
Raja Ampat
Rabaul
Madang

Liveaboards:
MV Chertan
Mv Febrina
MV Oceania

During the show I mentioned my good buddy BJ Glover who is an amazing photographer, check out his website at BJG Productions

If you would like assistance with your logistics, planning and bookings in PNG shoot me (or Don) a mail or comment below and we'll be happy to help.

Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that campaigns to defend, conserve and protect the world’s oceans. Jonathan Clark is the Coordinator of Sea Shepherd's Apex Harmony Campaign in Queensland, Australia.

During this episode, Jonathan talks to Matt about the methods used in Australia to control shark numbers focusing on the Queensland and New South Wales coastline. Explaining the two main methods, Drumlines and shark nets, Jono goes into detail as to how these pieces of equipment are used and the indiscriminate killing of marine life that occurs because of their presence. Developed and introduced decades ago, the drumlines and shark nets are simply designed to kill, however, they do leave many people with the belief that they aid in the safety of surfers and bathers alike. Quite the contrary. Even more so when we hear of the variety of marine life being caught up and killed by these systems. Dolphins, Turtles, Rays and even Humpback Whales are also in danger of being culled indiscriminately.

Further topics of discussion include an Australian documentary soon to be released - Envoy Shark Cull - Directed by Andre Borrell, the documentary draws on 7 years of covert footage, it is narrated by Eric Bana and features Sea Shepherd along with a number of well-known conservationists. The adversity Jono and his teams face when filming and photographing the wildlife caught in nets and on lines.

Listen in for the truth's about the control methods currently in use, the facts and figures, opinions about the contractors used to maintain them and the obvious more modern options to improve the archaic systems currently in place.

Further links:

Sea Shepherd Australia

Operation Apex Harmony

Apex Harmony Campaign on Facebook

netsoutnow is a common tag for the Australian campaign.

Sea Shepherd survives on donations no matter how small, should you wish to support their projects please use this link to make a donation or visit the online store to purchase some merch.

Let me tell you about my next guest. This wonderful lady is a course director, shark behaviorist, conservationist , public speaker, and founder of the nonprofit organization - People of the water, a member of the explorers club. She has also been inducted into the women divers hall of fame, is a member of the ocean artists society and the recipient of the platinum pro 5,000 as well as being a writer and listed as an actor on IMDB. Also known as the shark dancer, the shark whisperer, and the mother of sharks.

Join me as I discuss a range of topics with Cristina, including her exploration and mapping of the uncharted caves hidden beneath the Bahamas, shark conservation, life on an island, living with hurricanes, fitness and tuition of budding shark enthusiasts and that's before we get onto the topic of hook removal!

Cristina's website

People of the Water non-profit website

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Youtube video - Cristina removing hooks from sharks (9 mill views)

Kirsten Sheppard is a dive pro and the owner of Dive Ningaloo based in Exmouth, Western Australia. The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. Annual gatherings of whale sharks occur at Ningaloo Coast, which is home to numerous marine species, among them a wealth of sea turtles, Manta rays, Humpback Whales & numerous shark species.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Ningaloo should be on everyone's everyone's bucket list. Join me as I discuss a variety of topics with Shep including the imminent arrival of their new liveaboard, which Scuba Goat is DEFINITELY going to visit for a trip around this epic location.

Links:
Dive Ningaloo website

Facebook page

Instagram

Kai Steinbeck has been diving since the dawn of time and is now utilising his skills and experiences to pass on significant knowledge to the next generation of dive instructors. As a PADI Course Director, Kai conducts Instructor Development Courses operating on the Sunshine Coast, Australia at Sunreef dive centre, Mooloolaba

PROMO ALERT – KAI ANNOUNCES A GREAT OFFER DURING THIS EPISODE and Matt gets a gift!!

Kai talks to Matt about his move to Mexico and quick about-turn back to Australia, suffering a Covid infection, the move to Mooloolaba and diver training. Kai’s enthusiasm and love for diving really do shine through during this episode, a true advocate of the sport and indeed a shining example of the character required to fulfil the role of ensuring our future instructors receive the very best in training.

For more information on professional training contact kai:

Email: kai@diveinstructor.com.au

Website: DiveInstructor.com

Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Gareth Lock is the inspirational founder of The Human Diver. On leaving his 25-year career in the RAF he was already an experienced diver having started to learn the sport in 1999. His very first dive took place in Greece while on holiday. However, it was while on work trips to Cape Town and San Diego that he knew diving would become an important part of his life.

As he became more experienced in diving, he realised that it was all about teamwork and there’s one thing the military do very well – working as a team. They know through extensive training and experience in the theatre of war that little mistakes around behaviour, poor decisions, lack of situational awareness and complacency costs lives.

Sadly, Gareth found that often in diving that holistic ethos was lacking. Teams were not always led well, did not get on with each other and members often operated in separate silos without any consideration for those also sharing that diving experience. Dysfunctional teams were often left to cope by instructors who had become complacent and disconnected. Much training focused on technical expertise – which is critically important – yet didn’t touch on the equal importance of human behaviour and team development.

Gareth decided to do something about it and has set himself a mission of introducing human factors training into the diving profession globally. It’s not always easy. There has been resistance to his systems-based approach. However, he’s remained committed and has travelled the world sharing his story.

The Human Diver on Facebook

The Human Diver on Instagram

The Human Diver on Twitter

Gareth's website: The Human Diver

Gareth's book: Under Pressure

Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors

Michael McFadyen began diving in 1988 and started logging his dives… he hasn’t stopped since. Over 33 years Michael has logged thousands of dives, explored the New South Wales Coastline, found, mapped and shared his findings with the world, for free.

The Michael McFadyen website contains over 1,000 pages of information and specific details on where (and how) to dive in New South Wales, Australia. Since 1996 Michael has selflessly shared his findings via his website, written thousands of articles for dive magazines and led many trips at home and overseas. Should you be interested in contacting Michael or joining one of his expeditions you can reach him via his website email links.

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Born and bred a Kiwi, Dr Matt Carter is Australasia’s leading technical diving marine archaeologist. Currently residing in Melbourne, Matt is the Research Director for the Major Projects Foundation. The team are focusing on the WWII wrecks in the Pacific, with plans to remove the potentially devastating oils before they leak into the Ocean. Join us as we discuss this and other topics during Episode #9 of Scuba Goat.

Links for Matt Carter

Email

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Major Projects Foundation

Major Projects Foundation

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Further interests

Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology

Scuba Goat is produced in collaboration with Sydney Podcast Studios and financed by Matt Waters. If you would like to help maintain a constant stream of episodes then a contribution by way of a coffee or two would be highly appreciated. Thank you all.

Buy Matt a coffee

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

CCR Tech Instructor Trainer, owner of Koh Tao Divers & KTD Malta, explorer and wreck hunter, absolute hero as part of the rescue team during the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand. We chat about life before, during and after the events of 2018.

If you're keen to dive with Mikko on one of his expeditions or receive some top-notch training... you can reach him by:

His pro website: https://www.mikkopaasi.com/
Thai dive shop: https://kohtaodivers.com/
Malta dive shop: https://kohtaodiversmalta.com/

And you can also reach him via FB and Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mikkokohtaodivers/

Scuba Goat is recorded in Sydney Podcast Studios

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

At the close of this crazy year, I catch up with Kristian Parton and Brendon Sing to find out what they've been up to since last being on the show.

Brendon updates us on the bid to ban shark fin importation to the UK and Kris touches base about his new Youtube channel, Shark Bites.

Help spread the word of Scuba Goat and hit that cheeky little follow button and feel free to ping me any ideas of content you would like to hear in future episodes.

Dive operators and dive pro's - I know this year has been particularly difficult for everyone in the industry. All we can do now is look forward and prepare for life to begin again. So, if you would like to highlight your location, your plans, how you've sustained yourselves through this epic travel drought then please do get in touch and let's get chatting. If an episode can bring you exposure then count me in!

Kristian's Youtube channel: Shark Bytes

Here more about the fab work Kristian has done during Episode #6

Shark Guardian's webpage

Brendon & Liz talk about Shark Guardian at length during Episode #2

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Kristian Parton is a marine biologist and shark enthusiast conducting his research in collaboration with the University of Exeter, the Shark Trust and Citizen Science. He is also the lead author of a recently published scientific paper focusing on the direct impact of microplastics on demersal sharks and the father of Sh.a.R.E.N* - The Shark and Ray Entanglement Network.

Kristian's passion for marine biology and in particular, sharks, was very clear during our chat. I was left feeling energised through his enthusiasm for the work he and his colleagues have achieved so far. Closing loopholes and filling in the blanks is one of the many components in achieving an increased global dedication to protecting our earth and its inhabitants. With individuals such as Kristian entering into the battle and producing work such as this, I left our discussion with an air of excitement as to what comes next, and I will be closely following the growth of ShaREN as well as Kristian's future work.

Click on the links below to follow Kristian and ShaREN and should you witness, film, photograph or simply find evidence online of shark and ray entanglement, get involved and send the information into the database for Kristian and his team to continue with their research and provide up to date and invaluable data.

Links:

shark-and-ray-entanglement-network

Investigating the presence of microplastics in demersal sharks of the North-East Atlantic

Kristian Parton on twitter: @Kjparton

ShaREN on Twitter: @SharkEntangle

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

*Authors - Kristian Parton, Brendan J. Godley & Lucy C. M. Omeyer

Komodo National Park in Indonesia is world-renowned for its vast array of marine biodiversity and bucket list scuba diving. Marcus Blake has spent the last 4 years based on the perimeter of the park as the dive operations manager at Komodo Resort and Dive Club.

I hosted an expedition for 10 guests at Komodo Resort and Dive Club in November 2019 and I was seriously impressed with the entire operation. This excerpt taken from the resort's website perfectly describes the location...

Nestled in a sheltered bay fringed with white sand, the Komodo Dive Resort offers a unique and friendly environment to enjoy some of Indonesia's best diving. Imagine a place where you are welcomed as family on a paradisiac island in the middle of the Komodo archipelago surrounded by crystal clear waters and pristine reefs.

The Komodo region is renowned for being among the top dive sites on earth. Divers, snorkelers and photographers from all around the world come to the Komodo National Park to experience its very rich and unique marine biodiversity.

Komodo Resort is definitely one of my go-to places now and I look forward to leading further group expeditions through Nomadic Scuba in the not too distant future at the resort and on their new liveaboard the Komodo Sea Dragon.

During the podcast, we talk about Engel Tani (a dive pro and member of the resorts dive crew) and the dive team assisting a manta in distress and tangled in lines. You can view the camera footage on Engel's Youtube channel. If you watch the full video you can see how the Manta keeps returning to the divers until it is free. Awesome jobs guys, well done!

Manta Resuce - Engel Tani & Komodo Resort dive crew

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Not to be missed is Episode 4 of Scuba GOAT with diving industry
heavyweight Paul Toomer. We pack a lot into this hour; as this
mould-breaking President of RAID shares the successes and challenges behind a decade of growth, and the coming evolution of the diving industry.

DIVE TRAINING IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN

RAID has taken a new, and we believe, a far better approach to diver training. It starts by ensuring we train great instructors and in so doing, we are literally rewriting diver training standards creating new benchmarks of excellence. For example, our minimum requirements and prerequisites to enter instructor training necessitate almost twice that compared to current industry standards. We feel this is essential to ensure divers in training are only exposed to highly-skilled, truly experienced and extremely dedicated dive professionals.

We also require all RAID instructors to have completed a Deep Diver and Nitrox Course as these are major interest areas for all divers and where unparalleled expertise and a state of the art approach to training is needed.

At RAID we feel there are no short cuts to training. For example, our most popular entry-level program: Open Water 20, requires more in-water hours developing skills than is generally required by industry standards. This means new divers are able to build their skill level whilst maintaining their personal confidence and safety. This general philosophy is maintained by RAID professionals throughout all courses.

To be a RAID instructor or even a RAID entry-level diver, your buoyancy control needs to be at the top of the skills list. While diving is a safe sport if you firstly gain proper training and follow the safety rules, the Divers Alert Network (DAN) statistics have revealed that dive accidents often reflect poor buoyancy control and therefore is a major risk factor in all forms of diving. This is why we at RAID put so much emphasis on great buoyancy control at every level of training. For example, the RAID Open Water 20 course covers buoyancy skills generally reserved for a separate specialty course with other training agencies, because we believe it is a prerequisite to ensure safe diving.

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Jason Fondis is a dive professional, co-owner and manager of Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Join us as we chat about the phenomenal aquatic biodiversity on his doorstep, hilarious island life insights, and a thrilling manta rescue caught on camera which can be viewed on our youtube page.

Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida

I first visited Nusa Penida on the recommendation of a good dive buddies of mine and I was pleasantly surprised to find it still relatively new to the tourism circuit. Getting there is a very easy process, landing at Denpasar airport, Bali and with a short taxi ride to Sanur beach some 35 minutes away, you have a great number of ferries to choose from for a 35 minute to just over 1-hour crossing to dock at Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida is rapidly growing with many new businesses being built, including a variety of dive shops, resorts and centres. Accommodation on the island also varies from a few top-end resorts to basic bungalow rentals. My personal favourite that I use on every visit is an Indonesian owned resort some 10 minutes walk along the beach from Blue Corner Dive. Ring Sameton Resort Hotel is Indonesian owned and I find the staff extremely helpful no matter what questions I have asked them. They can arrange a taxi to collect you from the pier or organise scooter rentals should you wish to have more freedom to explore. The Resort itself has a good-sized pool, surprisingly large air-conditioned rooms for the price and it is located within a distance of the busier areas but equally far enough away from the nightlife noise. Blue Corner Dive is sandwiched between the beachfront and main road. It comprises of the main building (the office and classroom), a large kit cleaning area, an even larger kit storage building and a beautiful pool area with large shaded seated areas alongside.

Diving with Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida is exceptionally enjoyable, all dives are co-ordinated around the day's tides and as such you can be diving early doors or having a lazy lay-in prior to heading out on their boats. During high season the dive shop runs two boats and the team arrange dive groups to best suit the needs and skills of their guests. Groups are small, nothing more than 4 unless requested and the dive guides are very informative too.

We have to point out that the biodiversity surrounding Nusa Penida is impressive, with lots of macro, dolphins, various types of sharks including Threshers and Hammerheads, Mola Mola, Manta’s and even the odd Whale every now and then. You can never be sure what you are going to see when diving Nusa Penida, but we are sure you will enjoy your time with Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida.

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Shark Guardian is a UK registered charity focused on the protection and conservation of sharks worldwide; along with research and education initiatives on these apex predators. Join me as we talk through current conservation topics and the important work undertaken by this team.

Shark Guardian operates under four pillars, conservation, education, research and expeditions. During this episode, Brendon and Liz expand on what each pillar means for them and how the charity operates and its future goals.

You can help support the charity in a number of ways and you can also order some really cool merch……Take a look and get purchasing!

Find out more at www.scubagoat.com

Hi, I'm Matt Waters and this introduction was recorded with the aim to enlighten you the listener, with an understanding of what is to come. Well hey presto, it's ever-changing and evolving as I learn something new every day.

Whatever happens, I can confidently tell you that we'll still be talking diving and the oceans in one form or another, even if I make a hash of the website!

Anyway, on with the show. Enjoy.