Name: Pam Auxier Rating and Number: Master Instructor #41262 Role at Exotic: Co-owner, el jefe, chief dive enthusiast, and gear handler Years Diving: 26 Years Working with Exotic: All 20 Number of Lifetime Dives: 6050 Favorite Local Dive Site: Cant choose one, but top four are Shangri-La, Blake Island, Waterman's Wall, and China Wall Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Galapagos What Got You Interested in Diving: A family friend that took me "diving" on a double hose regulator in a 4 ft pool swimming pool and of course Mike Nelson of Sea Hunt What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: Peaceful environment and all the critters Favorite Critter: A Giant Pacific Octopus of course
Name: Alyssa Dyke Rating and Number: Master Scuba Diver Trainer # 235263 Role at Exotic: Instructor, Manager, and Pro gear hucker Years Diving: 7 years Years Working with Exotic: On again and off again (but mostly on) for 5 years Number of Lifetime Dives: 400+ Favorite Local Dive Site: Devil's Boulder Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Little Cayman, BWI and Roatan, Honduras What Got You Interested in Diving: I had been interested since a very young age, and since I have always loved the water, I just thought diving would be the logical and awesome extension of said love. I finally got the opportunity to get certified when I was on vacation in Hawaii and I absolutely loved it, the rest is history. What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: You're existing in a totally different and alien world, its quiet, its serene, you glide gracefully merely by flicks of your fins, and the only noise to permeate is the regular sound of breathing. Favorite Critter: Giant Pacific Octopus is the stereotypical answer, and I agree, but I also love Sailfin Sculpins, Nudibranchs of all varieties, and Leopard Dorids.
Name: Kelly Hollar Rating and Number: Divemaster #277879 Role at Exotic: Divemaster, retail, and the occasional bit of tech work. Years Diving: 2.5 years Years Working with Exotic: 1.5 years Number of Lifetime Dives: 150ish Favorite Local Dive Site: The ones in the water. Rockaway and Shangri-la are on the top, though. Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Haven't dove too many places as of yet, but Little Cayman wall dives and St. Thomas night dives are a favorite. What Got You Interested in Diving: Growing up a fish in a landlocked state, everything from seastars to octopi fascinate me. I saw my first crab on my first dive and thought it was the coolest thing ever. And still do! What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: The sense of peace, amazing creatures, and the soup between dives on the boat. Favorite Critter: Nudibranchs!
Name: Ryan (NMI) Amberfield Rating and Number: Master Scuba Diver Trainer #187140 Role at Exotic: Instructor and remover of things from high shelves. Years Diving: 12.5 Years Working with Exotic: 7.5 Number of Lifetime Dives: +/- 1200 Favorite Local Dive Site: Rockaway Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Palau or Indonesia What Got You Interested in Diving: Watching "Sea Hunt" as a child. What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: Being weightless underwater in an environment that we were never really intended to be alive in. Makes me feel like I'm getting away with something very cool. Favorite Critter: Decorator Crab
Name: Jon Kroman Rating and Number: Master Scuba Diver Trainer #230361 Role at Exotic: Instructor Years Diving: 6 1/2 years Years Working with Exotic: 4+ Number of Lifetime Dives: 500 more or less Favorite Local Dive Site: China Reef Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Only been to 2, but the winner is Roatan, unless Browning Pass is "exotic", in which case it's #1. What Got You Interested in Diving: Impulsively did a DSD in Hawaii and got hooked. What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: Sense of peace that comes with weightlessness in another world, and the cinnamon cranberry pullaparts at Bainbridge Bakers after a dive. Favorite Critter: JC Figueroa
Name: Steve Hannuksela Rating and Number: Divemaster #257961 Role at Exotic: Divemaster and Discover Scuba Diving Leader Years Diving: 41 Years Working with Exotic: 2 Number of Lifetime Dives: 1000 Favorite Local Dive Site: China Wall and Blake Island Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Port Hardy What Got You Interested in Diving: The adventure and excitement What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: Photography and learning the names of the critters Favorite Critter: Mosshead warbonett
Name: Rick Hatten Rating and Number: Divemaster #252900; Assistant Instructor in training Role at Exotic: Divemaster Years Diving: Since 2005 Years Working with Exotic: DM with EA since 2009 Number of Lifetime Dives: 350 dives; half tropical half PNW Favorite Local Dive Sites: Rockaway Reef, Shangri-La, Blake island, Devils Boulder. Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Bunaken, Indonesia; Hall of Kings, Roatan What Got You Interested in Diving: Never had an interest until I stumbled into a resort discover scuba dive, haven't stopped diving since. What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: The underwater nature, the science of diving, and the social aspects of the dive community. Favorite Critter: Local- Giant Pacific Octopus, Sail Fin Sculpin; Tropical- Juvenile Drum Fish, Juvenile Sweetlips.
Name: JC Figueroa aka "Pedro" Rating and Number: Assistant Instructor # 193006 Role at Exotic: Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Snorkel Instructor, and professional slacker Years Diving: 8 Years Working with Exotic: 6 Number of Lifetime Dives: 500+ Favorite Local Dive Site: Shangri-La Favorite Exotic Place to Dive: Galapagos What Got You Interested in Diving: It was something I always wanted to do because so much of our world lies underwater What is Your Favorite Part About Diving: It's peaceful, everything seems to slow down when you're underwater Favorite Critter: Too many favorites to pick just one, but octopuses are truly amazing
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