Our Instructors
| Tim Bontrager - NAUI COURSE DIRECTOR, IANTD ADVANCED NITROX & DEEP AIR INSTRUCTOR |
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Tim was certified in 1993, following the mentorship of John Sims and completing the NAUI ITC within his first year of diving. In 1994, he started Private Scuba, Inc. as a part-time business, not realizing its potential. Shortly thereafter, he became involved with IANTD as a Nitrox Instructor, continuing his education through Advanced Nitrox and Deep Air Instructor. Tim has had the privilege to work with some of the diving industries leaders such as George Bodinar, Jeff Bozanic, Michael Hansen and Bill Lidyoff which led him to becoming a NAUI Course Director. Although most of Tim's diving experience has been off the coast of Southern California, he has traveled to several remote dive locations throughout the world. His favorite location being the fresh water caves (Cenotes) in the Yucatan. "I feel that teaching SCUBA Diving at any level is a privilege and look forward to continuing my education and sharing what I learn for many years to come". |
| Becky Anderson - NAUI INSTRUCTOR TRAINER |
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Becky has been diving now for about 7 years. After obtaining
her Open Water Scuba Certification through PADI, she decided to continue
her education with NAUI under the direction of Tim Bontrager, NAUI Course
Director and IANTD Technical Instructor. She continued her education, becoming
a NAUI Instructor and now a NAUI Instructor Trainer, on her way to Course
Director. Her training also includes technical diving through IANTD, completing
her Basic Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox and Deep Air Courses. Currently a member
of Screen Actors Guild and I.A.T.S.E. Local 80, she is pursuing contract
and safety diving. Becky is currently owner of Private Scuba of O.C., Inc.,
with Scuba Diving being her full-time job. "After working in Corporate
America, I was incredibly lucky to come across this opportunity when I did."
She is presently teaching all NAUI courses through Instructor. She is a
certified Instructor for ASHI First Aid and CPR as well as being a certified
Oxygen Provider Instructor. For fun… she is a volunteer diver for
the Aquarium of the Pacific. "Diving is my life. I have been so fortunate
to work with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable divers in the
industry. I love being around people, seeing them getting excited about
the new opportunity in front of them, and being able to share my experience
to hopefully enhance their experience in diving." |
| Milo Clark - NAUI INSTRUCTOR |
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Milo started his diving career in 2002 under the direction of Tim Bontrager. Since then, Milo has looked at Tim as a mentor. "Tim is a great guy and a great teacher. You can't help but to like him or anyone at Private Scuba”. Once completing his basic certification, Milo made the decision to become an instructor. He completed his NAUI Instructor Course within his first year of diving. Milo dives on a regular basis, 2-3 times a week for pleasure, but he still has the urge and finds the time to teach for Private Scuba as much as possible. "Diving is the only unexplored frontier left on the planet." What’s next for Milo… he will be completing his Advanced Nitrox/Deep Air certifications over the spring of 2004. He is also an avid hunter who loves to hunt for Lobster with his buddy and fellow Private Scuba instructor Dave A. (AKA…OTIS). He and David are our most proficient Advance Instructors, specializing in hunting and collecting (BUGS). Milo has completed over 250 dives and is waiting to show you what he knows about diving. "One of my favorite things to do is teach new divers. I love watching them fall in love with the sport just like I did. So sign up for class today and I'll see you soon!" |
| David Ahadpour - NAUI INSTRUCTOR |
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David started his diving experience over ten years ago while working as diver for a yacht maintenance company doing hull cleaning, repairs and salvage. He completed his Instructor Training Course with Private Scuba in the beginning of 2003 and has been actively teaching Open Water and Advanced Scuba Courses (specializing in Hunting and Collecting) ever since. "I enjoy teaching scuba because I love to dive. I feel we have one of the most diverse diving locations of anywhere in the world right here in our own backyard and love to turn people on to it. Diving is the greatest stress reliever and exercise program I have ever found and hope everyone gets it chance to experience it. " While teaching a variety of courses, his passion is to hunt on Scuba. He has been an avid spear fisher/free diver since he as a wee little one. David works as an account manager for a wholesale mortgage lender. |
| Ned Nabal - NAUI INSTRUCTOR |
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Neds first experience diving was in 1994 off the island of Eluthra in the Northern Caribbean. It was then that he knew he belonged under the sea. However, it wasn’t until 2000 when I began the path to becoming an instructor. After beginning his training with PADI, Ned saw the light and became involved with Private Scuba, continuing his education up through his Instructor Certification. His training also includes Nitrox and Advanced Nitrox/Deep Air through IANTD as well as a certified O2 provider through DAN. Neds dive experience is extensive, from the kelp forests off our own So. Cal coast to the warm waters of Cozumel and Hawaii. He has done scooter dives ff the beach of Kanapali and toured the Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Neds dive experience has also taken him to the subterranean mines in Bonne Terre, Missouri, the wrecks of the Speigel Grove in Florida and the Yukon in San Diego. He currently has over 100 hours under water time and close to 200 individual dives logged. His next project is the Cave and Cavern certifications, which will be completed by summer 2004. Ned also operates the private charter dive boat " Two Bit Dive". |
| Jeff Harvey - NAUI INSTRUCTOR |
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Jeff's career in Scuba Diving was a "fluke of good luck" that started about five years ago. "It was love at first PUFF, off the tank that is!" Completing his Instructor Training Course through Private Scuba beginning of 2003, Jeff enthusiastically teaches and assists in Open Water and Continuing Education courses. Jeff attended the College of Oceaneering to become a hardhat diver but after graduating, decided not to pursue it as a career although the experience was amazing. This additional training has given Jeff an added advantage when dealing with the underwater environment, which he is able to pass on to students. Jeff became an instructor as the next logical step in his diving career. "I find the underwater world to be extraordinary and want to share it with as many new friends as I can find!" Jeff has been an Arborist (tree cutter) for over 16 years and has owned his own business for the past five. |
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