Parm Gill - President & Divemaster
Parm is a Divemaster and Scientific Diver by training with diving experience in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaiian Islands. He is a fourth year student studying at the University of Victoria receiving a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. What is his favorite underwater invertebrate you might ask? His reply most definitely would be the Giant Pacific Octopus (he may be more than obsessed). Recently, he has developed a passion with underwater photography. If you are looking for a dive buddy, feel free to get in touch with him.
Mitch LaRue - Vice-President & Divemaster
Mitch first learned to dive in Lake Okanagan during the winter of 2010. Although the aquatic life was lacking, he knew that diving was for him. This experience eventually lead him to move to Vancouver Island and attend UVic. Over the past three years he has managed to hit almost every dive site in Victoria and hopes to spend more time diving up Island this year. Diving on wrecks and taking photos are his favourite ways to spend time underwater. His other passions include classic cars and almost anything outdoors including golf - so don’t be afraid to chat him up about it! As Vice-President Mitch hopes to introduce the underwater world to new divers and show current divers the world class diving that Vancouver Island has to offer.
Gillian Sadlier-Brown - Dive Coordinator & Divemaster
Growing up on the B.C. coast, Gillian’s fascination with the ocean began at a very young age, so finally earning her open water certification on the Great Barrier Reef back in 2009 was a long time coming. She went on to complete her Divemaster course in Thailand in 2010 and, after developing a passion for conserving the marine environment, realized that a career in marine biology was the direction she was going to take. To date, she has been lucky enough to dive all over the world, but her involvement with UVic Scuba has earned B.C. diving a spot at the top of her list. Here at UVic, she is currently completing her final year of studies, majoring in Biology with a marine concentration. In the years to come, she hopes to focus on career in marine wildlife and habitat conservation. After a year as the dive coordinator in training, Gillian is pleased to continue her involvement with UVic scuba for yet another year. As the dive coordinator, she works with Curtis and Hayley to plan club dives. Feel free to get in touch with her if you have any requests or suggestions!
Curtis Curkan - Dive Coordinator & Divemaster
Curtis developed a love for the ocean snorkeling, fishing and looking in tide pools around Vancouver Island, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. The exposure to the ocean ultimately made him decide to study marine biology at UVic. During his second year he decided that the best way to learn about the ocean was to be in the ocean. Once he completed his Open Water certification in 2012, Curtis was hooked. Since joining UVic Scuba he has been diving his face off all over Victoria. Currently a certified Rescue Diver, Curtis is looking to further his education becoming a Dive Master and Scientific Diver. Now a fourth year Biology and Earth and Ocean Sciences student, Curtis is excited to get new and old divers alike into the water as the Dive Coordinator. If there are any sites you would like to dive or learn more about, or even if you’re looking for a dive buddy, send him a message and he will try to make it work!
Anne Aubin - Events & Marketing Director & Divemaster
Anne is a 3rd year Marine Biology undergrad with a great love for the underwater world. Her great aspiration is to become a marine biologist to spread awareness about the inner workings of the underwater paradise that has her so captivated. She got into scuba diving while traveling after high school and wants to share her passion for scuba diving with those around her. Anne is a Dive Master in Training as well as a Scientific Diver Level 1. As the returning Events and Marketing director, Anne is responsible for updating the web site and Facebook page. With the rest of the executives, Anne assists in spreading the passion for scuba diving to a broad number of people at the University of Victoria and throughout Victoria in general. She is also responsible for organizing club socials and events to bring the community in on some of the amazing opportunities offered through UVic Scuba. She hopes to be able to broaden the student base for the club and make it more appealing to everyone on campus, not just biology students. Her energy and enthusiasm is sure to you you stoked on the underwater world.
Stephanie Korolyk - Equipment Manager
Growing up on the coast, the ocean has always been a big part of Stephanie’s life, and scuba diving was a natural progression. Stephanie first started diving in 2008 in high school, but it wasn’t until she began her degree at UVic in 2011 that she became more focused on diving. She has since taken the Advanced and Rescue Diver courses through UVic Scuba, which works well with her ongoing degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies. She is looking to become a Dive Master in the near future to be able to continue her passion and share it with others. Joining the Scuba Club has been a great way to learn lots about all aspects of the diving experience, and to meet some awesome people as well. She did some diving in Ecuador in 2013, but missed the cold water (seriously) and is looking forward to working closely with the rest of the new executives at UVic Scuba. She can’t wait to meet all of you and share some hand signals underwater!
Tyler Preston - Instructor & Vikes Scuba Program Coordinator
Tyler is a PADI Course Director (scuba instructor trainer). Tyler had more than a decade of management experience involving customer service, management training and market recruiting in the fast paced retail industry before changing careers to follow his love of diving. He has since managed dive centres, trained divers in almost every level of PADI recreational and professional dive courses and spent 4 years as the Marketing Manager for Whites Manufacturing Ltd. (Scuba drysuits).
Tyler has a passion for combining academics and diving while acting as an advocate for the underwater environment, he has worked hard with Vikes Recreation at the University of Victoria to coordinate all recreational scuba programs for UVic. He has recently completed his BSc. in Environmental Psychology, focusing his studies on diver's "place attachment" with the ocean and educational curriculum around diving.
There is no question his experience provides for a well rounded approach to introducing new divers and educating others in the dive community. Tyler's enthusiasm for diving and passion for teaching carries throughout all the courses he offers. His objective is to enhance the dive community and provide awareness to the underwater world.
"It is my goal to make diving more accessible to a wider audience. I believe in protecting our oceans; I know from experience and research that when divers get attached to the ocean, they will be more likely to protect it (place attachment theories). As a result, my drive to protect the environment combined with a passion to teach others means I am likely to do anything to get divers in the water in hopes they will continue diving".
Tyler has a passion for combining academics and diving while acting as an advocate for the underwater environment, he has worked hard with Vikes Recreation at the University of Victoria to coordinate all recreational scuba programs for UVic. He has recently completed his BSc. in Environmental Psychology, focusing his studies on diver's "place attachment" with the ocean and educational curriculum around diving.
There is no question his experience provides for a well rounded approach to introducing new divers and educating others in the dive community. Tyler's enthusiasm for diving and passion for teaching carries throughout all the courses he offers. His objective is to enhance the dive community and provide awareness to the underwater world.
"It is my goal to make diving more accessible to a wider audience. I believe in protecting our oceans; I know from experience and research that when divers get attached to the ocean, they will be more likely to protect it (place attachment theories). As a result, my drive to protect the environment combined with a passion to teach others means I am likely to do anything to get divers in the water in hopes they will continue diving".
Alisa Preston - Master Instructor
Alisa's early interest in marine animals and diving not only lead to her training as a commercial diver, but also enhanced her education and career as an engineer. After university she returned full circle to recreational diving as an instructor and her love for underwater life led to her interests in scientific diving. Alisa previously worked as the Dive Safety Officer at the University of Victoria and currently collaborates with the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, BC, to train their scientific divers while continuing to work as a professional engineer.
Her passion for diving and aquatic life has led many of her students to follow in her footsteps as a diving instructor. This has strengthened her belief that underwater success, not only in diving but in protecting the state of our ocean ecosystems, comes from a solid foundation in dive education. Her goal is not only to provide quality instruction, but also to encourage well rounded divers and ocean enthusiasts to safely explore all aspects of the underwater world. Alisa has been a dedicated coordinator for yearly "Ocean Clean Up" events in conjunction with Project AWARE to make a difference in protecting our aquatic environment.
Her passion for diving and aquatic life has led many of her students to follow in her footsteps as a diving instructor. This has strengthened her belief that underwater success, not only in diving but in protecting the state of our ocean ecosystems, comes from a solid foundation in dive education. Her goal is not only to provide quality instruction, but also to encourage well rounded divers and ocean enthusiasts to safely explore all aspects of the underwater world. Alisa has been a dedicated coordinator for yearly "Ocean Clean Up" events in conjunction with Project AWARE to make a difference in protecting our aquatic environment.
Santiago Gutierrez - Master Instructor
Santiago is a Master Instructor with more than 20 years of experience with a BA in Human Resources. He is passionate about teaching and working with students that find scuba diving a challenging sport, helping them to find their way of overcoming barriers. He opened a dive center in in Mexico City in 1994, where he developed a solid market of scuba enthusiasts. When people ask, “why do you own a dive center so far from the ocean?” he answers back: “the idea is to educate as many people as possible about the wonders of our marine environment by becoming advocates and placing the seed in their hearts to protect and care for these fragile ecosystems.” Since then, he has led expeditions around the world to remote places such as Galapagos, Malpelo, Sudan, Egypt, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, Cuba, Panama, as well as acquired lots of experience on the shorelines of his beloved country, Mexico.
As a professional underwater photographer, he was appointed as President of the Mexican Association of Underwater Photographers (AMISUB) during 2010-2011. He has published his work in different Mexican newspapers and magazines (Amura, Especies, Mas por Mas), and has worked together with film crews for different underwater productions.
Santiago is enjoying diving and teaching in the Pacific North West as it is a new ecosystem that always surprises him, enhancing his portfolio with images that this unique place in the world offers.
As a professional underwater photographer, he was appointed as President of the Mexican Association of Underwater Photographers (AMISUB) during 2010-2011. He has published his work in different Mexican newspapers and magazines (Amura, Especies, Mas por Mas), and has worked together with film crews for different underwater productions.
Santiago is enjoying diving and teaching in the Pacific North West as it is a new ecosystem that always surprises him, enhancing his portfolio with images that this unique place in the world offers.
Tori Preddy - IDC Staff Instructor
Tori has always loved the water. Whether snorkeling in an inflatable pool, or swimming across lakes, growing up she was always wet. She wanted to be a diver from a very early age as her parents were and she heard all their fantastic tales, saw their pictures and played with their gear. Finally she save up enough money and took her open water course. Tori instantly fell in love with the sport and started to get involved as much as possible.
She began volunteering for the Marine Life Sanctuary Society out of Vancouver, and shortly after decided she wanted to share her love of diving with others. She soon became an instructor and has had a blast with it ever since.
She briefly taught in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, but quickly returned home to teach in her beloved cold water.
Tori loves to continue learning and dives every chance she gets. She is a tec sidemount diver, and you will see her trying out any new gear configuration she can get her hands on.
She began volunteering for the Marine Life Sanctuary Society out of Vancouver, and shortly after decided she wanted to share her love of diving with others. She soon became an instructor and has had a blast with it ever since.
She briefly taught in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, but quickly returned home to teach in her beloved cold water.
Tori loves to continue learning and dives every chance she gets. She is a tec sidemount diver, and you will see her trying out any new gear configuration she can get her hands on.
