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Alpha Dive Services
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
Alpha Dive Services has been Powell River B.C.’s only full-service dive shop since 2004. In August of 2006, the ownership changed hands, and new owners Scott and Kathy Friesen have been working hard to make sure the dive shop provides everything divers of any level could need. From charters and courses to equipment and information, Alpha Dive Services has it all!
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Head instructor, Scott Friesen, has 20 years of diving experience to pass on. He is a retired Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy with almost 22 years of service. He has dove all over the world and in all sorts of conditions. He is also a WorkSafe BC (formerly WCB) endorsed unrestricted Occupational Scuba and unrestricted Occupational Surface-supplied diver. His emphasis when he teaches is always on safety and skill development. Scott is also a very experienced technician. He has worked on everthing from scuba tanks, regulators and rebreathers, to recompression chambers. He has several factory certifications and is qualified to clean O2 systems. |
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Co-owner of Alpha Dive (President of the company if you ask her), Kathy is the company’s Business Manager. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the shop and the company’s marketing plan. She has an extensive business background. Kathy has a Masters Degree in Business Management and has worked for IBM, and for newspaper and radio media. Kathy got certified to dive shortly after taking over the shop, and has since completed Nitrox training and is a certified Nitrox blender. As a new diver, she gives a fresh perspective on things. She is the shops' friendly face and can answer any of your diving-related questions.
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Josh Infanti
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Josh Infanti has also recently joined the Alpha Dive team. A message from him:
"Hi, I'm Josh! Most likely you will meet me when I fill your tanks or rinse your returned gear. I take care of most of the tank filling when I'm there. Scott and Kathy like to joke that I am a professional gear washer.
I thoroughly enjoy diving. If I'm not working, usually I'm diving or doing something in or around the
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| water. I have been diving since October 11th, 2006. I have dove some of the sites around Powell River and I look forward to diving many more in the near future. My future goal is to become an occupational diver and to be an instructor. Some specialty courses I have taken include: Deep Diver, Nitrox Diver and Night/Limited Visibility Diver." |
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Andrew Hamilton has been diving since 1997 and instructing since 2005. He has had the opportunity to dive across the world (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America). Andrew currently holds ratings as an SDI Instructor (Open Water & a number of specialties) and a TDI Instructor (up to Decompression Procedures), and teaches out of Calgary, Alberta. His favorite dives are deep, wreck dives but enjoys diving anywhere for any reason.
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Andrew Hamilton
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Amanda Newell
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Amanda started kayaking six years ago at a YMCA camp in Ontario and began instructing at that camp shortly after. She has paddled and guided trips all over BC and the Yukon including: the Yukon River, the Tatshenshini River, Indian Arm, Quadra Island and the Jatunyacu River in Ecuador. In 2003 Amanda completed the Wilderness Leadership Program in Squamish, BC and has since been working with wilderness adventure camps in BC and the Yukon, instructing kayaking techniques and guiding 1-6 day trips. Last year she also started working with a private school in Vancouver as one the head out-trip guides for their Outdoor Ed. Program. Amanda, who is a licensed Paramedic, has just recently moved to Powell River and is excited to explore the beautiful coastline with you!
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Helen Whitaker is an RLS Lifeguard, and holds CPR and First Aid qualifications. She currently works at the Recreational Complex in Powell River where she lifeguards, and teaches a variety of water-based activities such as swimming, snorkeling and aquacise. She is also a qualified BC Board Diving Instructor and runs both children and adult courses for all levels of ability.
Helen came to Powell River in February of 2007 from England. She has been diving for many years - she obtained her Open Water Diver certification with PADI over 17 years ago. She is now working her way through Alpha Dive's highly professional Dive program with a view to obtaining her DiveMaster Certification, and to ultimately become a fully qualified SDI Instructor. She recently obtained her Rescue Diver Certification and Scuba Ranger Instructor certification.
Helen teaches ScubaRangers, which she loves. "The program is SO much fun and a wonderful experience for young diving enthusiasts!!!!"
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Helen Whitaker
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