Nick Blacklaws
SSI Instructor Trainer
Coxswain, CERT IV Trainer
Boat Licensing Instructor
I started my dive journey 20 years ago, completing my Open Water Course back home in New Zealand. Inspired by my instructor and recognizing the benefits of the SSI system I continued my training through to instructor level and enjoyed many years working all around the world in both recreational and semi-commercial roles.
The last six years have been spent training and developing new dive professionals through the SSI system and I now get to see them enjoying the lifestyle and experiences that becoming a dive professional brings!
As a Cert IV Trainer I am able to teach government accredited courses including Workplace First Aid and Recreational Boat Licensing.
Jo Leonard
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor, CERT IV Trainer
PADI MSDT Instructor
After getting bitten badly by the SCUBA bug I decided to quit the rat-race in London and have spent the last 5 years working as a Dive Instructor!
Since then I have been lucky enough to work on the Great Barrier Reef, in Sydney Harbour and managed dive shops in the Fiji Islands.
Despite having completed over 1,500 dives and having dived all over the world my favourite dive site is still the SS Yongala!
I am qualified to teach SSI and PADI courses and have reached SSI Platinum Instructor status.
I am also a CERT IV instructor and can therefore also teach accredited courses leading to valuable education points for students and government accredited First Aid Courses.
Brett Fairhurst
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
Driven by my love of the ocean, marine life, marine conservation, and underwater photography, I decided to turn my passion into my career in 2012 by becoming a Dive Pro!
Being a dive instructor has enabled me to travel the world, make loads of new best mates, participate in marine conservation work and continue to do what I love – Explore the world underwater!
For me, there is nothing I like more than to share my passion, and to motivate and teach new divers and dive professionals to appreciate this awesome environment!
Jono Lansdowne
SSI Open Water Instructor
I learned to dive on Magnetic Island 4 years ago, and saw a poster for a Divemaster Internship, promoting an exciting new career and lifestyle, so I signed up straightaway with Nick. After achieving my SSI Dive Con rating I went on to complete 3 seasons working as an Assistant Instructor in Ios, Greece, which was amazing. Recently I decided to take the next step and become a Dive Instructor back home with Pro Dive Magnetic Island.
I love everything about diving and enjoy being able to share my passion with new and experienced divers!
Keegan Lewis
SSI Open Water Instructor
I started my scuba diving adventure with a Divemaster internship at Pro Dive Manly and was hooked from the moment I took my first breath underwater!
The internship option enabled me to gain valuable experience in all aspects of the industry. Training with an awesome company like Pro Dive gave me the opportunity to experience different types of diving and dive environments.
I recently completed my Instructor course with Pro Dive Magnetic Island so that I could share my love for the underwater world. Come and explore Earth’s final frontier with me!
Kathy Connellan
SSI Open Water Instructor
I got my Open Water Cert in Ireland before traveling to Australia in 2014. Diving my way down the East Coast, I decided to sign up to a Dive Control Specialist internship in Sydney, to get more experience and meet like minded people. I completed my instructor course on Magnetic Island to be closer to the Great Barrier Reef and Yongala ship wreck.
Hunter Vivirito
SSI Open Water Instructor
I began my diving adventure in 2016 with my Open Water Course in Texas, and have been pretty much hooked on diving since I started. Your normal American 20 year old will want to spend their 21st birthday at the bar with friends. I chose to spend it with my family, underwater, in cenotes in Mexico!
Shortly after an incredible live aboard experience with Pro Dive Cairns, I saw an amazing opportunity with Pro Dive Magnetic Island to complete an internship to become a Dive Professional. I followed through with my training to become a Dive Instructor. Diving has become a major passion of mine that I’m extremely excited to share with new and veteran divers alike.
Looking forward to seeing you on my next course!
Bree Chapman-Mayne
Assistant Instructor Intern
I got my Open Water certificate last year and instantly fell in love with Scuba Diving, so when I heard about the internship option at Pro Dive I jumped at it.
I am also studying Marine Biology at James Cook University so the two go hand in hand. I love diving and the underwater world but my key passion is sharks.
Victoria Miller
Assistant Instructor Intern
I took my first breaths underwater on the Great Barrier Reef in 2014 and instantly fell in love with the idea of living life among the fishies!
I came to Pro Dive Magnetic Island as I sought out opportunities to expand my diving knowledge while getting to explore more parts of the Reef as well as the incredible SS Yongala wreck. When not out on the Pro Dive boat, I love to swim among the blue spotted rays and butterfly fish in Alma and Nelly Bay!
