Our Expert Team

Get to know the passionate professionals who will guide you through your underwater journey. Each instructor brings years of experience, specialized certifications, and a deep commitment to your safety and success.

Expert Team

Meet Your Instructors

Our passionate team of certified professionals is dedicated to making your diving experience safe, educational, and unforgettable.

SM

Sarah Mitchell

Chief Instructor & Founder

Master Scuba Diver Trainer

15+
Years
3,500
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Deep Diving
Wreck Diving
Night Diving
+2 more
English, Spanish, French

Sarah's passion for diving began during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef in 2009. Since then, she's dedicated her life to sharing the wonders of the underwater world. With over 3,500 dives and 15 years of teaching experience, Sarah has certified over 1,200 divers and trained 45 instructors. Her patient teaching style and emphasis on safety have made her one of the most respected instructors in the region.

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Contact Sarah
DC

David Chen

Technical Diving Specialist

TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer

12+
Years
4,200
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Technical Diving
Cave Diving
Deep Diving (100m+)
+2 more
English, Mandarin, Cantonese

David is a technical diving expert with extensive experience in cave and deep wreck exploration. He's participated in numerous underwater archaeological expeditions and has explored wrecks at depths exceeding 100 meters. David's meticulous approach to dive planning and risk management makes him the go-to instructor for advanced technical courses.

TDI Advanced Trimix Instructor
Contact David
MR

Maria Rodriguez

Marine Biologist & Instructor

PADI Master Instructor

10+
Years
2,800
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Marine Biology & Conservation
Underwater Photography
Coral Reef Ecology
+2 more
English, Spanish, Portuguese

Dr. Maria Rodriguez combines her academic expertise in marine biology with her passion for diving education. She holds a PhD in Marine Biology and has published numerous research papers on coral reef ecosystems. Maria's courses are enriched with fascinating insights about marine life, making every dive an educational adventure. She's particularly passionate about ocean conservation and educating divers about responsible diving practices.

PADI Master Instructor
Contact Maria
JT

James Thompson

Equipment & Safety Officer

Master Scuba Diver Trainer

25+
Years
5,000
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Equipment Maintenance & Repair
Safety & Emergency Procedures
Rescue Operations
+2 more
English

James brings 20 years of military diving experience to Abyss & Ascent. As a former Navy diver, he's conducted operations in some of the world's most challenging underwater environments. Now retired from military service, James focuses on civilian dive education with a strong emphasis on safety, proper equipment maintenance, and emergency preparedness. His attention to detail and systematic approach ensure every student learns not just to dive, but to dive safely.

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Contact James
EK

Elena Kowalski

Night & Photography Specialist

PADI Master Instructor

8+
Years
2,200
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Night Diving
Underwater Photography
Underwater Videography
+2 more
English, Polish, Russian

Elena is an award-winning underwater photographer whose work has been featured in National Geographic and Scuba Diving Magazine. She discovered her passion for night diving early in her career and has since specialized in capturing the mysterious beauty of the ocean after dark. Elena's photography courses are highly sought after, combining technical diving skills with artistic vision. Her patient teaching style helps students capture stunning images while maintaining excellent buoyancy and environmental awareness.

PADI Master Instructor
Contact Elena
MO

Marcus Osei

Freediving & Buoyancy Specialist

PADI & AIDA Instructor

7+
Years
1,800
Dives
5
Certs

Specialties

Peak Performance Buoyancy
Freediving
Breath Control Techniques
+2 more
English, Swahili, French

Marcus combines traditional scuba instruction with freediving techniques and mindfulness practices. His unique approach focuses on breath control, mental preparation, and achieving perfect neutral buoyancy. Students in his Peak Performance Buoyancy course often report dramatic improvements in air consumption and dive comfort. Marcus's calm, zen-like teaching style helps nervous divers overcome anxiety and find their flow underwater.

PADI Master Instructor
Contact Marcus