More about us...

Sallie Lakin and Jack Sutton are both independent PADI scuba diving instructors. We have combined resources to provide professional scuba diving training from Coopers Beach near Mangonui, Northland, NZ.

With over 60 years diving experience, we have combined our specialist skills to make a great teaching team.

Your instructors:

Sallie Lakin PADI Master Instructor

Jack Sutton PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

Read on for more detailed information...

More about Sallie Lakin...

I have dived and taught all over the world, been based at dive resorts, and at PADI 5* Dive Centres, from New Zealand, the UK, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Bali, Philippines, Channel Islands, Bermuda, Cyprus and Egypt (Red Sea).

I am originally from the UK and met my Kiwi husband in Bermuda. I became a New Zealander after moving to NZ over 10 years ago.

Diving and teaching alternately in the UK and the tropics means I am used to both 'fair-weather' and 'ice' diving. Poor visibility, cold water and strong currents have ensured that I've developed excellent skills, confidence and respect for the water.

The diving in New Zealand is fantastic and I am lucky to call it my home. We have such a wide variety of sites to experience. Whatever your favourite dive, a wreck, scenic dive, crayfish hunt, our NZ waters lay it on. I'm making the most of it all!

QUALIFICATIONS

PADI Master Instructor and Resort Instructor
I am a PADI Master Instructor, qualified and endorsed to teach people to scuba dive. I can train people from beginner level through rescue techniques to Dive Master (leadership) and am also qualified in a diverse range of PADI Specialities. These include Underwater Photography, Navigation, Wreck diving, Dry Suit diving, Equipment specialist, Drift diving, Deep diving, Boat diving, Night diving, and Multi-level diving. I have certified over 180 people to dive and have attained the highest certification level possible prior to entering the ranks of Instructor Trainers.

Disabled Diving Instructor, HSA
I qualified through the Handicapped Scuba Association to work with different disabilities including paraplegia, quadriplegia, blindness and deafness. I am qualified to teach people of all ages and abilities problem solving, mobility and water awareness and where appropriate, encourage them to attain a high enough skill proficiency to enable them to be a safe and (mostly) independent Scuba diver.

Emergency First Response and Oxygen Therapy Instructor.
I am qualified to train the public in general emergency first aid procedures. From CPR, to burn management, to choking, how to deal effectively with any situation. I am also qualified to train people how to safely administer 100% Oxygen and manage the scene in event of a diving related incident.

Divers Alert Network DAN Oxygen First Aid Instructor

International Association Nitrox and Technical Divers IANTD Enriched Air Nitrox Diver

Recompression Chamber Operator/Attendant.
The Bermuda Recompression Chamber Facility.

Diving Instructor, Marine Board (Aqua-Lung) Bermuda Diving regulations 1863.

Certificate of Competency - Occupational Diving
NZ Department of Labour
Health and Safety in Employment Act 2002 and Regulations 1995

Specialities include:

• Wreck diving
• Underwater Photography
• Underwater Navigation
• Equipment specialist
• Drift diving
• Deep diving
• Boat diving
• Dry Suit diving
• Night diving
• Multi-level diving
• Underwater Naturalist

Experience History

• PADI Master Instructor,
  Cruise the Blue, NZ
• PADI Master Instructor,
  Waikato Dive, NZ
• PADI Master Instructor,
  Sunstar Diving. UK.
• PADI Master Instructor,
  Nautilus Diving Ltd. Bermuda.
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer,
  Ocean Realm. Jersey, CI.
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer,
  Sunstar Diving, UK.
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer,
  Aquamarine Dive Centre, Cyprus.
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI),
  Divers Unlimited, Florida
• PADI Divemaster & Assistant Instructor,
  Black Rock Diving, UK.