IDC Staff Instructor

Paul formed Underwater Adventures in 2007 so that he could provide great experiences for his customers and share his passion for scuba diving and teaching.  Paul worked as an insurance underwriting manager for 20 years before deciding to use his skills in a business that can thrill and delight so many people.

MSDT Instructor

Multi-faceted and multi-talented, Liz is a regular around the dive shop.  When she's not at UADC, she's busy writing children's books and articles, volunteering as a Dive Team Leader at the NY Aquarium, and teaching children's literature and writing & technology to college students. Liz is passionate about ocean conservation and environmental education.

Assistant Instructor

Ed began his underwater adventure in 1961, free diving in the waters around Brooklyn.  Realizing that you can’t dive deeper using a garden hose as a snorkel; Ed yearned for some scuba gear…  Years later… After enjoying various levels of dive training; Ed now enjoys diving and teaching recreational scuba and spreading the excitement and wonder of the amazing world beneath the waves.  Some friends refer to Ed as the Octopus Whisperer.

 IDC Staff Instructor

In Memory of... We lost Ramas from cancer on May 21, 2024 at the age of 52.  We miss him dearly.  He was bigger than life and loved his passion of diving. He began with Underwater Adventures in 2009 and became an instructor in 2010. He worked with countless students and many trips with colleagues that will always be remembered. He loved his tech diving and the New Jersey wrecks and most of all, the students he touched as a PADI Instructor.  He became part owner in the shop in 2020, when we moved to Denville. 

His presence will be greatly missed and hope his family can find comfort in the love of family and friends  and never forget the cherished memories. 

Those we love can never be more than a thought away ... for as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts forever. 

MSDT Instructor

Bridget became a PADI certified diver in 2001.  The class was her high school graduation gift.  She then went on to study Marine Science and got into the New Jersey shore diving scene. Later, Bridget dived in locations that don’t include Raja Ampat, Lake Baikal, and the Arctic Circle.  Instead, she flew around the world for her job with an airline and later joined Underwater Adventures to work in the store. She completed her PADI Divemaster certification in 2012, Assitant Instructor in 2015, and now joins the ranks of Instructor having completed her Instructor-level training in 2018.  In her spare time, Bridget is a Roller Derby Queen, skating under the moniker “Sandy Hook-Her”.

MSDT Instructor

Chris is one of the most interesting people you will likely meet.  In addition to his interest in diving, Chris has a wealth of knowledge on just about any topic having to do with sports, entertainment, or heavy metal.  His body is literally a work of art, which is obvious to anyone taking a class with him.  And he rides a Harley.

IDC Staff Instructor

Chris did six resort dives with his wife over the years until his wife finally signed them up to get certified while in the Bahamas in 2007.  Since then, he is sure there are times when his wife must question that decision, because almost every weekend during the diving season he is in the water rather than at home mowing grass and doing chores. Chris is now a IDC Staff Instructor and teaches many specialties.  In addition, he is certified as a PADI Tec Gas Blender, PSI Tank Inspector as well as being a technician for Scubapro, Cressi and Mares regulators. He has been lucky enough to dive many places around the world.  However, as the saying goes, there is no place like home, and his favorite place to dive is the wrecks off the New Jersey coast. 

MSDT Instructor

Scott has been diving and teaching at UADC for the past 14 years, and comes with specialty experience in wreck and cave diving.  He is never without his precious drysuit, as he doesn't like to get wet when he dives. When Scott is not diving or teaching he can be found flying his plane somewhere over the east coast. Hopefully his underwater navigation skills benefit him as he buzzes around above.

IDC Staff Instructor

David is a high school technology education teacher. He started diving in 2004 and became an instructor in 2013. David enjoys teaching and teaches a wide variety of specialities even some that most wouldn't think of such as Ice diving. Dave is also a member of Garden State Underwater Recovery Unit.

Divemaster

Katie began her scuba diving career as a volunteer firefighter when she was 18 years old. Being a firefighter & EMT at the Jersey Shore, she worked her way up in the ranks bringing many technical skills to the position including Technical Rescue, Rapid Water Rescue and Marine Operations to name a few. When natural disaster Hurricane Sandy hit her town, even our firehouse was underwater. This was the moment she decided to become a PADI divemaster.  

Divemaster in Training

Keith is a career Firefighter and certified in Swift Water Rescue. At the shop he is a Divemaster as well as a certified Cressi Technician. He started diving in St. Lucia as a last minute add on with a group of friends. After spending a few years bouncing from shop to shop around the globe he found a home at Underwater Adventures. He still enjoys seeing a new diver take that first breath underwater and believes a good diver is always learning. Favorite place to dive is anywhere with water and when not working enjoys traveling with family.

Divemaster

Lucas wandered into Underwater Adventure Dive Center in 2010 and has since worn a spot in the couch.  It was a good run, but in 2021 he was told, “either pull your own weight or pay rent”.  Because all his money was going towards diving gear, he decided to get certified as a Dive Master in 2021.  Lucas enjoys blowing bubbles any chance he can get.  Some of his favorite spots include Grenada and Dutch Springs.  When he’s not diving, he enjoys spending time with his family and cooking.

Anthony discovered the underwater world while taking the PADI Open Water class on a cruise to the Bahamas.  He was hooked as soon as he hit the beautiful Caribbean water and took his first breaths in the ocean.  Anthony does most of his diving locally.  He has a passion for fishing, hiking, boating and anything outdoors.  He enjoys sharing his love of scuba with others, especially students as they discover an exciting new world.

Divemaster

Known as Phil to students and Wrong-way Corrigan by the staff, was looking for the next adrenaline high when his father recommended he get certified as a scuba diver back in 2012. He came to UADC for his Rescue Diver certification in 2015 and never left. He received his Divemaster certification in 2019. His favorite place to dive is the NJ coast, and while most complain about the low visibility, he maintains that it just makes every other dive where the visibility is 5+ feet that much better. It is also rumored that this is why he steers away from pool sessions, visibility is just too perfect and he has no excuse for going the wrong direction when using a compass.

Divemaster

Trish became a divemaster in 2018 while doing conservation work on sharks.  She is finishing her masters degree in Coral and Marine Predator Conservation in October.  Trish enjoys blowing bubble whenever she can.  She is currently transitioning to become a PADI Instructor.

Divemaster in Training

Ted's bio and picture will come once he surfaces

MSDT Instructor

Neil has dived and traveled extensively during his dive career.  An avid naturalist, rumor has it that he keeps extensive log of all the creatures he encounters in his travels.  Neil is also a volunteer Dive Team Leader at the NY Aquarium, and is now back in school as he works towards a career in wildlife/environmental conservation.

MSDT Instructor

Mike’s background in training and development is a logical fit for his activities as a PADI Instructor.  His day job often sends him to conduct workshops around the world, and he has taken advantage of enjoying the local diving in places such as Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt and Brazil.  Mike also enjoys diving the wrecks off the coast of New Jersey.  “My wife likes it when I bring home dinner!”  Lobster is the usual target.

MSDT Instructor

Tommy is a retired Newark Firefighter and a Public Safety Dive Instructor. Tommy has been diving for 15 years between Sport Diving and Public Safety diving.  He also enjoys Wreck Diving here along the New Jersey Coast. He enjoys teaching at Underwater Adventures to help insure that students have a safe, enjoyable diving adventure and guiding them through an amazing new world of diving.

IDC Staff Instructor

Rob Morris is The Most Interesting Man In The World.  As a young man, he spent three years riding his bicycle around the world, leading to an appearance on the TV program, To Tell The Truth.  Interestingly, several international incidents of great intrigue occurred in countries at the time Rob was pedaling through, leading to speculation that Rob was under contract with the CIA.  Rob does not talk about this.  Rob loves to tie knots and splice line and is in the habit of offering people his useful creations.   Rob loves sharing his passion for diving, making him a gifted instructor.  "Stay wet my friend", says Rob.