Pam came to Aliwal Dive Centre to complete her Divemaster course in 2007 having dived with the centre for over 10 years.  Her charm, charisma and business know-how quickly stood her out from the crowd, this wasn’t missed by Nigel and Lesley and they snapped her up.  From starting work as Office Administrator she has moved up the ranks to Centre Manager and now runs the business on Nigel and Lesley’s behalf. As she has grown with the centre so has her knowledge of the dive industry. She was elected Secretary to ASCBOA (Aliwal Shoal Charter Boat Owner’s Association) in 2009.  A truly professional woman who effortlessly commands the respect of her staff. Believe us when we say that she can also play as hard as she works – the perfect combination really.

Mark has been a keen diver for many years and has been helping us at ADC since 2000.  In 2009 he left his old job and came to us as our Maintenance guy and Divemaster.   On completion of his IDC we promoted him to Head Instructor and Operations Manager. He liaises closely with Martin and PADI  and holds regular meetings and training sessions for the staff to ensure that the whole team are up to date with current training and rescue techniques. His knowledge of Aliwal Shoal is second to none and he regularly leads dives and guides new Divemasters in their quest to know the reef. As Ops Manager his duties are to ensure that all of our boats, vehicles and machinery are kept in tip top condition.  Luckily we can rest assured that this part of his job is well done as his handyman skills and mechanical knowledge are second to none. McGuyver is his second name. His competency, encouraging personality and sense of humour not only make him an excellent Instructor and Divemaster but also a vital member of the ADC team. If you have any questions about sharks, he is your man, but beware, his dedication is infectious and you will be on one of our Sharklife Courses before you blink!!

Martin is a very dear friend of the Centre and has been affiliated to us for 4 years. He has been teaching people to dive all over the world since 2001. As our Course Director he holds the highest training qualification PADI can offer. He now concentrates on instructor training both here and at his UK Dive Centre

www.leybournedivecentre.com. 

The longest serving skipper in Umkomaas- with more then 20 years experience - we are proud to call him our own.  He has over ten thousand launches under his belt, he is not only professional, knowledgeable and supremely competent but also understands the needs of our divers. Basie is also a Launch Site Safety Officer for Umkomaas and when a judgement call is required over any issue you can be assured that his decision will always be based on safety above all.  As a freediver and spear fisherman the sea is his playground as well as his office and some say he even has a sixth sense for forecasting the weather…quite a handy guy to have on our team really, although his legendary grumpiness can’t always be called an asset -good job he can take a joke.

Clare joins the team with loads of experience in the hospitality industry having worked in top hotels in London.  After living there for 11 years she came back “home”.  Clare has already become a PADI open water diver and the bug has bitten her.  Her passion for now both hospitality and diving stands her in very good stead for her job here running the dive lodge and dive centre.

Schalk joined us in April 2007 as a Divemaster and completed his instructors in 2008. In 2009 he decided to further his studies as a graphic designer but we are still lucky enough to have him when he isn’t hard at work at Varsity.  He is a vibrant and charismatic instructor who can get the best out of every single one of his students; even challenging their boundaries and instilling underwater confidence in the most nervous of sea monkeys (just ask him what that means). 

Jason has joined the team as Instructor / dive master and comes with his solid foundation with regards to the sea in being very involved in the lifeguard fraternity in Cape Town from a very young age having even achieved the Robbin Island swim – shew cold stuff.  His Instructor experience started in Sodwana Bay and his patience with students is second to none.  We are very thankful for his adaptability and leadership skills in and around the centre.

Domestic & Ground Crew

Introducing Bo, Agnes, Pretty and Lucia. These are the people who ensure your breakfasts are scrumptious, your beds are clean and your dive kit is where is should be.  Without them life would be a lot harder trust us! Since opening up the new dive centre in September 2007 they have been instrumental in it’s upkeep and growth.

Nigel & Lesley Pickering - Owners

Nigel’s introduction to diving came over 25 years ago in dark and murky cold British waterways. As a Police Diver he was used to very different diving conditions compared to those in the Indian Ocean. Lesley began diving much later in Turkey, but one “try dive” was all it took to get her hooked!!! Early in 2004 they moved to South Africa and took over Aliwal Dive Centre. Their total commitment to safety and quality means they have constantly striven to improve the service that ADC has to offer.

Lesley & Nigel are a very family centred couple and like to regard all staff and customers as friends. It is very important to them that everyone coming through the Dive Centre doors feels welcomed and valued.

When not diving or planning to upgrade the business you will normally find one of them rattling pots and pans in the kitchen. Lesley’s Sunday Roasts are legendary !!!

Raggie

We can’t leave this precious animal out.  As a stray she was taken into the dive centre in April 2009 and has stolen the hearts of everyone who meets her.   She is now a very well fed cat and rules the dive centre.  She is a cat that knows what she wants.