Academy of Scuba Diving
Here you can learn about our staff and the roles they play in the Academy of Scuba Diving. Click on their picture to find out more about them.
David Dunn: Course Coordinator
Mick Harley: PADI Master Instructor
Cath Smee: Under 16 Dive Coordinator
James Wick: Photographer
Colin Bushby: BSAC-
Jake Scanlon: Dive Master
Have been involved in sport all my life, play golf, squash and of course dive, used to be a swimmer and runner at school, got into teaching and coaching 14 years ago. Started teaching and coaching swimming first then moved onto Triathlon.
Have organised many championship triathlon races over the years, was South East Regional Development officer for the British Triathlon association and head coach to East Grinstead junior squad then formed team viper with coaching partner Ian Gummery. Team viper is still running and am the honorary chairman to the club. Have now formed a club at Brighton College were I am head of swimming.
Diving for just 2 years, having dived extensively in the Red Sea, Barbados, Lanzarote
and UK
Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider, and EFR,
currently working on becoming a Dive Master.
Also Triathlon level 3 coach
Athletics
coach
Cycling coach
Swimming coach and teacher
I first started recreational diving & sailing in 1973. In 1991 I went to work in Australia and after many years as a sport diver, turned professional with PADI in 1993 when I qualified as PADI divemaster and started working part time in the diving industry in Sydney and sailing offshore. I regularly worked at dive schools and also acted as a dive co-ordinator for Australian TV channel 7, underwater documentary makers. In 1996, after returning home, I qualified as a PADI instructor (including medic first aid) and began teaching on a part time basis. I progressed to PADI Master Instructor, with Emergency First Response, in 2001. During this time I also had extensive boat handling experience, as Instructor/Captain, on a 55ft dive boat. In 2003 I took the RYA yachtsmaster rating at a sailing academy in Gibraltar and returned to the same company in 2005 to obtain my sailing instructor qualification. I love teaching scuba diving so it seemed a great idea to set up the Academy of Scuba Diving, with David Dunn, where I can continue to utilise my skills and experience.
I started diving in 2001 and since then have travelled at every opportunity, diving
some of the best dive sites in the world, including the Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef
and Similan Islands to name a few. However, when in the UK I also find that UK waters
have masses to offer and spend as much time as I can exploring the wreaks and wildlife
off the coast of Sussex -
Becoming a PADI Instructor has allowed me to pass on my enthusiasm for diving to my students. I enjoy nothing more than taking people on their first experience of the underwater world and seeing them love it too.
Started diving in 1982 with BSAC (British sub-
Qualified 3rd class BSAC
diver in 1983
Qualified 2nd class BSAC diver in 1984
Qualified as BSAC club instructor
in 1985
Has dived extensively in England on numerous wrecks and sites of interest.
Has also
dived in Malta, Lanzarote, Red Sea and Orkney, specialising in wreck diving.
Currently
doing ‘cross over’ to Padi qualification.
PADI Rescue Diver, currently working on Dive Master
James is a professional photographer specialising in underwater imagery. His work focuses on portraits in various related forms from the environment to music and sports photography. James first became involved in photography whilst studying art and design at Brighton College. Having worked abroad in Central America as a research scientist in reef conservation, he soon became hooked on underwater photography and its application in science, advertising and in modern art. After completing a degree in geography and photography at Nottingham University he then furthered his studies in photography at the London College of Communication. James currently divides his time between working as a photographer in London and on environmental projects in the UK and abroad.
For more details and information about James and his work, please visit his website here.
Jake began diving from an early age and being brought up abroad has enjoyed diving throughout the world. Now based in the UK he has continued his diving with A.O.S.D.
Jake is a PADI Divemaster and has worked in Malaysia and here in the UK. He is Interested both in marine ecology and photography.
Outside of Diving Jake is a keen sportsman, both in rugby and more so in athletics and he is a member of the United Kingdom Athletics squad.
Jake is currently taking a gap year before attending Loughborough University to read Sports and exercise Science.
Qualifications:
NPLG Pool Lifeguard NARS
Level 2 REPS Fitness Instructor
Level 3 REPS
Personal Trainer
PADI Divemaster
© 2009 Academy of Scuba Diving, website designed by Fergus Blair
Operating at Brighton College, Eastern Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 0AL. For more information regarding courses please contact either David Dunn, or Mick Harley.
