Meet the Team
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Dave W
Owner
Skipper
Dave W had his first taste of diving in meteor formed West Hawk Lake in Canada back in 1981. Many years and so many locations later Dave still loves the underwater world. It is a truly magical and natural place that deserves our love, protection and admiration. With the willing help of his dive instructor daughter he attained his Rescue Diver Cert a couple of years ago and with the lovely opportunity afforded by the local paradise that is Kaikoura, well, the sky's the limit! Dave's day job is dentistry and he has been practicing in Christchurch since emigrating to this lovely country with his young family in 2003. Daves' Diving Kaikoura opens the door to yet more grand adventure and the future is, indeed, wet!
Darren
SSI Dive Master
Skipper
After spending last season in Kaikoura, Darren realized there’s no better place than out on the water! Following a break from professional diving, he’s plunged back in with us as a skilled diver and skipper, bringing a wealth of experience from the warmer waters of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Although he loves being underwater, Darren is just as happy "topside," often found with a camera in hand, capturing incredible wildlife shots.
Whether he’s diving, photographing, or steering the boat, his passion and expertise make him a fantastic part of our team!
Haylee
Operations Manager
SSI Instructor
Skipper
A Kaikoura local, Haylee began her diving journey in the chilly winter waters of 2013. Since then, she’s chased warm waters around the globe, diving in incredible locations like the Pacific, Cyprus, Malta, Zanzibar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali. A true marine enthusiast, she’s especially obsessed with nudibranchs and loves spotting these vibrant sea slugs on her dives.
As our Operations superstar, Haylee keeps everything behind the scenes running seamlessly. Whether she’s behind the desk, underwater, or manning the boat, she’s here to help you make the most of your diving experience at Dave’s Diving Kaikoura.
Dani
SSI Dive Master
Skipper
Dani completed her Dive Master Training with us before heading off to the Solomon Islands, where she worked aboard a liveaboard to expand her diving expertise. With extensive experience in Kaikoura, whether she's guiding dolphin tours or diving beneath the waves, Dani brings an adventurous spirit and unmatched spotting skills to every dive.
When she’s not near, in, or on the water, you’ll likely find her with a paintbrush in hand, creating incredible artwork inspired by the ocean.
Sean
SSI Instructor
Skipper
Equipment Technician
Sean has returned for another season with us after gallivanting through the warm waters of Australia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.
Known as our servicing whizz, Sean keeps our gear in top shape and has now taken on the task of handling our boat, Mana. With his extensive experience and adventurous spirit, Sean is here to make your diving experience unforgettable.
Aaron
Skipper
Aaron has been flying helicopters over Kaikoura for 13 years, and now we’re lucky to have him join us as a skipper whenever he’s not busy in the skies! With his technical know-how of Kaikoura’s unique weather patterns and an impressive knowledge of local marine life, Aaron brings a fresh perspective to our team. Whether he’s navigating from above or on the water, his insights add an extra layer of expertise to every trip!