Scuba GOAT
Matt Waters
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Discover the Scuba GOAT podcast, your ultimate resource for scuba diving, ocean conservation, and scientific exploration. Join dive professional, Matt Waters, as he explores a range of engaging topics and interviews global game-changers, leading advocates of conservation, service providers, and emerging stars. With a focus on delivering relevant scuba and oceanic news, highlighting operators and conservation efforts worldwide, and providing first-hand information from the source, the Scuba GOAT podcast offers a wealth of insights and entertainment. Dive into the Scuba GOAT podcast today and immerse yourself in a world of information and humour.
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Mar 12, 2023
Nicolas Remy - The Underwater Club
Do you struggle to understand the complexities of underwater photography? Nicolas Remy (Multi award-winning underwater photographer and founder of The Underwater Club) joins me in the studio to shed some light on this intricate art.
Nicolas and his wife, Lena caught my attention initially through their awesome pictures and furthermore because they dived on rebreathers. From what I see, there is a lot of sense in rebreather diving for photographing wildlife so who better to ask than the man who's doing just that? The extended dive times, the silence, and the opportunity to get much closer without disturbing your subject. Nicolas talks us through the two rebreathers they use, the Revo and Horizon.
Not only does Nicolas take a fine shot, he really enjoys sharing his skills with others. Teaching people and breaking subjects down into a more understandable format is truly a passion of his. So, Nicolas has quit the corporate world and devoted the last 18 months fine-tuning The Underwater Club and its contents. It is an exceptional forum for two-way communications and ram packed with Nicolas' knowledge to be shared with all club members through various means, expanding on his availability as a one-on-one coach.
A keen writer, he has also penned content for Scuba Diver magazine and Narked at 90, with additional content in WETPIXEL and OZ Diver.
We anticipate the launch of the website very VERY soon, to stay abreast of that date you can sign up early (and have an added chance to win a prize). Join me in the studio as Nicolas walks us along the path from a discover scuba dive on Kangaroo island, to global recognition for his underwater photography and the formation of The Underwater Club.
DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! DO THAT HERE
Nicholas' Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaslenaremy
Nicolas & Lena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaslenaremy/
Photography website:https://www.nicolaslenaremy.com/
The Underwater Club links
website: https://theunderwaterclub.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theuwclub/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUWClub/
Nicolas' awards and wins
There are so many to mention so it best you head on over to Nicolas and Lena's website to see the full list: Awards page
Additional links
Revo rebreathers: https://www.revo-rebreathers.com/
Horizon by Mares: https://www.mares.com/en/horizon
Whalex article: https://createdigital.org.au/engineers-fake-whale-poo-carbon-removal/
Scuba Diver mag: https://www.scubadivermag.com/
Narked at 90:
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Feb 26, 2023
Sean Clements - SDC & combining two passions
You must be a fan of scuba diving if your listening to me right now, and are you also interested in watches? Even more so, luxury dive watches? Rolex, Breitling, and Omega all have quite a few commonalities, with one key feature, they were created with passion. This leads me nicely to introduce this week's guest, Sean Clements. Sean has two passions, watches and diving and a few years ago, he found a way to combine them and create a path to align with his future away from the corporate rat race. Sean Clements' vision
Sean's vision led him to create SDC Watches, a dive watch brand that offers luxurious watches for everyday dive adventures whilst also contributing to conservation, both by upcycling and donating some of the profits to conservation projects. The SDC brand
What sets SDC Watches apart is their commitment to protecting the oceans. Sean recognized that there is a huge amount of neoprene waste, particularly old and used wetsuits, that ultimately end up in landfills. To tackle this issue, Sean decided to repurpose these watery rags and incorporate them into his watches. The result is an encapsulated neoprene strap design that not only looks great but also helps reduce waste and protect our oceans whilst maintaining that luxury feel.
The attention to detail in these watches is evident in every aspect. The SDC cookie logo and laser engraving, the original styling of an older dive watch with its rotational dive bezel, harks back to a time when chunky Seikos & Omega's were the epitome of a diver's watch (flashbacks to eye-balling my dad's watch as a kid). And the naked rear case, which allows you to see the inner mechanism, is a luxurious touch that completes the package. With a 300m depth rating these really are a sexy statement.
As a fellow diver, I'm eagerly awaiting my own SDC Watch to arrive. I appreciate the company's commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts, and I'm excited to show my support by wearing one of their watches. It's clear that Sean has put his heart and soul into creating a product that not only looks great but also makes a positive impact on our planet.
If you would like your own SDC watch, head on over to the SDC website and use SCUBAGOAT10 to recieve a 10% discount
Join us on this episode as we dive deeper into Sean's journey as a diver, businessman, and conservationist. We'll learn more about his vision for SDC Watches and how he's making a difference in the world of luxury watches and ocean conservation.
Don't forget to use SCUBAGOAT10 for your 10% discount through the SDC website
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Feb 13, 2023
Don Silcock - Senior Travel Editor meets El Blanco
Don Silcock, Senior travel editor of Scuba Diver magazine, owner of Indo Pacific Images and my good mate joins me in the studio for a long overdue catch-up, a good yarn and a couple of beers.
Join me as we discuss Don's travels and many other topics;
* travelling through India by motorcycle,
* collecting photogrammetry images in Papua New Guinea with Sean Twomey,
* South Australia - sharks and cuttlefish,
* Tasmania in search of handfish and DEEP corals,
* Mexico to dive with crocodiles and enter the Cenotes
* Patagonia to dive with Southern Write Whales
* El BLANCO!!
* Camera equipment
* Yucatan chaos
* International flights
* Raja Ampat - Sorido Bay Resort and interviews with Max Ammer
This episode is simply STACKED and not one to miss. Don goes into detail about the political complexities/ authorisations required to be able to dive in Patagonia with the Southern Right Whales. He also gives a full breakdown of some heart-pounding moments and close calls with a 5-ton calf.
That's without mentioning El Blanco... The White One
Don is on form as ever and an absolute encyclopedia of information, so pin your ears back and dive in to hear about many locations that you may recognise and many that may also be new to you.
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Jan 29, 2023
Dan Johnson - MV Oceania Liveaboard - Part 2
Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.
PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.
If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving.
"Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)
Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.
In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.
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Jan 16, 2023
Dan Johnson - MV Oceania Liveaboard - Part 1
Dan Johnson is the man in charge of MV Oceania, co-owner, and captain of this beautiful vessel, and joins me to kick off Season 4. MV Oceania is a liveaboard scuba diving vessel that operates out of Walindi Plantation, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea, located in the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific region, is situated just south of the equator and 100 miles north of Australia. The country encompasses the eastern side of New Guinea Island and 600 smaller islands and atolls. Known for its rich indigenous cultures, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making up one-third of the world's languages, and boasts the largest area of untouched rainforest outside the Amazon.
PNG offers incredible scuba diving opportunities with its untouched coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique culture. The diving hotspots in PNG include Milne Bay in the South, Kimbe Bay, and Kavieng town or Lissenung Island. Divers and underwater photographers come from all over to witness the coral atolls and walls, WWII wrecks, barrier reefs, and other underwater photography subjects the Indo-Pacific region is renowned for. The country also boasts beautiful tropical jungles and mountain ranges on land.
If you're planning to dive in PNG, it's a must to include a land tour to experience the local tribes. With 28,000 miles of reef systems, divers are unlikely to encounter other groups, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a secluded diving experience. The country offers various dive resorts and liveaboard options catering to all levels of divers and is renowned for its spectacular scuba diving.
"Having lived and worked in PNG, I personally rate it as my top hotspot for tropical diving. A must for any avid diver!" (Matt Waters)
Dan is a well-respected figure in the diving industry, known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in navigating the waters of Papua New Guinea, particularly the spectacular reefs of New Britain.
In this 2-part series, we discuss MV Oceania's past, present, and future plans for exploration scuba diving in Papua New Guinea, as well as Dan Johnson's journey and experience as a dive leader. So, join us as we explore the depths of Papua New Guinea's ocean and the story of Dan Johnson and MV Oceania, the ultimate liveaboard scuba diving vessel in this region.
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Dec 30, 2022
Jason Fondis - Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a stunning island off the east coast of Bali– one look at the dazzling cliffs, hidden coves and secret beaches, and you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a spectacular island paradise. Each time I visit I am blown away by the location, the people, and the diving. This location benefits from several powerful currents that bring nutrient-rich waters, which support a vast array of marine biodiversity and reef growth.
In my opinion, Nusa Penida is the next up-and-coming dive location in the region. I say that loosely, as it is already well-known for its diving and in particular, diving with mantas at Manta Point. But this is not yet reflected in the number of travellers to the island; and neighbouring islands like Nusa Lembongan tend to be more well known. In the last few years, Nusa Penida has had a build and growth spurt with a number of dive shops opening up as well as hotels, hostels, homestays and restaurants.
My good buddy Jason Fondis, co-owner and manager of Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida was the first guest to record a Scuba GOAT podcast episode back in 2020, against a backdrop of remote connection issues! Today I join him on location, at the dive shop, to catch up and see what has been occurring over the last two years at Blue Corner Nusa Penida.
Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida is one of the three locations under the Blue Corner umbrella. HQ is located just a 10-minute ferry ride away on Nusa Lembongan and the third location is situated on the northwestern coast of Bali, Menjangan. Specialists in PADI training from Open Water through to professional certifications, the Blue Corner team are a fantastic bunch and I would recommend diving with them at any of their awesome locations.
If you are considering a trip to Nusa Penida and would like advice on how to get there, which hotel to use, and booking your diving then get in touch with me directly and I can arrange an entire package for you.
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Dec 5, 2022
Josh Richards - The Engelbrechts east extension, Mount Gambia
Josh Richards may not have decades of caving experience under his belt, however what he does have is a love for Wombats and the desire to act like one at times. Joking aside, Josh's thirst for adventure started whilst diving as a kid with his father, continuing into a military career as a soldier and Royal Marine, a comedian, a science geek, and even as a candidate with a one way ticket to inhabit Mars!
Josh talks openly about his journey through life and its various stages leading up to his discoveries with his dive wife, Matt Aisbett and in detail about the discovery itself. The Engelbrechts east extension.
*Englebrechts cave history
*
1865 - Originally described in a publication by Julian Tenison-Woods, the cave system was referred to as Vansittarts cave.
1885 - Carl Engelbrecht's purchase of a flour mill located nearby, which he converted into a whiskey distillery (good man!) used the cave as a dumping ground for his waste products. This led to the cave system being referred to as the Engelbrecht cave.
1929 - the land on which the cave is located was purchased by the then District Council and the cave was sealed off.
1969 - The council invites expressions of interest to open the cave for potential tourism. Reportedly, it was not suitable for tourist development and remained shut.
1979 - The Lions Club of Mount Gambier commenced a project to beautify the cave to the tune of $10,000
1995 - Engelbrecht Cave was added to the South Australian Heritage Register
2019 - Dive buddies Matthew Aisbett and Josh Richards mooch around the end of the east cave system and find access to an enormous previously undiscovered cave system running under the centre of town.
2022 - Josh joins me on the show to reflect on many of his life adventures and what is now known as the Engelbrechts east extension.
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Nov 20, 2022
Jolyon Collier - Counting Coral
Jolyon Collier is the founder of Counting Coral, a not-for-profit organisation bridging the gap between conservation, art, corporations, tourism and local interests.
As a highly successful businessman, Jolyon created his wealth in the construction industry. Over the years his success has fed his appetite to be in the ocean, initially as a surfer, then videographer and diver, and now conservationist. As a young man, Jolyon found himself drawn to Fiji with his surfboard under one arm and a video camera in the other. The videography of surfers was still relatively new, so Jolyon capitalised on this and sold his footage to the tourist surfers and whilst waiting for them to cruise past, Jolyon's attention was drawn to (you guessed it) the reefs.
With a rather humorous, if not completely dangerous introduction to diving, Jolyon experienced the underwater world off the coast of Malibu and was instantly hooked. Since those days he has had an entire and rewarding career in the construction industry, ultimately leading to an early retirement and a change of focus back to the reefs.
Counting Coral is leading the development of Sculptural Coral Banks, a new and advanced method to aid coral growth. These structures are designed to support the growth of corals in a manner, that once they bloom they become part of the overall artistic design. Furthermore, the corals introduced to the structures are carefully selected from local reefs so that they can be reintroduced once a favourable parent coral has propagated.
Jolyon and his team of scientists, divers and conservationists install the sculptures themselves, select and collect the corals and will, in turn, reintroduce the corals back to the original reef locations.
There are multiple benefits to this system, not only are we protecting, preserving and promoting coral growth but we are creating a new attraction for tourism. Divers, freedivers and snorkelers eager for that next amazing picture or video have an epic backdrop with radiant natural light striking through the clear Fijian water. Local resorts that partner with Counting Coral can proudly announce their part in developing the ongoing eco-protection of their reefs. More importantly, the natural reefs receive some relief from visitors who may be unaware of how delicate an environment it is.
Finally, the structures can aid in scientific research and support those corals that may be diminishing. It's also worth noting that those corals registered as "known" in Fiji are actually just a replication of what is found throughout Australasia, Jolyon's team are able to identify those corals and have even possibly found corals that may previously have been unknown to Fijian Waters.
If you can spare two minutes, please review the podcast on any of the major streaming platforms (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ are awesome btw )
and tell your buddies about the show. You can also follow, share, and like us on all of the social media platforms and add to our numbers. It all goes a very long way and is very much appreciated.
Finally, if you would like to appear on the show don't hesitate to get in touch and let's start chatting!
All of our links can be found in the footer or simply click our LinkTree here...
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Oct 30, 2022
Michael Menduno - The Godfather of Tech Diving Journalism - S03 E14
Michael Menduno has been diving and reporting on technical diving since 1990 when he founded the AquaCORPS magazine and its sister publication Technical Diver. A reporter, technologist and member of the Board of Directors for the historical diver's society, Michael is the editor-in-chief of Global Underwater Explorers online magazine InDEPTH. He is also a contributing editor for Dan Europe's ALERT DIVER and X-ray magazine, and he also writes for DEEPER BLUE. To top it off, Michael also worked with Captain Billy Dean to set up the first tech diving centre, based in Key West, which rapidly became a global mecca for tech diver training.
Michael is also the organiser of the Rebreather Forum, with the latest conference being RF4 (20-22 April 2023). Held in Malta, the Rebreather Forum has a stellar line-up of presenters including Mark Caney, Brian Carney or designee, Simon Caruana, John Clarke, David Doolette, Vince Ferris, Oscar Franberg, Timmy Gambin, Kevin Gurr, Richard Harris, Paul Haynes, Gareth Lock, Alessandro Marroni, Michael Menduno, Simon Mitchell, Andy Pitkin, Neal Pollock, Frauke Tillmans, and Paul Toomer. So if there is anything you ever wanted to know about rebreather diving, this is the place to be.
Topics of conversation
* Michael's background in diving
* The origins of the term "Tech Diver"
* Rebreather Forum origins and Rebreather 4
* Michael's first breaths underwater to technical diver
* Historical overview of tech diving
* The origins of AquaCORPS and InDEPTH magazines
* The background of Michael and Captain Billy Dean
* The passage of information prior to computers
* PADI joins the tech chat
* The bridging of the gap between recreational and technical diving
* The importance of Human Factors in diving
* Close Calls, authored by Stratis S Kas (Amazon link)
* 'Stoned' with Bill Stone - A harp back to the early days of reporting
* What's next for Michael?
* Links and exit.
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Oct 17, 2022
Lyndi Leggett - The Scuba Gym - S03 E13
"Not all heroes wear capes." This is so true... they sometimes wear fins too!
Lyndi Leggett wears fins, and to many she is an absolute superhero. A few years ago, sick of the corporate world Lyndi was trawling through social media and came across an article about David J Lawrence Sr and his son, Scuba Junior. Following surgery, David Jr was rendered disabled, paralyzed from the neck down. Today, albeit he is still paralyzed on one side, David Jr has regained use of his right side and leads a much more fulfilling life.
Lyndi reached out to David Sr asking what it would take for her to open a Scuba Gym in Australia.
The Scuba Gym Australia operates out of the Central Coast and provides diving possibilities for people with a vast array of disabilities. Throughout this episode Lyndi talks with passion about the successes of her divers so far (see below for links to the videos of those mentioned during the show) and what the future holds for The Scuba Gym.
The Scuba Gym is now a not-for-profit operation and Lyndi holds the golden ticket to the growth of it. Lyndi's dream is to see a Scuba Gym in every major city in Australia. Quite rightly so too.
If you would like to help Lyndi in any way possible then get in touch. You can email or send a message to Lyndi directly or through the show links and social media.
For those of you that would love to join the scuba gym but are not sure if you can. Lyndi has a qualified dive doctor who can talk to you about your disabilities and confirm if you can be authorised to get in the water and have a go at scuba diving. #getinvolved you'll love it!!
The scuba gym America
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Sep 24, 2022
Peter Gash - Lady Elliot Island - S03 E12
Lady Elliot Island is a destination that epitomises eco-centric tourism. It is a true reflection of the dedication, hard work, focus and drive afforded to her by so many people over the years, past and present, and none more so than the island's current custodian, Peter Gash.
I am elated to host Peter on the show and discuss not only his success in realising his dreams so far but also the island's successes. Peter has dedicated a lifetime to the islands in this region and first visited Lady Elliot as a child, and was instantly struck by its beauty and mysticism.
Lady Elliot is approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Bundaberg and is nestled between Fraser Island and Lady Musgrave Island. The is also the closest Great Barrier Reef island to Brisbane, Queensland’s southern capital. lady Elliot Island lies within a Marine National Park ‘Green Zone’ and forms part of Australia’s World Heritage Listed Area on the Great Barrier Reef.
Though I'm yet to visit Lady Elliot Island, I…
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Sep 11, 2022
Nays Baghai - Running Cloud Productions - S03 E11
Nays Baghai is a young and impressive director with an exceptionally keen and creative eye. His feature film debut, Descent, won the Best Australian Documentary award at the Oscar-qualifying Sydney Film Festival and has gone on to be available on Amazon Prime ANZ. Having been screened at numerous other film festivals such as, the International Film Festival, Hot Docs and Raindance, Nays’ is taking his directing skills forward as he documents Scuba diving legend Jill Heinerth’s story in, Jill Heinerth: Room To Breathe.
Nays joins me in the studio to talk about filming and of course, scuba diving. He’s also presenting at OzTek this year so be sure to check it out if you are in Melbs for the show. If you’ve not got your tickets yet you, click the button below and reserve your spot, we’ll see you there!
Nays’ links:
Scuba GOAT is an independent production and it is your feedback that makes it all worthwhile so, if you can spare 2 minutes to give us a review on your platform…
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Aug 28, 2022
Stephen Fordyce - Sump Diving and caving - S03 E10
Stephen Fordyce is sometimes described as a mad professor and I can't help thinking that there is some truth in that. When it comes to listening to his explorations deep beneath the surface of the earth and then beneath the surface of the water therein. Scuba diving is a relatively niche sport, and within it there are many more niche areas and I think Stephen has found the pinnacle of niche as a 'sump diver.' Spending days lugging gear to remote locations, trekking into dry(ish) caves and creating base camps therein, to then explore kilometres of routes underwater certainly confirms that he's barking mad, but also justifies the recognition he rightly deserves as a fantastic explorer.
'Stephen has dived many caves around Australia and further afield - being a successful push diver at the pointy end of projects in Elk River Cave (Victoria), Growling Swallet and Niggly Caves (Tasmania), on the Nullarbor (WA) and West Timor (Indonesia). This culminated in receiving the *2019 OZTek Emergin…
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Aug 13, 2022
Sue Crowe - OzTek Dive Conference & OzDive Expo '22 - S03 E09
*OZTek Advanced Diving Conference & OZDive Expo* is a major international event that, since its inception in 1999, has done more to highlight the adventure and excitement inherent in diving than any other show. The show continues to play a key role in creating broad awareness of new techniques and technologies which transform and push back the boundaries of underwater knowledge.
Produced by divers for divers, both OZTek Conference & OZDive Expo* *offer unique insights into the entire world of underwater adventure by encouraging a better understanding of all diving has to offer. This unique event represents a broad spread of diving interests - reflected by the Speaker and Exhibitor list - including many prominent world leaders in their particular fields of expertise; people whose wealth of knowledge is second-to-none and who are instrumental in helping to shape the future growth and development of diving.
Focused on the full spectrum of underwater activities, (from recreational, techn…
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Aug 1, 2022
Gareth Lock & Mike Mason - The Human Divers - S03 E08
Gareth Lock and Mike Mason return to the Scuba GOAT podcast for a catch up on the latest in human Factors in diving. Recently Gareth invited me to complete the remote training package "Essentials of human factors in diving" followed by a 2-day face-to-face course held at Dive Centre Bondi.
The course delves deeper into the meaning of Human Factors and how it relates to the dive industry and how it can be used to enhance not only our safety but our day-to-day processes before, during and after diving.
By creating The Human Diver training programs I believe Gareth has created a clear path of evolution for not only the scuba diving industry but for individual divers, regardless of their experience and qualification levels. As a stand alone structure, the human diver is not designed to enhance any one training agency but focuses on how the diver, and his or her peers can operate to the best of their abilities. No one decides that today I am going to go diving and lose a customer, run out…
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Jul 10, 2022
Leonardo Guida - Australian Marine Conservation Society - S03 E07
Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist and shark conservation lead at the Australian Marine Conservation Society joins us in this episode to talk through a variety of topics ranging from personal experiences swimming and diving with our apex predators to the conservation efforts currently in place throughout Australia and across the globe.
Leo is actively involved in many projects including the "Nets out now" call for shark nets to be removed throughout Australia, he .appeared in the documentary produced by Andre Borell Envoy Shark Cull which focuses on the subject. Leo emphasises the indiscriminate targeting that hails from these antiquated defence systems with a prime example being that of a Humpback Whale being caught in a net only a few days prior to this recording, with a further 2 more whales entangled since.
We also discuss the apparent movement of sharks from locations such as South Africa pushing further south, presumably due to climate change and rising water temperatures. With…
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Jun 9, 2022
Jayne Jenkins - Surface Interval - S03 E06
*Comedy alert!
*
Each season we have a little get together episode with Don Silcock, senior travel editor for Scuba Diver magazine and Lissa Rebec of Sea Shepherd. However, now that borders are open, trying to get Lissa and Don in Sydney and available at the same time is virtually impossible!
With that said, we managed to coax Don into the studio by waving a beer under his nose and as a bonus for the show his dive buddy of 20 years came along too...
During this episode, we explore a number of topics, including Jayne's diving, international travel lounges that I didn't even know existed, Don's movements and writings, beer, wide-angle camera equipment preferences and diver training. A little teaser of what may be occurring with the expansion of Scuba GOAT and the upcoming relaunch of Nomadic Scuba, all served up with a large dollop of hilarity, giggles and maybe the odd cuss word (you've been warned).
*The sensible text and a REAL intro to Jayne Jenkins*
Jayne learnt to dive in the c…
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May 28, 2022
Martin Connolly - Scuba IQ - S03 E05
Scuba IQ operates from Port Douglas, (north of Cairns) Queensland, Australia. Clearly, Port Douglas is a perfect destination to get out and explore the Great Barrier Reef and that's exactly what Scuba IQ do.
Originally from New Zealand, Martin Connolly spent a few years in the navy and then saw the light, jumped into a wetsuit and spent the next 20 years as a multi-agency dive instructor working in various locations such as Tonga, Spain, Turkey and Thailand. Scuba IQ and Scuba IQ Expeditions are operated by Martin and his wife, Louise. Working closely with local operators they organise training packages as well as full boat charters, delivering an attentive service to the guests who choose to join them.
Martin joins us on the show to provide an overview of how Scuba IQ became what it is today, were it is heading and what to expect from an adventure on the MV Argo and the future expeditions organised by Scuba IQ.
Expeditions with available spaces:
23-28 June 2022 - 5 nights - Minke…
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May 15, 2022
Steve Crosby - Wading through the pandemic years - S03 E04
Steve Crosby walks us through his journey to become a dive pro and what it has taken to stay connected to the dive industry particularly during the pandemic years.
Many people have asked me how to get into and become successful in the dive industry. Hard work and determination... Be like Steve.
He is a shining example of how to progress and focus on the goals one at a time without taking your eye off the prize and all whilst maintaining the right attitude, with a smile.
Steve is one of the nicest guys you would ever wish to meet and I have no doubt that anyone wishing to dive and/or learn from him will have an amazing time whilst doing so.
I'm a big fan of humility and Steve exudes this, just take a listen and you'll see what I mean.
Should you wish to get in touch with Steve and arrange some dives you can connect with him through his website at Crosby Dive
Steve's diving journey:
* 2004 - He became a NAUI Open Water Diver - Instantly hooked on diving
* Fun dives throughout…
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May 2, 2022
Jennifer Matthews - Future Reefs Research, UTS - S03 E03
*Dr Jen Matthews has pioneered the application of metabolomics to unravel the metabolic interactions underpinning coral health and resilience to environmental change.
*
Increasing environmental pressures, such as increased sea temperatures, are causing the catastrophic loss of coral cover around the globe, including the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world: the Great Barrier Reef. So, it’s unsurprising we are starting to see corals migrate poleward to cooler waters. In fact, Sydney has recently become home to a new subtropical coral. This raises a significant question: Could Sydney be a refuge for corals from the warming GBR?
A Human Frontier Science Programme Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, Jen holds a PhD in Marine Biology (Dean’s list, Victoria University Wellington), a MRes (Imperial College London) and a BSc (Honours, Bath University). Jen is dedicated to finding solutions to current environmental challenges, targeting local (e.g. tropicalization of coast…
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Apr 11, 2022
Kate Parker - Daughters of the Deep - S03 E02
*Kate Parker is a full-time paediatric Speech Pathologist but in her spare time has been a volunteer with Sea Shepherd since 2015, originally taking on a role as an onshore volunteer helping to raise funds through selling merchandise at events and sharing the work of the organisation through outreach and education. She then progressed to offshore crewing and has been on 7 campaigns with Sea Shepherd, starting out as deck crew and most recently Bosun and is now about to head off on another campaign as an officer in the Bridge.
*
*Kate also crews with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and spends most weekends out on the bay training and recovering vessels in distress. Kate has been working her way up for the last 4 years and is soon to take her Coxswains license to become a Skipper for the organisation.
*
*Kate also launched her own charity last year called ‘Daughters of the Deep’ which is now a globally registered group whose aim is to address gender inequality throughout the m…
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Feb 12, 2022
Mike Mason - The Human Diver, Australia - S03 E01
With over 20 years as a fighter pilot under his belt, Mike Mason currently teaches pilots of the Australian Air Force how to hone their skills and use the aircraft they are flying as a weapons platform. Human Factors is used on a daily basis to achieve the goals these men strive for, so its fair to say that Human Factors is pretty much second nature to Mike. Armed with this and Gareth Lock introducing HF to the diving industry; Mike touched base with Gareth and began to learn about the Human Diver and how he could get involved.
Initially learning to dive in the UK, Mike now works in his spare time as a Dive Master at Lets Go Dive Adventures, Nelson Bay. Following Gareth's tutorage he is also now part of the Human Diver instructional team and is bringing Human Factors to Australia.
Mike has planned a FREE introductory zoom meeting on Thursday 17th Feb at 7:30pm (AEDT) for anyone wishing to learn more about what Human Factors is and how you can get involved in the courses that Mike wil…
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Dec 21, 2021
Ryan Duchatel - Total Immersion Diving & JJ CCR's - S02 E17
What a great way to round out Season 2 of the show - Expanding on our look at the Technical side of recreational diving, I'm joined by Ryan Duchatel, JJ CCR Trimix Instructor, cave diver and co-owner of Total Immersion Diving based in Newcastle , Australia.
I've found many recreational divers are curious about the tech divers out there and the complex equipment they use. It seems to be a bit of a dark art and I've regularly heard comments along the lines of "It's for people wanting to dive deep" or "that it is too complex and expensive for me". The reality is very much to the contrary, technical diving is for anyone who wishes to extend their dives, either in time, depth, range or all of the above.
Ryan talks about the evolution of Total Immersion Diving and provides us with great detail on how a closed circuit rebreather works and the many advantages that they provide, such as being able to get closer to wildlife, warmer diving, longer NDL's at all depths, variable partial pressure…
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Dec 2, 2021
Graham Willis - The Dive Spots of New South Wales - S02 E16
Graham Willis is a professional dive Instructor operating out of Frog Dive, Sydney, Australia. Having lived in Sydney for over 30 years it's a fair assumption that Graham knows a lot of the dives sites pretty well and during a chance meeting via mutual friends Graham began chatting with a chap about writing books, namely dive books; Johan Boshoff has the experience of creating publications and with Grahams knowledge of New South Wales the book was born.
With 240 dive locations, details about the dive site and considerable detail about the location and local amenities , this book is perfect for the adventurous diver wishing to explore the NSW coastline.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Graham's book you can reach him via Frog Dive in Sydney, via Facebook or the link below. We will also have a link available on the soon to be released new Scuba GOAT website too!
The Dive Spots of New South Wales
Graham on Facebook
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Nov 14, 2021
Jeffrey Glenn - An introduction to Tech Diving - S02 E15
Jeffrey is a dive industry titan specialising in all areas of technical, cave and rebreather diving. He’s logged more than 20 years experience at the pointy end of diver and instructor development, and is also the owner of GoPro Asia and Bans Technical Diving, based on Koh Tao, Thailand.
His qualifications include multi-agency accreditations, such as a PADI Course Director and Technical Instructor Trainer, TDI/SDI Course Director, Instructor Trainer for RAID International (which is the world’s fastest growing and most dynamic dive agency), Raid Cave 2 Instructor, TDI Full Cave Instructor, and Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer for all 3 agencies.
Jeff is also an instructor for the world’s 3 leading exploration rebreathers: the JJCCR, the XCCR and the SF2. He’s certified well over 1000 divers in technical, rebreather and cave diving as well as countless technical diving instructors at all levels of their diver training.
Jeff is a member of international dive teams assembled f…
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Nov 2, 2021
Rebecca Griffiths - Freediving photography & conservation - S02 E14
Rebecca Griffiths first grabbed my attention via Instagram. Her account displays some beautiful photographs which I recognised instantly as having had minimal post-shot editing (quite a rare commodity these days). I continued to follow for a while and found that she was not only a photographer but a diver, free-diver and conservationist too.
As a youngster, Rebecca developed a life-long love for nature whilst living on the southern shores of England. Fast forward a number of years and she's swapped out the white cliffs and overcast skies for the much warmer, bluer waters off the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Keen to protect the oceans inhabitants Rebecca picked up a camera whilst simultaneously becoming a volunteer with Sea Shepherd. This has led to her representing and documenting 6 campaigns at home, and overseas with them.
Today we take a more in-depth look at Rebecca's storyline and how Freediving is more advantageous during the efforts she is currently involved in. As well as disc…
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Oct 20, 2021
Deborah Dickson-Smith - Global travel Part II - S02 E13
The second part of our mini-series with Deb and I talking through more destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned.
See chapter markers for locations discussed and S02 E12 for the first part of this series.
Deborah Dickson-Smith, is a writer, editor and publisher who has built a career in the travel media industry. She has managed to travel (and dive) through most of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.
Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to share
dive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has since
morphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travel
agency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.
Deborah's Links:
www.diveplanit.com
https://ww…
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Oct 18, 2021
Deborah Dickson-Smith - Diveplanit: Global travel - S02 E12
As the world starts to open up, I reckon it is time to take a look and remind ourselves as to what is on offer.
Joining me today is Deborah Dickson-Smith, a writer, editor and publisher who has built a
career in the travel media industry. She has managed to travel (and dive) through most of
the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Deb now uses these experiences to design tailor-
made dive holiday experiences for her clients at Diveplanit Travel.
Over the next 2 episodes, Deb and I talk through numerous destinations that every diver should have on their bucket list and highlight some of the up to date travel requirements for the destinations mentioned.
Deb and partner Simon Mallender launched Diveplanit in 2012, initially a blog to share
dive travel experiences and highlight marine conservation issues. Diveplanit has since
morphed into an online dive travel guide, content marketing agency and dive travel
agency, with the purchase of Diversion Dive Travel in 2018.
Deborah's Links:
www.…
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Oct 6, 2021
Samuel Rostøl - The Grind: Whaling in the Faroe Islands - S02 E11
Earlier this year Norwegian born Samuel Rostøl decided to leave mainstream employment as a nurse so that he could focus all of his available time on supporting animal activism. Soon thereafter, Samuel was invited to join Sea Shepherd in the Faroe Islands as they documented the annual Grindadrop or Pilot Whale hunts. His footage has shone an even brighter light on the islands and albeit he casts an imposing figure, Samuel's approach to activism is far from that which most would assume. During this episode Samuel explains the Grind, the animosity, violence and threats to kill and also the silent support and the reasons behind the reluctance of locals wishing the Grind to halt.
On Sunday 12th September the Grind slaughtered 1,428 Atlantic White-sided Dolphins. Albeit this podcast is predominantly non-political I feel the need to include such activity to assist in creating a global response for the betterment of the animals involved.
Samuel's social media links:
Facebook
Instagram
YouT…
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Sep 22, 2021
Marcel Van Den Berg - Scuba diving tips - S02 E10
Marcel Van Den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director, super passionate about professional training and eager to help anyone wishing to become a dive pro. During this episode, I have a catch up to see how he is supplementing his income during the pandemic, what he is doing regarding pro training and how he is preparing for the borders to allow travel once more.
Marcel's passion for training extends far beyond the classroom as he brings his skills to a variety of social media sources, including Youtube. His main channel "Marcel Van Den Berg" has accrued over 11,000 followers as he posts detailed presentations on how to perform in-water skills demonstrations that budding dive pros will need to be able to emulate to pass their Dive Master and/ or Instructor training courses.
His second channel "Scuba Diving Tips" also has a healthy following of around 8,500 subscribers and is designed to provide a wealth of information on how to perform skills required to pass various non-professional…
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Aug 21, 2021
Sylvia A. Earle - National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey - S02 E09
An absolutely mind-blowing highlight of my Scuba GOAT journey to date is the 2hrs I recently spent with Dr Sylvia A. Earle on the show. I’m sure this guest needs little by way of introduction; though her credentials, experience, passion and dedication to our oceans is awe-inspiring and incredible to witness.
Sylvia is without a doubt one of my lifelong heroes, and when her office contacted me to arrange some time with her on the show, I was stunned and star struck! But Sylvia quickly made me forget my nerves with her humility and generosity.
Vibrant and ever the optimist, Sylvia shares stories from her remarkable career, insights from her lifetime of learning, and her hopes for ongoing preservation and conservation of our blue planet. We discuss her latest book National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey, which will have readers fall in love with the ocean all over again (along with being a powerful wake-up call that the ocean is effectively the planet’s “life-support system”…
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Aug 10, 2021
Surface Interval - Lisa, Don & Matt - S02 E08
I catch up with two of my dive buddies whilst we are stuck in lockdown. Lissa Rebec is Sea Shepherd's co-ordinator in Sydney, Australia and Don, the Senior Travel Editor for Scuba Dive magazine. We discuss a few topics that have caught our attention recently and also highlight a number of excellent people working hard to educate the world on how we should be protecting our blue world.
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Aug 1, 2021
Andre Borell - Director Envoy Shark Cull - S02 E07
Envoy Shark Cull is a hard-hitting Australian documentary directed by Andre Borell. The film shines a much-needed light on the outdated and antiquated shark control methods deployed in QLD and NSW, that have not changed in methodology since being introduced in 1936. I was shocked and devastated to learn about this brutal culling program (also discussed with Jonathan Clark on S01 E15) that is not backed by science and urgently needs to be replaced with modern and non-lethal alternatives.
If the report Queensland Shark Control Program catch statistics for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is to be believed, 286 sharks were captured between June 2020 and July 2021, of which only 57 sharks were released alive. The report does not specify or account for the animals caught and killed as bycatch.
Envoy Shark Cull is a Mike Tyson sized punch in the face of reality, it is heavily researched and brutally honest; culminating in a unified voice for the animals of the Pacific Ocean. It is an abs…
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Jul 12, 2021
Jeff Hansen - Sea Shepherd Global Director - S02 E06
Originally from Melbourne, Jeff Hansen resides in Perth, Western Australia and is one of 6 Global Directors for Sea Shepherd. As leader or co-lead he has played a pivotal role in protecting Australia's coastline. Stopping the West Australian shark cull, preventing the worlds gas hub titan from ploughing through the largest Humpback Whale nursery on earth and stopping BP from drilling for oil in the rich, fragile and biodiverse waters of the Great Australian Bight.
Jeff is humble, passionate and dedicated to the world's wildlife and joins me on the show to discuss various elements that keep him ticking, his opinions and achievements he and the larger global Sea Shepherd team have made.
Jeff's links:
Facebook
Instagram
Sea Shepherd links:
Sea Shepherd Australia Facebook page
Sea Shepherd website
Sea Shepherd donation link
Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes and join our "Scuba GOAT Network" group on Facebook to maintain a link with all of the sho…
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Jul 5, 2021
Dr Andy Lewis - Coral Sea Foundation - S02 E05
Connecting with us from Magnetic Island, Australia, we hear from Dr Andy Lewis who managed the ecotourism activities aboard the luxury vessel True North for over a decade and visited a plethora of remote locations throughout the Coral Triangle. Armed with his PhD in coral reef ecology from James Cook University, and a passion for the reefs, islands and people of the South-Pacific, Andy developed the Coral Sea Foundation which has evolved at an impressive rate since its conception.
Andy covers a variety of topics and locations and later in the episode, airs his views as to how we should be focusing our efforts to ensure that life on Earth is sustainable for all.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/coralseafoundation
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coralseafoundation/
Twitter https://twitter.com/coralseafound
Website http://coralseafoundation.net/
Donation link https://hub.benojo.com/connect/org/CoralSeaFoundation/donate
Don't forget to subscribe to the show to be notified of ne…
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Jun 28, 2021
Elaine Brett - Master Divers, Koh Tao - S2 E04
Elaine Brett is a dive professional, the resident manager and co-owner of one of the oldest and most successful dive centres on Koh Tao, Thailand.
The northernmost of 3 islands in the Gulf, Koh Tao has attracted many tourists wishing to dive and obtain their certifications (with the added chance of seeing a Whaleshark). At times Koh Tao has been frowned upon for how busy it can get however, this tiny island is without a doubt a fantastic location to visit and is currently having some major rest from activity. Cue the aquatic life... I'm going to put it out there that post pandemic, Koh Tao should be on every divers wish list!
During this episode I catch up with Elaine and hear about life on the island and the exploratory diving she is conducting alongside other long-standing local dive pro's.
Master Divers webpage: https://www.master-divers.com
Master Divers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MasterDivers
Master Divers Instagram: http://instagram.com/masterdiverskohtao
Muck divin…
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Jun 20, 2021
Libby Sterling - Cairns, cameras & courses - S2 E03
Libby Sterling is a dive pro who specialises in teaching solo training for divers wishing to be self-sufficient. She's a dab hand with a camera and doesn't mind sharing her knowledge with those who ask. You'll regularly find Libby on one of the many boats operating out of Cairns, Australia and as a member of the Nautilus dive club, she's also won a couple of tasty awards for her camerawork too.
Facebook: Libby Sterling Photography | Facebook
Instagram: Libby_Sterling_Photography
Nautilus dive club: https://www.nautilus-scuba.net/
Links to local Cairns operators Libby dives with:
Passions Of Paradise: Passions of Paradise - Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns
Deep Sea Divers Den: Great Barrier Reef - Dive & Snorkel Tours | Divers Den
Frankland Island Tours: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises | Cairns Day Tours | Island Day Trips
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions: Cairns Liveaboard Scuba Diving - Great Barrier Reef, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea. (mikeball.com)
we hope you enjoy the episode and as us…
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Jun 13, 2021
Pete Bethune - Earthrace conservation - S2 E02
Connecting with us from Costa Rica, Pete Bethune has committed his life to wildlife conservation. Following his world record journey circumnavigating the world on a bio-fuel driven trimaran, Pete joined forces with Sea Shepherd in their fight to prevent whaling in Antarctica. When Earthrace became low on fuel a Japanese whaling vessel took the opportunity to ram the boat with Pete and his crew still onboard which ultimately led to its sinking. Following this, Pete boarded the Japanese vessel in a bid to present the captain with a bill for his boat. Since that day Pete's story has led him to prison in Japan, leading special forces teams into hostile environments, producing a TV show called The Operatives, assisting governments in the fight against poachers and illegal fishing, shot at and even stabbed. Pete doesn't claim to be a diver albeit he has 4-500 dives under his belt and an amazing story to tell. For an adventure of a lifetime, you can get in touch with Pete and volunteer to bec…
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Jun 5, 2021
Dr Simon Pierce - Whale sharks - S2 E01
Dr Simon Pierce is the worlds top whale shark conservation biologist. Co-founder of Marine Megafauna Foundation, he also founded MMF’s flagship global research program on whale sharks. Simon led the research team whose efforts resulted in whale sharks being recognized as globally endangered for the first time on the IUCN Red List, led the technical proposal that successfully listed whale sharks as globally protected via the UN Convention on Migratory Species, and led the first IUCN Green Status assessment of the species. Simon is a scientific advisor to the global whale shark database (www.whaleshark.org) and a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.
He has recently co-edited a textbook, 'Whale Sharks: Biology, Ecology, & Conservation', which will be available in August. Simon has also been involved in the publication of over 50 scientific papers.
Simon is not too shabby with a camera either and co-hosts a wildlife and travel photography gig called Nature Tripper, a website and…
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May 25, 2021
Surface Interval - Lissa, Don & Matt - S01 E18
Trying out something new with this episode, entitled "Surface Interval." My idea is that once a month we have a few people in the studio and have a wee catch-up with what's caught our eyes in the scuba news from around the world.
I'm joined by an old favourite, Don Silcock and a newbie to the show, Lissa Rebec.
Don and Lissa both come to the show with some big announcements linked to their involvement with Scuba Diver magazine and Sea Shepherd respectively.
During this episode, topics range from conservation to travel, upcoming documentaries to home-based Australian diving, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives and the Bahamas. All whilst having a beer, or in Lissa's case, a cup of tea.
Dons website: Indo Pacific Images
Lissa's next event: EveryFin Matters
Sea Shepherd Australia
Scuba Diver magazine:
Australia & New Zealand
Global edition
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May 9, 2021
Mike Scotland - Divelog Australasia Editor - S01 E17
Mike Scotland has been diving since 1976 and taught over 1,000 divers during his career as a dive pro. In 2019, Mike stepped up and took over as the editor of Divelog magazine and has been collating scuba news from across the Australasian region ever since. With a passion for photography and education as a Marine Biologist, Mike regularly shares his knowledge of the underwater world within each publication. He actively invites divers to share their own knowledge by writing articles and sharing their photographs to create a bumper edition in the region of 112 pages every 2 months.
During this episode, Mike talks about the magazine, career highlights, his passion for the underwater world and his thoughts on the future for Divelog.
To get a FREE copy of Divelog emailed to you please follow this link: Divelog registration
and if you are interested in sharing your stories and photo's make sure you hit Mike up via the website too!
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Apr 26, 2021
Don Silcock - Papua New Guinea - S01 E16
Don Silcock joins me in the studio today to talk about Papua New Guinea. Having travelled to PNG many times over the last 20 years Don guides us through the country as we highlight many of the stunning locations available to tourism and in particular, divers.
Dons website: Indo Pacific Images
Topics of discussion include:
The history of various locations, the people who explored and created what we have today and the origins of the phrase "Muck Diving."
Locations:
Tufi Resort
Kokopo
Kavieng
Tawali Resort
Walindi Plantation Resort
Port Moresby and Loloata
Milne Bay
Kimbe Bay
New Ireland
Raja Ampat
Rabaul
Madang
Liveaboards:
MV Chertan
Mv Febrina
MV Oceania
During the show I mentioned my good buddy BJ Glover who is an amazing photographer, check out his website at BJG Productions
If you would like assistance with your logistics, planning and bookings in PNG shoot me (or Don) a mail or comment below and we'll be happy to help.
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Apr 17, 2021
Jonathan Clark - Apex Harmony, Sea Shepherd - S01 E15
Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that campaigns to defend, conserve and protect the world’s oceans. Jonathan Clark is the Coordinator of Sea Shepherd's Apex Harmony Campaign in Queensland, Australia.
During this episode, Jonathan talks to Matt about the methods used in Australia to control shark numbers focusing on the Queensland and New South Wales coastline. Explaining the two main methods, Drumlines and shark nets, Jono goes into detail as to how these pieces of equipment are used and the indiscriminate killing of marine life that occurs because of their presence. Developed and introduced decades ago, the drumlines and shark nets are simply designed to kill, however, they do leave many people with the belief that they aid in the safety of surfers and bathers alike. Quite the contrary. Even more so when we hear of the variety of marine life being caught up and killed by these systems. Dolphins, Turtles, Rays and even Humpback Whales are…
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Apr 11, 2021
Cristina Zenato - The Shark Whisperer - S01 E14
Let me tell you about my next guest. This wonderful lady is a course director, shark behaviorist, conservationist , public speaker, and founder of the nonprofit organization - People of the water, a member of the explorers club. She has also been inducted into the women divers hall of fame, is a member of the ocean artists society and the recipient of the platinum pro 5,000 as well as being a writer and listed as an actor on IMDB. Also known as the shark dancer, the shark whisperer, and the mother of sharks.
Join me as I discuss a range of topics with Cristina, including her exploration and mapping of the uncharted caves hidden beneath the Bahamas, shark conservation, life on an island, living with hurricanes, fitness and tuition of budding shark enthusiasts and that's before we get onto the topic of hook removal!
Cristina's website
People of the Water non-profit website
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Youtube video - Cristina removing hooks from sharks (9 mill views)
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Mar 28, 2021
Kirsten Sheppard - Dive Ningaloo - S01 E13
Kirsten Sheppard is a dive pro and the owner of Dive Ningaloo based in Exmouth, Western Australia. The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. Annual gatherings of whale sharks occur at Ningaloo Coast, which is home to numerous marine species, among them a wealth of sea turtles, Manta rays, Humpback Whales & numerous shark species.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Ningaloo should be on everyone's everyone's bucket list. Join me as I discuss a variety of topics with Shep including the imminent arrival of their new liveaboard, which Scuba Goat is DEFINITELY going to visit for a trip around this epic location.
Links:
Dive Ningaloo website
Facebook page
Instagram
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Mar 14, 2021
Kai Steinbeck - Sunreef PADI Course Director - S01 E12
Kai Steinbeck has been diving since the dawn of time and is now utilising his skills and experiences to pass on significant knowledge to the next generation of dive instructors. As a PADI Course Director, Kai conducts Instructor Development Courses operating on the Sunshine Coast, Australia at Sunreef dive centre, Mooloolaba
* PROMO ALERT – KAI ANNOUNCES A GREAT OFFER DURING THIS EPISODE and Matt gets a gift!!
*
Kai talks to Matt about his move to Mexico and quick about-turn back to Australia, suffering a Covid infection, the move to Mooloolaba and diver training. Kai’s enthusiasm and love for diving really do shine through during this episode, a true advocate of the sport and indeed a shining example of the character required to fulfil the role of ensuring our future instructors receive the very best in training.
For more information on professional training contact kai:
Email: kai@diveinstructor.com.au
Website: DiveInstructor.com
Social Media:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube…
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Mar 8, 2021
Gareth Lock - Inspirational founder of The Human Diver - S01 E11
Gareth Lock is the inspirational founder of The Human Diver. On leaving his 25-year career in the RAF he was already an experienced diver having started to learn the sport in 1999. His very first dive took place in Greece while on holiday. However, it was while on work trips to Cape Town and San Diego that he knew diving would become an important part of his life.
As he became more experienced in diving, he realised that it was all about teamwork and there’s one thing the military do very well – working as a team. They know through extensive training and experience in the theatre of war that little mistakes around behaviour, poor decisions, lack of situational awareness and complacency costs lives.
Sadly, Gareth found that often in diving that holistic ethos was lacking. Teams were not always led well, did not get on with each other and members often operated in separate silos without any consideration for those also sharing that diving experience. Dysfunctional teams were often…
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Feb 28, 2021
Michael McFadyen - 33 years of logging and sharing - S01 E10
Michael McFadyen began diving in 1988 and started logging his dives… he hasn’t stopped since. Over 33 years Michael has logged thousands of dives, explored the New South Wales Coastline, found, mapped and shared his findings with the world, for free.
The “Michael McFadyen’s scuba diving website” contains over 1,000 pages of information and specific details on where (and how) to dive in New South Wales, Australia. Since 1996 Michael has selflessly shared his findings, written thousands of articles for dive magazines and led many trips at home and overseas.
Should you be interested in contacting Michael or joining one of his expeditions you can reach him via his website email links.
Every dive gets logged and it is updated regularly, as an example I write this update on Nov 5th 2021, and the following is the current logged updates submitted by Michael to his website:9 October 2021 – The LeapFirst dive since 17 June as I went to Birdsville and due to Covid lockdown in Sydne…
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Feb 8, 2021
Dr Matt Carter - Marine Archaeologist - S01 E09
Born and bred a Kiwi, Dr Matt Carter is Australasia’s leading technical diving marine archaeologist. Currently residing in Melbourne, Matt is the Research Director for the Major Projects Foundation. The team are focusing on the WWII wrecks in the Pacific, with plans to remove the potentially devastating oils before they leak into the Ocean. Join us as we discuss this and other topics during Episode #9 of Scuba Goat.
Links for Matt Carter
Email
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Major Projects Foundation
Major Projects Foundation
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Further interests
Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology
Scuba Goat is produced in collaboration with Sydney Podcast Studios and financed by Matt Waters. If you would like to help maintain a constant stream of episodes then a contribution by way of a coffee or two would be highly appreciated. Thank you all.
Buy Matt a coffee
Find out more at www.scubagoat.com
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Jan 27, 2021
Mikko Paasi - Thai cave rescue - S01 E08
CCR Tech Instructor Trainer, owner of Koh Tao Divers & KTD Malta, explorer and wreck hunter, absolute hero as part of the rescue team during the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand. We chat about life before, during and after the events of 2018.
If you're keen to dive with Mikko on one of his expeditions or receive some top-notch training... you can reach him by:
* His pro website: https://www.mikkopaasi.com/
* Thai dive shop: https://kohtaodivers.com/
* Malta dive shop: https://kohtaodiversmalta.com/
And you can also reach him via FB and Instagram
* https://www.instagram.com/mikkokohtaodivers/
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Dec 16, 2020
Christmas Catch-ups - S01 E07
At the close of this crazy year, I catch up with Kristian Parton and Brendon Sing to find out what they've been up to since last being on the show.
Brendon updates us on the bid to ban shark fin importation to the UK and Kris touches base about his new Youtube channel, Shark Bites.
Help spread the word of Scuba Goat and hit that cheeky little follow button and feel free to ping me any ideas of content you would like to hear in future episodes.
*Dive operators and dive pro's* - I know this year has been particularly difficult for everyone in the industry. All we can do now is look forward and prepare for life to begin again. So, if you would like to highlight your location, your plans, how you've sustained yourselves through this epic travel drought then please do get in touch and let's get chatting. If an episode can bring you exposure then count me in!
Kristian's Youtube channel: Shark Bytes
Here more about the fab work Kristian has done during Episode #6
Shark Guardian's webpag…
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Sep 14, 2020
Kristian Parton - Marine Biologist & shark enthusiast - S01 E06
Kristian Parton is a marine biologist and shark enthusiast conducting his research in collaboration with the University of Exeter*, the Shark Trust and Citizen Science. He is also the lead author of a recently published scientific paper focusing on the direct impact of microplastics on demersal sharks and the father of *Sh.a.R.E.N* - The Shark and Ray Entanglement Network.
Kristian's passion for marine biology and in particular, sharks, was very clear during our chat. I was left feeling energised through his enthusiasm for the work he and his colleagues have achieved so far. Closing loopholes and filling in the blanks is one of the many components in achieving an increased global dedication to protecting our earth and its inhabitants. With individuals such as Kristian entering into the battle and producing work such as this, I left our discussion with an air of excitement as to what comes next, and I will be closely following the growth of ShaREN as well as Kristian's future work.
Cl…
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Sep 6, 2020
Marcus Blake - Komodo Resort & Dive Club - S01 E05
Komodo National Park in Indonesia is world-renowned for its vast array of marine biodiversity and bucket list scuba diving. Marcus Blake has spent the last 4 years based on the perimeter of the park as the dive operations manager at Komodo Resort and Dive Club.
I hosted an expedition for 10 guests at Komodo Resort and Dive Club in November 2019 and I was seriously impressed with the entire operation. This excerpt taken from the resort's website perfectly describes the location...
Nestled in a sheltered bay fringed with white sand, the Komodo Dive Resort offers a unique and friendly environment to enjoy some of Indonesia's best diving. Imagine a place where you are welcomed as family on a paradisiac island in the middle of the Komodo archipelago surrounded by crystal clear waters and pristine reefs.
The Komodo region is renowned for being among the *top dive sites* on earth. Divers, snorkelers and photographers from all around the world come to the *Komodo National Park* to experienc…
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Aug 27, 2020
Paul Toomer - President of RAID - S01 E04
Not to be missed is Episode 4 of Scuba GOAT with diving industry
heavyweight Paul Toomer. We pack a lot into this hour; as this
mould-breaking President of RAID shares the successes and challenges behind a decade of growth, and the coming evolution of the diving industry.
*DIVE TRAINING IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN*
RAID has taken a new, and we believe, a far better approach to diver training. It starts by ensuring we train great instructors and in so doing, we are literally rewriting diver training standards creating new benchmarks of excellence. For example, our minimum requirements and prerequisites to enter instructor training necessitate almost twice that compared to current industry standards. We feel this is essential to ensure divers in training are only exposed to highly-skilled, truly experienced and extremely dedicated dive professionals.
We also require all RAID instructors to have completed a Deep Diver and Nitrox Course as these are major interest areas for all divers and whe…
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Aug 21, 2020
Jason Fondis - Blue Corner Dive, Nusa Penida - S01 E03
Jason Fondis is a dive professional, co-owner and manager of Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Join us as we chat about the phenomenal aquatic biodiversity on his doorstep, hilarious island life insights, and a thrilling manta rescue caught on camera which can be viewed on our youtube page.
Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida
I first visited Nusa Penida on the recommendation of a good dive buddies of mine and I was pleasantly surprised to find it still relatively new to the tourism circuit. Getting there is a very easy process, landing at Denpasar airport, Bali and with a short taxi ride to Sanur beach some 35 minutes away, you have a great number of ferries to choose from for a 35 minute to just over 1-hour crossing to dock at Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida is rapidly growing with many new businesses being built, including a variety of dive shops, resorts and centres. Accommodation on the island also varies from a few top-end resorts to basic bungalow rentals. My personal favourite that…
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Aug 14, 2020
Brendon Sing & Elizabeth Ward-Sing - Shark Guardian - S01 E02
Shark Guardian is a UK registered charity focused on the protection and conservation of sharks worldwide; along with research and education initiatives on these apex predators. Join me as we talk through current conservation topics and the important work undertaken by this team.
Shark Guardian operates under four pillars, conservation, education, research and expeditions. During this episode, Brendon and Liz expand on what each pillar means for them and how the charity operates and its future goals.
You can help support the charity in a number of ways and you can also order some really cool merch……Take a look and get purchasing!
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Aug 14, 2020
Matt Waters - An introduction - S01 E01
*Matt Waters: A little story on how the Scuba GOAT podcast came about*
Matt Waters is a multi-agency scuba diving instructor, travel agency owner and now podcast host. Matt has certified hundreds of recreational divers and conducted 1,000’s of dives around the world. With a true passion for the Ocean and its inhabitants, Matt needs little excuse to don his dive gear and get those fins wet and when he’s not submerged he’s generally doing something dive related, *whether* that be tinkering with cameras, scoping out new bucket-list locations, organising expeditions and bookings or simply catching up with dive buddies. It’s fair to say that he’s a little bit addicted to the Ocean.
*Podcasting is an easy way to keep in touch. Right?*
Forging my way through these uncharted waters seemed quite daunting at first, and so without much knowledge*,* I dived into my first attempts at recording an episode with a good mate, Jason Fondis who is based on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida…
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