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ABOUT US » Staff

James Hollis (note the similarities in hairstyles with the dolphin!)

James has been diving since 1973. Having always been facinated by the underwater world, he completed a BSc in Marine Biology at the University of British Columbia and went on to create the UBC Aqua Society Shop in 1981, Marine Drive's Capilano Divers Supply (formerly Great Pacific Diving North Vancouver) in 1985 and our flagship Surrey store in 1987.

EMAIL for James Hollis can be sent here!
     
 

Mike McKinley

Mike has been the store manager since 2006. He started diving in 1985, became an Instructor in 1989, and a Master Instructor in 1993. Mike also became a commercial diver in 1996, and started teaching commercial courses in 1997. His sport diving experience is truly global, having worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, taught in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Fiji, the exotic waters of Northern British Columbia, and of course, all that Howe Sound and the lower coast offers!

EMAIL for Mike can be sent here!

     
 

Deon Jones

Deon has been with GPD since 2011. He started diving during his 13-year military career, and completed his PADI courses in 2005. After leaving the military, his travels included diving in the Red Sea, Turkey, Malaysia, East & West Africa, Cuba & Mexico. He also spent some time in the Yukon (diving of course)! He has worked as an instructor in South Africa, Mozambique & Mexico. While in Mexico, he completed his IANTD Cave diver certification, and worked as a Cavern & Cave guide for 3 years. As a full time MSDT at Great Pacific he loves teaching anything from Open Water courses right through to Specialties, and also enjoys Sidemount diving whenever he gets the opportunity. While not SCUBA diving, he skydives, rock climbs & ice climbs.

     
 

Halle Jones

Halle has been at the store since 2011. After moving to Mexico, she started diving in 2008. She completed her Dive master course a year later and started working at a Resort in the Riviera Maya. She also took to cave diving & did her IANDT Cave Intro course in 2010. She has dived in Mexico, Cuba and in the Yukon. She enjoys the cooler BC waters and is planning to complete her IDC in 2012, and can be found working in the shop on a regular basis. In her spare time she enjoys planning dive trips and working on her Side mount skills.

     
 

Cindy Harman


Cindy has been with Great Pacific since 2003. She got the "diving bug" in 1995 and since then has explored the underwater worlds of the Caribbean, Hawaii, Ontario and across most of the lower BC coast. She became an instructor in 2002 and has enjoyed the status of Master Scuba Diver Trainer since 2003.

EMAIL for Cindy can be sent here!

     
 

Mary-Ellen (Mel) Baker


Mel is more commonly found in the shop, or dazzling the crowds at one of the store's trade-shows. A divemaster since 2000, Mel has dived locally and exotic locations like Fiji, and the Caribbean.

Being the store's official cheerleader is one of her duties.

 
     
  Robert (Robin) Hastings Barker Esq

In addition to being GPD's in-house Course Director, Robin has every certification card and qualification in the known (and ethereal) universe. When he is not molding the minds of new instructor candidates Robin is running the technical services department. Clients from across Canada rely on Robin's expertise and incredible skill! Even Jacques Cousteau, during an Expo '86 visit, recognized Robin as an industry contributor!

SURREY :: 10020-152 Street (Two blocks south of Guildford) | Tel (604) 583 1700 | Email
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