Staff
Experts
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Tony Lee |
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Tony has many years of dive experience prior
to starting his teaching career with Rick's in 1991. He is a Master Scuba
Diver Trainer with a particular interest in Spearfishing, which is a
very popular activity in Arkansas around our local lakes. As a matter of fact, Arkansas is one
of only a few States that allows the spearing of game fish period. Tony has a
very loyal following of students that have taken his Spearfishing
Specialty classes and would love to find his favorite fishing spots, but
so far he isn't telling! Tony is also one of our "Tec
Divers" and enjoys exploring caves and grotto's of Mexico &
Florida. He owns CCI which is a "fiber Optic" company in North Little Rock and
has always been a viable part of Rick's Dive Team. Be sure to ask Tony
about his latest cave diving expedition or see if you can get him to give
you a couple of his spearfishing "honey holes"! |
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Mark Loose |
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Mark is
one of our valued PADI Instructors here at Rick's. Mark and his wife Debbie have two children, 17
year old Scott who is an Open Water Diver and 16 year old Jeff who
is Advanced Open Water. The family wanted to do something together
and started scuba diving at Rick's in 2000. They have already visited
Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles, Blackbeards Sail Cruise in
the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. Mark wasted no time working his
way up the diving ranks completing his Advanced Open Water,
Rescue, Divemaster, Instructor and has been teaching at Rick's
ever since. Mark has also taken the reigns by teaching the
Underwater Crimescene course. Don't miss the opportunity to enroll
his Underwater Crimescene course. Mark & his wife Debbie, live in Little Rock. Come join him in
one of his regularly scheduled scuba classes or dive vacations. |
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Steve Martins
Aka Scuba Steve |
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“From birth, man carries the weight
of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has
only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.” Jacques Cousteau
That’s what happened to me when I experienced my first underwater
SCUBA experience two and half years ago at Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel
Center. I felt that “AWSOME” feeling of being “free”. Steve, a
native of New England has grown up on top of the ocean all his
life. From deep sea fisherman to lobsterman Steve can tell you
stories. He started diving at Rick’s in 2003 after getting his
Open Water certification and hasn’t stopped since. In 2006 he
received his Instructors license and loves to teach others they
way he was taught, “The right way”. “I had to move to a land
locked state to begin diving, go figure” When I decided to try
diving I wanted to make sure I was taught by the best dive center
available. Rick’s was, hands down the most respected store in the
state.” And when I wanted to become a professional diver I wanted
to be certified by the best in the country and it just so
happened, Rick’s it was. My goal as a PADI Scuba instructor is to
have my student experience that “feeling” and along the way have a
blast of fun. You won’t be disappointed. I hope to see you soon!
"If you love what you do, you'll never work another day in your
life.” |
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Amy Ross |
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"I
came to Rick's in 1998 for an Underwater Photography course". "I
was so impressed by the Dive Team at Rick's, that I set out to
become a part of it." Amy has since become a PADI Instructor and
is proud to be a member of our instructor staff. She is excited about
introducing others to the fascinating underwater world and her passion
for diving is contagious. Amy enjoys taking groups on Blackbeards Cruises
and diving the Mines of Bonne Terre. Her
husband, John is one or Rick's PADI Divemasters. Come join
her on a dive trip or in a class and you'll be hooked too. |
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Brad
West |
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Brad's passion for the
underwater world started after completing a Discover Scuba
Experience in Cancun, Mexico. He came to Rick's Dive 'N Travel
Center after being referred by a fellow diver. "All I want is a
certification card so I can make a few Caribbean dives and
spearfish in local lakes" he stated. The scuba bug bit Brad and he
enrolled in every class he could and completed the Divemaster
program. His determination to share with others how the bug bit
him convinced Brad to learn more about diving and complete the
PADI Instructor Rating. Brad has introduced a lot of friends into
diving including his wife Jennifer. They travel regularly to
Cozumel where they actually took a day off from diving and "tied
the knot". Brad is our resident Entertainment Director, Chef
Extraordinaire and is always involved in many of the stores social
activities, such as our Seafood Gumbo & Corona Nights, Underwater
Treasure Hunt, and is always looking for a Spearfishing buddy.
Brad lives by the phrase "Life's too short". We hope you will come
meet Brad and get ready for the fun to begin. |
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