About Us
THE TEAM & OUR MISSION
Meet the Scuba Dive Online team, here to mentor you through your PADI IDC journey. Each of us is an award-winning PADI Course Director, the highest certification in diving. Collectively, we have taught more than 15,000 PADI student divers and have over 20 years of experience teaching professional level diving
We have worked at some of the world’s most renowned dive centers, gaining valuable knowledge and expertise in diverse environments. This experience allows us to provide top-tier mentorship, helping you excel in your diving career.
Our mission is to guide you in becoming the best PADI professional you can be. We aim to enhance your eLearning experience, deepen your understanding of in-water training, and offer authentic dive travel recommendations. Are you ready to embark on new adventures and join our global diving community?
OUR UNIQUE TEAM
Tim Hunt - PADI Course Director
Tim, originally from Canada, has been a PADI Course Director for 15 years. He has taught in Thailand, Grand Cayman, and North America. Over the years, he has worked directly for PADI as a Territory Director, building strong connections with industry leaders, dive professionals, and PADI dive centers across Asia Pacific. This wealth of experience allows him to deliver inspiring insights and invaluable expertise to Scuba Dive Online students, making every training session truly exceptional.
As a PADI Examiner, Tim stays up to date with training standards, quality management, and advanced teaching approaches for professional-level divers.
Currently, he is part of the ‘Pro Team’ at Ban’s and Assava Diving Resorts.
His in-depth knowledge of PADI systems and programs, combined with his passion for the business of diving, ensures an unrivaled diving education. While his primary focus is training PADI professionals and helping members grow their personal businesses, Tim also enjoys teaching divers of all levels, from Open Water Diver to PADI Instructor.
Natalie Hunt - PADI Course Director
Natalie, originally from Australia, is one of the most experienced PADI Course Directors in the world. With 23 years of teaching diving, she combines deep knowledge with an entertaining approach to education that will keep you hooked and excited to learn more.
Her passion for diving extends beyond traditional courses. Natalie loves working with children and teaching divers with disabilities, bringing a sense of inclusivity and fun to every session. She also thrives on the challenges of planning and executing technical dives, sidemount dives, and self-reliant dives.
A true global citizen, Natalie has dived and worked in destinations such as Thailand, Grand Cayman, the British Virgin Islands, Egypt, Canada, and Australia. She currently manages Assava Dive Resort and teaches Instructor Development Courses (IDC) on Koh Tao. However, she still enjoys teaching beginner courses, keeping her skills sharp across all levels of diving.
Natalie is truly a ‘Jill of all trades’ in the diving world. Her energy, motivation, and versatility make her one of the most inspired and active dive instructors on the planet!
Monique Richards - PADI Course Director
Monique, originally from the UK, became a PADI Instructor in 2003 and has worked full-time in the diving industry ever since. As a PADI Course Director on Koh Phangan, Thailand, she has built an extensive career diving and working in exotic locations such as Egypt, Australia, India, Greece, Malaysia, Fiji, and Mexico.
Beyond her expertise in diver training, Monique brings extensive knowledge in dive retail, sales, and management. As one of the founders of Scuba Dive Online, she is a familiar face in the IDC online sessions, where she provides expert guidance to aspiring dive professionals.
Notably, Monique is passionate about protecting the underwater environment. Together with Tim and Natalie, she is part of a dedicated team of marine conservationists who transplant and monitor corals as part of an ongoing reef conservation project. Her teaching goes beyond certifications, aiming to inspire true ambassadors for our ocean planet.
Neil Richards - PADI Course Director
Neil, originally from the UK, became a PADI Instructor in 2003 and has remained deeply passionate about diving ever since. Over the years, he has dived and worked in some of the world’s best diving locations, including Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, and Egypt.
As a PADI Course Director based at Ban’s Diving Resort on Koh Tao, Thailand, Neil travels to our hand-picked PADI 5 Star IDC partner centers worldwide to complete the in-water section of the IDC. His extensive experience includes working as the PADI Regional Manager for Thailand for seven years, as well as serving as a PADI examiner. With this background, who better to mentor you through your IDC?
Outside of diving, Neil is passionate about sports and fitness. He frequently organizes activities such as sunset beach volleyball games, hikes to Koh Tao’s viewpoints, wakeboarding sessions, and even aerial trapeze!
Alex Arnold - PADI Course Director
Alex, originally from the UK, became a PADI Instructor in 2000 and has dedicated his career to the diving industry as both an instructor and dive center owner. He has dived and worked in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, including Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, and the Maldives.
In 2007, Alex and his wife Rachel became the proud owners of the PADI 5 Star IDC resort “Sail Rock Divers” on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Managing the most successful PADI IDC resort on Koh Phangan keeps him busy, but he still finds time to travel with Scuba Dive Online to other exotic destinations.
In addition to his work in diving, Alex is passionate about photography. He runs a photography company and enjoys capturing stunning underwater shots as well as portraiture.
Kai Steinbeck - PADI Course Director
Kai, originally from Australia, became a PADI Instructor in 1994. Over the years, he has worked in some of the world’s most stunning diving locations, including the Caribbean, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
Kai spent many years in Cairns teaching courses ranging from Open Water Diver to Divemaster programs. During this time, he also served as a trip director on liveaboards and eventually earned his skipper’s license. Today, he holds the prestigious Platinum Course Director rating and conducts IDCs in both the Dominican Republic and the Sunshine Coast of Australia.
With his vast teaching experience, Kai provides his candidates with an exceptional foundation in diving skills, marine life knowledge, and conservation practices. Additionally, he offers invaluable insights into business solutions for managing and growing successful dive companies.
FOUR WAYS WE WILL SUPPORT YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A PADI PROFESSIONAL
1.Unique, Enhanced eLearning and LIVE online presentations
Our PADI eLearning courses include engaging videos, comprehensive study materials, and interactive knowledge assessments. Once you’ve completed your eLearning, join us LIVE online for personalized teaching workshops, tailored to your course and schedule—no matter where you are in the world.
For PADI Divemaster Courses, we offer complimentary LIVE online dive theory presentations and consultation sessions to fully prepare you for the practical part of your PADI Divemaster course at one of our hand-picked PADI 5 Star IDC partner centres worldwide.
For the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC), we offer a unique “hybrid” option that combines online and in-water training, saving you both time and money. All the PADI IDC classroom curriculum workshops are delivered through our IDC LIVE online workshops (7 days, 3 hours per day), fully preparing you for the in-water section at one of our many PADI 5 Star IDC partner centre destinations.
For PADI Recreational courses, if you choose the eLearning option, we offer a free online presentation to help prepare you for your course at one of our chosen partner destinations. This means less time in a classroom during your holiday and more time underwater. If you need to complete recreational courses before becoming a PADI Pro, this is a perfect opportunity to get to know your Scuba Dive Online team.
2. International Partnered Facilities
Dive with confidence at our carefully selected PADI 5 Star IDC partner centres. With extensive worldwide experience, our Scuba Dive Online team chooses these centres for their outstanding reputation, exceptional performance, and world-class facilities. We’ve either worked directly at these centres or collaborated closely with them to ensure the highest standards.
If you’ve already chosen a dive centre, that’s fantastic! If not, we can arrange a face-to-face online meeting to help you meet your instructor or inspect the facility before making a commitment.
Our global network, built on extensive worldwide experience, allows us to provide tailored recommendations for diving and accommodation across a range of incredible destinations. We are currently partnered with top-rated dive centres in Thailand, the Dominican Republic, the Maldives, the Philippines, and Mexico.
Wherever you plan to complete your diver training, you can rely on the Scuba Dive Online team for expert guidance and support.
3.Dive equipment expert consultation
As a certified diver, nothing beats having your own personal set of equipment. The Scuba Dive Online team offers expert equipment recommendations, from masks and snorkels to complete sets including BCDs, regulators, and dive computers. We’ll share our preferred brands and explain our choices to help you make the best decision.
4. Dive career expert consultation
PADI Course Directors, including the Scuba Dive Online team, are dedicated to supporting PADI professionals as they pursue careers in the dive industry. Drawing on our extensive global teaching experience, we offer complimentary LIVE career consultations to all of our pro-level candidates.
During these consultations, we provide expert guidance on job hunting, crafting standout CVs, and mastering interview techniques. Additionally, we help you build connections with fellow pro-level candidates worldwide through engaging Q&A sessions. As a result, you will feel prepared and confident to take the next step in your diving career.
