With over 20 years of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to developing skilled and confident divers. My journey began as an emergency services officer, where I gained firsthand experience in high-stakes situations. That foundation led me to open my own dive shop, where I focus on training recreational divers, dive teams, and organizations to enhance their skills and safety in the water.

My passion for diving extends beyond just instruction—I take pride in helping individuals and teams achieve their goals, whether they’re exploring for fun, improving their technical skills, or preparing for critical public safety operations. Through hands-on training and expert guidance, I’m committed to shaping a community of safer, more competent divers.

Diving Deep with Duane: More Than Just an Instructor

Duane's approach to scuba instruction can best be described as "super chill," but don't let that relaxed demeanor fool you. He's a dedicated SDI Elite Scuba Instructor who's passionate about upholding the highest course standards while ensuring his students have a safe, fun, and truly memorable learning experience. His ability to connect with both adults and kids makes him a favorite among divers of all ages.

Duane recently took his passion for diving to the next level, completing his cave diver certification in the challenging and beautiful waters of Mexico. This accomplishment reflects his commitment to expanding his skills and exploring the diverse world of underwater environments.

Beyond his instructional expertise, Duane wears many hats at Sink or Swim Scuba, contributing to the shop in countless ways. His background in scouting instilled in him a strong sense of leadership and community, making him a valuable asset to our team and a great friend to everyone in the Sink or Swim Scuba family. He's always ready with a helping hand, a friendly smile, and a wealth of diving knowledge.

When he's not at the shop or in the water, Duane enjoys traveling the world with Sink or Swim Scuba, sharing his love of diving with others. He also cherishes his time with family, proving that even the most dedicated divers know the importance of balancing adventure with loved ones. We're incredibly lucky to have Duane as part of the Sink or Swim Scuba family!

Operations Manager & Divemaster

Charlie is essential to the smooth daily operations of Sink or Swim Scuba, ensuring our divers have an exceptional experience. His background in scouting instilled in him a strong sense of leadership and preparedness, qualities he brings to his role every day. He earned his Divemaster rating through SDI and has recently completed his cave diver certification, demonstrating his commitment to expanding his skills and knowledge in the diving world. Whether you’re new to diving or a seasoned pro, Charlie’s passion for the sport and dedication to our community are evident in all he does.

BJ brings extensive expertise in maintaining recreational and public safety dive equipment. With over 10 years of experience, he is passionate about teaching both recreational and technical diving, helping divers enhance their skills and confidence. He holds numerous high-level instructor ratings from several respected training organizations, reflecting his dedication to excellence in the diving community.

Barry has been diving since 1978 and holds various certifications.  He is one of the most experienced divemasters we have on staff.  His primary interest is tech diving and also is on the board for PDRA and is the quarry manager at the Lake Norman location.

He also brings a career’s worth of knowledge in Emergency Services, having served on both the police and EMS sides, further enhancing his ability to train and support divers in high-stakes environments. His unique background allows him to provide valuable insights into safety, preparedness, and equipment maintenance, making him an invaluable asset to the diving community.

Lavy is a recently certified Open Water diver with a passion for the underwater world. She’s usually in the shop on Fridays and Saturdays, ready to assist and connect with fellow divers. Outside of diving, Lavy is a dedicated Cardiac Nurse Practitioner specializing in cardiac care. Stop by on a Friday, and you’ll likely find her sharing her enthusiasm for diving and learning more about the dive community!