Full time staff
Martin Ainsworth, Director of Instructor Development, (PADI Course Director / EFR Instructor Trainer)
Martin has been diving for over 20 years starting in the UK and then eventually doing his instructor exam in 1992. Since then Martin has been actively teaching in the UK and diving around the world in the Maldives, Australia, Bali, Borneo, Egypt, USA, Canada and the Philippines before reaching his goal of Course Director in 2003. Martin has set up dive centres in both the UK and Europe prior to developing and opening an inland dive site, the Blue Lagoon, which enabled him to map his experience in all aspects of diving into our Instructor Development Courses. Martin is currently focused on running an active instructor development calendar across our two dive centres in addition to developing our own distinctive specialty courses and teaching instructor courses for other centres in the UK, Malta, Turkey and Cape Verde. Martin has consistently achieved gold status within the Course Director frequent trainer program for the last three years teaching between 50 and 100 instructor courses a year, so if you are interested in any aspect of instructor development from Divemaster onwards, feel free to give him a call.
Sharon Ainsworth, Director of Training, (PADI Course Director / EFR Instructor Trainer)
As the training manager at Above & Below, Sharon strives to keep a professional and organised atmosphere whilst mentoring our new and enthusiastic instructors to provide a fun and exciting one. Having a Masters Degree in Aquatic Ecology Sharon is always focused on promoting the environmental awareness elements of our dive programs in addition to promoting and developing our academic programs for schools and universities. Sharon is always around so anything you want to know just ask....
Jason Eddom, Hull Centre Manager, (Assistant Instructor)
Jay became an AI way back in 1998 and decided he preferred to concentrate on developing his dive retail skills gaining a wealth of product knowledge across all our suppliers. In addition Jay is a qualified gas blender and service technician who coupled with his understanding of the PADI system of training makes him the ideal choice to discuss your training or equipment requirements. When he is off work you will generally find he is jetting off on a dive trip to dive to Thailand, Egypt or his favourite, Barbados!
Gen MacCallum, (Master Instructor / EFR Instructor)
After becoming an instructor with Above & Below Gen has run her own dive operations in both Turkey and the Philippines prior to returning to the UK and rejoining us a full time instructor. It’s easy to spot Gen, she will be the one wearing a fleece in the middle of summer!! It would be easier to say which specialties Gen does not teach instead of listing the ones she can. Gen is currently working on her Tech Deep & Trimix Instructor training as someone said "its not for girls !"
Part time staff
Paul Morrell (Mr B), Senior Training Manager (IDC-STAFF Instructor)
The rescue Guru!! Renowned for doing that little bit extra when it come to conducting a realistic Rescue Diver or Emergency First Response course Mr B gives it 200% commitment and 200% enjoyment. If he’s not teaching people how to look after themselves and others you will find him in the pool where he appears to be creating a whole army of Seals and Master Seals. The kids just love his bizarre underwater inventions!!
Ken Bentley (Big Ken), Advanced & Speciality Course Manager (IDC-STAFF Instructor)
Tasked with putting that special touch to a speciality course Ken is the lead instructor for our Master Scuba Diver challenge. So if you want to try something different or just to step up to the mark and become a Master Scuba Diver, Give him a call…
Jon Rudderforth (Rudders), Rebreather & Open Water Diver Course Manager (IDC-STAFF Instructor)
Jon is responsible for the smooth running of your PADI Open Water Course which allies with his best attribute, his never ending patience. Jon is always approachable and aims to provide a safe and supportive introduction to your fist experience of SCUBA Diving here at Above & Below.
Awesome Andy Cavell (IDC-STAFF Instructor / EFR Instructor)
Also known as Rocky Rooster, Andy has been a welcome delight to the training here at Above and Below when he joined us in December 2008 to complete his Instructor Training after completing his Divemaster training in Thailand. Andy has dive experience in Thailand, Fiji, Similan Islands, Austrailia to name but a few ! Andy is in charge of deciding on nick names for the team !
Other professionals
• Darren Hedges (MSDT)
• Jon Potter (OWSI)
• Paul Elliott (OWSI)
• Pam Heaton (OWSI)
• Chris Wilson (OWSI)
• Kerry Snow (OWSI)
• Dave Brown (OWSI)
• Jackie Ploughman (OWSI)
• Phil Ploughman (OWSI)
• James Wright (IDC Staff)
• Fiona Wright (MSDTI)
• Gill Beckwith (AI)
• Adrian Keene (AI)
• Ray Allenby (AI)
• Peter Gibbins (OWSI)
• Rob Green (AI)
• Peter Bloom (DM)
• Alan Mills (DM)
• Sam Collins (DM)
• Mike Collins (DM)
• James Foleher (MSDT)
• Alan Woodrow (DM)
• Lenny Archer (OWSI)
• Alan Cunliffe (OWSI)
• Mark Bostock (IDC Staff)
• Mark Pridmore (DM)
• Gemma Harrison (OWSI)
• Nikki Thurston (OWSI)
• Rhia Spall (OWSI)
• Jon Butterfield (AI)
• Rachel Linarts (OWSI)
