This is the first of a series of instructor spotlights we will be running. We want you to get to know our instructor members and help you find the right person to continue your scuba journey.
Skip VandeLinde is passionate about scuba diving, and it won’t take you longer than the first 30 seconds of a conversation to “get” that about him. He and his husband Jeff own the dive company AquaLife Divers in Pompano Beach and take divers out every day on their boat the Shark Bait.
“I was first certified in 2018,” VandeLinde began, “and I quickly went ‘from zero to hero’ as the people in the dive industry put it. I became a dive instructor 3 months after I got my Open Water certification,” and he never looked back he said.
“I really enjoy teaching and diving. I tried working in a dive shop but you spend all of your time in the shop or in the pool when you work in the shop,” he explained. “The whole goal is to be out on the ocean.”
VandeLine first worked with the previous owner of Shark Bait as a divemaster onboard, but eventually ended up running the boat for the owner. “He gave me a credit card for expenses and just had me deposit the income for him. I rarely saw him on the boat.”
A casual question from Skip ended up being the beginning of owning a dive boat. “I joked: ‘would you ever sell the boat?’” he explained, “and his (the previous owner’s) response was ‘the boat’s not for sale but I’ll sell it to you because I can see what you’re doing with it.’”
It has been a completely “accidental career,” said VandeLinde.
Ties to the LGBTQIA+ Community
As an openly gay man, VandeLinde says “In some ways I guess I’ve cornered the market as the only gay-owned dive boat in South Florida. But there are zero ads out there saying that this is a gay-owned boat because I want to be inclusive of everyone. I want everyone to know that they are safe on this boat, regardless of how they identify or who they love.” And that, of course, matches the mission of Out Scuba.
“I love working with Out Scuba and the members who dive with us,” VandeLinde said. “And I love how diverse Out Scuba is and the approach the club has to giving people ways to try lots of different types of scuba diving. I call it ‘spreading the love,’ and I try to practice it in my own business. This person may be a wreck diver,” he mused, “and this person may be an underwater photographer. If someone is looking for a type of dive I’m not offering that day, I’ll recommend them to one of my competitors that can put them on the spot they want.”
“Out Scuba does the same thing with the way it helps divers find themselves among all of the different choices,” according to VandeLinde.
Amazing achievements
Since taking over AquaLife Divers, VandeLinde has achieved a notable reputation among other dive outfitters. He mentioned that his boat was designated “the World’s Greatest Dive Boat” by the television show “World’s Greatest,” and he has been listed in the Guiness Book of World Records for the Deepest Photoshoot at over 160 feet of sea water. All in just a few short years.
AquaLife Divers is also home to an upcoming IDC (Instructor Development Course) set to begin in April 2025. “Jorge Flores is an amazing Staff Instructor” who will customize and provide expert training for individuals looking to become a professional scuba diver. The training is through SDI, which VandeLinde says is the second largest training agency in the world.
“SDI was started by a professional who was formerly a part of PADI, and he revolutionized the industry with his approach to online learning,” VandeLinde said. “He basically created online training.”
He added “we will customize this training to get people the certifications they need, up to and through their Open Water Instructor certification.” If you’re interested in taking the next step and becoming a dive professional, contact Skip or Jeff at 954-231-3483 (DIVE). You can use the same number to contact them about daily dive charters or visit the AquaLife Divers website.