Greg McCracken – Owner, Platinum PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer)  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Greg earned his PADI Instructor rating in 1992 and his PADI Course Director rating in 1997. Before settling down in Vancouver, Greg has managed dive centres on Vancouver Island, Central America and Mexico.  Over the past 20 years, Greg has issued over 1600 instructor level certifications and over 3300 certifications in all levels.  Greg continues to be enthusiastic for teaching and diving.  Every year, he makes a strong effort to learn and evolve as an instructor and as a diver.  Greg truly enjoys assisting his students meet their goals as divers and professionals and has assisted instructors around the globe find successful careers in the diving industry. 

In 2006, PADI commenced a new recognition program acknowledging active PADI Course Directors around the Globe. Greg is one of less than 50 PADI Course Directors in the world to earn the highest recognition available – Platinum!  Greg has earned Platinum status each consecutive year. 

Aside from his work at Ocean Quest, Greg works with Capilano University to conduct their Professional Scuba Dive Instructor program.  This program attracts up to 24 students every year from across Canada and around the globe. Greg has a vast array of experience from recreational diving to wreck and technical diving. Over the past year, Greg has worked closely with DSAT/PADI’s Technical Diving Division to assist them in updating their technical diving programs.

 Greg's qualifications include:

• PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer)
• DSAT Technical Instructor Trainer
• DSAT Trimix Instructor Trainer
• PADI Sidemount Diver Instructor Trainer
• PADI Tec Sidemount Diver
• PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer
• Emergency First Resonse Instructor Trainer
• DAN (Divers Alert Network) Instructor Trainer

Deirdre Forbes McCracken - Owner, PADI Master Instructor  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deirdre first was inspired by the wonders of the underwater world while snorkelling in Hawaii at the age of 6.  She soon discovered her hero – Jacques Cousteau and always knew her path would lead her to the ocean.  Deirdre has been working in the diving industry since 1989 and became a PADI Instructor in 1993. Her extensive dive experience spans around the globe from Australia, Thailand, the Red Sea and the Caribbean. Despite all of her tropical experience, Deirdre’s favourite dive destinations still remain in BC. Deirdre has managed dive centres on Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Central America and Mexico.

Over the past two years, Deirdre has taken on an active role in the diving industry by joining the Board of Directors for both the Artificial Reef Society of BC (ARSBC) and the Dive Industry Association of BC (DIABC).  The British Columbia dive industry benefits from Deirdre's continued commitment and enthusiasm to diving and the industry.

Deirdre is well known for her underwater photography and her knowledge and passion for preserving the underwater environment.  At Ocean Quest she ensures the highest level of service is provided to all of our customers and takes pride in finding special items not normally stocked whenever requested.   Deirdre has made life long friends through the social sport of diving and enjoys sharing this undiscovered world with everyone around her.

Deirdre’s qualifications include:

• PADI Master Instructor
• PADI IDC Staff Instructor
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer
• PADI Specialty Instructor
• Emergency First Repsonse Instructor

From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders.   He is bolted to the earth.  But man only has to sink beneath the surface, and he is free. 

Jacques Yves Cousteau

Stuart Werner - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stuart began diving in 2004 and immediately fell in love with the sport.  In 2008 he enrolled in the Capilano University Professional Scuba Dive Instructor (PSDI) program where he developed a vast amount of experience and knowledge about diving.  Upon completion of his program, Stuart completed a practicum at Scuba Caribe in Playa del Carman, Mexico.

Upon graduation, Stuart was hand picked from the Capilano PSDI program to work at Ocean Quest as a full-time employee.

His favourite dive sites include Porteau Cove, Agamemnon Channel on the Sunshine Coast and the HMCS Sakatchewan in Nanaimo.  

Stuarts qualifications include:

• PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
• PADI Specialty Instructor
• Emergency First Repsonse Instructor
• Scubapro Reg Technician
• Aqualung Reg Technician
• Graduate from the Capilano University Professional Scuba Dive Instructor program

Ken Dunlop - Store Manager - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ken began diving 25 years ago in Ontario's Great Lakes.  He moves to the West Coast in 1987 with the Canadian Navy.  After retiring from the Navy after 20 years of service, Ken has dedicated himself to a full-time diving career.  Ken has worked and managed dive centres on the Sunshine Coast as well as throughout South East Asia.  Ken is an extremely experienced instructor and an experise in many aspect of training and equipment.  He has been a dedicated member of the Ocean Quest team since July 2011 and has quickly become one of our most active instructors.  When Ken is not at the shop, you can pretty much gaurantee that he is out teaching or diving.

Ken's qualifications include:  

• PADI Master Instructor
• PADI IDC Staff Instructor
• PADI Tec Deep Instructor
• PADI Trimix Diver
• PADI Tec Sidemount Diver
• PADI Specialty Instructor for many specialties
• Emergency First Response Instructor
• Reg Technician