ROGER

Roger teaches scuba diving in his spare time when he’s not working at his day job as an Engineering Technician. From the time he made his first dive several years ago in an abandoned rock quarry in central Illinois, he was hooked on visiting the underwater world. Throughout his travels he has visited Cozumel several times. “Cozumel has it all, great food, friendly people, and of course fantastic diving!” Roger and his wife, Tammi, reside in West Palm Beach Florida. He and his teammate Mark represent Team: “Ratas de Agua”

KATHY

Born and raised in Cambridge, England, Kathy worked in the University and came to do research at UCLA , 25 years ago as a coordinatordinator of a genetic screening program for the state of California. She currently teaches science, K-5th grade at a wonderful elementary school sharing her passion and love for science, especially the marine environment.

Kathy has been diving for 7 years and knew from her very first dive that this experience was going to be a passion that would last a lifetime. Hooked on diving, she began gaining training credentials and diving as often as possible. After receiving her Dive master status at the oldest dive shop in California, she met a group of Technical divers and switched over to the 'dark side ' Now certified in cave diving and Advanced Trimix, she is training and participating in more challenging dives. Recently returned from my first challenging dive, with my team mate Chris Gini, on the wreck of the Andrea Doria passenger liner off the Rhode Island coast. During that trip, the forward bell was recovered and was witness to history in the making! Other interests include riding horses, travel and hanging out with like minded people who love life and all it has to offer.

Kathy is thrilled to be offered the chance to compete in the Ultimate Diver Challenge to have fun, and show people what a great sport diving is. As she pursues her new love for scuba diving, her travels around the world have allowed her to meet amazing people and made so many new friends. She shares, "scuba diving is a forum where men and women are on equal footing and families can enjoy together".

MARK

Mark is a PADI Divemaster and assists with classes on a regular schedule when he is not tending to his own shoe repair business. If there’s water Mark will want to dive it. Even if it means donning a dry suit in a midwest quarry for classes. His love of diving has taken him around the world, and is currently “practicing” for the UDC in the Philippines. Mark has also visited Cozumel several times and looks forward to participating in the greatest dive event in history! He and his teammate Roger represent Team: “Ratas de Agua”

MICHAEL

Michael is a NAUI Course Director that has been diving for +10 years and is an active recreational and technical instructor. He was born and raised in Sarasota Florida so he has been spoiled with great diving his whole life. He is 25 years old and owns and operates Sunset Scuba, the premiere technical and recreational facility in Southwest Florida.  He is also a licensed master plumber and co owner of Wimpy’s Dependable Plumbing. Michael's hobbies include touring the country on his Harley, fishing, and hunting.

JOHNATHON

Jonathon is a NAUI Course Director that has been diving for +10 years. He is an active recreational, technical, and rebreather instructor. He grew up in the Canadian Prairies where learning how to dive took a whole new meaning, but now lives in South Florida and enjoys diving that is absolutely incredible.  He is 33 years old and has enjoyed where diving has taken him around the world. Michael is an active wreck diver that has now progressed into cave diving. His hobbies include golf, fishing, riding his Harley, and he absolutely loves to travel.

HELENA

Helene Barrett, an actress & stunt woman living in the Los Angeles area, brings her career "in water" to the challenge. In her younger life, she started as an elite gymnast and then chose to study acting in London, England which set up the perfect combination to land her a career as a Stunt Performer. After landing her first job at Universal Studios "Waterworld" live stunt show, she discovered her love for water and all that it offers. After meeting her boyfriend "Nick" and current dive buddy at Waterworld, she has been trying to keep up with his "crazy" water skills. Newly NAUI advanced Certified, she is also water safety, search and rescue certified for over 6 years. "The competition looks like a lot of fun and in a great location!" 

NICK

Nick Hanneman is a Stuntman for film and television in the Los Angeles area. His girlfriend and dive buddy is Helena Barrett an Actress/Stuntwoman working in the Los Angeles area as well. He made his first dive at the age of 12 in Cancun Mexico with his father. Both parents are Scuba Divers and from a very young age he recalls putting on their gear down in their basement. From scuba, he transitioned quickly into another kind of diving, where Nick became a first team All American and dove collegiate for The Ohio State University. From there, He went onto pursue a career in Stunts and met his girlfriend at the Universal Studios stunt show WaterWorld performing stunts in and out of the water. At the Waterworld stunt show Nick became water safety certified learning valuable techniques in rescue and recovery. Recently Helena joined Nick in his passion for diving and got scuba certified. Together they are exploring the underwater world adventures off the coast of California. However with adventure come challenges, on a recent dive swimming through the enormous kelp beds off the shores of Catalina they learned first hand how beautiful and dangerous the kelp beds can be. Helena got her tank tangled in the kelp. Although the moment was scary they remained calm and freed her from the kelp. " For sure, with our athleticism and background in stunts and water work, that we both have what it takes to win the Ultimate Diver Challenge!"

RICHARD

Born in Davenport, Iowa, Richard is currently living in Bentonville, AR. He is a huge sports enthusiast and takes competition seriously. At 21, he left Iowa to explore life and seek his destiny. Settling down after meeting his wife, Richard found himself living in Arkansas near family. After visiting Cozumel in 1994, the introduction to the sea became a top priority and both found themselves seeking dive certifications. His passion for diving started with open water followed by advanced, rescue, dive master and finally a IDC Staff Instructor. His destiny was found and the passion he shares through his exotic adventures underwater.

He is working full time as a dive shop owner with goals of housing the largest dive shop in Arkansas. This dive shop will house an indoor lake and pool as well! The top priority is to continue introducing new divers to the sport and to implement a program to teach physically challenged children the fundamentals of scuba diving. Having competed in the 2009 Ultimate Diver Change, Richard has taken the passion to new heights. The 2009 Ultimate Diver Challenge helped to achieve a couple of goals. The first was in meeting Rudy Boesch from Survivor. The other, at the age of 46 , Richard still has the competitive edge and has what it takes to be the "Ultimate Diver". Richard is proud to bring on the challenge this year with his newest hard core student, Scott Bowman!

SCOTT

Scott was introduced to SCUBA in January 2010 when on vacation in El Salvador. From then on, he has been hooked. New to diving but eager to learn, Scott has been seeking any and all certifications receiving his PADI Open Water May 2nd, PADI Advanced Open Water May 9, & PADI Search and Rescue June, 2010. Richard Whitehead has been his instructor and mentor through this rapid learning curve and Richard will be his team mate for the 2010 Ultimate Diver Challenge.

From Beginner to advanced, Scott continues to add to his experience with a trip to Costa Rican Coast for some deep diving experiences and also with numerous lake dives in the Northwest Arkansas Region. Scott plans to be PADI Master certified by the end of August. The dives in the Ultimate Diver Challenge will help him meet the minimum required dives to qualify for PADI Dive Master Training. He is pursuing the educational level in diving with the same dedication and enthusiasm used with everything he does. "Achieving your goals in in life is really pretty simple. Decide what you want to do -- commit to achieving it -- visualize and feel your success irrespective of adversity or setbacks. The formula is simple -- Decide, Commit, Succeed!"

Scott is the primary shareholder for a small consulting and professional services company specializing in helping small and medium size domestic and foreign companies conduct business with the world's largest retailers with clients from all around the world.

RITA

Rita Fogta, a massage therapist from Orlando, FL, was born and raised in Hungary, where there wasn’t much of a chance to get familiar with any type of water sports until she moved to Florida in 2005. The idea of getting scuba certified came into her head in 2008, thinking there could not be a better way to get rid of a lifetime fear of water than just jump right into the most challenging water sport of all. What seemed to be mission impossible at first, and made her think that just learning to swim would have been enough of a challenge, soon became her favorite hobby during her first open water dive. Since then, she has done many recreational dives and got her advanced certification in May 2010. Her most memorable trip consisted of 5 dives within one day, which included shark and night dives, the 2 things she believed she would never be able to do out of fear. Ever since, she feels there is nothing she could not accomplish if sets her mind to it, despite all the nightmares she had with sharks coming after her in the dark.

“Nothing gives me more satisfaction than surpassing my own limits and overcoming my own fear. I’m an adrenaline junkie; this feeling got me into the Ultimate Diver Challenge as well.”

Her goal from participating in the Ultimate Diver Challenge Show is to get more comfortable in water by gaining experience, proving to herself that having a positive attitude and fearless approach is what it takes to be the Ultimate Diver.

RICK

Transplanted from the UK via Australia, Rick met his wife Kristin while managing the dive shop at Nananu Island Lodge in Fiji; quite possibly the best place in the world ever! She persuaded him to Michigan where he now runs his web-design business, teaches classes at Bruno's Dive Shop, and runs a charter boat out to historic Great Lakes shipwrecks on weekends during the summer season. Over the winter, when he's just about had it with the frigid fresh water of the Lakes, he trades in his drysuit for a rash vest and heads back to the tropics to visit his more colourful fishy friends. As an active SSI & NAUI instructor, with a wide variety of experience, Rick thinks he's a pretty decent diver. The Ultimate Diver? "Well, we'll just have to see about that won't we? I'm not averse to a little monkey-business! Just as long as you don't get caught, right?!"

JUAN

Juan has been a NAUI instructor for over 10 years. He was born in Queens, NY, but raised in West Palm Beach, FL. Both his parents were born in Dominican Republic, which is where he inherited his passion for fun, sun, and scuba. Juan is a former U.S. Marine that was a member of FAST Co. (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team). After the Marines, Juan received a scuba certification as a gift. Less than one month after his certification course and with only 6 logged dives he realized his passion for scuba was too great to scuba only part-time. He attended Hall's career institute in Marathon Key, FL and 14 weeks and over 60 dives later graduated with multiple instructor ratings ranging from deep tech and rebreather to advanced nitrox and gas blender instructor. Juan says, "There is no other sport that you can hear nothing and at the same time everything, feel weightless, do something as unnatural as breathe under water, but also feel at one with nature." Sharing scuba with the world seemed the only natural thing for Juan to do. While he worked on a cruise ship had the chance to dive in St. Maarten and had a dolphin swim and play with his dive group. Juan recalls that not a single diver came up with more than 200 PSI in their tanks at the end of that dive. Juan says, " I live to dive and I dive to live. The ultimate diver will have to have more skill, knowledge, experience, and most of all more fun than me to ensure their victory. I know that there is no one that likes to have fun more than I do, except for possibly my teammate T. Robby Pigott. This is why we are joining forces as part of the "Dynamic Diving Duo" a.k.a. 3-D or Triple 'D', whichever strikes more fear and laughter into the hearts of our competition."  

SHANNON

Shannon was certified in 1986 at the ripe old age of 16 in Florida. Shortly after, he went on to complete the advanced and rescue courses. After years of diving all around the Florida coast, Shannon moved to the Pacific Northwest and resumed his training – ultimately attaining his Advanced Open Water Instructor rating through SSI.

While in the Northwest, Shannon dabbled in some technical courses but ultimately finds comfort in the naturalist aspect of diving. Witnessing the unique creatures and ecologies makes any dive site interesting… “Look close enough and there is something to be seen”.

Now-a-days, Shannon finds himself landlocked in Kansas City – but still loves to share his passion for diving through his teaching. He is extremely excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Ultimate Diver Challenge and looks forward to meeting divers who he can learn from. While his main objective is “to have as much fun as possible”, don’t count him out of the competition… this Florida boy, turned Midwesterner, has well over 1000 dives under his belt and wont shy away from any challenge.

CHRIS G.

Chris was first certified in 1981 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. After a few years of high altitude diving in Nevada and Northern California, Chris moved to Hermosa Beach California where he continued to shore and boat dive up and down the California and Baja Coast. He also spent some time in the Caribbean working on a diving and sailing charter boat. In 1998 Chris completed his Dive Master course and Internship and began working as a Dive Master for a shop in Redondo Beach. Eventually he started technical diving to increase his skills and knowledge. When not working with classes or Dive Mastering on boats, Chris spends as much time as possible technical and cave diving in California, Florida and the Yucatan. Chris enjoys diving and tries to never stop learning. He believes diving in different environments and taking courses is a great way to do this. He feels the best way to enjoy diving and become a better diver is to spend more time diving. He asserts the more time you spend in the water the more skilled and comfortable you will become and the more fun you will have. To Chris, the Ultimate Diver Challenge sounded like a great way to meet others with the same passion for diving, to get in the warm waters of Cozumel and to enjoy a bit of friendly competition at the same time.

FOREST

Forest, an Instructor from Charlton, MA, has been diving for 3 plus years with over 700 dives.  He has been registered to attend the Ultimate Diver Challenge for 3 years and has not shown up.  Diving captured his life when he experienced the underwater beauty, tranquility and the"awe" feeling of not belonging while visiting a world of no gravity while feeling the sensation of flying.   With registration fees on board again, does Forest have what it takes to become the Ultimate Diver? Forest assures us warns that he is up for the challenge will be there this year and wants us to decide if he is the "Villain" or the "Hero".  He describes himself as a Reality TV Fan, a confident drama filled leader,  yet a safe and experienced diver and assures us that he will be there to show us what it takes to become the Ultimate Diver!  

MARK

Mark, an Advanced Open Water Diver was born in Seattle, WA, but moved to Vacaville, CA in 2002. When his brother, Todd, decided to move down from Washington in 2007, they wanted to find an activity that would allow them to spend time together. Todd had tried discover scuba in Hawaii and suggested getting scuba certified since their Dad dove for years so in August 2007 Mark became a certified diver and has been scuba diving the California waters at least once a month ever since. Since becoming certified, Mark has become an advance diver, attends all classes being conducted at Pacific Reef Dive Center and is on his way to becoming an instructor. Mark did compete in the Ultimate Diver Challenge in 2008 and was doing well until his dive buddy had a non-diving related accident and had to withdraw from the competition. This year he is back with a great dive buddy and determined to be named the “Ultimate Diver”.

ERIK

Born in Santa Cruz, California, Erik grew up in and around the water. When he was nine he first began competitive swimming. In 1995 Erik competed in the US Lifeguard National Championships held on legendary Cowells beach in Santa Cruz CA. Taking almost dead last in the run swim run out of nearly 2000 competitors Erik decided that competing to win was now the only option. After joining a local swim team and competing in numerous swim meets and an international meet in Chile, he took up body boarding and began to compete locally. After 3 years of competition and training in Aug 2003, Erik joined the International ALERT Academy and is now a graduate of the Aquatic program. During his time at ALERT he was a vital member of their search and recovery dive team and regularly teaches as a guest instructor for the academy. Erik has received numerous Awards and recognitions including The Presidents call to service life time award.( Bush, George W.) As well as being honored in the Congressional Record of the United States for Bringing honor to the United States of America in outstanding Foreign service. Erik graduated in 2007 from language school in Chapala, Mexico and holds the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Erik is also an active recreational dive instructor and is the first NAPD instructor in Mexico.

MARC

I hear he is a government worker but what does he really do? Will his true occupation and colors be discovered during this year's Ultimate Diver Challenge. Does he have your back, my back or his dive buddy's back? Joining this year’s Challenge from Northern, VA, Marc has been diving only 3 years but has diving credentials with PADI, NAUI, & SSI! He says that he loves diving because the earth is 70 percent water and that he needs to see the entire earth. Does this have something to do with the fact that he was born in water? He prefers diving with no visibility to places that none have seen for fifty plus years. Each dive has its own story and challenges and says that his average diver status has him learning from more experienced divers with every dive. With only 3 years of diving experience, Marc will give it his best shot!

ED

Ed is from Woodbridge, Virginia and is a dive instructor and former truck driver. He has been diving for 21 years with dive credentials from SSI, NAUI, & SDI. Ed is drawn to diving because the element of the unknown takes you on an excursion of mystery and never knowing what you might find or see. He recalls his first dive in the Cooper River in Charleston, SC in a search to find Megalodon shark teeth. It was dark, scary, alligator filled with a very fast current but the thrill of finding the teeth kept him focused without to much worry about where the alligators were lurking. He says, "I can't rate myself as a diver because I learn from every dive. The things I do now are challenging, so I am willing to put it all on the line to see if I am the Ultimate Diver."

ROBBY

Robby grew up on Maui where he got his first dive certification at age 14.  He went to Yale for two years before dropping out and traveling the world with work as a performer.  He lived in New York City, Germany and Las Vegas before settling in Orlando, Florida. Some of his favorite dive memories include watching a shark flip itself over and stick its head under a rock while thrashing to catch a fish on a night dive in Saba, getting dropped  directly beside a HUGE "bait ball" off West Palm Beach and catching his first lobster by hand (and then cooking it for dinner!)  Robby got his Nitrox Diver, Master Diver and Dive Master certifications all  within the last year. For about 26 years he averaged only 1 or 2 dives per year but since he's started working in a dive shop part time and assisting with diver training that number has changed to about 2-4 dives per month. Robby has always been a fan of reality TV and has often told his friends he'd love to be on one if only there were a  show centered on SCUBA diving. Robby hopes that his positive attitude and ability to laugh at everything (including himself) will only enhance his chances of doing well on the challenge. He intends to beg  all of his instructor friends to help him improve his dive skills over  the next few months to prepare for Cozumel.

JIM

Jim, a USS Oriskany Diver Specialty Instructor, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer & a NAUI Instructor from Gulf Breeze,  FL, has been diving for 17 years and is a Charter Captain for Dr Dive.  He finds diving peaceful, exciting and unique because the experience lets you see things that most folks never get to see.

His first dive was a beautiful and memorable dive just after certification on the RMS Rhone in the British Virgin Islands. He was first off the boat and was on the tag line watching his son gear up. He put his face in the water to see what he could see and he compares that experience to like standing on top of a ten-story building. He described that the water was so clear, you could see bottom at 80-100 ft. He made so much noise his son thought he was in trouble and almost sent the Dive Master in to rescue him.  

He is humble when he talks about his experience by rating himself as an expert at his level but still with much to learn.  As for, does Jim have what it takes to become the next ULTIMATE DIVER? He claims, "I DO. I am knowledgeable about diving, having been an instructor for many years. I dive often and have the additional experience of working with divers in the charter business. I am very comfortable in the water and feel I am able to respond well to situations as they arise."

EILEEN

Eileen Henson from Fort Wright, Kentucky is an advanced open water diver that has been diving for 9 years. Eileen faces daily challenges as an Office Manager at an Orthodontic Office, as a mom and a grandmother but is a very enthusiastic diver. She loves diving because it offers an opportunity to see the most beautiful and unusual creatures and formations in a world unknown to most. Her most memorable dive is a night dive at the Fredrickstead pier in St. Croix where she witnessed Eight octopus in one dive as one decided to crawl over her hand and arm. Later a trunk fish floated right into her hands and stayed there for a few seconds!!! She rates herself as a recreational diver but again expect her passion and persistence to drive her along. She shares with each " I feel that I could be the Ultimate Diver not because I am the most experienced ( actually I have very little), nor because I am the strongest (that gear is really heavy) nor because I am the most focused and serene diver ( people say I am a bit excitable) but I am here to show people of all ages and experienced levels that the real Ultimate Diver is one who loves diving in spite of the challenges and always strives to become a more safe and environmentally conscious diver!" Eileen's passion was seen first hand at DEMA this year as each day she stopped by the both eagerly hoping to be chosen only to walk away a bit jolted that her name was not called. Each day she stopped in and each day that her name was not called the smiles faded but wait till you see the video when she was finally chosen! She is bringing the biggest fan club to date to attend the UDC which includes husband, children, grand children, sister's, in -laws, friends and by now she is probably even recruiting strangers!

KRISTIN

Kristin had her first taste of diving on a family vacation to Greece in 1999. Being a water person since she was child she was immediately hooked but unfortunately did not get another chance to dive until she lived in Australia during university. Kristin became in instructor while living in Fiji in 2005 and has been teaching (mostly children) ever since. Teaching diving is one of the most gratifying experiences in her opinion. Helping people to overcome fears, introducing them to a new and different environment and equipping them with a self reliant skill is truly a remarkable opportunity. Kristin thanks her lucky stars for the places she's been and the people that she's met along the way. Don't be fooled by her laid back demeanor, her competitive nature is fierce.

ANTONIO

Antonio is from Mexico City has been diving for 6 years
as a Padi Rescue & Advanced Open Water Diver & FMAS/CMAS - 3 star Diver. Antonio works as and Informational Technology Consultant. He states that he loves the feeling of being free when diving and exploring another world. His favorite dive destination Los Cabos. He rates himself as a good diver always keeping safety in mind first. "Yes", I have what it takes to be the Ultimate Diver because I always do my best at everything I do!" Does Antonio and his brother have what it takes and which brother will win?

RENE

Rene is from Mexico City started diving 6 years ago with his brother holding the same credentials as a Padi Rescue & Advanced Open Water diver with FMAS/CMAS - 3 star diver.  He hold a degree in Marketing.  His most scary diving experience was during a safety stop as his dive group was greeted by an approaching shark that took a look at each of them and then turned away.  The water makes him appreciate the marvelous beauty of the underwater world.  He says he is a good diver with some experience but always willing to learn something new.  He will bring to the challenge fun and joy regardless of the outcome.

ERIK P.

Erik P. grew up in Chicago, IL, but is currently living in Wheeling, IL, working as an IT Director for EPIX, Inc.
He's been diving for 10 years and considers himself an "intermediate" diver, having achieved status as a PADI Master Diver. But he knows he still has a lot to learn.

Erik loves the feeling of floating freedom underwater and the people that he meets above water. His most exciting diving experience?..."Other than waiting to jump in the water for the first challenge last year? I still vividly recall taking my first breath off of a regulator underwater in the pool. Growing up my grandmother lived on a lake so I've been swimming all my life and am very comfortable in the water. There was just something surreal about not having to hold my breath anymore while looking up at the surface from the bottom of the pool."

Does he think he has what it takes to be THE ULTIMATE DIVER?..."Nope, but I could get lucky. ;) "

Click Here to meet the Cast from the 2009 Ultimate Diver Challenge.