The Dive Centre Team

New Horizons Snorkel and Dive Centre prides itself on its highly professional, motivated and above all friendly full-time and part-time members of staff.

With many years of diving experience in numerous destinations around the world you will find our knowledge and advice are second to none. This, combined with a relaxed style of teaching, a wide collection of salty sea tales and a few jokes thrown in, ensures your course is as informative, beneficial and enjoyable as possible.

Dave Porter (PADI Master Instructor)

Like so many people of my age I grew up being fascinated by the underwater world while watching the adventures of Jacques Cousteau. It was in 1994 that I had my first taste of Scuba Diving and from that moment on I was hooked. I have progressed through the PADI system and I am now a Master Instructor. I have dived all over the world and have had the pleasure of teaching many hundreds of people to dive. I still enjoy nothing more than seeing the wide and excited eyes of a new diving convert and sharing my love of the underwater world.

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Kathryn Donnelly (PADI Instructor)

I did my PADI Open Water in 1996 in the Maldives and was blown away by the experience, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I took the chance of changing my lifestyle so I could dive virtually every day. I wanted to give something back, so volunteered for almost two years doing reef conservation work in the Seychelles and Madagascar. The whole adventure was amazing and it led me on to become an instructor. As a member of the New Horizons Team I can now share my love of diving and marine life, and hopefully inspire new divers to explore and help protect the beautiful, fascinating underwater world we have.

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Phil Wood (PADI Staff Instructor)

I started diving in 2001 and did a lot of my training with New Horizons and have been instructing with them since 2004. I've dived in the UK, Turkey, Malta, Tunisia, Mexico, New Zealand and Egypt. I would love to dive in the Maldives at some point in the future. Best dive - whenever I see something new for the first time.

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Jason Pepper (PADI Instructor)

I started diving in 1998 and have become more and more interested with anything to do with diving as the years have rolled by... I have an extensive collection of poor jokes which are rolled out on a regular basis... I like wreck, cave and drift diving the most, but frankly any diving is better than working!

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Steve Smithson (PADI Instructor)

After 30 years of diving I still love being underwater and sharing the experience with others. I am happiest with a camera in my hands but just watching fish or exploring wrecks also give me a real buzz. Being out at sea and 'diving' in is always special.

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Brian Newman (NHDC Ltd Director + Divemaster)

Divemaster rapidly approaching 500 dives having started diving somewhat later in life! Passionate about diving and New Horizons to the extent that I am now a Director.

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Sue Porter (PADI Instructor)

I started diving in 1999 with New Horizons and became an Instructor in 2002. I love teaching as it gives me the chance to enthuse people (chat nonstop) about the wonders of diving! The best thing about diving to me is interacting with the wildlife (and sometimes that’s just the students), seriously though I am absolutely spellbound in the middle of large shoals of fish and I am in my element playing with the Seals in The Farne Islands and just lying there in the water with the Seals nibbling at your fins is awesome!

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Janine Gartshore (PADI Staff Instructor)

I completed my first course with New Horizons in 2003 and haven't stopped since. I've dived all round the UK and been lucky enough to have dived in the Galapagos Islands, Japan, Caribbean and Maldives. I also spent 4 months working on a conservation project in Tobago, which was a fantastic experience.

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Andy Frith (PADI Instructor)

I started diving in 2004, I completed my Open Water in Jamaica. Since that first course i was hooked and qualified as an instructor with New Horizons Dive Centre in 2007. I have dived all over the UK, Europe, Red Sea and the Caribbean. When not getting wet i am involved in training the Emergency First Response and Care for children courses.

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Julie Morrissey (PADI Instructor & IANTD Advanced Nitrox Instructor)

Queen of all things technical... my main diving interest is nautical archaeology.  I also teach windsurfing, kayaking, power boating, dinghy sailing and mountain walking. In my spare time I am an air traffic controller.

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Paul Haslam (PADI Instructor)

I have been Diving since 2004. My wife suggested that I should give it a try, and little did I know how addictive it would become. Being able to go into an amazing world where we have no right to be, but with technology and development we can!! I have done all my courses & training with New Horizons & dived in many places throughout the world and UK and I have a large repertoire of jokes at my disposal!!!!

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Brian Fairbrother (PADI Instuctor)

I have been associated with New Horizons since March 2000. After originally signing up for a Dry suit course I continued with my education with New Horizons and became an Instructor in December 2004. The best thing I like is to see the faces of students as they progress through courses and the delight when they complete a course. I like all types of diving but my favourite has to be the vibrant reefs of the Red Sea and Caribbean.

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Pete Surridge (PADI Instructor)

I started Diving with New Horizons back in 2001 when I wanted to try "something different". I am now an Instructor with a mission to help other people get into the water so they can have the same opportunities to explore the amazing underwater worlds both in the UK and abroad that I have had!

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Becci Morris (PADI Instructor)

I started diving with New Horizons in 1995 when I was 12 and enjoyed it so much I haven’t stopped since. I really enjoy taking photos of all the wrecks and life we get to see. I’ve dived in many places but there’s always something special about diving around the UK.

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Kate Bywater (PADI Instructor)

After discovering diving with New Horizons in 2005 I've been diving with them ever since (well, with occasional breaks to go to work in the week obviously). Very proud to be part of the New Horizons Team, I enjoy diving in the UK and abroad, and when not in the water am usually found wandering in the hills (I teach expedition skills too, it's not just a random occurrence!)

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Tony Strugnell (PADI Instructor)

I enjoy the freedom of being able to challenge myself and then pass on the experience to others, so they may also find the thrills and challenges that are out there! Diving and flying are my passions and I am fortunate enough to be able to do both.

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Pippa Ridgway (PADI Instructor)

I started my diving life with New Horizons in 2005 and found my passion. Along the way I have completed many courses with New Horizons and have enjoyed all of them. Along the way I have met and made great friends. I qualified as an instructor in 2008 and can't wait to help as many people as I can to enjoy the underwater world. Some people have a swear box at work, I have a diving box and everytime I mention the word diving or talk about diving I donate to the collection - very soon I will be able to afford a trip round the world!

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Andy Domville (PADI Instructor)

I have been diving for about 8 years now, and usually find something different on every dive. You feel privileged to be 'trespassing' in another world. Whether it be the green cooler waters of the UK or the warmer Blue waters of the tropics and Red Sea the exhilaration is always the same.
Surly beats being battered on a rugby field !

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