» Steve McCann

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Steve is a SCUBA Instructor with four different agencies: YMCA, PADI, NAUI, SDI, and TDI (Technical Diving International). He has certified thousands of students and has taught SCUBA in a variety of venues including Grand Cayman Island, adult education programs, and local universities. Steve and his wife, Andrea, have traveled throughout the world leading dive adventures with Blue Water Pursuits. He is currently a YMCA SCUBA Course Director and primarily certifies through the YMCA. Steve is a full-time faculty member at West Valley College in charge of the Marine Diving and Martial Arts Programs. He has extensive boating experience and holds a U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license for a 100 ton vessel rating. Steve has a Bachelors Degree in Business and a MastersDegree in Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics from San Jose State University.

» Shaun McEvoy

Shaun has been a certified YMCA SCUBA Instructor since 1992 he is also a TDI Nitrox instructor, a DAN oxygen instructor and an American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED instructor. He works with Steve on all levels of scuba instruction including instructor certification . When he's not diving he works for Cadence Design Systems as an engineer. He has been diving in several locations around the world including, Cayman Islands, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Fiji, The Galapagos, Cozumel and several trips to the Channel Islands in southern California.

» Scott Chapman

Scott completed his YMCA SCUBA Instructor training in January 2004 and now teaches beginning SCUBA, Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Research Diving courses through the West Valley College Marine Diving Education program. He also spent five summers working as an Underwater Explorers instructor at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

» Richard Jeffers

Richard started his diving adventures in 1994 with Steve McCann at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale. Richard's interest in SCUBA lead him to seek the rating of certified SCUBA instructor in 1998. Since his first underwater breath on SCUBA, his passion for exploring the Monterey Bay and other dive locales has not waned. He has enjoyed dive travel to many exotic dive destinations. He enjoys teaching diving when he is free from his passion for birding.

» Matt Bray

Matt, aka "Minnie Me", received his first scuba certification the summer of 1999. He continued to enhance his skills and in January 2004, became a YMCA SCUBA Instructor. Matt has been diving with Blue-Water Pursuits since his initial certification and can often be found assisting dive classes at West Valley College. To pay the bills Matt builds custom high-end swimming pools. He enjoys spending time with Tucker, his “rat dog”, mountain biking and creating things in his workshop.

» Dave Hambleton

Dave received his first diving certification in early 1998 and was bitten hard by the "diving bug" and became a YMCA SCUBA Instructor in January 2004. He has been diving with Blue Water Pursuits since 1998. He has a Marine Biology degree from San Jose State University, and has been an intern at both the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation. He has an active interest in all aspects of the Ocean but a particular interest in shark research and preservation. Dave is also a certified AAUS Scientific Diver.

» Patrick Sosinski

Patrick started his SCUBA career in the spring of 2004 and immediately began assisting teach classes. Patrick is the first student to complete all leadership courses offered through West Valley College's Marine Diving Education program. He recently completed his instructor training and will continue to contribute his skills to the Blue-Water Pursuits program.

» Steve "Centaur" Wilson

Centaur received his first diving certification over 15 years ago and has put his skills to good use as both a scientific diver and assistant instructor. He has a bachelors degree in Marine Biology from San Jose State University and works for the water district (hey, it involves water!). He has an active interest in all aspects of the Ocean but a particular interest in shark research and preservation.

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Assistant Instructors and Divemasters

» Roy Dumlao

Roy is a certified Assistant Instructor who has been helping teach dive classes through Blue-Water pursuits for over 15 years. Roy has a knack for finding critters underwater, if you dive with him, you are bound to find lots of animals. Roy also designs and manufactures dive lights and backplates.

» Jane Garcia

Hi my name is Jane, I am the old lady of the group. In my younger days (way back when) I was a competitive swimmer. My favorite competition was always the ocean swim. I then went on to coach the sport for ten years. I have two daughters who are my pride and joy. They are currently attending West Valley College. Since I was no longer able to hike and bike, due to physical limitations, I decided to try my hand at scuba. I fell in love with the sport. Scuba not only gives me a challenge and something to look forward to, but it has also given me a new perspective on dealing with a handicap as well. I love nature, my pets (two dogs and a cat), animals in the wild and my equipment manager (not necessarily in that order).

» Rachel Ritchey

Rachel is a certified Assistant Instructor who has been annointed the "official" food director of the BWP staff. She organizes all meals and dinner reservations for the group. It is a tough job, but someone has got to do it!

» David Ritchey

David is an Assistant Instructor.

» Sridhar Nanjundeswaran

Sridhar, aka. "Shredder", has been helping teach courses at t from West Valley College and is an active assistant instructor within our program.

» Lauren St Clair

Lauren is a certified Assistant Instructor. She has been fortunate enough to travel the world and loves to include SCUBA in her travels. She actively participates in assisting West Valley College scuba classes.

» Correy Fedor

Correy is one of our newer Assistant Instructors but already has an impressive diving resume. He has worked at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as an Underwater Explorers instructor, spent time in retail at a local dive shop, and he's considering a career in underwater archaeology.

» Mike Teng

Mike recently completed his Assistant Instructor certification and continues to provide guidance and leadership to our program. He worked as a divemaster at the Channel Islands Marine Institute (CIMI) and loves exploring the depths below.

» Steve Guthrie

Steve is a certified Assistant Instructor and helps out with the program whenever he has a chance. You can often find him hanging out at the local dive shop listening in to learn about what's new in the world of diving.

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In Training

» Trish Jessen

Trish is nearing completion of her Divemaster training. Over the past few summers, she has worked for the Monterey Bay Aquarium as an Underwater Explorers instructor leading kids on surface scuba diving excursions.

» Lindsy Castillo

Lindsy is currently working toward her Assistant Instructor certification through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Kris Drummond

Kris is working toward an Assistant Instructor certification. She is also a physical education instructor at West Valley College. If all goes well, we will add a few dive classes to her courselist.

» Paul Jansen

Paul is pursuing an Assistant Instructor certification through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Ben Longcor

Ben is continuing his dive education through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Marc Shands

Marc started his diving career at West Valley College and is fortunate enough to have dived tropical locations throughout the world. He is now working on his dive leadership certifications through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Ali Behbood

Ali is pursuing a divemaster certification through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Timo Campos

Timo is currently taking dive leadership courses through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Peter Harkins

Pete is pursuing a divemaster certification through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College.

» Sam Wonnell

Sam is pursuing dive leadership certifications through the Marine Diving Education program at West Valley College. He also volunteers to serve as a dive leader for divers with disabilities.

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