Meet the Cactus to Coral by Paragon Dive Group Team:

After participating in a Discover Scuba Diving experience in 2008, I was hooked. I immediately scheduled my Open Water and joined this cult we call Scuba Diving. Becoming an instructor was a long-term dream and I love teaching Open Water classes. The underwater world is amazing and serene. I love the time I spend underwater whether it is teaching, recreationally diving with friends, or volunteering with local groups to clean the rivers and lakes. Traveling for Scuba to different places around the world has created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. If you’re not already a diver, come see us! We’ll change that for you!

Having an insatiable hunger to improve, I soon earned my Advanced Open Water and began working through specialties, eventually earning Dive Master. With a natural love of leading dives and helping others to improve, I became an instructor. There is something innately rewarding about helping someone gain access to the other 71% of the planet.

Fast forward, and the learning never stopped. In 2019 I realized my ultimate love when I received my Full Cave Certification. Along the way I discovered a love for technical diving and the unique challenges and rewards that come with it.

Most recently, I added the tools of CCR diving and Helitrox, however, the journey and learning continues…

Combined with the amazing aquatic life, I began to experience so many unforgettable moments. I’ve met some of my closest friends through this passion. Over time, I was motivated to become a scuba instructor, underwater photographer, cave diver, and technical diver. My next goal is to become a technical diving instructor and continue traveling the world, creating new memories with friends who share a love for adventure.

I began diving in 2020 and took an Open Water class in preparation for a trip that never ended up happening. Taking classes and diving locally became my Covid hobby and I worked my way into becoming a Dive Master in 2022.

I enjoy being a part of a team that helps introduce new divers into the under water world. Since then I have continued training to include rebreather and technical diving.

Ben is a full-time dive professional that specializes in technical diving and underwater photography and videography. Ben has experience teaching and diving all over the world. Ben currently teaches open circuit technical diving, overhead (cave & wreck), and CCR courses (CM O2ptima & Divesoft Liberty SM). Ben is an Instructor Trainer for TDI and offers instructor level courses for a variety of technical diving programs and the Dive Rite CM O2ptima. In addition to teaching, Ben has a passion for organizing diving expeditions in remote and harsh environments and capturing these images for others to enjoy. He realizes that most people will never be able to see these incredible places so he works diligently to be able to bring the images to life.

Ben@ParagonDive.com