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Instructional Staff
Any Water Sports has been teaching people to dive for over 25 years. The underlying goal of all our instructors is to ensure that you are able to dive safely and plan effectively relative to ocean conditions and your level of training. Read below to learn a little more about all of our instructors.
Frank Barry
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Frank learned to scuba dive through the SJSU program in 1970. He quickly became addicted to the sport, and in addition to diving for pleasure every opportunity available, rapidly progressed through the advanced program, and through all the leadership courses to become an instructor in 1972. He has thoroughly explored the Monterey coast, the North Coast, the Channel Islands, and countless "exotic" dive locations over his 39 year diving career. Frank has been teaching people to dive continuously since 1972 and has certified over 2,500 students. His love of the sport led him to a career in diving, and ultimately to open Any Water Sports in 1984, where he has spent 25 years serving divers in the Bay Area. Currently, in addition to teaching Any Water Sports's programs, he is the scuba instructor for the SJSU scuba program. He also offers private instruction for those who are unable to fit the standard class format into their busy schedules. Frank has a reputation for excellence, delivered with the voice of experience and a dose of very dry humor. Those who put forth the effort to learn, will find him to be a patient instructor eager to share the joys of the underwater world. |
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Sue Skidmore
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Inspired by the beauty and diversity of the ocean, Sue has been diving for over 15 years. Since early 2001, she has introduced nearly 1000 students to the wonderful world of scuba diving in Monterey Bay. "I love the expression on a new diver's face when they see something amazing underwater - a sea cucumber, a harbor seal or a school of senorita fish - its like they just went to Disneyland". "This is my escape from the daily grind of high tech marketing. I don't think about work at all when I'm diving." Sue's classes are taught in a very comfortable, relaxed environment. There is a lot of one to one time and focus on fundamentals of good diving practices. "If a diver has the basics down, the rest will come more easily to them and the program will be more fun - and fun is Mandatory." Sue also teaches advanced programs, including Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and the DiveMaster program at Any Water Sports. "The advanced programs are a blast to teach. You really get to know your students and the classes are focused on the ocean diving - what could be better?" |
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Eric Opp
![]() Originally certified at San Jose State University, Eric has continued on to earn the rating of Master Scuba Diver Trainer. "Diving has opened a whole new world of exciting experiences and interesting people," Eric comments. Teaching diving is one of Eric's passions, and it shows during his classes. Known for his patience and optimism, he focuses on ensuring students get the most out of their class. "My goal is not only to make you a certified diver, but a comfortable diver as well. I want to ensure you are confident in your abilities." By keeping things light-hearted and fun, he's able to provide an entertaining and supportive atmosphere. When he's not wearing a scuba mask, Eric can be found practicing Tae Kwon Do, racing motorcycles, and rock climbing. With fellow divers, Eric has gotten the opportunity to visit places from the Philippines to Hawaii to Mexico. Eric teaches courses from beginning diving (Open Water certification) to CPR and First Aid. |
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Phil Sammet
Phil has intimate knowledge of the dive sites surrounding the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur coast. If he's not topside running the Cypress Sea,
he's probably exploring the depths below. He has many, many, many stories to tell, all of which provide endless entertainment during travel time and surface intervals. |
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Phil has intimate knowledge of the dive sites surrounding the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur coast. If he's not topside running the