ABOUT US Meet the Dive Wimbledon Team

Roger Hirst became a PADI DM in 1994 and a PADI Instructor in 1995 and has taught over 900 divers all over the world before setting up Dive Wimbledon in 2003 with Jane. Roger loves to teach absolute beginners to see their faces when they realise just how much fun diving can be.

Jane Hirst became a PADI DM on Utila in Honduras in 1999 and has been to many of the worlds beautiful dive spots including Tahiti, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Mexico as well as The Red Sea and The Carribean. Jane set up Dive Wimbledon in 2003 with Roger and is always happy to pass on the knowledge she has gained to new and experienced divers

Geoff Creighton is Dive Wimbledon's PADI Course Director.

Learning to dive as a teenager over 20 years ago, Geoff represents a new generation of instructor trainers active in the UK. His wide-ranging dive experience, along with a progressive approach drawn from his technical diving and work in digital media, inspires candidates to become modern recreational and technical dive instructors. After many successful Instructor Development Courses, he holds a 100% pass rate for candidates becoming qualified at the independent PADI Instructor Examination.

Geoff is factory qualified to teach a number of leading rebreather models including the SF2 and Hollis Prism, and enjoys deep technical, advanced wreck and expedition-level diving.

Geoff has worked on a number of significant movie projects as rebreather consultant to the production, instructor to cast members and a diving double. His most recent assignment was training and supervising Simon Pegg, diving a rebreather for a stunt in his role in the 2018 blockbuster Mission: Impossible Fallout. He also had a significant hand in the underwater exploits for Gerard Butler's recently released submarine action, Hunter Killer.

A late entry into the world of diving, I found myself becoming an instructor at the age of 40 with no intention of ever doing it for a living. I had no intention of living in Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Greece Caribbean and the South Pacific just teaching diving but I did. Working between seasons for Dive Wimbledon, I now find myself as Chief equipment and logistics officer (I pack the van and fill the tanks !).

Despite a life-long love for the water, Tally did not start diving until 2021. She undertook her Divemaster training at the breath-taking Raja Ampat, but has since traded in the tropical water for British lakes, where she completed her IDC. When not teaching for Dive Wimbledon, Tally dives in an aquarium exhibit to feed the sharks and moray eels! She loves all elements of diving and soon hopes to gain her technical and cave diving certifications. 

Richard learnt to dive in June 2006 at the ripe old age of 52 when he qualified as a PADI Open Water Diver.  Seven months later he passed as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver at Dive Wimbledon where he has been ever since.

In 2010 Richard reached the dizzy heights of Padi DiveMaster.  Having got the bug for continued education, he completed my Assistant Instructor course in March 2011 and went on to qualify as a Padi Open Water Scuba Instructor in May 2011 then Master Scuba Diver Trainer Certificate, Padi IDC Staff Instructor and then Master Instructor in 2020.  In Richard's words "It Just goes to show, it’s never too late to start scuba diving!"

I was born in Punta Arena, Chile, in the same city from which Chilean Naval Officer Luis Pardo Villalon, in August of 1916,  departed to Antarctica,  to rescue the 22 stranded crewmen of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship. Being part of these incredible seafaring feats gave me a massive passion for marine activities.  When I was a young guy, I let memories of Jacques Cousteau build in me a massive interest in what is going on under the water and all that is involved in being under the water, for a longer period than one breath allows. I also really enjoy helping beginners to learn how to enjoy life under the water and work on skills with new divers.

Pete Tomkins learned to dive in Cozumel in 2008 and since then he has completed all his courses with Dive Wimbledon up to Divemaster level. In 2010 he became a PADI Instructor and since then has progressed on to Staff Instructor and now Master Instructor. Pete dives regularly all over the Caribbean and always joins our Dive Wimbledon trips to the Red Sea. As you can see from his photo he doesn't mind diving on a cold snowy day either.

I learnt to dive with Dive Wimbledon in London when I was 13 and from the first dive it became my absolute passion and I took on every course I could. Diving has taken me around the world from Cozumel to Iceland to Malta and Egypt pursuing encounters with Turtles and Sharks and making great friends. I love teaching diving to share the experience with as many people as possible.

Paul learnt to dive in Australia and been diving for many years all around the world. He completed his PADI Divemaster course with Dive Wimbledon before going on to becoming a PADI Instructor. Since then he has moved on to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and recently spent a month working as an Instructor/Divemaster on the island of Little Cayman in the Caribbean. Paul's favorite dive was with a whale shark on Koh Tao in Thailand.

Brian completed his PADI Open Water Diver course with Dive Wimbledon in 2012. He then completed his Advanced course, Specialties and PADI Divemaster before becoming an instructor in 2015. Brian is now a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and as well as teaching in the UK regularly joins us on our Dive Wimbledon Red Sea holidays. To put it in Brian's words "I am still as mad about diving as I was when I started."

Roger Hirst became a PADI DM in 1994 and a PADI Instructor in 1995 and has taught over 900 divers all over the world before setting up Dive Wimbledon in 2003 with Jane. Roger loves to teach absolute beginners to see their faces when they realise just how much fun diving can be.

Dilara is originally from Turkey and literally grew up in the water. Her childhood was mostly free diving with her father and swimming around reefs with fish. Dilara got her first PADI Certification in 2010 in Datça in south-west Turkey and since then every summer she has worked for dive schools and became a PADI instructor. "Diving is my passion therefore I love teaching scuba and how to respect the ocean while also making new friends and having fun underwater."

Sharon learnt to dive in South Africa at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, famous for its Raggies, Hammerheads and Bull shark population. "Yes, I was scared-witless on my first dive when a raggie came within a metre of me! Now I love seeing them. My favourite dive locations (so far) are Bali and Sipidan, I also love searching for the little critters; nudibranchs are my favourite. Diving for me is like having a mini-holiday; it’s so good for the soul."

Tony started his diving career with Dive Wimbledon in 2019 and progressed through to Dive Master in the U.K. finally completing his PADI Instructor Course in the Canary Islands in 2021. 

After diving for fun for several years and really enjoying it, I took the step to go pro and have since worked in Costa Rica, Malta and Colombia. I have always loved animals, so for me seeing marine life in its natural habitat is my favourite thing about diving. I love to be the person that takes people underwater for the first time so they can hopefully enjoy it as much as I do!

Rupert is an experienced and well travelled PADI diving instructor with over 3000 dives and many stamps in his passport. Rupert has recently traded in the joys of the Indian ocean and the Caribbean for the wonders of Putney Leisure Centre pool with Dive Wimbledon- and is as passionate about teaching scuba as ever. When he isn't teaching Rupert can be found in our office most days.

Lex has been diving since 2009 when he passed his open water in the murky waters of Portland Harbour. He is also a qualified technical diver and will happily bore anyone to tears with gas theory given half an opportunity. Unfortunately, his ability to spot underwater critters is somewhat lacking (he has been known to miss a dolphin 5 meters away), but he makes up for it with his navigational skills (particularly when there is a pint of Camden Pale Ale placed at the exit of a dive site).

Riccardo leant to dive with PADI in 2011 and moved through the ranks to become an instructor in 2013. Since then he has taught PADI courses in Italy for various centres while moving through the levels of tech diving and more lately has completed his commercial diving ticket.
"I am glad to join the Dive Wimbledon’ s family to teach and transmit my experience and passion for the sea and underwater exploration."

Shelley tried SCUBA in Thailand in 2004 and it was love at first dive! Soon after, she travelled the world, diving at every opportunity and progressing up to Dive Instructor..

Shelley has taught students in Honduras, Kenya, Bali, a yacht around the Caribbean, Thailand, Philippines and now with us at Dive Wimbledon! Her passions are underwater photography and introducing people to the underwater world.

Daniel is a PADI Master Instructor and Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer with over 10 years of diving experience. Having dived and taught diving around the world he is passionate about introducing new divers to the underwater world and developing certified divers to their full potential.

Thushy joined Dive Wimbledon in 2010 as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver after checking every dive club in London. He then completed all the rest of his courses up to PADI Assistant Instructor with us. He later obtained his Instructor rating in Sri Lanka in 2013 and he has taught for us ever since.

I started diving in 2006 in the UK at Wraysbury where our PADI Open Water students learn to dive.
I love diving in the UK and especially around the south coast and with the seals at Lundy.
I love getting students through skills that they find difficult, it’s a great feeling of satisfaction for both of us!

Adam started diving back in 1999 at the age of 15 becoming PADI JOW in Kos. Since then he got dives in when he could whilst on holiday with his family achieving AOW in the Red Sea on Christmas day in 2007.

Having been a recreational diver all round the world from St Lucia to South Africa, Egypt to the Great Barrier Reef. A recent career change into Television and Film opened his eyes to the possibility of diving for work and within a year Adam got certified with Dive Wimbledon as a Dry suit Diver, Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster in order to become qualified as a HSE Commercial Diver to work on underwater filming. His dream is to work on the next Bond film and keep the new 007 safe in the water!

Whilst not working he’s very happy DM’ing with Dive Wimbledon, assisting those new to SCUBA so they get the best experience possible making bubbles on their holidays. Plus keeping fit training and racing for triathlons and marathons! 

Jane Hirst became a PADI DM on Utila in Honduras in 1999 and has been to many of the worlds beautiful dive spots including Tahiti, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Mexico as well as The Red Sea and The Carribean. Jane set up Dive Wimbledon in 2003 with Roger and is always happy to pass on the knowledge she has gained to new and experienced divers

Peter got hooked on diving after a DSD in Grenada in 2002 followed by the PADI Open Water Diver course in Kingston/Cabo de Palos in 2003. He then completed the rest of his course with Dive Wimbledon and has been a DM since 2006. Peter describes himself as a "Dive Wimbledon customer since DW was just a twinkle in Roger's eye"

Gilles started diving as a teenager in his hometown club in Normandie back in the day when BCDs were not commonly used. He did not dive much until his first daughter reached the age of 13 when he decided to grab the fins again and re- certified with her as a Padi Open Water Diver in 2012 in London. Gilles then started diving during holidays with his daughters. It’s only in 2022 that Gilles decided to register as a divemaster trainee with Dive Wimbledon and he enjoyed every minute of it  and has gone on to regularly Divemaster for Dive Wimbledon

I began diving as it really is one of the most exciting truly adventurous things you can do. Dive beneath the surface you are privileged to see sunken ships, stunning coral formations and the oceans incredible wildlife.  As a diver, it means wherever you go in the world, there's always an adventure to be had, from sharks and the sardine run, to diving between the tectonic plates in Iceland...  travel the untrodden path and get in the WATER !

Sergey has been a part of Dive Wimbledon since he completed his PADI Open Water Diver course in 2011. Since then he has progressed through the PADI ranks up to PADI Divemaster with Dive Wimbledon. Sergey took a break for work for a couple of years but dived in Egypt, Malta, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and all over Europe before returning to Dive Wimbledon a year ago. We are glad to have him back.

Fran has a huge passion for the water having been a professional swimmer and growing up in Chile, where she was always around the aquatic world and dreamed of becoming a Diver.

Influenced by her family back in Chile, who run a Diving School: Cono Sur Diving in Valparaiso, where she took her first steps into the diving world. She later continued her journey and training with Dive Wimbledon where she has made some great friends, qualified as a Rescue Diver and is on a journey to become a Dive Master as part of her training for the British Stunt Register.

Fran has already worked on a few productions under water as well as supported other artists. Fran has enjoyed every step of the way and looks forward to keeping growing, inspiring others, learning from her Instructors and mates as well as keeping on learning the values and skills of a Professional PADI Diver.

Sam completed the PADI Open Water Course back in 2012 on Gozo, and has been gaining more experience since, driven through a love of learning new things and meeting people along the way. In 2017 Sam completed the PADI Rescue Diver course with Dive Wimbledon before also completing his DM with Dive Wimbledon in 2018.  Sam has dived in the UK, Costa Rica, Mexico, Greece and Spain. He is also Ian Bruce’s 'self proclaimed' favourite DM

I’m Steve or Stebe and I’m one of Dive Wimbledon’s Dive Masters. I have climbed the PADI skills sets with Dive Wimbledon and assisted with numerous course and instructors through the school.
I started diving in 2013 and never looked back. I aspire to keep climbing the professional ladder and expanding my recreational diving experience.
I most enjoy assisting with the PADI Rescue and PADI Open Water Advanced Courses and I wrote this while on holiday with Dive Wimbledon in Marsa Alam

My diver training started with Dive Wimbledon in 2008, a great decision, and I have never looked back. Diving has tested my abilities to another level and no matter where I dive the freedom I get when exploring the underwater playground is unreal! 

Heather was travelling in Thailand and fell in love with the world of scuba diving on Koh Tao. She is currently completing her PADI Divemaster course with Dive Wimbledon as one of her sporting disciplines so she can apply to join the British Stunt Register. After the course Heather would like to travel the world to explore the peaceful world under the sea.

I've always been fascinated by the water, from swimming competitively to exploring the Caribbean sea through spearfishing and snorkeling with my dad. In 2005, I completed my open water course in Cuba and since then, I've developed my skills and become a certified rescue diver under the guidance of Dive Wimbledon. My dream is to establish a dive school in the Caribbean so I am now completing the PADI Divemaster course. My dream is to share my passion and create a welcoming space for water enthusiasts and each diving experience brings me closer to uncovering the beauty beneath the surface.