In-Store Staff
GREG and DEIRDRE McCRACKEN - OWNERS
Greg earned his PADI Instructor rating in 1992 and his PADI Course Director rating in 1997. Before settling down in Vancouver, Greg has managed dive centres on Vancouver Island, Central America and Mexico. Over the past 20 years, Greg has issued over 1600 instructor level certifications and over 3300 certifications in all levels. Greg continues to be enthusiastic for teaching and diving. Every year, he makes a strong effort to learn and evolve as an instructor and as a diver. Greg truly enjoys assisting his students meet their goals as divers and professionals and has assisted instructors around the globe find successful careers in the diving industry.
In 2006, PADI commenced a new recognition program acknowledging active PADI Course Directors around the Globe. Greg is one of less than 50 PADI Course Directors in the world to earn the highest recognition available – Platinum! Greg has earned Platinum status each consecutive year.
Aside from his work at Ocean Quest, Greg works with Capilano University to conduct their Professional Scuba Dive Instructor program. This program attracts up to 24 students every year from across Canada and around the globe. Greg has a vast array of experience from recreational diving to wreck and technical diving. Over the past year, Greg has worked closely with DSAT/PADI’s Technical Diving Division to assist them in updating their technical diving programs.
Greg's primary qualifications include:
- PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer)
- PADI Technical Instructor Trainer
- PADI Trimix Instructor Trainer
- PADI Sidemount Diver and Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
- PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer
- Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer
Greg earned his PADI Instructor rating in 1992 and his PADI Course Director rating in 1997. Before settling down in Vancouver, Greg has managed dive centres on Vancouver Island, Central America and Mexico. Over the past 20 years, Greg has issued over 1600 instructor level certifications and over 3300 certifications in all levels. Greg continues to be enthusiastic for teaching and diving. Every year, he makes a strong effort to learn and evolve as an instructor and as a diver. Greg truly enjoys assisting his students meet their goals as divers and professionals and has assisted instructors around the globe find successful careers in the diving industry.
In 2006, PADI commenced a new recognition program acknowledging active PADI Course Directors around the Globe. Greg is one of less than 50 PADI Course Directors in the world to earn the highest recognition available – Platinum! Greg has earned Platinum status each consecutive year.
Aside from his work at Ocean Quest, Greg works with Capilano University to conduct their Professional Scuba Dive Instructor program. This program attracts up to 24 students every year from across Canada and around the globe. Greg has a vast array of experience from recreational diving to wreck and technical diving. Over the past year, Greg has worked closely with DSAT/PADI’s Technical Diving Division to assist them in updating their technical diving programs.
Greg's primary qualifications include:
- PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer)
- PADI Technical Instructor Trainer
- PADI Trimix Instructor Trainer
- PADI Sidemount Diver and Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
- PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer
- Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer
Owner - PADI Course Director - Techncial Instructor Trainer
DEIRDRE FORBES McCRACKEN
Owner & PADI Master Instructor
Deirdre first was inspired by the wonders of the underwater world while snorkelling in Hawaii at the age of 6. She soon discovered her hero – Jacques Cousteau and always knew her path would lead her to the ocean. Deirdre has been working in the diving industry since 1989 and became a PADI Instructor in 1993. Her extensive dive experience spans around the globe from Australia, Thailand, the Red Sea and the Caribbean. Despite all of her tropical experience, Deirdre’s favourite dive destinations still remain in BC. Deirdre has managed dive centres on Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Central America and Mexico.
Deirdre has been a PADI Instructor for 25 years. Aside from being owner of Ocean Quest, Deirdre has held many key positions within the local diving industry including being a past board member of the Artificial Reed Society of BC (ARSBC) as well as the past President of the Dive Industry Association of BC (DIABC). More recently, Deirdre has been involved in projects that have been in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium, Aquatica Submarines, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society (MLSS) and the Underwater Council of BC (UCBC).
Deirdre is well known for her underwater photography and her knowledge and passion for preserving the underwater environment. At Ocean Quest, she ensures the highest level of service is provided to all of our customers and takes pride in finding special items not normally stocked whenever requested. Deirdre has made lifelong friends through the social sport of diving and enjoys sharing this undiscovered world with everyone around her.
Deirdre’s primary qualifications include:
- PADI Master Instructor
- PADI IDC Staff Instructor
- Master Scuba Diver Trainer
- PADI Specialty Instructor
- Emergency First Response Instructor
From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to the earth. But man only has to sink beneath the surface, and he is free.
- Jacques Yves Cousteau
FABIOLA RUIZ AGUILAR
Fabiola is originally from Mexico City. Since very young age was curious about the ocean and the marine life that lives in it. Always watching the adventures of Cousteau and inspired by everything that diving had to offer. She moved to Vancouver on 2000. On a trip to Argentina in 2006, Fabiola finally tried diving for first time. Two years later she joined the Capilano University Professional Scuba Dive Instructor Program graduating in 2009. The possibility of travelling while sharing diving with every student was one of the biggest attractions that came with the program. After finishing the program Fabiola went to work in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Australia, Ireland and travelled to Indonesia, Cuba, Bali, and a few others. In 2014 came back to her origins of diving, back in BC. Since then she has played an active role in teaching the Ocean Quest Career Development Scuba Dive Instructor Program - “My absolutely fave to teach”. While at Ocean Quest has achieved her Master Instructor rating and is working towards earning her PADI Course Director rating.
Fabiola loves teaching diving and helping other discover the magic of the underwater world. Her favourite kind of diving is drift, deep and always a good fishy dive.
“Sharks are beautiful animals, and if you're lucky enough to see lots of them, that means that you're in a healthy ocean. You should be afraid if you are in the ocean and don't see sharks”. Sylvia Earle
Fabiola’s primary qualifications include:
- PADI Course Director (Instructor Trainer)
- PADI Specialty Instructor Training for most Specialties
- Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer
- PADI Tec 40 Instructor
- Liberty Rebreather Diver
- Dive Safety Officer for University of British Columbia
NOAH PRYMAK
Noah launched into diving in Muskoka’s freshwater lakes during the summer of 2009. It immediately became a passion, and Noah continued his dive education while completing his undergraduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Noah loves wreck, night and drift diving, and can often be found at Kelvin Grove with his GoPro set up. Underwater videography is a passion of Noah’s and he has even written his very own GoPro-specific PADI specialty to bring to Ocean Quest. Prior to joining Team Ocean Quest, Noah spent time working as a boat captain and PADI Instructor in Greece. Noah loves teaching in both French and English; and the PADI Rescue Diver course is his favourite course to teach.
Check out Noah’s Videos on his Youtube Page
https://www.youtube.com/user/MegaCherrybomb123
Noah's primary qualifications include:
- PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
- PADI Specialty Instructor
- PADI GoPro Videography Distinctive Diver Specialty Instructor (Written by Noah and approved by PADI)
- Emergency First Response Instructor
- Regulator Technician
PHILIPPE BEAUDRY
Phil began his diving career in 2012 with a plunge in Lake Ontario, and he’s been
loving it ever since. Phil’s enjoyment of diving comes from the simple pleasure of being underwater. Phil is a graduate of the Ocean Quest Career Development Program and joined the Ocean Quest team following his completion of the rigorous 7 month full-time course.
A night dive at Whytecliff Park is Phil’s favourite activity and Night Diver Specialty is Phil’s favourite course to teach. Phil speaks English and French fluently. When Phil isn't diving, you can be sure to find him hiking and biking the trails of British Columbia.
Phil’s Credentials Include:
- Ocean Quest Career Development Scuba Dive Instructor Course Graduate
- PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
- PADI Freediver Instructor
- PADI Specialty Instructor
- Emergency First Response Instructor
- Regulator Technician