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Ed ShoemakerDivemaster

  • Highest Dive Rating Held: Divemaster
  • Affiliations: SSIPADI

Ed Shoemaker's Gallery:

Background:

Ed got certified way back in 1985 while still in high school—but it wasn’t until 2012 that diving really hooked him. That year, he and his wife walked into East Coast Divers to ask a simple question: “Have you ever heard of an island called Curaçao?” The answer changed everything. Since then, Ed has worked his way from Advanced Open Water through Divemaster, with no plans of slowing down. Tech training and instructor development are next on the horizon.

His favorite advice for divers looking to improve? Ask questions. But more importantly—keep diving. Growth comes from experience, and Ed’s all about helping others stay curious, stay wet, and stay excited about what’s next.

Favorite Dive Site:

Ed has two favorites that stand out for different reasons.

Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman is one of those dives that just sticks with you. The dramatic drop-off, vibrant marine life, and endless visibility make it feel like you’re floating on the edge of the world. It’s a place where depth and perspective go hand-in-hand, and it’s impossible not to be awed.

Director’s Baai in Curaçao holds more personal meaning. It’s not just a beautiful dive—it’s part of the place where Ed’s real passion for diving was rekindled. Calm conditions, colorful reef, and that laid-back Curaçao energy make it a site he always thinks of with a smile.

Favorite Creature:

Ed’s favorite underwater creature? Frogfish. No contest. They always look grumpy, they’re bizarrely good at hiding in plain sight, and—best of all—they can swim with their butt. What’s not to love? Strange, stubborn, and undeniably cool, they’re basically the underwater embodiment of personality.

Favorite Certification Course:

For Ed, Intro to Tech stands out as a favorite because it takes everything you’ve learned so far and pushes it to the next level. It’s not just about refining foundational skills—it’s about learning to function as part of a dive team. The course emphasizes communication, precision, and planning, and that deeper level of teamwork is what really makes it click for him.

Goals In The Dive Industry:

For Ed, it’s pretty straightforward—he just wants to dive. Whether he’s learning something new, helping someone else build their skills, or working toward a goal underwater, that’s where he’s happiest. Give him a reason to jump in and a good dive team around him, and he’s all in, every time.

Holds the following ratings:

  • Divemaster (DM)
  • Dive Guide

Dive Kit:

Ed’s gear setup reflects the way he dives—thoughtfully chosen, versatile, and ready to adapt. For single tank dives, he trusts his Aqua Lung Legend regulator, while Scubapro regs power his doubles setup when he’s gearing up for more complex dives.

Exposure-wise, he switches between his Santi E Lite drysuit when conditions demand it, and tech shorts with a rashguard when the water’s warm and the diving’s more relaxed. He kicks through it all with his Deep 6 Eddy fins and keeps his data dialed in on Shearwater computers—clean, dependable, and built for every level of diving.