Companies I Support
Voli Voli Beach Resort, Fiji
What started as a backpackers lodge to accommodate off-the-beaten path adventurers in search of the best diving in Fiji back in the 90s, has evolved into the award-winning, four-star boutique resort Volivoli is today, still owned and operated with the heart and soul of the original owners—the Darling family.
Azure Dive Resort, Philipines
The Azure Dive Resort is a tropical haven tucked away neatly in the small, sleepy town of Dauin, Negros Oriental. It sits on a sprawling 1,620-square-meter terrain that gently slopes down to a sandy stretch, just before it merges with the warm, coastal waters of the Bohol Sea. The municipality of Dauin is home to less than 30,000 gentle locals who thrive on fishing and farming as their main livelihood. Dauin has attracted divers and tourists far and wide because of its proximity to Apo Island, a seemingly obscure dot in the Philippine Archipelago yet internationally famed for its spectacular marine life.
Stream2Sea
Not often do I come across a company that impresses me all the way from their corporate philosophy to the products made. Stream2Sea cares about the ocean, coral reefs, marine life, and people and created a line of sunscreen that protects people and the reef. But more than that they make rash guards for people and dogs, shampoo, conditioner, and some of the best De-fog I have ever used. The owner is a diver and knows how important it is to protect ourselves and the marine life. No harsh chemicals are used in any other products. My dog wears the rash guard every time he goes to the beach.
Breakthrough Photography
This company specializes in making filters for photographers. I found them about 4 years ago, and have been a fan ever since. I have used every major filter brand with few exceptions and have to say the products produced by Breakthrough are affordable, high quality, easy to use, guaranteed. Breakthrough offers a complete range of ND filters, hard and soft graduated, reverse graduated filters, polarizers, and UV filters. My landscape work is so much better because of these filters. By managing the light with these filters I am able to control motion and thereby emotion in my photography.
Colorado Tripod Company
These guys are setting the tone in high-quality gear at very reasonable prices. While I have expensive gear from other companies the ball head and tripod I got have never let me down. The tripod is lightweight and sturdy and the ball head I have allows me to go vertical whereas other ball heads don’t. Great engineering. For the price of another brand's tripod, you can get a ball head and tripod from these guys.
Dive Island Style
The captain and crew are dedicated to provide a high level of service. The dive briefings are the best. This is one of the boats I like to use when teaching workshops. They provide all kinds of services and are more than just a dive boat. They are also locally owned and operated.
Maui Dreams Dive Co
This dive shop is great for tank rentals and purchasing gear. They have a great staff, and everyone there loves diving. Their website has a lot of information, including current and recent dive reports. The dive boat is spacious.