Welcome To Aquatic World

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Tim Corcoran – Trip Leader

Certification Level: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

What I like about being a Trip Leader?

Besides running the shop and being an Instructor, leading trips with my wife Sharon is one of the most rewarding things I do. There is nothing that compares to signing up a student for lessons and taking them all the way through the process right up to accompanying them on a trip where they complete their certification. It's great seeing them experience diving for the first time.

Why I like Group Travel?

Group trips are the best, especially for our customers. We do all the work. You basically pack a bag and show up at the airport. We take care of the rest. Not only is it easy traveling, you get to meet a lot of great people and make new friends for life.

Favorite dive destination

That's a tough pick. For the big stuff, I'd have to pick the Socorro Islands where we saw giant Mantas, hammerhead sharks, and dolphins. For the critters I'd have to pick Matava on the island of Kandavu in Fiji. Pristine diving with lots of small critters along with sharks and Mantas.

Carrie Corcoran - Trip Leader

Certification Level: PADI Divemaster

Why I wanted to be a trip leader?

Over the last few years I have been able to travel to amazing places and have the best vacations ever through Aquatic World. Being a trip leader means I get to share these experiences with other people and show them the best places in the world to dive! And who wouldn't want to lead a group of fun people to beautiful, warm, tropical dive locations!!!!??

Why I like group travel?

Group travel is the best for dive vacations. Having a group of diverse people who all share the same love of diving and travel just makes traveling to these places even more memorable. There is always someone on the trip that you can have fun with and I have made so many close friends on dive trips. The more divers you know just means more people underwater to spot interesting critters! Having more people on a trip also means better chance of me convincing someone to go whitewater rafting, snorkeling, zip lining, rent mopeds or whatever else I can find there to do with me!

Favorite dive destination

I have loved every dive destination I have been to so far but if I had to pick one it would be Fiji. It is just beautiful land, friendly people, and AMAZING DIVING. While we were there we didn't just dive we also visited local villages, whet to a school and even went white water rafting! But the best part of the whole trip for me was diving "The Bistro" at Beqa Lagoon. It is known as one of the best shark dives in the world and trust me it is! We were surrounded by huge Nurse Sharks, Lemon Sharks and even Bull Sharks!!!! Sega na Lega.

Rachel Wood - Trip Leader

Certification Level: PADI Divemaster

Why I wanted to be a Trip Leader?

I wanted to become a trip leader so I could share the excitement and beauty that I experience when diving around the world.

Why I like Group Travel?

I love group travel because you make so many new friends that share the same love of diving that you have, It's just a lot of fun.

Favorite dive destination

My favorite dive destination is any destination that has water temps of 80 degrees and above and works on island time!

Kurt Lavin - Assistant Trip Leader

Certification Level: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Why I want to be a trip leader?

My goal as well as Aquatic World's is that our trips are as stress free as humanly possible. I want to make sure everyone has a relaxing, fun filled diving experience from the start to the end of the trip. As an assistant trip leader, I have the opportunity to accomplish this goal. It also allows me to interact with group members who may have questions, concerns or issues about their diving skills. If your diving skills need some improvement, I can help. If someone is not having a good time or good experience, I want to fix it, so that they will travel with us again.

Why do I like group travel?

Group travel with people who have a common interest in diving, makes for an interesting experience. Many people have a variety of interests, that I would have never learned about, if it had not been for group travel. I have learned much and look forward to making more new friends and learning more exciting things from these divers.

Favorite Dive Destination

My favorite destination has been Anthonys Key, Roatan.

Alicia Weber - Trip Leader

Certification Level: Divemaster

Why I wanted to become a trip leader?

I grew up in CNY and work as a Registered Nurse in Radiology at SUNY Upstate. Besides diving and traveling, I love the outdoors, reading, photography, gardening, motorcycle trips and dogs. I decided to try diving and get open water certified because I no longer wanted to be a “dive widow” waiting for the dive boat to return on vacation. Little did I know I would fall in love with diving, become a Divemaster and never get enough of it. It is like yoga for me. I spend time connecting with my inner self as I connect with the underwater world and get the benefit of exercise. It’s a win-win!

I wanted to become a trip leader because I love traveling, meeting new people and getting to know about their country, customs and culture. I also find it very interesting to experience the different underwater population and species from one place to another. The only thing I enjoy more is sharing all this with others and seeing them have a great time and build their confidence as a diver.

Why I like group travel?

My first Aquatic World group trip got me hooked on the group experience. It’s a great way to meet fellow divers, new dive buddies and vacation with a lot less stress. The group tends to be diverse but diving and travel bring us all together to have a good time and a lot of fun. I have met so many cool and interesting people traveling in groups that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Some have become good friends.

Favorite Dive Destination

My favorite place to dive is difficult because I plan on so many more trips. If I had to choose I would have to say Little Cayman at this point. So many fish, coral and sponges-oh my!

Alan Ziegler - Trip Leader

Certification Level: Divemaster in Training

Why I wanted to be a trip leader

One of the most fulfilling things I have done in my life is having the chance to help other people. My real job is a colon and rectal surgeon.There I find great enjoyment in helping resolve problems or help persons fight with problems that are unresolvable. Our family recertified a year ago. We took our first trip and as expected had problems. Our trip leaders Sharon, Tim, Kurt and Mike helped us a lot. They turned problems into solutions which allowed us to have memory making trips as a family. I am hoping to learn how to help with problems ranging from minor equipment problems to any bigger concerns that come down the path.

Why I like group travel

I have traveled with and without a group to dive resorts. Traveling with a group gives you immediate friends (buddies as Sharon calls them). I have experienced this when I have gone on group mountaineering trips to Mount Rainier and Mount Mckinley.You develop a relationship with other people when you share an adventure. This goes beyond what you would expect just meeting another person for a short period of time.You develop a connection and you will want to start planning your next group travel adventure soon after. I also like the safety of traveling and diving in a group.

My Favorite Destination

The classic answer is that they were all great in different ways. I will answer Bonaire since this is where Gretchen, Becky and I went on are first trip.

Gary Weber - Trip Leader

Certification Level: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Why I wanted to become a trip leader?

I became Open Water certified in 2007 and fell in love with the sport. In 2008 I started taking classes with Aquatic World and diving with the new friends that I had made there. I soon realized that I loved to work with and help out new divers. In 2010 I became a scuba instructor at Aquatic World. In 2009 I took my first trip with Aquatic World to Little Cayman and had a great time. The diving was great and traveling with other divers was awesome.I became a trip leader so I could share my love for diving and travel. I think there are so many great dive destinations to explore and share with friends.

Why I like group travel?

I like to travel with a group because I get to meet new people that have a lot of the same interests as I do. The best part of the group travel is that you don’t have to worry about the little things that can happen, because you have a trip leader to help you with any problem you might have. You can also relax about going some place new because your trip leader has already been there and can tell you what to expect from your trip.

Favorite dive Destination

My favorite dive destination so far has been Bonaire. The diving there was great and the option to do as little or as much diving as you want. You can do boat dives and shore dives as well.

Sharon Corcoran – Trip Leader

Aquatic World Travel Coordinator

What I like about being a Trip Leader?

I love bringing people to destinations that are big winners in my book. When Tim and I first started diving and traveling to different locations I often found that I wished I had done things differently to make the trip better. So many factors need to be considered when taking a dive trip including the location, the time of year, the resort, the dive operation, the diving, the food, other activities available, travel connections, and so much more. I love finding great places with great diving and working with the resorts and dive operations to create a custom made vacation for our groups. I want everyone to enjoy the trip knowing that it has been researched, tweaked, and planned especially them.

Why I like Group Travel?

I love group travel because I love people! It’s the best possible scenario for making new friends. We find a location with great diving, great resorts, and great food. We then work with the management to get some things extra special for our group. We bring everyone to this wonderful place and we enjoy it even more because we enjoy it with new and old friends.

Favorite dive destination

My favorite dive destinations are comprised of a long list – Utila, Little Cayman, Palau and Yap, Papau New Guinea, Fiji, Socorro Islands, Roatan, Bonaire, Indonesia, Egypt, Dominica, Saba, The Philippines, Curacao, St. Lucia. And I’m still looking over the horizon to add more…..