Matt Bolton
PADI Course Director / Director of Training & Education

Matt Bolton is a 5 time Platinum PADI Course Director and Crystal Dive’s Director of Operations, Training & Education.

Matt has been at Crystal Dive since 1999 working his way through the ranks, initially as a Divemaster, progressing to Instructor and then Senior Instructor.

In 2003 Matt excepted the position of Operations Manager at the resort and under his leadership, Crystal has grown from a small size Koh Tao diving center into one of the world’s most popular & successful PADI dive operations.

Receiving numerous performance awards from PADI, both on behalf of Crystal Dive Resort and also for his own achievements.

He has also won the "Outstanding Contribution to Instructor Development" award in the Asia Pacific region in 2008 and again in 2010.   As a PADI Course Director, Matt has an international reputation as one of the world's elite Instructor Trainers, recently conducting the first ever PADI IDC in India, and then again in Timor Leste.   Qualifications: .PADI Platinum Course Director ·EFR Instructor Trainer ·20 Instructor Trainer Specialty Ratings

ALL ABOUT US   Why Crystal..??   Resort Facilities   Dive Boats   Around Koh Tao   Getting Here   F.A.Q

Steve Kissoon
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Operations Manager

Steve arrived on Koh Tao in 2002 whilst travelling the world and completed both his Open Water & Advanced Open course at Crystal before travelling onto Australia. Completing his Rescue Diver course at Australia’s premier PADI IDC Center persuaded him to embark on a career in diving.

Having completed his travelling adventures he returned to Crystal Dive where he completed his Divemaster, IDC and MSDT training with Matt in 2004.

Ever since that time he has been part of the team. Working his way through the ranks Steve was initially employed as a Divemaster, progressing to an Instructional position.

Apart from teaching people to dive, Steve's other passion is photography, both above and below the surface. His camera has taken him too many dive locations around the globe and resulted in many more on Photoshop!

After many Buckets, many motorbike crashes, many Full Moon Parties and many, many certified students, Steve has settled into his current role as the manager of the retail center.

In 2006 Steve continued his education, completing the IDC Staff Instructor course with Matt and he is currently working towards achieving the PADI Master Instructor rating in 2009.

Qualifications
.PADI IDC Staff Instructor
.EFR Instructor
.Holds 9 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

KENJI TAKAHASHI
PADI Course Director / DSAT-PADI Tech Deep Instructor Trainer

Diving for over 15 years, Kenji joined Crystal Dive Resort in 2003 with a view to increase the Japanese market here on Koh Tao. With over 2,000 PADI certifications to his name, Kenji teaches all levels of PADI dive courses in both Japanese and English language, literally from Discover Scuba’s to Instructors, to Tech Deep Diver!

A keen underwater photographer and naturalist, Kenji's eye for spotting even the smallest of marine creatures is legendry with Crystal staff and customers alike. His knowledge of the marine life in and around Koh Tao is second to none.

Kenji first became involved with the PADI Instructor Development Process in early 2005 when he completed his PADI IDC Staff course with Matt. Since that day he has been a familiar face on many of the IDCs that Matt has conducted and he built up his experience & worked towards the PADI Master Instructor rating.

On the 14th March 2008 Kenji successfully completed the CDTC in Kota Kinabali, Malaysia becoming a PADI Course Director. He is currently the only Japanese speaking PADI Course Director on Koh Tao.

Always looking at new avenues within the scuba dive industry Kenji has spent the past 2 years following another of his passions….Technical Diving, and in 2009 he became Crystal Dives ‘in house’ DSAT Tech Instructor Trainer.

Qualifications:
.PADI Course Director
.DSAT/PADI Tech Instructor Trainer
.EFR Instructor Trainer
.Holds 12 PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer Ratings

JUSTIN MAYERS
PADI Course Director
IMCA Dive Medic Technician
Co-Coordinator Divemaster Training
IMCA Dive Medic Technician

Diving for over 14 years, Matt conducted Justin’s Divemaster course over 8 years ago. Justin worked as a Divemaster for a while and completed the PADI IDC in 2001. Initially working as an Instructor, Justin quickly progressed in the industry and managed a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm resort on Koh Tao.

Returning to his old mentor in 2004 Justin completed the IDC Staff Instructor course with Matt and finally decided to return to Crystal in 2006, teaching all levels of PADI courses whilst working towards his Master Instructor rating.

During this period Justin also become a Dive Medic Technician, completing the course in Plymouth, UK at the Diving Diseases Research Center.

The following two years saw Justin work on 15 IDC’s as an assistant to Matt and was ever present on all Matt’s IDC’s during 2008 gaining his Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer along the way.

Initially excepted on the CDTC to be held in California in July 2008, family commitments saw Justin defer and complete the course held in Kota Kinabli, Malaysia in March 2009 making him the only ever Koh Tao based PADI Course Director to be accepted on the CDTC twice!

Justin adds an additional dynamic to Matt's IDC team, having both managerial experience and being a fully qualified IMCA Dive Medic Technician. He is our third ‘in house’ PADI CD making Crystal Dive the only Koh Tao based Dive Center with three active full time PADI Course Directors.

Qualifications:
.PADI Course Director
.EFR Instructor Trainer
.DAN O2 Trainer
.IMCA / HSE Dive Medic Technician
.Reef Check Trainer
.Mares Equipment Technician

Nathan Cook
PADI IDC Staff Instructor / Environmental Awareness & Action Manager

Nathan has been living and working on Koh Tao since 2004 when he completed his IDC with Matt. Prior to this he operated an action adventure company in India called Himalayan Exposure.

Himalayan Exposure conducts adventures throughout Asia & the Himalaya, specializing in mountaineering expeditions. Nathan still conducts 2-3 trips per year.

Teaching all levels of PADI diver courses from entry level through to the Divemaster course Nathan is also a regular contributor to Matt’s IDC programs.

In 2007 Nathan’s attentions turned away from teaching the mainstream PADI dive courses and towards the environment and marine conservation projects.

Realising that marine conservation is playing a greater part in our day to day scuba diving activities Crystal Dive Resort created an ‘Environmental Awareness & Action’ department within the existing structure of the operation and Nathan became the Manager.

Regularly teaching the Reef Check Eco Diver courses, Nathans role includes organizing all environmental activities associated with Crystal Dive Resort. He mixes regularly activities like beach & dive site clean ups, with fund raisers for the community based conservation organization Save Koh Tao or Project AWARE.

Nathan is also spearheading several medium to long term projects such as Reef monitoring, coral nursery’s and alternative dive site exploration. Currently Nathan & Crystal Dive Resort are at an advance stage of developing an alternative dive site, hoping this will take pressure off Koh Tao’s existing dive sites.

"I grew up by the ocean in Melbourne Australia and although my formative years were spent swimming and surfing, it took me almost 30 years to give scuba diving a go. Being an avid climber and mountaineer the idea of diving and going underwater seemed a world away. So it wasn’t until repeated visits to Koh Tao turned a growing passion into a career.

Having worked as an instructor for the last four years I have constantly been amazed by the number and diversity of divers and the opportunities it opens up for people to get in touch with nature. Having always been considerate of our natural world it only made sense to focus on the environmental side of diving, which is where my main focus lies today. While I teach all levels of divers, the environment and its preservation is definitely my passion and my priority."

Qualifications
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
EFR Instructor
Reef Check Instructor
Holds 10 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Carsten Neuhaus
PADI Master Instructor/ German Instructor Development

Carsten joined Crystal Dive Resort in 2004 initially employed to teach all levels of PADI Diver courses in English & German.

Carsten quickly impressed, and as Crystal became more successful Carsten joined the Divemaster in Training Program as a Co-ordinator.

Working with the Divemasters naturally led Carsten into the Instructor Development Program and he is often seen assisting Matt with IDC’s, especially if there are German language requirements.

Recently completed the EFR Instructor Trainer course, along with Suki increasing the number of EFR IT’s at Crystal to 5.

One of the most popular Instructors on staff Carsten is also responsible for the Instructional Teams logistics on a daily basis.

When not diving Carsten enjoys the relaxed Koh Tao lifestyle, playing his bass guitar, football and every sunset.

Originally planning to travel around the world for one year Carsten has been enjoying the waters of Thailand’s East and West Coast for the last 6 years!!

Qualifications:
.PADI Master Instructor
.PADI EFR Instructor Trainer
.Holds 13 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Suki Oi Ching Hung
PADI Master Instructor
Co-Ordinator Divemaster Training Program
Chinese Instructor Development

Originally from Hong Kong, Suki is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. She discovered scuba diving by chance while travelling around South East Asia more than 10 years ago. It was love at first sight (underwater) … and eventually, her passion for diving and the lifelong dream of becoming a professional beach bum has "forced" her to replace her high heels with fins and become a dive instructor.

Suki joined Crystal in 2007 and besides teaching recreational level diving courses, she plays a key role with Crystal’s Divemaster Training programme and Instructor Development Courses both in English and Chinese.

Qualifications
.PADI Master Instructor
.Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer (EFRIT)
.Holds 10 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings
.Dan O2 Provider

Laura Bailey
PADI Master Instructor / Retail Supervisor

Laura arrived on Koh Tao early 2006 in order to complete the ‘Full Monty’ (PADI Open Water course through to Divemaster) program over a six week period before heading off to Australia. Four years later and like many Instructors and Divemasters who live and work on Koh Tao Laura is still here!

Originally from Leigh-on-Sea in the U.K Laura is an integral part of the Crystal Dive team. Working as a Divemaster for 7 months, gaining valuable experience about the workings of a popular and successful dive business Laura completed her PADI Instructor Development Course with our award winning Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton in October 2006.

Having successfully completed the IDC/IE Laura immediately enrolled on the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep & Instructor Internship program completing several Instructor Specialty courses and gaining a unique insight into various teaching techniques as well as gaining valuable real life experience.

Laura has now been part of the Crystal Instructional team for over three years, certifying over 700 PADI divers and making a major contribution to Crystal DiveResort’s award winning successes over the past few years.

Late in 2008 she once again showed her commitment to furthering her own Pro Level scuba education by completing the IDC Staff Instructor course as she continues progressing through the PADI system.

"I had never dived before, but none the less, it took me two awesome months to complete my Full Monty package, learning to dive was one of the best things I have ever done, I love to teach, I love to dive".

As well as her Instructional role, Laura co-manages the onsite Crystal Dive Retail shop. Outside of work her interests include underwater photography and her camera and dive equipment have visited many dive sites around Asia including Koh Phi Phi, the Similian islands, Bali, Nusa Penida and Komodo.

Progressing through the PADI system developed and progressed up the PADI ladder by completing her at Crystal Dive Resort. Previous to her IDC, Laura worked for nearly 7 months as a PADI Divemaster on the Crystal DM team, which lead to valuable experience above and under the surface and helped her love of diving to grow.

Qualifications
.PADI Master Instructor
.EFR Instructor
.Holds 7 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Kelvin "Kiwi" Morris
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Equipment Technician

Kelvin, or "Kiwi" as he is known, came to Koh Tao in 2006 when he completed the Open Water Diver Course. He stayed five days before flying home to go back to work as a civil construction engineer managing 50 staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Two weeks later he threw his job in, sold his house, car and boat. He bought a ticket back to Koh Tao to start a new career in scuba diving!

Kelvin completed the Dive Master Course with us in November 2006 then worked as a Divemaster for 6 months, before completing his IDC with Matt in June 2007. He completed the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep & Internship Program in September 2007.

Kelvin’s main role at Crystal Dive is responsibility for all our Equipment. His role includes overseeing all in house equipment maintenance, training programs as well as maintaining & services our compressors, air banks, regulators, Buoyancy control devices and pretty much everything else that require maintaining & servicing.

He liaises with the Divemaster team and resort management with regards to anything that is equipment related. In fact the only place he spends more time in than our Equipment workshop is… The Crystal Bar!

Qualifications:
.PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
.EFR Instructor
.Mares/Aqualung/Scuba Pro Equipment Technician
.Coltri-Sub Compressor Technician
.Holds 8 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Luca Giongo
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer/ Italian & Spanish Instructor

"Super Luca" as he is known affectionately at Crystal Dive arrived in early 2006 to ‘try the diving experience’ and complete the PADI Open Water course. He ‘fell totally in love’ with both the diving & the lifestyle and trained all the way through to PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer with Crystal before being offered a position within the Instructional team.

Luca teaches in three languages and is one of the most popular Instructors on Koh Tao. This is backed up by the fact that literally everybody that Luca has ever taught, has either immediately continued their scuba diving education with him, or returned at later date to do just that!

The statistics and good customer feedback are astonishing and he was awarded by PADI in 2008 for his work, by winning the "Go Pro Challenge Contest" making him one of the few PADI Instructors worldwide to actually be recognised in this way.

Famous for his unnumbered "Team Spaghettis" and "Nitrox" students, Luca is becoming a living legend in the diving industry!

We often ask Luca how can he manage to achieve all of this? His answer is...:"training received by Platinum Course Directors Matt Bolton and "Guru" Kenji Takahashi, a bit of luck, eating lots of spaghetti and diving with the "Gucci Gas" -"PADI Enriched Air Nitrox".

He teaches primarily in English but also looks after the Italian and Spanish customers at Crystal, teaching from beginner up to professional Instructors levels in those languages.

If you want learn to dive and have great fun then come and see Luca, simply a Koh Tao legend!

Qualifications:

.PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

.EFR Instructor

.10 Specialty Instructors Ratings

.Italian / Spanish Divemaster Trainee Co-ordinator

Yuki Hirose
PADI IDC Staff Instructor

Yuki arrived in Koh Tao in October 2008 and has the "honour" of being one of the first Instructors certified by Kenji conducting his first IDC in Japanese.

Yuki has become a valuable member of the team, not only teaching Japanese students but also helping to "spread the word" to the Japanese diver market.

Samantha Mack
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Sam arrived in Koh Tao in April 2008, only planning to spend two weeks on the island to take the PADI Open Water course. She immediately fell in love with diving in Koh Tao and despite numerous attempts to leave the island to return to her former life working in finance in Manchester, she decided to trade it all in and follow her true passion.

After completing the Divemaster course, Sam worked on the Crystal DM team for almost a year, gaining invaluable experience underwater and developing skills in many other areas. Since taking her IDC & MSDT at Crystal in April 2009, she has certified over 200 students and progressed to a full time teaching position.

Always keen for a new challenge, Sam has also recently started teaching in French, after brushing up on her A-level language skills.

Keen to progress her scuba diving career further, she hopes to embark on the IDC Staff Instructor course in the near future.

Qualifications
.PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
.Emergency First Response Trainer (EFRI)
.Holds 5 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Nick Hebrant
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
French & Spanish Instructor

Diving for over 10 years, Nick joined Crystal's team in 2009 shortly after completing his IDC & MSDT Prep & Internship program there.

After moving around for a while between Africa, Russia, Central America, and Europe and quitting his job in Brussels, Belgium where he worked as a IT Technician / Business Analyst, Nick decided to settle down on the cozy little island of Koh Tao.

Together with Sam, Nick heads the French instructional team at Crystal and is also teaches in English & Spanish.

Apart for diving, Nick is an avid photographer, enjoys taking his bike off road going around the island to secluded spots, and drinking a beer and watching the sun set on Turtle Island.

Qualifications
.PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
.Emergency First Response Trainer (EFRI)
.Holds 5 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Michael Clancy
Director Of Technical Diving

Michael’s vast experience in the Gulf of Thailand positions him as Koh Tao’s most experienced Technical Instructor. He has either fully trained or had a part in the training of almost every other senior Tech Instructor on Koh Tao, including the managers of the islands other "Tech operations".

He has worked with the US and Thai Navy, along with the Deep Sea Detectives, Richie Keoller & John Chatterton from the History Channel fame.

Michael was also part of the team that discovered the USS Largarto in 2005, as well as over 20 other WW2 wrecks lying in the Gulf between 2005-2009.

His passion for training technical divers not just to standards but beyond ensures students are well prepared to continue their technical diving experience.

Qualifications
.Technical Diving Instructor

Ivan Karadzic

PADI Master Instructor

DSAT/TDI Technical Instructor

Ivan started diving at the age of 15 back in Denmark, but didn’t dive professionally for many years. In 2006 he began working within the Dive industry first as a Divemster, then Instructor.

Ivan first came in contact with Crystal Dive mid 2008, where he completed the Master Scuba Diver Trainer course with Matt Bolton, he joined the team later that year.

Ivan teaches all levels of PADI diver courses in English and Danish. When Ivan is not teaching people to dive he enjoys underwater photography.

Ivan sometimes disappear from the island for days, to explore some of the deep wrecks in the Gulf of Thailand with the growing technical diving community on the island.

Ivan also works on the IDC program, assisting Matt in his capacity as a PADI Master Instructor.

Qualifications
.PADI Master Instructor

.DSAT/TDI Technical Instructor

.EFR Instructor

.Holds 14 PADI Specialty Instructor Ratings

Stephen Read
PADI Master Instructor
Dive Medic Technician

Steve began his professional diving career in Queensland, Australia before moving to Koh Tao in the middle of 1999.

Working as an Instructor, then Manager at one of the islands IDC centers he has been involved with Instructor Development since 2001.

Following up his interests in dive medicine Steve took his Dive Medic Technician at the Diving Diseases Center in Plymouth and began working with the SSS Recompression Network in Koh Tao on a part time basis.

Steve was the full time Manager of the SSS Recompression Network Koh Tao for several years but now focuses his time between his Medical business (his wife is also a medical professional on Koh Tao) and teaching the Remote Area Medic course which he is now fully qualified to do. He still opeartes in an advisory capacity with us at Crystal on any diving medical issues.