SWODA's diverse member base means that the club gets some of the province's most experienced divers. With over 50 years of combined experience among our executive members alone, you can be assured that SWODA knows the ropes when it comes to diving. Our passionate executive is always trying to improve the club and ensure that our members have great dive opportunities and experiences.

Nic Chalmers--President

Nic's profile coming soon...

Marlyn Smith--Vice President/Trip Coordinator

Marlyn Smith (known to most as "Mar") has been diving for more than 24 some years and is happy to live in our Great Lakes area. She is also involved in many Ontario diving activities such as Vice President of the non-profit group Arrow Recovery Canada for 10 year and carries all dive responsibility for the recovery team. She is the founder of GLID (Great Lakes in Depth), in London Ontario--formed to keep the interest of diving in our great lakes. She also founded Dive With Mar over 12 years ago and is certified to teach PADI, TDI, SDI, DAN and HAS (the Leader in Disabled Diving).

Marlyn logs over 150 dives each year in a wide variety of challenging diving environments, is a Instructor trainer for TDI & SDI for over 10 years as well. Known to her friends as “Mar” She is a cave diving enthusiast and one of the best all-round divers to buddy up with. When you learn how to dive, why not learn from someone who dives the talk.

Mar has been member of SWODA for all of these 24 years and is still running trips. She just loves to dive.

Patrick Briscoe--Treasurer/Webmaster

Now serving his fourth year on the SWODA Exec, Patrick has been around the SWODA community since he was about six years old (1992) when he would tag along on SWODA trips with his parents to places like Sarnia and Tobermory. Those days were his first introduction to the scuba world and in 1998 he received his Open Water certification through Marlyn Smith at age twelve. After a break from the underwater world, Patrick started diving again in 2002 and since then has received his Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Dive Master, Basic Nitrox, DAN O2, and First Aid certifications. When not diving on SWODA trips, he's usually helping Mar out with Open Water classes. Patrick is also fortunate enough to be on the Avro Arrow Recovery Team. Favorite Wrecks: Keystorm, Forest City, Lilly Parsons, Arabia.

Terry Burr--Secretary

Terry's profile coming soon...

Holly Fisher--Director/Events Co-Chair

Hi, My name is Holly Fisher and I am one of the newest members on the executive of SWODA. I am also very new to diving.I got my Open Water and Advanced this summer......not bad for a girl who doesn't swim!!!! I am enjoying diving and have dove in Ohio, Tobermory, Sarnia and Grand Caymans. Having as much fun above the water as below cause of all the amazing friends I have made through diving. Looking forward to learning so much more!!!!

Cathy Brandow--Director/Events Co-Chair

Hi I’m Cathy Brandow and I am married to Steve Brandow we have 2 sons and 2 granddaughters. I am a non-diver, but enjoy snorkeling, preferably in the warm waters of the Caribbean. I have snorkeled in Aruba, Bonaire, Barbados, Jamaica and Cuba. I have tried Discover Scuba a couple of times and “SNUBA” in Aruba. I enjoy going on dive trips and discovering all the top side activities while the rest are off scuba diving. My favorites are Ghost Walks in Brockville and Kingston, visiting Fort Henry and Bolt Castle on Hart Island.

Steve Brandow--Director/Events Team

I was certified in Sept. 1999, got my advanced in July 2000, but really started to dive when I joined SWODA in 2002. I have gotten my Dry suit, Basic Nitrox , Advanced Nitrox, and Rescue with Mar. I have been helping Mar with classes for about 3 years and completed my Divemaster last year. I have dove the St. Lawrence Seaway, Kingston, Tobermory, Pt. Sanilac, St. Clair River, Gilboa quarry , Long Point and down south I have dove in Aruba (a lot), Bonaire, Cuba, Jamaica, and Barbados I like to get away at least once a year to do some Caribbean diving but would still rather dive here at home than down south. I want to do my Cavern/Intro Cave this year and later on the Deco Procedures course.

Favorite wrecks: Munson, Keystorm, Arabia, Comet.

Craig Brandow--Director/Events Team

Craig's profile coming soon!

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Blake Pite--Director/Events Team

Blake's profile coming soon...

Don Gordon--Newsletter Editor

I have been an active diver since getting certified in November 2006. 2009 was my best year yet during which I managed to log over 100 dives. Through SWODA I have met a lot of great people and enjoyed many wonderful dive opportunities. I also enjoy the continued training opportunities to hone my skills and expand my experience. My favourite dive is always my next one.

Bob Ste-Croix--Events Team/Trip Team

Bob's profile coming soon...

Jesse Burr--Events Team

Jesse's profile coming soon...