About Scuba Travel Ventures

Gene Dold

I was first introduced to the ocean and diving as young boy who spent most of his summers running barefoot around Catalina Island. After several years of snorkeling and diving for coins when the SS Catalina came in to town daily, I became certified as a Junior Scuba Diver by the LA County Parks and Recreation Scuba program under the green pleasure pier at the age of 15. After several years of diving around Catalina Island and the Southern California Coast, college, graduate school and work, I moved to Wisconsin with my family to continue my career in the mental health field. After the kids got a bit older, I continued my diving career in the cold lakes of Wisconsin and became a PADI Dive Master. Travel to Mexico and the Caribbean made our move to Florida inevitable where I became an Instructor, retired from the mental health field, and went to work for my partner’s dive travel company.

When I think about going on a dive trip, I get excited about a variety of things. I thoroughly enjoy the diving itself and look up what I should expect to see. In addition, though, I also like to learn about the location or geography of the destination and the people, culture and history of the destination. So for me, it is fascinating to learn that the former British Colony of St. Lucia’s two main towns have French names or why English is the primary language of the Bay Islands or why North Sulawesi is primarily Christian in an otherwise Muslim country.

Dive travel for me is certainly about the diving, but it is more than just that. My favorite destinations really are based upon my interests and mood at the time and what type of experience I am looking for and how long I have for travel. More than anything now, I thoroughly enjoy helping others explorer their world and meeting their needs.

Patchara (Chim) Carlson

I was born in Thailand, and move to the United States in May 1993. My original profession was as an architect in Thailand.

I have been diving since 1982, the first female NAUI Instructor in Thailand, NAUI Instructor Trainer, and NAUI lifetime member. My diving experience is extensive, I probably have over 3,000 dives, I stopped counting and keeping a log book a long time ago. Places I have been diving… Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Indonesia, Philippines, Palau, Truk, Fiji, Tonga and Egypt. Will add Solomon and Papua New Guinea in the near future.

Beside diving and travelling, I like hiking, camping, and snow skiing. Plus I love to eat, cook and have fun!

Mike Arellano

I have been an avid fisherman since young when I began accompanying my oldest brother on abalone, scallop and spearfishing dive trips in Southern California and Mexico. This is when I learned some basics about diving. While the divers were out, I dropped my fishing lines after their bubbles cleared the boat. They would come up and tell me about the fish, depth and location. I became curious to find out what fish were really doing down there! I was certified 1991 in Roatan. This was the beginning of the underwater world enchantment. I worked a couple of years as a divemaster and dock manager in Roatan. I joined STV upon returning to California in 1999. My pleasure is sharing my dive and culture experience with those who are looking to areas such as the Caribbean, South Pacific and Asia regions.

Terri Dold

I was certified in 1990 in Wisconsin. I began selling dive travel in 1993 and had my own dive travel business for 11 years and last year made a fantastic merge with STV. This merge has re-energized me! Not only do I not have to worry about vouchers, paperwork, etc, I am able to spend more time helping my customers sort out their vacation plans.

The question that I am asked most is "Where would you go? What is your favorite place". My standard response is still the same. BASKIN AND ROBBINS MAKES 31 FLAVORS OF ICE CREAM. MY FAVORITE IS VANILLA, WHAT'S YOURS?

Vacations are a personal thing. When I am helping someone plan a trip, I always try to find out what is important to them, not to me, it's not my vacation I am planning, but theirs.

Tom Gorman III

I was certified at Laguna Sea Sports, Laguna Beach, Ca. in 1984 and became a Dive Master in 1985. I got into the Dive Travel business that year leading trips to the Caribbean and Mexico. I now have traveled to over 50 countries around the world leading dive tours. I have more than 2000 dives, half being off the coast of California and the rest at warm water destinations. I own Gorman Dive Adventures and Travel and came on board with Scuba Travel Ventures in June of 2008. I now help dive shops, dive clubs, families and individuals plan their next dive adventures. I helped start the Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club in 2005 and have been it's past President several times. The Club reached over 200 plus members. I now lead 4 to 6 trips with groups per year. I have been fortunate to have some of my dive photos published over the years and continue to enjoy taking trips with my friends and showing others how they can do the same.