About Us Meet the Columbia Scuba Team
Excitement of becoming a New PADI Diver!
Watch this new PADI diver's comments on the exciting experience of learning to dive!
Why Choose Us
Family owned and oriented, we are a veteran-friendly dive shop. We would love to share our passion for diving with you.
Our focus is always your safety, in training, equipment selection and on trips. We strive for Safe Scuba Diving for you and your family!
Our MEMBERS
Bruce Farmer
Owner
Hello, I'm Bruce. After learning to swim the length of an Olympic pool underwater on one breath as a youngster, I was intrigued with the longer time beneath the waves that scuba diving offered and with Sea Hunt & Lloyd Bridges on TV I was sold on getting certified. It has been forty years now and I still love the thrill and peacefulness found in nature while diving.
Rob Farmer
Store Manager
Hi I"m Rob. I was introduced to diving in the 80's by my Dad, the peace and serenity found in diving have kept me sane(ish) throughout my time in the military. I have had the privilege for the last 20 years of being a PADI professional and introducing many to the larger world as a PADI Instructor. My favorite dive destination is wherever the next one takes me.
Juan Alpirez
Technical Manager
Hello, my name is Juan and I'm a retired army veteran with a passion for the ocean. As the Technical Manager at Columbia Scuba, you'll find me focused on equipment inspections and repairs. Currently a certified Rescue Diver, I was first introduced to SCUBA while stationed on Oahu. It was there that I took my first breath underwater and since then, I've never looked back.
Kevin Flamm
Instructor
Hi, I'm a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer who has been an avid diver since 1995. I'm a Divers Alert Network (DAN) First Aid Instructor (Diving First Aid for Professional Dives, Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries, and CPR & First Aid). And for more fun, I'm a volunteer diver at the National Aquarium.
Pongpan Laksanalamai
Instructor
Hi I'm Pongpan. After visiting the Underwater Observatory Marine Park in Eilat, Israel, I knew I had to explore the underwater environment without any restriction. In 2007, my wife & I started our training at Columbia Scuba and been diving ever since. The Bahamas was our first ocean destination, and I still rank it among my top travel experiences. I made a lot of new friends on that trip, some of whom I consider life-long friends. Since 2016, I have enjoyed sharing my love of scuba diving with students.
Serif Mumuney
Instructor
Hi I'm Serif and my absolute favorite dive destination is the Cayman Islands. Being a PADI Instructor for almost 10 years now is an incredibly rewarding profession that allows me to share my passion for the underwater world with others. I find it especially fulfilling to see my students grow and gain confidence in their abilities as they progress through their training and certification levels.
Terry Papavasilis
Instructor
Hi, my name is Terry Papavasilis and I am a PADI IDC Staff Instructor with a passion for exploring the history and biodiversity of North Carolina's World War II Shipwrecks! I just graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Minor in Oceanography. I am always willing to go diving and am excited to help you achieve your educational goals!
Claudine Samanic
Instructor
Hi, I'm Claudine. I started diving in 1989 & have been passionate about the underwater world ever since. I grew up in south Florida and worked my way through school as a dive master & instructor. I’m blessed to have traveled to some incredible places. My favorite dive sites are the atolls in Belize, especially at night. But as an instructor, my favorite dives sights are my students faces after open water dive #4, when they realize they are certified & start planning their next dive!
Curtis Turner
Instructor
Hi, I am Curtis Turner. I have been a high school educator most of my adult life. I love teaching and I love scuba diving so, I REALLY love teaching Scuba!
I have been diving all over the world, most notably in Antarctica. I am excited to introduce others to the world under the ocean.
Michael Steward
Divemaster
Hello, my name is Michael. I’m originally from Texas and have been diving since 2010. So far my favorite dive locations have been Australia and Turkey. Currently, I'm really enjoying being a Divemaster at the shop and love working with students as they learn to dive. When I’m not diving, I like rollerblading and traveling to new places.
Alexis Mosser
Shop Staff
Hi, I'm Alexis. After getting my three kids certified here at Columbia Scuba, I took them to the Florida Keys for their first dive trip! Wanting to join the fun, I got certified on that trip too. Any dive is a good dive, but I particularly like seeing rays, turtles, and spotting an octopus is always a special treat for me! I love diving so much, I now work at the shop. Stop by, I'll be glad to help you.
Daniel Miranda
Shop Staff
Hello, my name is Daniel. I am a Junior at UMBC studying chemical engineering. I got into diving through my wonderful girlfriend. In 2021, her family took me to St. Thomas, where they introduced me to diving and I got certified. My two favorite diving locations so far are Roatan and Bonaire. I plan to get my rescue diver certification in 2024 and continue my diving career.
Haley Treece
Shop Staff
Hi I'm Haley! I am an advanced diver originally certified in the Cayman Islands in 2017. Siince then you can hardly keep me out of the water! I'm lucky to have enjoyed traveling the world to dive & have hopes of becoming a Dive Master. When not in the dive shop you can find me reading a good book, cooking something new, or adventuring outdoors. I have two dogs and always enjoy meeting new people who share my passions.
