BIOS

Staff

Jonathan Eddy - Owner

Jonathan has been co-owner and manager of Waterfront Diving Center since July of 1990. Originally certified by PADI in 1970, Jonathan has over 40 years of diving experience, and has traveled to a variety of diving destinations. Although his first career was in the banking industry, Jonathan actively pursued his passion for diving. From working as a skin diving guide for Club Med on the Costa Brava in Spain while he was in college, to volunteering as a diver on several nautical archaeology projects conducted by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Jonathan found interesting ways to stay wet. Diving has taken Jonathan all over the world. His diving destinations include: The Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Bonaire, Saba, St. Kitts, Truk Lagoon, Palau, Fiji, the Maldive Islands, South Africa, the Red Sea in Egypt, and Coastal New England. Jonathans’ favorite local dive is the OJ Walker because everything is still there – the anchor at the bow, wheel at the stern, the masts, the dead-eyes, and cargo still on the deck. He likes to say that the only thing missing are the sails! Another one of his favorite dives is not a wreck. Ferris Rock, located Northeast of Schuyler Island on Lake Champlain has great geology with large crevices, over hangs, drop offs and even a small archway. His favorite dive destination outside of Vermont would be Palau. Palau has great diversity: caves, wrecks, walls and unbelievable marine life. In his time off Jonathan enjoys spending time at his camp on Lake Champlain in Willsboro, N.Y. and flying his amphibious ultra-light around the Champlain Valley

 

Chip Perry – Owner

Chip Perry became a business partner and co-owner in December 2010. Chip joined the Waterfront Diving Center (WDC) team in 1997 shortly after taking his first NAUI course, while attending the University of Vermont.  He continued his SCUBA training at WDC and completed the NAUI Instructor course at Hall’s Diving Institute in Marathon, Florida in 1999.  In addition to instruction, Chip is also an experienced diving equipment service technician with repair certifications from the top names in SCUBA equipment manufacturers.

Chip grew up in a small family-owned Vermont retail business, and brings more than 20 years of retail and business experience to Waterfront Diving Center.  With a passion to dive just about anywhere, his favorite local spots include the Legendary Thompson’s Point in Charlotte and some of the most exotic diving destinations in the world including: Honduras, Cayman, and the Florida Keys. 

When Chip is not at the shop, he can be found teaching the next generation of divers at the University of Vermont, or chauffeuring his side kick and the WDC greeter, Elvis, around town.

 

Krissy Freeman - Retail Professional, Social Media Coordinator

Krissy Freeman (AKA Kressy-Sub) was certified to dive at this very shop in 2002. She began her love of diving while working with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum where she worked on several underwater archaeological projects. In addition to working underwater she has done lots of local recreational diving and taken almost all of the classes offered here at the shop; in 2006 she was certified as a master diver and hopes within the next couple years to become an instructor. Her favorite local dive spots are Bartlett Falls in Bristol and “The Boulders” in Lake Willoughby. When not diving, or working at the dive shop as she has since 2007, Krissy can be found working in theaters with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (Local 919) and as a freelance Lighting Designer. Krissy Lives in Stowe with her husband Erik, and stepsons Lance, and Liam.

 

Dan Bishop - Sales & Customer Service

Dan Bishop’s love of the water started at the age of six. His family would sail most summers on Lake Champlain and he would fish constantly. Dan also attended many of the youth programs offered at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Predictably, his favorite program was the snorkeling course. Currently, Dan is finishing up his undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont, majoring in Classics, and plans to become a Nautical Archaeologist. Dan started SCUBA diving in 2010 when he took the UVM course with Chip and Ski, and has continued to earn additional certifications. His passion for the water goes beyond SCUBA—he also loves breath-hold diving and snorkeling. His favorite places to dive are Spoon Bay on Valcour Island and on the OJ Walker. When Dan isn’t working at the shop, he can be found helping out with UVM SCUBA classes, sailing with his parents, or in the pool increasing his breath-hold times.

 

 

Stephanie Farrell - WDC Staff Member (On Occasion)

Stephanie was originally certified to dive in 2001 when she was just a little high school freshman; in fact, Waterfront Diving Centers very own Brett Campbell was her instructor. Her diving experience includes Lake Champlain only when the water is at its very warmest, frequent trips to the Isle of Shoals in Maine and has also ventured over the Canadian border to Lake Ontario. It was only when her mom surprised her with a trip to tropical Cozumel, Mexico in 2003, that she knew she had met her true match; Warm water diving was certainly for her! She has since been to Fiji, Palau, Grand Cayman and Utila, Honduras. Stephanie’s favorite place of all time to dive is Palau because of all the BIG animals, lots of sharks and huge schools of fish. When Stephanie is not diving you can certainly find her at Waterfront Diving Center working the retail end of things. She also enjoys making frequent trips to Boston to live the city life for a weekend here and there, traveling around Vermont and discovering all that it has to offer food and beverage-wise and just taking it easy.

 

 
Elvis – Shop greeter, customer service representative

Elvis started at Waterfront Diving Center when he was 8 weeks old; therefore Elvis knows the business inside and out. Although, never certified to dive, Elvis loves the water. He enjoys swimming and body surfing and his favorite local spot to do so is Leddy beach. Most of the time Elvis can be found in the dive shop greeting customers with his scintillating personality and ability to put patrons at ease. Elvis is an avid outdoor enthusiast and when he is not working he can be found hiking or playing and enjoying almost any outdoor activity.

 

 

River – The other pup!

River started at Waterfront Diving Center when she was 8 weeks old. Following in her Uncle Elvis' footsteps, River strives to be a good representitive of the dive shop and loves to say hello to all customers. River loves the water, and her favoite spots to go are down the street at Perkins Pier and a quiet swimming hole up in Stowe. When not acompanying Krissy to work she enjoys spending time outside, chewing on her toys, and running everywhere really fast.

 

Instructors

Lawrence Jacques – Instructor

Larry was originally certified to dive in 1984 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts through NAUI. He became a NAUI instructor for Waterfront Diving Center in 2003. Most of Larry’s diving experience has been as an instructor as well as a public safety and rescue diver for Berkshire Country. He has also been a rescue diver for the Iron Man, which is held every year in Lake Placid. When Larry isn’t doing work related diving, he enjoys doing “fun” dives in Lake George, New York because its very close to where he lives. His favorite dive destination is to a wreck called Chester Poling, North Shore Massachusetts. This is one of his favorites because it’s a fun, deep wreck. When Larry isn’t busy teaching students how to dive here at Waterfront Diving Center or helping saving lives, he enjoys sporting clays and target shooting with his family.

Robert "Ski" Wilczyniski - Instructor

Ski was originally certified to dive in 1989 through NAUI and became a NAUI Divemaster in 1999. Ski completed his Instructor training with Hall's Diving Institute in August 2011. His diving experiences have brought him to many locations in Lake Champlain, as an Archaeological Diver with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and assisting with many Waterfront Diving Center classes over the years. While a majority of Ski’s diving activities have taken place in Lake Champlain and other Lakes and Rivers around Vermont, he has also enjoyed cold water diving in Lake George, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, and the coast of Maine. His West Coast diving experience includes Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. He has also dived in the warmer climates of Florida, all three Cayman Islands, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and the Bay Islands of Honduras. Some of his favorite diving destinations include the shipwrecks of Lake Champlain, and anywhere in the Caribbean, where the water is warm, the Corals are vibrant, and the fish life is out of this world. When Ski isn’t diving, he can be found spending time with his wife, three children, and their dogs. In the summer, he is on his sailboat, Andiamo in Malletts Bay, at any golf course, or swimming; In the winter he loves to ski, skate and slide with his family.

 

Pierre A. LaRocque - Instructor

Pierre was originally certified to dive way back in 1986 with NAUI. When Pierre isn’t teaching various Scuba Diving courses here at Waterfront Diving Center he is a professional commercial diver for local projects. He is also very involved with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Pierre’s favorite local dive is any and all dives in the lake simply because they are always different. His favorite dive destination would be to the Islands of Palau because of its big blue water and big fish! When Pierre isn’t diving he can be found on the ski slopes in the winter or hanging out on his boat in the summer!

Erick Tichonuk – Instructor

Erick was certified to dive in 1981 through NAUI and later became an instructor through both PADI and NAUI diving agencies. Erick has been both a recreational diver as well as a trip leader in the Bahamas, Florida Keys and Springs, Bay Islands of Honduras (all of them), Cayman Islands (all of them), U.S. Virgin Islands, Cozumel Mexico, New England coast, California kelp forests, St. Lawrence River, and local lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams too numerous to mention. As a nautical archaeologist he has worked on no fewer than 20 projects, from 1759 British sloops from the French and Indian War in Lake Champlain to great wreck graveyards in the Azores Islands off Portugal. Erick’s favorite local dive would have to be any wreck in Lake Champlain because there’s no better way to connect with history. Each wreck is a tangible link to the past that sparks the imagination and brings him back in time. Erick’s favorite dive destination is Cozumel, Mexico because not only is the diving great, but he also lived there for one winter and taught scuba. He is also very connected with their culture. When Erick isn’t diving he is at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, where he has been for over 25 years as an educator, nautical archaeologist, and now as captain and coordinator of their large replica vessels including the gunboat Philadelphia II and canal schooner Lois McClure.

 

Bob Moore - Instructor

Although Bob was diving back in the day when a “c-card” was non-existent (Bob is convinced his parents were trying to get rid of him) he was officially certified in 1980 through NAUI and in 2003 became an instructor. He has since been diving in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific coast of the United States and the South Pacific. His favorite local dive of all time is in four feet of water with the kids at Camp Takumpta conducting a Try Scuba. His favorite dive destination is Fiji because the diving is great, the people are wonderful and the islands are paradise. When Bob isn’t diving he is doing preservation work on older homes, working on his horse farm and yelling at his radio.

Wade Labrecque – Instructor

Wade was certified in 1982 with NAUI and became an instructor in 1994. Wade was born and raised in Burlington and dove extensively in Lake Champlain, first with Northern Divers and then with Waterfront Diving Center. He later moved to St. Thomas where he worked and dove many destinations throughout the Caribbean. Wade is also currently a Public Safety diver with the Colchester Technical Rescue Team. Wade has logged more than 1,000 dives over the past 27 years that he has been diving! His favorite local dive is to the OJ Walker right out here in Lake Champlain because he thinks that “its what a shipwreck should look like.” His favorite dive destination is Saba because there is unbelievable pinnacle and blue water with big sharks and eagle rays. When Wade is not diving he keeps very busy working as a Police K-9 Officer for the Burlington Police Department.

Brett Campbell - Instructor

Brett Campbell was originally certified to dive in 1985 with SSI. He later became an instructor through NAUI, TDI and SDI in 1997. Brett’s diving experience includes much diving in Vermont lakes, ponds and rivers. He has also ventured to Cape Ann for ocean diving and Nubble Light in Maine and has done some warm tropical water diving in Key Largo. Some of Brett’s dive jobs harvesting milfoil in Lake Fairlee, several underwater searches, drain maintenance, golf ball retrieval and swimming pool cleaning and maintenance. Brett’s favorite local dive is in Caspian Lake, Greensboro, Vermont because of its clean water, good visibility, excellent night diving, easy accessibility and more importantly, this is where he learned to snorkel as a kid in the 1960’s! His favorite dive destination is Folly Cove, Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Why? It’s a short drive for an ocean dive, great wall diving and there is a variety of New England marine life. When Brett isn’t diving he is a Norwich Professor of Study Strategies, Learning specialist and Coordinator for Academic Probation. He also manages to stay busy with writing, extensive reading and is a Ph.D. candidate.

Joe Vicere - Instructor

Joe was originally certified in 1969 through NAUI, became a NAUI Dive Master in 1989 and a NAUI instructor in 2004. Joe’s favorite local dive is to a magical, mysterious place called “Camp Cove.” Why? Two words: Dinosaur eggs. At least he thinks that’s what they are. His favorite dive destination? San Salvador, Bahamas. The diving is “outta this world” and for apres diving there is always a nice, cold, refreshing Kalik beer waiting for him. Joe is a “keep it simple” kind of guy. When asked what he is doing in his spare time, he replies: “Drying off.” Joe is also an avid fisherman, hunter, ham radio operator and musician.

Divemasters

Lisetta Hansen - Dive Master

Lisetta Hansen was originally certified to dive in 1994 through PADI and three years later became a certified Dive Master. She also holds various certifications with NAUI, GUE, NACD, NSS and TDI. She has been diving in a variety of different places including, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Red Sea, Thailand, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Bonaire, Cozumel, Roatan, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Florida Keys, North Central Florida, Vermont, NY State, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Quebec and Ontario. Her favorite local dive is to the St. Lawrence River in Ontario and Quebec because it is great fresh water wreck diving in Ontario (the Vickery being one of her favorites), and salt water wreck diving in Quebec (the Empress of Ireland being another favorite). If Lisetta could choose any place in the world to dive it would have to be the Maldives or Indonesia, Simply because the corals are spectacular, the fish life very abundant and of course the manta rays! Her favorite Caribbean location is Little Cayman because the Bloody Bay Wall is fantastic. She also loves the cave diving in Mexico where the stalagmites and stalactites are too beautiful to describe. When Lisetta is not diving she is…planning her next dive of course! She loves spending time with her husband Dave, cooking for her family, working out and gardening.

John Siminger - Dive Master

John was originally certified to dive way back in 1970 through NAUI and became a Dive Master with the same agency in 2007. John’s diving experience includes a lot of diving in Lake Champlain as well as frequent Caribbean visits to Cozumel, Roatan, BVI, the Bahamas, specifically San Salvador and the Cayman Islands. His favorite local dive would have to be the wall at Thompson’s Point because its only 5 minutes from his house and he can go diving right after work. When John isn’t diving his favorite activities include staying active through hiking, biking and paddling.

Pat Beck - Divemaster

Pat Beck was certified to dive in 1990 through PADI. He then became a Divemaster in 1993 through NAUI. Pat has been diving in a variety of places. These include Roatan, St. Thomas, a livaboard in the Bahamas, Palau, Chuuk and Grand Cayman. He has also worked on various Maritime museum projects and A&M project. Pat’s favorite dive destination is Roatan because there are a variety of underwater topography and various species of fish.

Ed Limoge - Dive Master

Ed was certified to dive in 2000 and became a Dive Master 7 years later through NAUI. His diving destinations include Lake Champlain, Lake George, the Florida Keys, North Florida, Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, and Hong Kong. Ed is also often a dive master for local charters. If he had to choose his favorite local dive is Bartlett Falls in Bristol because the visibility is spectacular, there is plenty of aquatic life and it’s a current dive! Ed is easy to please when it comes to his favorite dive designations: He’ll dive anywhere there’s water because he loves to dive! When Ed is not in the water he enjoys biking, hiking, rowing and being a rocket scientist…literally.

 

Jim Grant – Divemaster

Jim was certified to dive in1974 with NASDS and became certified as a NAUI Divemaster in 2008. Some of Jim’s diving experience includes diving in the Sea of Japan, Caribbean, New England, Red Sea, fresh water lakes and rivers of New York and Vermont. Jims favorite local dive is to the Water Witch because “She’s such a beautiful ship and is located at a depth that is challenging, but not technical.” Jim’s favorite dive destination is Curacao because the clarity of the water matched with the variety of sea life is the best he’s seen. He also likes it because it’s still affordable and the people are really friendly. There’s also good nightlife too. When Jim isn’t diving he is swimming competitively and hiking in the Adirondacks.

Tony Facos - Divemaster

Tony was originally certified to dive in 1990 through NAUI and became a NAUI Divemaster in 2005. Tony’s diving experience has mostly been in the colder waters of Lake Champlain, Maine, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. He has been to the warm waters of the Caribbean diving as well a few times. Out of all of these places his favorite local dive would be the St. Lawrence River because the water temperature is warm in the summer and there are a variety of impressive wrecks! His favorite dive destination is Bonaire because you are kind of “on your own” out there. Bonaire is mostly shore diving with incredible reef and sea life right of the beach! When Tony isn’t diving he is working for the Montpelier police department, skiing, riding and enjoying life!

Richard Cleveland- Divemaster

Richard was originally certified to dive in 1988 through NAUI and became a NAUI Divemaster in 2005. Richard's diving experience includes Vermont lakes, ponds and quarries. He has also traveled to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence river. Tropical destinations where he has been diving include the Florida Keys, Cozumel and the Bahamas. His favorite dive destination out of all the places he has traveled to would be Cozumel because of the warm waters, great fish life because the light current makes for effortless drift diving! When Richard is not diving he is enjoying time with his wife and three kids, racing motorcross, skiing and hunting!

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