Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.
The Evolution Scuba Team
In order to follow our mission and philosophy through to success, we had to assemble a team that shared our passion and drive. Listed below is a diverse group, all of whom are divers but with their own unique and special talents, backgrounds and knowledge. The goal of this team is to bring solutions to our clients.
Ed Hayes
When it comes to scuba diving, Ed’s trained with a purpose and passion for years. He continues to train with other instructors, and is a certified cave and technical diver. He thrives on passing new skills and abilities to novice, intermediate and advanced divers so they can confidently enjoy the underwater world.
Ed is a certified instructor with Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). He’s logged more than 5,000 dives in waters throughout the northeast, as well as Mexico, the Bahamas, and Florida. Ed teaches all classes in the GUE Recreational curriculum as well as Fundamentals, Doubles, Drysuit and Dive Propulsion Vehicle 1. He is a PADI Master Instructor and Emergency First Response instructor.
Ed is one of the Public Safety Diving industry leaders in southern New England. He’s trained and supported more than 15 police and fire department dive teams, and continues to work with many agencies.
For a business focus Ed has quite a bit of experience and investment in the outdoor adventure market. Ed is a founder and an owner of Brownstone Park in Portland, Connecticut. He is also an owner and investor in Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield, and Marquee Events in Hartford.
Along with these, from 2007 to 2017 Ed owned and operated Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, which became the premier dive shop in the region.
Gary Woods
Gary has been a certified diver since 1987 and became a dive professional in 2002. Diving is his passion and he enjoys teaching others from his own diving experiences. He has travelled to many parts of the globe and is an accomplished underwater photographer and videographer.
Gary is a PADI Master Instructor and Public Safety Instructor. He is certified to teach 23 PADI specialty courses. His experience as a Respiratory Therapist makes him uniquely qualified for teaching Emergency First Responder Courses, Medic First Aid Courses and Oxygen Therapy.
With over 30 years of owning and managing different businesses, he has a solid background in business management, internet and social media marketing, including online sales. He is a specialist in store display and design.
Through his work with various dive agencies and entities, Gary has been instrumental in developing dive courses, curriculums and strategies to bring divers, instructors and businesses to a new higher level, well above the industry norm.