Essentially, we are a family. Let us share our experience and enthusiasm for the underwater world with you!

Roddy Pickett - NAUI Instructor Trainer 

Roddy is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He has been diving for over 24 years and teaching since January of 2004. Since then he has achieved numerous specialty certifications and has attained the credentials of both a NAUI Instructor Trainer and PADI IDC Staff Instructor. Roddy is currently working to achieve his goal of NAUI Course Director. To see a list of Roddy's certifications and courses he teaches, click here. If you have a question for him, send an email to roddy@tradewinddiver.com.  

Heather Pickett - Divemaster

Heather is originally from Upstate New York and has had the opportunity to live in many beautiful places including Alaska, Montana and the United Kingdom. She obtained her Open Water certification in the Sea of Cortez in 1997. She obtained her Divemaster credentials in October 2006 and assists Roddy with student training as well as managing her other "Mom-like" duties! You can send her an email at heather@tradewinddiver.com.

Joseph - Rescue Diver

At 19, Joseph has been diving for 7 years and earned his Rescue Diver certification in the summer of 2006. Aside from being an active diver, he is a talented athlete and excels in football, basketball and track. He is also a new Dad embarking on a new career! There doesn't seem to be a time of year that he slows down!

Joey - Jr. Scuba Diver
 

Joey earned his Jr. Open Water certification in the summer of 2006. He is the first of the third generation of divers on his Mom's side! A fish in the water since he was 5, it was no surprise that he took to being beneath the surface the first time he submerged! 

Jacob - Operational Support
 Jacob, although not certified, is well on his way to joining the rest of bubble-blowers in the family. He spends most of his time in snorkel gear when in the water...even if it's the water in the hot tub! He accompanies us on many of our trips and provides his versions of operational support: hauling gear, eating the food, swimming and using his down time for Nintendo DS!

Rachel - Equipment Inspector

 As the youngest of the clan, Rachel has taken it upon herself to assume the role of equipment inspector! Being the youngest with 3 older brothers, you would assume correctly to think she may be just a teeny bit spoiled. We don't necessarily think it's a bad thing. It is tough explaining that we haven't been able to find her a pink wetsuit yet!

Nana & Papa Tim - Official Dive Buddies

Nana, Heather's mom, has been diving for 15 years and has her Advanced Open Water certification. She is an accomplished Psychologist and continues to feel the need to work even after retirement, don't ask me why!  Her idea of the perfect dive trip consists of beaches, shopping, reading in the sun and, oh yeah, a few dives here and there! She and Tim are the well traveled divers in the family with numerous dives in the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Sea of Cortez. They split their retired life between Vermont in the summer and Belize in the winter!! It sounds rough, but I guess sombody's got to do it.

Papa Tim, Heather's Step-Dad, is one super dive buddy! A PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Tim has been diving for over 18 years. He is an amazing instructor and fabulous at making nearly anyone comfortable in the water. Tim is not a picky diver and will enjoy the beach or a liveaboard any day! A dive trip with Tim and Nana consists of alot of relaxing, Jimmy Buffett CD's and the occasional cubre libra!! Any trip with these dive buddies is guaranteed to be fun.