Meet the Stuart Scuba Team
Stuart Scuba is a family-owned dive shop in Stuart, Florida serving divers across the Treasure Coast, Jupiter, and West Palm Beach. Our team includes experienced instructors, technical divers, captains, divemasters, and travel coordinators who are passionate about safe, fun, and professional scuba training, local dive charters, and underwater adventure.
Whether you are learning to dive, continuing your scuba education, booking a local charter, or exploring technical diving, our crew is here to help you get in the water with confidence.
In the Shop
Benjamin & Nikki Hadfield - Managing Partners
Benjamin is a respected Instructor Trainer, technical diving expert, and Adaptive/Classified Diving Instructor Trainer. He is also the creator of Teach Me to Dive, where he shares scuba lessons, gear reviews, and interviews with industry leaders.
Nikki is a certified technical diver and instructor whose background in architecture and project management helps guide Stuart Scuba’s growth. Together, Benjamin and Nikki lead the shop with a focus on high-quality scuba training, customer service, and growing the local dive community.
Peter Friedman - Partner / Founder
Peter has been diving recreationally and technically since the 1970s. After a successful engineering career, he opened his first dive shop in Orlando in 2004 and co-founded Stuart Scuba in 2011.
He holds instructor credentials with NAUI, SDI, IANTD, DAN, and PADI, along with Course Director and Examiner ratings. Peter specializes in cave diving, rebreathers, and technical diver training, and continues to help shape Stuart Scuba’s operations and leadership.
Matt Siegel - Operations Manager
Matt brings more than a decade of experience in diving and dive operations. He helps keep Stuart Scuba running smoothly, from equipment and scheduling to customer support and trip coordination.
Matt is known for helping divers choose the right gear, training path, and local diving opportunities, making him a trusted resource for both new and experienced divers.
Su Hallenbeck - Instructor and Retail
Su loves teaching people to dive and helping returning divers feel comfortable in the water again. She primarily teaches Open Water courses, Advanced Adventure programs, and scuba refreshers.
Her favorite part of working at Stuart Scuba is the people. She brings warmth, experience, and enthusiasm to every class, every charter, and every customer interaction.
Mitch Hushak - Instructor
Mitch began diving in 2010 and brought his passion for the underwater world from the Midwest to Florida. He is both an SDI and NAUI Instructor and especially enjoys working with Open Water students.
His teaching style is built on safety, solid skills, and making scuba enjoyable from day one. Mitch helps students build confidence while discovering the excitement of local Florida diving.
Nick & Donna Barrett - Instructors & Travel Coordinators
Nick and Donna are experienced instructors and adventure planners who combine years of teaching with professional travel expertise. They help divers build confidence in the water and create memorable group trips beyond South Florida.
At Stuart Scuba, they coordinate well-planned travel experiences that balance excitement, logistics, and diver readiness so every trip feels smooth, safe, and rewarding.
Rich Barrett - IDC Staff Instructor
Rich is an IDC Staff Instructor with experience across recreational, technical, and diver safety training. His certifications include PADI IDC Staff Instructor, SDI/TDI Instructor, and DAN Instructor.
From Florida reefs to international destinations, Rich brings broad diving experience and a strong commitment to helping divers expand their skills safely.
In the Water
Shawn Robotka - Technical Instructor
Shawn is one of Stuart Scuba’s technical instructors and teaches all levels of recreational and technical diving, including Advanced Trimix on both open-circuit and CCR systems.
He is a valuable resource for divers looking to advance into deeper, more complex training and technical dive environments in South Florida.
On the Boat
Captain Brandon - Skipper, Little Deeper
Born and raised in Jupiter, Florida, Captain Brandon has spent his life on the water. With thousands of hours at sea, he leads Stuart Scuba charters with confidence, professionalism, and a deep respect for the ocean.
As skipper of Little Deeper, he helps ensure every trip is safe, smooth, and memorable for divers exploring reefs, wrecks, and local South Florida dive sites.
Christine "LionFish Huntress" - Divemaster & Reef Defender
Christine guides dives with a strong passion for ocean conservation, marine life, and education. Her background in wildlife ecology and lionfish management gives her a unique perspective in the water.
She brings curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love of reef life to every dive she leads.
Christopher Robinson - Divemaster
Christopher returned to Florida after a long military career and now brings that same discipline, professionalism, and calm leadership to the dive deck at Stuart Scuba.
He is known for his focus on safe, efficient, and courteous diving and is continuing to grow his skills toward technical diving, instruction, and captaincy.
Austin McKay - Divemaster
Austin combines marine science knowledge with a calm, upbeat presence in the water. He helps create safe and enjoyable dive experiences for guests exploring local reefs, drift dives, and boat dives.
His passion for the ocean and adventure makes him a great fit for divers who want both professionalism and enthusiasm on every trip.
