Hobbies
**The Scuba Diving Podcast**

Never before has the entire underwater industry come together in one place & without barriers. The most interesting people underwater share their success stories, expertise, & just plain ‘ol advice. Leaders from travel to equipment, aquariums to scuba instructors, mermaids to boat captains, & everything in between are all right here. If you love the water & want to know “how they did it” or “why they do it”, your wait is over!
Kenny Dyal brings top talent to help you along your underwater journey.
“Let’s show the rest of the world, the rest of the world.”

Latest Episodes:

S2:E25 | Mom Coach Melissa Lea Hughes asks Kenny the best way to get her kids scuba certified, what to watch out for, & how to AVOID “sideline coaching”. Just in time for summer kids programs! Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Melissa drops by and asks Kenny questions about handling kids in the scuba certification class. Where does the line of supervision begin and end between parents and instructors? How do you take a scuba class WITH your kids? It’s all there. Plus, Kenny explains the parallels between kids and spouses taking scuba lessons together. With summer around the corner, this is the timeliest podcast in the world for all you parents out there!

Melissa Lea Hughes has been featured on television shows, and has hundreds of thousands of followers for mom and family inspired content. She’s a social media coach, a published author of “She Can Laugh”, a Podcast host, and above all, posts DAILY tools for moms, parents, and ways to cope with life, children, and staying happy.

Website: https://www.melissaleahughes.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Book- She Can Laugh: https://a.co/d/0CxAniQ

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2:E24 | Founder’s perspective of a major Scuba Gear manufacturer, XS Scuba. Mark Gibello explains the operations, & why he never plans to stop “making toys” for scuba divers anytime soon. Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

Mark Gibello talks with Kenny Dyal about creating a scuba equipment business over 20 years ago, and why he absolutely loves it. His energy and enthusiasm only seem to grow with time, which are on full display throughout this full-throttle interview. Come behind-the-scenes at XS Scuba, going from inception to being in nearly every dive shop, aquarium, charter and facility today. Mark also lets us in on the future of his company, his secret to success, and why he never wants to retire.

Website: https://www.xsscuba.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xsscuba/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xsscuba

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2:E23 | New Scuba Diver App called "Buddy" finally gives us what we've wanted! | It does all the app stuff along with freediving, plus a "professional diver" interface that could be a game changer. Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

Alexis Jabbour speaks with Kenny about the brand new “Buddy App” rolling out for scuba divers and freedivers.

This is FINALLY an app that works for all agencies (PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, BSAC, CMAS, etc), but also allows you to connect your money accounts for tipping and bookings, verifies your certifications or professional memberships, let’s you share your gear, and of course has all the other fun dive log stuff (literally everything).

It has the ability to friend and chat with other divers directly on the platform as well. It’s clean, works smoothly, easy to use, and looks to be the most promising diver app yet. It was enough to prompt an impromptu interview after someone flagged down Kenny to show him the app right on the tradeshow floor.

BONUS: It also has a business interface for diving professionals, rolling out around the time of this episode publishing.

*This actual interview took place at DEMA, in November 2022. Since then, Kenny has been in regular contact with Alexis on the development of the Buddy App, and is an avid user.

Download Buddy App for iOS

Download Buddy App for Android

Professional Divers, Operators, Facilities, Resorts, or Dive Shops: Get Buddy for Business

https://www.tiktok.com/@divewithbuddy

https://www.instagram.com/divewithbuddy/

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2: E22 | How to go Shark Diving in South Florida | Everything you need to know to dive with Bull Sharks, Lemon Sharks, and why this activity is GOOD for sharks. Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Rayna O’Nan is a world-renown shark diving guide, scuba instructor and Marine Biologist. She explains why she loves taking people diving with some of her favorite sharks. In fact, Rayna was instrumental in creating one of the first “celebrity sharks” that divers can see up close in the wild: “Snooty” the Lemon Shark!

We also dive right into the hotly-debated topic of using bait to attract sharks, the effects it may have on behavior modification, and why this is actually saving sharks.

We cover it all: How to do the dive, what conditions are required, why she loves it, and of course… is it safe for divers?

This is one of the most content-packed interviews ever done in one spot. We had just got off the boat and spent the day on two distinct shark dives led by Rayna: Lemon sharks AND full-grown BULL sharks! We loved every minute of it, and all of these videos were taken directly from that trip (minus the Publix footage, of course!)

NOTE: Our second dive (shown in much of this video) was STRICTLY BULL SHARKS, for a total of 6 full-grown females. After being given proper instruction and precautions, they were absolutely fantastic to dive with!

Ocean Rays Photography website: https://oceanraysphotography.com/

Book a shark dive (or snorkel excursion) with Rayna on Calypso Charters: https://calypsodivecharters.com/

Rayna’s TikTok (heavily featuring Snooty the Lemon Shark

https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanraysphotography?lang=en

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/oceanraysphotography/

Snooty the Lemon Shark instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/snooty_the_lemon_shark/

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2:E21 | Director of Medical Services for D.A.N. on what it’s like answering calls for diving accidents, incidents, & questions around the world, every single day. Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Camilo Saraiva, MD, MBA, tells us what kind of different accidents, incidents, and all-around diving questions they get everyday at DAN (Divers Alert Network). He explains what it’s like to work for them, and what ONE THING he wishes he could tell every new diver or every diver getting back in.

The different ways DAN will help your own doctor with diving contraindications for getting clearance to dive is also mind blowing. Odds are, you’ll want to add them to your phone’s favorites right away.

For any diver that values their own safety, or the safety of others, this interview is prescribed to you.

https://dan.org/

Medical Services:

+1-919-684-2948

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

Medical Services
Phone: Option 4
Online: Ask a Medic

Divers Alert Network customer service:

+1-919-684-2948

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2:E20 | Cristina Zenato illustrates her position on Shark Diving, Pros vs Cons, & potential Behavior Modifications from feeding sharks Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Cristina Zenato explains how shark tourism is helping protect sharks in places like the Bahamas and elsewhere. She talks about the benefit and value the sharks bring to the local communities, as well as some of the objections to shark feeding.

Cristina directly analyzes the practice of lionfish feeding, and other types of shark feeding for shark tourism.

This is a must for anyone who questions the practice of shark diving with food in the water, with an extremely insightful anecdote laden with relatable analogies.

This is Part 2 of the complete Cristina Zenato interview with Kenny Dyal. Be sure to watch or listen to Part 1 which dives into shark behavior, opinions on aquariums, and how she stays so energized, accomplished and positive in daily life.

Follow or learn more about the incredible works of Cristina Zenato here:

https://cristinazenato.com

https://www.instagram.com/cristinazenato/

CREDIT: Underwater shark diving video of Cristina in action removing hooks, courtesy of Kewin Lorenzen (©Cristina Zanato)

https://www.instagram.com/kewinlorenzen/

https://www.facebook.com/kewin.lorenzen

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All other B-Roll provided by Kenny Dyal with special thanks to Katie Reich.

Also a big thanks to Rayna Onan (https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanraysphotography) for an impressive Lemon Shark demonstration prominently featured throughout this video.

Easter Egg: Did you happen to spot the Snooty the Lemon Shark cameo? https://www.instagram.com/snooty_the_lemon_shark/

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2:E19 | Cristina Zenato reveals her opinions on aquariums, shark behavior, & where she draws her motivation & energy to stay so accomplished. Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

An icon of positivity, Cristina Zenato gets charmingly candid with her anecdotes for aquariums, sharks, conservation, and life in general. From mapping underwater cave systems to removing hooks from sharks’ mouths, Cristina is a champion of conservation and motivation. She also discusses her stance on whether aquariums are good or bad, while diving into the issue of animals in captivity.

She talks about her famous sharks, how she gets to know them, and keys to understanding shark behavior.

Stay tuned for the immediate follow-up interview, specifically discussing her analysis of shark tourism and shark diving.

Follow or learn more about the incredible works of Cristina Zenato here:

https://cristinazenato.com

https://www.instagram.com/cristinazenato/

CREDIT: Underwater shark diving video of Cristina in action removing hooks, courtesy of Kewin Lorenzen (©Cristina Zanato)

https://www.instagram.com/kewinlorenzen/

https://www.facebook.com/kewin.lorenzen

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All other B-Roll provided by Kenny Dyal with special thanks to Katie Reich

Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2: E18 | Mike & Kenny debate the RELEVENCE of the Scuba Swim Test, failing students, or trying to teach in-water skills in a classroom setting Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Whether you believe the swim tests should be stringent, are a waste of precious bottom time, can scare an otherwise good diver out of the rest of the class, or are a crucial evaluation point to move forward, you’ll love this chat between two experience instructors.

Michael Kest and Kenny Dyal talk about the swim test requirements for Open Water Scuba Certification, and debate the relevance it has in training new scuba divers. The ISO 24801-2 Open Water Scuba Diver standards and how they apply to agencies like NAUI, PADI, SSI, SDI etc., are also explained.

They further explain why scuba diving must be taught by real people in an actual setting, and why classroom teaching of skills is generally fruitless.

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Michael Kest is a jury trial attorney with his own practice. He’s an active dive instructor with experience that ranges from working dive boats in South Florida and Hawaii, water safety at Sea World, Disney's Dive Quest, working for dive shops and teaching classes all over the world. He's also a father of three.

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2: E17 | Megalodon Tooth LEGEND breaks down the tips, tricks & lifestyle of Shark Teeth Diving, Fossil Hunting, & finding the famous “Megs” in Venice, FL | with Capt. Michael Nastasio Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Returning for Season 2, Captain Michael Nastasio takes us out on his charter boat and yup… he put us right on top of the famous “Black Gold” which is shark teeth slang for “Megs” which is (yet another) shark tooth hunter buzzword for Megalodon Teeth.

Capt. Michael lives and breathes this every single day the weather lets him, and so far has never returned to shore without a MEG.

He explains the tricks to finding more, common mistakes, and even daily battles with fraudsters and “site pirates” that try to steal his secret locations!

This was just an incredibly fun day for our crew, with the interview at the end being a cherry on top. This interview is a MUST for any fossil diver or shark tooth enthusiast.

He runs private daily charters out of Venice, FL called “Black Gold Fossil Charters”.

https://www.blackgoldfossilcharters.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGoldFossilCharters/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgoldfossilcharters/

Contact Captain Michael directly:

Cell: 941-893-0669

Email: BlackGoldFossilCharters@gmail.com

Special thanks to Becca Ziegler & Katie Reich for coming along for the production!

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

S2: E16 | Mike & Kenny talk about the allure (or fear) of diving deep, the “hundred foot” psychological barrier, & Nitrox mishaps Feb 05, 2023

Show notes

Michael Kest and Kenny Dyal talk about the stigma, perceptions, and thrill out there of diving deeper. They share common conversations found amongst the dive world about depth, and even a bizarrely ill-advised business practice regarding Nitrox on a dive boat.

NOTE: This is merely a conversation about “Recreational Diving”, but does not get into “Tech Diving” limits which go well beyond Recreational depths discussed.

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com