In 1995, Rod embarked on his diving journey, and from that moment, he's been utterly immersed in the underwater world. If he could sprout gills, you'd never pry him away from the depths. Ask him about it, and he'll enthusiastically share that he relishes every opportunity to dive, wherever it may be.

Becoming a certified instructor in 2001 was just the beginning. For many years, he even ran his own dive shop. Rod's passion lies in aiding others on their diving quests, witnessing their exhilaration as he leads them beneath the surface, unveiling the diverse marine life residing in our San Diego waters. He's an ardent macro life photographer, capturing not only the local underwater wonders but also venturing to exotic locales worldwide, be they bathed in warm or chilly waters.

​

In 2020, Rod added a captain's license to his achievements, and he delights in taking the helm of the Marissa whenever the chance arises. What he treasures most about his time aboard (apart from sharing his lunch with Scout, of course) is witnessing the sheer joy on the faces of fellow divers as they ascend the ladder and excitedly chatter about their latest underwater exploits and the wonders they've encountered.