MEET THE TEAM!
Ryan Walton
Co-Owner/ Manager/ Shark Behaviorist/ Shark Feeder
Ryan has been in the diving industry since 2009. Not long after reaching his highest level of PADI training as a Staff Instructor, Ryan began working full time with Sharks. Ryan has over a decade of experience working with more than 38 species of Elasmobranch worldwide.
In addition, Ryan is also a professional Underwater Photographer and Videographer.
Ryan is available to hire as your private Photographer for your in-water Shark experience, just call or text our office at 561-707-2045 to reserve this package.
Instagram: @wildlifewithryan
YouTube: @WildlifeWithRyan
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 25
Channing Crowder
Co-Owner
Channing is a former NFL player and current host of the popular YouTube series, “The Pivot Podcast.” Channing began Shark diving with Ryan in 2018. When he’s not in front of the camera, Channing spends any free time he has with his family or on the ocean.
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 3
Erin Gomez
USCG Captain/ Safety Diver
Erin is our full time USCG Master Captain. Occasionally you can catch her in the water as a Safety Diver. In addition to earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Erin has been diving with Sharks since 2018. Erin also enjoys a good game of pickle ball, knitting, traveling, and photographing the underwater world in her free time.
Instagram: @erinameliaphoto
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 18
Daniel Geary
Safety Diver/ Marine Biologist
Daniel, more commonly known as Dr. Frogfish, came to us from the Philippines in 2023. Daniel is a PADI Instructor, Marine Biologist, and Frogfish expert. In fact, he is the creator of the PADI Frogfish Specialty.
Instagram: @drfrogfish
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 25
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FROGFISH SPECIES SWAM WITH: 17
Chanelly Martin
Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder
Chanelly is an original member of the Shark Tours Crew. She is also a certified freediver and has been swimming with Sharks since 2015. Chanelly is a world traveler and loves exploring and spending time immersed in different cultures.
Instagram: @chanellymartin
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 15
Hayden Gibson
Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder/ Boat Mechanic
Hayden is an original member of the Shark Tours Crew. You can catch him on the weekends bringing in the Sharks. As a certified freediver, Hayden has been diving with Sharks since 2017. When Hayden is not in the water, you can find him on land keeping our boat in her most perfect condition.
Instagram: @hayden_gibs
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 16
Kristina Recalde
Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder
Kristina is one of our seasonal crew members. She has been swimming with Sharks for many years. When she’s not working with Shark Tours, she is operating her own wildlife eco tour in La Ventana, B.C.S. Mexico.
Instagram:@kristinarec
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 20
David Croce
USCG Captain/ Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder
David is our seasonal USCG Captain. Ryan and David have been diving together since 2012. In his free time, David enjoys spearfishing and spending time with family.
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 15
Josh Schellenberg
Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder
Josh, also known as Shelly, is one of our seasonal crew members. When Shelly isn’t working on Shark Tours, he is tattooing at his shop in Tampa. Shelly is also a professional underwater photographer and videographer.
Instagram: @joshschellenber
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 39
Josh Raia
Safety Diver/Marine Biologist
Josh is another one of our seasonal crew members, who is also a Marine Biologist. He also enjoys macro underwater photography.
Instagram: @diveandseek
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 27
Ashley Zietchick
Safety Diver
Ashley is one of our seasonal crew members. She began her Safety Diver Internship with us in 2019. She loves Sharks so much that she has dedicated her college education to learning more about them. In addition to working at Shark Tours, Ashley attends the University of South Florida full time.
Instagram: @ashleygoldz
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 13
Amber Walton
Account Manager
Amber loves being in the ocean. She began Shark diving in 2019 with her husband, Ryan. In addition to working at Shark Tours, she also works as a professional portrait photographer full time. When she’s not working, she’s traveling the world with her little family.
Instagram: @wildlifewithamber
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 12
Koa Walton
“Head of H.R.”
Koa has been drawn to the ocean since day one and has been swimming with Sharks since he was only 4 years old. Koa also became the youngest person in the world to swim with a Mako Shark, at age 7. Other than being the coolest Shark kid ever, Koa is also the Head of H.R. for Shark Tours; any and all complaints should be directed to him.
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHARK SPECIES SWAM WITH: 16
ALUMNI
In Memory of Captain Joe Babin
USCG Captain/ Safety Diver
Captain Joe passed away suddenly and tragically in April of 2021. Joe was am original member of the Shark Tours crew and played a huge role in building Shark Tours into the successful company it is today. Joe maintained our vessels and kept them in their best condition and loved being on the water. His contagious energy lives on, and our crew deeply misses his presence each and every day.
Ashley Zietchick
Intern
Ashley Loves Sharks! She has been interning with us while she finishes her final year of high school!
OUR SHARK (SNORKELING / FREEDIVING) BOAT
Meet the Grady!
Our 2000 30′ Grady White is the perfect option to get to and from our Shark Diving sites! Our 10′ beam (width) allows for more stability and a smoother ride. She comfortably seats 6 people with plenty of space for gear and cameras! Our vessel is powered by (2) 2009
Amenities
Refreshments
We do supply Water for your shark diving trip but youre welcome to bring snacks to put in our cooler located directly in front of the center console for your convenience!
Come See us!
Book the Trip of your lifetime today!