ABOUT US

Ryan Walton

Co-Owner / Manager / 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 28 species of Elasmobranch worldwide.

Ryan is also and avid Underwater Photographer and Videographer. You can also book him as your private Photographer for you in water Shark experience.

Channing Crowder

Co-Owner

Channing is a former NFL player and current host of Hochman and Crowder.

Channing began shark diving with Ryan in 2018. When he’s not in front of the camera, Channing spends any free time he has on the ocean.

You can also catch Channing on his YouTube PODCAST. The Pivot.

Erin Gomez

USCG Captain/ Safety Diver

Erin is our 25 ton Master Captain. In addition to earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, she has been diving with Sharks for many years. (change to a specific year). Erin also enjoys traveling and photographing the underwater world in her free time.

Hayden Gibson

Safety Diver/ Shark Feeder/ Boat Mechanic

Hayden is an original member of the Shark Tours Crew. As a certified Free Diver, 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.

Kristina Recalde

Safety Diver / Shark Feeder

Kristina is a certified Free Diver, Content Creator, and Brand Ambassador Model, both above and under the water, for many conservation minded companies worldwide. With her undoubtable love and respect for the ocean, you can always find ‘holding her breath, exploring the underwater world, even on her days off.

Chanelly Martin

Safety Diver

Chanelly is  an Original Shark Tours Team member, certified freediver and has been swimming with sharks for almost 5 years!  She loves spending time at the beach or in the water!

Josh Raia

Captain (in training) Safety Diver/Marine Biologist

Josh is very knowledgeable about marine life. With a Degree in Marine Biology, he is always education our guests on board. In his free time, Josh can also be found on Ryan’s’ international expeditions searching for unique and elusive wildlife.

Josh is also a professional underwater photographer and videographer.

Jeff Panella

Captain (in training) Captain/Safety Diver

Jeff is a 100 ton USCG Captain. He has been swimming with sharks since 2017 and is also currently a Free dive instructor who spends most of his time working on the water.

Ashley Zietchick

Safety Diver

Ashley began her Safety Diver Internship with us in 2019 and has since become a valuable asset to our crew. She loves Sharks so much she has dedicated her college education to learning more about them.

In addition to working at Shark Tours and attending the University of South Florida, she also volunteers her time as a diver at the Florida Aquarium.

Amber Boutot

Book keeper/ Accountant

Amber is the brains behind the Shark Tours logistics. She began shark diving in 2019 with Ryan, but you can find her mostly at the computer keeping the books and reservations on point.

Amber is also a professional photographer, with a degree in Photographic Technology.

In Memory of Captain Joe Babin

USCG Captain

Captain Joe passed away suddenly and tragically in April of 2021. Joe was a main piece in building Shark Tours into the successful company it is today. Joe maintained our vessels and kept them in their best working condition and loved being on the water. His contagious energy lives on, and our crew deeply misses his presence each and every weekend.

Kaitlyn McQueeney

USCG Captain/ Marine Biologist/ Shark Feeder/ Safety Diver

Kaitlyn was the “swiss army knife” of Shark Tours. As an original member of the Shark Tours Crew, Kaitlyn started Shark diving with Ryan in 2015 and hasn’t stopped. She now lives on the beautiful island of Kona, HI as she continues to travel and explore the big blue.

Lauren Landers

USCG Captain/ Marine Biologist/ Safety Diver

Lauren is an original member of the Shark Tours Crew. She has been swimming with sharks for many years. Growing up on boats, you will always find Lauren on or in the water.

Lauren is currently living our her dreams of traveling the ocean living on her sail boat.

Ashley Zietchick

Intern

Ashley Loves Sharks!  She has been interning with us while she finishes her final year of high school!