NAUI Dive Spotlight: Benjamin Walker
(NAUI #65622)
From Zero to Dive Pro in Paradise
Benjamin Walker didn’t start diving until his mid-thirties, but there was no turning back once he did.
A self-proclaimed “water baby,” Ben always felt at home in the ocean. He grew up swimming and surfing, and during his travels in Southeast Asia, he discovered scuba diving could be more than an adventure hobby. It could be a lifestyle.
While traveling through Indonesia and the Philippines, Ben stumbled into the world of professional diving in a way only a true adventurer can. After an exhausting bout of dengue fever and a rough start on the island of Boracay, he considered leaving…. Until a visit to a NAUI dive shop changed everything.
A Chance Encounter with NAUI
“I walked into Wicked Squid, met Jeff, the owner, and said, ‘Hi, I want to be a divemaster.’ He asked about my experience, and I told him I’d never dived before in my life,” Ben laughed. “He was like, ‘Let’s try one dive first.’”
That first dive quickly turned into a full-blown lifestyle. From October through December, Ben immersed himself in the underwater world, basically living on the dive boat. His 100th dive took place on New Year’s Day, marking a milestone in experience and a turning point in his life. He completed his NAUI Divemaster training with the mentorship of Jeff and a local team that quickly became his island family.
Rediscovering a Passion
Ben’s transition to diving came after years working in aerospace and automotive engineering in the UK, followed by a stint running his own business while traveling Europe in a camper van. He’s also a former wedding photographer and photography instructor. Those skills have since come full circle underwater. “Diving gave me a new reason to love photography,” he says. “It brought it back.”
Now, Ben blends his business background and creative skills to help the Wicked Squid dive shop thrive. He supports operations, marketing, customer experience, and mentoring new DMTs (Divemasters-in-Training).
Dive Training with Purpose
“NAUI stood out to me because of the “Loved One” concept and the emphasis on safety and training. From day one, we were practicing rescue drills. It’s that foundation that made me confident enough to handle a real-life rescue without panic,” Ben said, recalling a 25-meter emergency ascent that went smoothly thanks to his repetitive NAUI training.
What impressed him most was NAUI’s philosophy that every diver should be taught why skills matter, not just how to perform them. “We didn’t just check off skills for a certification card,” he explained. “We drilled them until they were second nature. Every course, from Open Water to Rescue Diver, reinforced critical thinking, situational awareness, and real-world readiness.”
Unlike other training experiences Ben had seen or heard of, NAUI’s approach encouraged thorough understanding, mastery through repetition, and responsibility from the very beginning. “We practiced air sharing, controlled ascents, unconscious diver tows; all the things that might save a life one day. And when that day came for me, I didn’t panic. I responded instinctively because NAUI had already prepared me for it.”
For Ben, the NAUI Difference to him was about becoming a thinking diver, capable of leading, reacting, and teaching with purpose.
What's Next for Ben?
Ben has successfully completed his Instructor Training Course, after which he plans to return to the UK for family celebrations. He’s also hoping to explore more technical diving in the future, including the lure of Florida’s cave systems. “I want to see the dirty, muddy holes everyone talks about,” he joked.
But above all, Ben is driven by passion. Not just for diving, but for helping others fall in love with it too. Whether it’s guiding new divers, improving a small shop’s operations, or just cracking jokes on the boat, Ben brings warmth, experience, and an unwavering sense of purpose to the NAUI community.
Know someone like Ben whose story deserves the spotlight?
Nominate a diver for an upcoming NAUI Dive Spotlight by contacting gro.i1746185391uan@l1746185391aicos1746185391 or click here.
If you’d like to nominate a NAUI Dive Shop or NAUI Affiliate, click here.
