Tony "Fearless Leader" McGowan

Operations Manager - Master Instructor 

Tony originally hales from one of the coldest places on earth, Wisconsin.  He made his first dives back in 1972. Since becoming an instructor in 1978, he has become PADI Master Instructor, and also a SDI/TDI Instructor.  Tony has trained numerous fire and police department personnel, as well as consulted on air system design over his 32 years of scuba teaching.

After running a successful SCUBA facility for 26 years, Tony and his Gwen traded in their dry suits and icy lakes for the warm Caribbean sea and coral reefs.  After solving several mysteries and exploring the Caribbean they finally settled on St. Croix several years ago.  After leading many dive vacations to various destinations all over the Caribbean Sweet Bottom has become their lil island paradise.

Tony loves teaching all levels of diving but continues to get the most enjoyment teaching new divers in the Discover SCUBA program right off the beach at Carambola’s famous Davis Bay Wall.

Favorite Dive Site:  Davis Bay Wall

Favorite Restaurant: Tutto Bene's

Favorite View: Sunset at Frederiksted

Favorite Drink:  Cruzan Dark Rum on the Rocks

Gwen "Shop Mama" McGowan

Retail Manager - Dive Master

Gwen was first introduced to diving in 1980, and was instantly hooked, eventually earning her Divemaster certification, which she utilized at Dive USA—Tony and Gwen’s Wisconsin based dive facility, which catered to the travelling diver.

After living in Roatan, Belize, and Puerto Rico, she and Tony settled on St. Croix, drawn to its wonderful culture, fantastic diving, and unspoiled beauty, all under the U.S. Flag.

Gwen is our do-it-all extraordinaire:  managing retail operations, coordinating dives and training classes, as well as overseeing the day-to-day that makes Sweet Bottom tick. Additionally, she is a fantastic resource for guests searching for that “perfect restaurant” or one of the many enriching tours or activities on the island, ensuring our customers receive elite service and depart St. Croix with wonderful memories, excited to return.

Favorite Dive Site: Davis Bay Wall

Favorite Restaurant: Rowdy Joe's

Favorite View: Annaly Bay

Favorite Drink: Rasberry Mojito

Sam at the helm

Samantha Barnett

Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Sam is originally from Sonoma, CA and began diving in 2005 in the Bahamas and Australia. While traveling through Africa in 2007, Sam completed her Divemaster certification and worked both as a DM and private island manager in Lake Malawi.

She has been teaching on St. Croix since 2007 and loves both the unrivaled beauty and convenience that the island offers. Sam's greatest joy in teaching scuba diving is teaching Discover Scuba Diving courses, as it allows her to expose people to the underwater world, which means so much to her.

Favorite Dive Site: Northstar

Favorite Restaurant:  Salud

Favorite View: View of Ham's Bluff from her balcony

Favorite Drink: White Empress

Ryan sailing in South Florida

Ryan Fagan

Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Ryan was born in Memphis, TN but called Jacksonville, FL home since 1998. He began scuba diving 10 years ago, in 2000, with his father and has been hooked ever since, jumping at every chance to get wet!

After serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ryan pursued his diploma in commercial diving and performed underwater construction, inspection, salvage and welding on dams, bridges, piers, and boats across the country, and still freelances in that capacity.

After two years, the fun, laid-back atmosphere of recreational diving called to him like a siren song on the sea, and Ryan went running to the Florida Keys to become a Scuba Instructor. The beauty and unique culture of St. Croix brought him to Sweet Bottom Dive Center, where he is a full-time PADI and SDI/TDI Instructor.

Favorite Dive Site: Frederiksted Pier

Favorite Restaurant: La Reinne Chicken Shack

Favorite View: Point Udall

Favorite Drink: an ice-cold Blackbeard Ale!

Stan Coyle

Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Stan Coyle has been diving for 14 years.  He became a PADI instructor in 1998 and currently holds the level of MSDT (Master Scuba Diver Trainer).  In addition he holds a U.S. Coast Guard captains license.  Stan moved to St. Croix from Billings Montana in 2004 and is currently a property manager for a private estate and teaches scuba and captains’ boats part time.  Stan says that his job as a scuba instructor is to introduce the hotel’s guest to scuba diving and make it a pleasant and exciting experience. 

In his previous life Stan worked in the public utility business in the areas of engineering, marketing and public relations.  He holds a B.S. in Education from University of Montana-Western and a MBA from the University of Mary. 

When not property managing or diving, his hobbies include photography and you can often find him early in the mornings biking the North Shore road.

Favorite Dive Site: Butler Ridge

Favorite Restaurant: Sandwich from Quality Grocers

Favorite View: View of North Shore from his house

Favorite Drink: Cruzan and Coke

Elvis

This "little" bundle of feline is the first into the shop every morning and takes care of most of our inhouse customer relations.  He's his own cat and lives his own life, refusing to live by society's standards.  At night he wanders the North Shore fighting crime and by day he relaxes at his favorite dive shop ensuring that everyone is being safe and having a great time.

Favorite Petting Spot:  Behind his head

Favorite Food:  Wiskus

Favorite View:  Looking out the shop doors at Sweet Bottom

Favorite Drink:  White Russian