Meet The Team
Our guides have more certifications and credentials than we have space here to mention and we take our duties seriously. But it’s important for us to have as much fun as our guests, so we figured we’d take some liberties and share with you who you might expect to come across when visiting our shop in La Jolla Shores. We look forward to seeing you at OEX La Jolla. Enjoy!
Mike Samer
Mike played soccer at the University of Vermont and brings his competitive nature and hard work to OEX every day. After finishing his Master’s degree in Sydney, Mike came home and we quickly brought him on board to help maximize our sales and marketing goals. He has been innovative and creative while driving our brands success throughout. Mike claims to be a waterman, but also told us he boxed kangaroos to pay his way in Australia. When he’s not dropping into massive waves at Blacks Beach he can be found golfing, running and watching the Packers.
John Metzger
John went from spaz in his first pool session in 1994 to PADI IDC Staff Instructor in just a few short years. He went from hovering upside down in the water on accident to hovering upside down on purpose. He’s certified hundreds of divers since and has made it his quest to find a student who started out as uncoordinated as him. Good luck, John, there’s one out there. John played soccer at William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA where he met his wife Lissa and has a daughter, Sienna, a son, Joey, who he thinks may be part monkey.
Chris Lynch
Born and raised in California, Chris traveled the world, dabbled in acting and thought he was good at finance before he landed at OEX. He graduated from SDSU with a degree in International Economics where he played Rugby (for almost 2 seasons!). He’s a surfer, diver, golfer and all around adrenaline junky which has landed him in the emergency room countless times. Chris is currently California’s Most Eligible Bachelor according to Cosmopolitan Magazine!
Chris Hageman
Chris is another OC raised BR.O.E.X member. An avid surfer and all around waterman. Chris graduated from USD and went on Semester at Sea. He would happily spend the rest of his days on a secluded island surfing and fishing.
Brent Torgeson
Torgy has his 100-ton Captain’s license and an amazing Palapa that he built in his back yard. What does one have to do with the other? Nothing but we promised him we’d mention it. Brent is an avid fisherman who has fished and dove all around the world. In the Mediterranean for Giant Bluefin, Bahamas for Bonefish, Fiji for Wahoo, and he has a place in Cabo where he frequently fishes for Marlin, Yellow Fin, Dorado and Rooster Fish. Brent has a wife, Staci, and a ten year old daughter named Riley.
Ryan Gandell
Ryan spends 70% of his life under water. Thrown into a pool by his father at the age of six with a scuba tank and has yet to emerge. He is one of OEX most experienced dive instructors (he once certified Leonardo Di Caprio so you know he’s good). Ryan has been a dive master for countless years and earned his instructor credentials while living in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. To stay in shape and help save the environment Ryan rides a beach cruiser he built with his own two hands 5 miles, up hill both ways, to work. You can spot Ryan in the water by his signature red nose.
Kate Bavasi
Kate also played soccer at USD, and is originally from Mission Viejo. Kate’s dad and grandparents grew up on Mt. Soledad, so she knows La Jolla very well. Kate is a super fun tour guide, great water person and likes to go get Schlutered.
Cody Chapple
Cody is currently attending school in Santa Barbara but spends his summer months here in La Jolla Shores where he was born and raised. Seriously, he lives 2 blocks from OEX (lucky). He can actually walk home between tours to check on his pet hamsters and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for everyone! He loves the ocean and all activities involving the ocean and marine wildlife.
Morgan Patterson
Morgan is another La Jollan who is currently studying at CU Boulder. Morgan won employee of the month in July and is one of the hardest working OEX employees. Like most local kids he loves the ocean, beach and surfing.
Chelsea Fairbank
Chelsea moved to San Diego from Boston where she attended University of Massachusetts Boston. She is an outdoors lady and a great kayak tour guide.
Jackie Zinke
Jackie is from Corona Del Mar and played soccer for Mater Dei High School where she was named CIF Division I defensive player of the year and had her jersey retired. She is currently studying and playing soccer for the University of San Diego. You can often see Jackie showing off in front of OEX juggling a soccer ball and making fun of boys.
Eric Rouser
Eric was, at one point, the starting tackle for SDSU’s football team, but currently reads many leather bound books and drinks lots of red wine, which makes him the biggest intellectual in San Diego.
Jenn Hirsh
Jenn attended Denver University but was often found on the slopes doing backflips. This passion for skiing landed her in New Zealand where she lived and competed as a professional skier for 3 years. She is also an avid surfer and surf instructor.
Ana Luiza
Ana was born in Brazil but grew up in Marin Co. She brings more energy to the OEX team than we know what to do with. Currently, she attends UCSD and plans to attend Law School next year.
Brian Stevens
Brian played quarterback at Sacramento State Uni, and transferred to SDSU his junior year. He is originally from Camarillo, CA.Has no tan lines what so ever. Brian is one of OEX’s most senior guides and a certified Dive Master. Ask Brian about BOB’s adventure tours…if you are up for a forgettable night.
Trevor Fox
Trevor played college soccer at Sonoma State University, but grew up in La Jolla. During the summer he takes up to five tours out a day, and treats every tour like it’s his first. We all love La Jolla but he has an accelerated appreciation and knowledge of the area. He is adding Dive Master to his resume and will eventually be a Dive Instructor. At some point Dr. Trevor Fox will run an Acupuncture practice on Avenida de la Playa.
Ben Schluter
Ben moved to San Diego from the East Coast last year. He continues to mellow but the East Coast rage runs deep, and he would likely fight a Great White if the opportunity arises. Ben played Lacrosse at Hartwick College, and plans to use his athleticism to become a San Diego Lifeguard next year.
Matt Rasmussen
Matt moved back to California from NYC, where he practiced law, a few months back. To fill some time while completing the California Bar Exam Matt has worked at OEX, and has acted as in house council/kayak tour guide. He is originally from Modesto and went to UC Berkeley. You can find him sporting his bright yellow wetsuit at the Shores almost everyday.
Lindsay Heuer
Lindsay studied Business Administration at California State University, Chico. She moved to San Diego and works as a part time kayak tour guide and full time entrepreneur. She stresses punctuality first; having fun second.
Ravean Kretowicz
Ravean is another local boy and avid waterman who knows La Jolla like the back of his hand. You can find him surfing Devil’s Slide, on a big day, or out fishing beyond the Ecological Reserve. He currently attends SDSU where he is a double major in Music Business and Business Law. When he isn’t at school or on a tour he is working on becoming a NASCAR driver.
Nick Lebeouf
Nick ran the ball for Fresno State University’s Football Team, and currently is one of three Master Divers in San Diego. He has been with OEX for half a decade. If you dive with Nick you will never forget your experience.
Leigh Yetter
We are all pretty sure Leigh worked at OEX this summer. Seriously, Leigh is a student at USD and is a qualified tour guide and water person. You can find her in S. Mission Beach surfing the jetty and killing it on a huge day with the rest of team BRO.E.X.
Tyler Stern
Tyler played soccer for SDSU and is a local guy. He did a semester abroad in Fiji where he kinda studied but really dove. Tyler is the only kayak guide in La Jolla who works for three different kayak companies, he gets around. He is super knowledgeable about the area, a great guide and is overly excitable at all times.
Robb Daly
Robb went to the University of Redlands, and is currently a Marine Science Teacher and part time tour guide. He has worked with OEX for over a half decade, and is the most experienced tour guide in La Jolla. Robb loves animals!
Mat Robar
Our SEO superman and all around water stud Mat can hardly be found anywhere for longer than a few weeks. Check out, http://www.nlprofits.com/ , if you want to quickly create a web presence for your corporation.
Michael Smoker
Michael is one of OEX La Jolla’s awesome Dive Instructors, and is also a San Diego Lifeguard. When he isn’t leading OEX’s dive team he can be found swinging from 30 feet about the ground as a trapeze stunt man.
Kyle Bahr
Kyle is a stud developer out of Minnesota, and is the reason diveandkayaklajolla.com looks so cool. He plans to come out to La Jolla to fullfill a dream of diving in the Pacific. Visit, http://www.enlightenmental.com/ , if you want to learn more about the amazing work Kyle does.
Marcus Gee
Marcus was certified as an Open Water Diver at the age of 15. He’s been diving ever since. To date Marcus has logged nearly 5000 dives; he is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, a Dive Master, a Master Scuba Diver, and he holds many PADI Specialty certifications. When he’s not busy introducing new divers to the ocean or advancing the skill levels of existing divers, you can find Marcus working as a Dive Master on one or another of the local dive boats, or planning and leading private and group dive trips to exotic locations. For recreation he can be found at PADI HQs teaching new PADI standards.
Kyle Drahuschak
Kyle is from Ocean City, NJ where he was a sponsored pro surfer and all around “wild card”. He studies graphic design at SDSU, and is senior guide with OEX…as well as a creative marketing mind and graphic artist. His love for the ocean comes out on every tour.
Harry Thomas
Harry is a native Californian and loves the ocean, traveling and keeping Marin Co. weird. He played Lacrosse for SMU where he was responsible for the creation of 7 new drinking games. His creativity, intelligence and MIB from Sydney’s Macquarie Uni also make him a huge asset to the OEX Marketing Team!
