Meet Mark Slingo
Instructor Trainer, inclusive-diving advocate and lifelong underwater explorer helping divers and dive professionals reach their full potential.
From childhood obsession to a life underwater
From watching James Bond movies and classic episodes of Flipper to reading Willard Price’s Underwater Adventure and Diving Adventure, Mark was fascinated by the underwater world from an early age.
Originally from Great Britain, he spent years snorkelling and freediving on family holidays before earning his Open Water Diver certification on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during a gap-year journey around the world.
After completing his bachelor’s degree at Newcastle University, Mark travelled to Thailand to become a Divemaster. Life on the dive boats suited him so well that he stayed to become a diving instructor.
Scuba diving is not a wheelchair sport. If you are a diver, you are a diver.
Mark Slingo
From instructor to industry leader
Mark’s career spans recreational training, instructor development, adaptive diving and the creation of Ocean Tribe in Diani.
The first certification
Earned his Open Water Diver certification on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Became a diving instructor
Progressed from Divemaster to professional instructor while working in Thailand.
IAHD Instructor Trainer
Developed his professional role working with divers with disabilities.
PADI Course Director
Became the youngest PADI Course Director in the world at the time, aged 25, and the first wheelchair user to attain the rating.
Breaking new ground in Australia
Taught the first Disabled Divers International Instructor course held in Australia.
Ocean Tribe was born
Opened Ocean Tribe in Kenya and was appointed Director of Diver Training for Disabled Divers International.
International instructor-trainer development
Trained the first DDI Instructor Trainers in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.
SSI Gold 500 Instructor
Received recognition for reaching a significant professional teaching milestone.
Platinum-level recognition
Awarded SSI Platinum 1000 Instructor and the prestigious Platinum Pro 5000 Diver award.
Adaptive Techniques across Asia
Taught early PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor courses in the Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia and China.
Recognition in Roatán
Received an award from the Governor of Roatán for services to the people of Roatán.
Course Director recognition
Recognised as a PADI Silver Course Director in 2020/21 and a Gold Course Director in 2022 and 2023.
SSI Elite Instructor Trainer
Earned SSI Elite Instructor Trainer recognition and qualified as an SSI Basic Freediving Instructor.
A leader in inclusive diving
A fall from a third floor left Mark paralysed from the waist down. Following four months in a UK spinal unit, the thought of returning to scuba diving helped drive his recovery.
Just three weeks after leaving the spinal unit, Mark was invited back to teach in Thailand. Discovering that he could continue teaching as a diving instructor inspired him to help make the underwater world accessible to more people.
Mark later became Director of Training and Marketing for Disabled Divers International and travelled internationally teaching Divemasters, Instructors and Instructor Trainers how to work with divers with disabilities.
Qualifications and trainer specialties
Mark’s experience covers recreational training, professional development, adaptive diving, technical foundations, ecology and specialist instructor education.
Core Diving Qualifications
Professional, instructor-trainer and recognition credentials.
- SSI Instructor Trainer
- PADI Course Director — Retired
- DDI Instructor Examiner
- EFR Instructor Trainer
- DAN Instructor
- IAHD Instructor Trainer
- SSI Platinum 1000 Instructor
- Platinum Pro 5000 Diver
- PADI Freediver
- TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
- SSI Basic Freediving Instructor
- SSI Survival Swimming Instructor
SSI Specialty Instructor Trainer 28 specialties
PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer 20 specialties
Mark away from diving
Away from training, Mark is a major sports fan who follows the England rugby and cricket teams as well as his beloved Ipswich Town Football Club.
He is also a passionate traveller and photographer whenever time allows. He fancies himself as a chef too, so an Ocean Tribe barbecue may provide another opportunity to experience his enthusiasm.
Kenya offers Mark the diving, wildlife, photography, travel and outdoor lifestyle he loves—which is a major reason he chose to make Diani home.
Wreck diving is a particular love of mine, but any time I’m in the water diving with a cool buddy is the best experience ever!
Mark Slingo
Ready to train with Mark?
Join Ocean Tribe in Diani for professional-level diver training, instructor development or inclusive-diving education with one of the industry’s most experienced trainers.
