About Us
PRO DIVE Lord Howe Island is locally owned and operated by 6th Generation Islander Tasman Douglass and his partner Lauren Gatherer
PRO DIVE owned in partnership by Tas Douglass and Lauren Gatherer was established on Lord Howe Island in 1972.
Managed for its first 25 years by Jeff Deacon, PRO DIVE Lord Howe built a strong reputation as Australia’s premier diving destination. A reputation it still holds today. This reputation was earned not only because of the variety and diversity of the marine life & underwater terrain but because of the friendly and hospitable nature of Jeff and his wife Carol.
Jeff "just an electrician" Deacon & his wife CarolJeff Deacon spent many years exploring the waters around the Island to establish the 60 + Dive sites we still dive today including Ball’s Pyramid. Jeff has since retired from Pro Dive and is now “just an electrician” however still manages to jump aboard for a dive most fine days.
Tas had been working as an Instructor for the past 7 years for PRO DIVE on Lord Howe Island before deciding to purchase it. Tas grew up on the Northern beaches of Sydney and spent a lot of his childhood traveling to and from the island to Tasvisit his grandparents and extended family. During his earlier years on the island Tas was always known to be in the water snorkeling or off to Blinky beach for a surf. Tas had always dreamed of retuning to the island to run his own scuba store. After returning in 1999 Tas worked hard to make this happen. Tas has a very strong passion in searching for new species of marine life and idLaurenentifying the 100's of species of Nudibranchs on Lord Howe Island.
Lauren After working with special needs children for 3 years in Melbourne Lauren set off to travel the east coast of Australia. While working many jobs along the way decided to live on Dunk Island, QLD. During her 4 months on Dunk Island Lauren was first introduced to scuba diving while taking a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. Shortly after deciding it was time to move on and experience another Island, Lord Howe was recommended. Lauren moved to Lord Howe 6 years ago and completed her PADI OpenWater course while falling in love with diving and the Island. Laurens planned 2 month stay has now turned into a 6 year and indefinite stay. Lauren is a very passionate underwater photographer with an interest in underwater videography.