EcoDiveNW Scuba Instruction – Mission Statement
At EcoDiveNW Scuba Instruction, our mission is to promote Dive Safety Through Education by delivering the highest standards of training and instructional quality. Safety and training excellence are our top priorities, guiding every course we offer and every student we serve.
We are committed to providing individualized instruction that meets the unique needs, goals, and learning styles of each student. Through low student-to-instructor ratios, we ensure personalized attention, skill mastery, and confidence in the water.
Our team is composed of dedicated professional educators who bring real-world expertise, a passion for the underwater environment, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Together, we strive to develop not only skilled divers, but informed and responsible stewards of the aquatic world.
Meet Our Dive Team
Rod Shroufe
NAUI Instructor- Course Director
Rod is a career biologist and professional educator at both the high school and community college level. He is an avid outdoorsman who is at home in the mountains and in the water. Rod began scuba diving in 1997 and earned his instructor rating in 2002. He currently holds a Course Director designation. Rod’s love of the ocean began early when he first encountered the ocean at the age of five. Since that visit, Rod has continued to enjoy participating in many water-related activities. He enjoys teaching others the art and science of scuba diving, taking underwater pictures, and diving in the great Pacific Northwest and beyond. As a NAUI Course DIrector, Rod trains and certifies all levels of divers and instructors.
Daniel Sams
Divemaster
From a young age, Daniel was always fascinated with what was below the surface ever since his father taught him how to fish in the Puget Sound. By the age of 12, his mother enrolled him for scuba lessons and he received his Junior Open Water Certification at Octopus Hole in the Hood Canal. Later in life, Daniel found other passions to pursue. He has been a Wildland Firefighter for 18 years and is currently employed with a Forestry Company and works with Timber Companies on Reforestation. Every year, Daniel and his wife go on vacation to Maui where they snorkel every day. On one of these trips, Daniel decided to get back into scuba. He received his Basic Open Water in Hawaii, then joined with EcoDive NW for his Advanced Open Water certification. He is now assisting with dive training while continuing his dive education with the goal of eventually becoming a certified Divemaster.
Angel Sams
Divemaster
Angel was born in California and discovered her passion for diving during a trip to Maui, encouraged by her husband. While it didn’t immediately click, she soon “caught the bug” and fully embraced the underwater world. Over the past six years, she has been an active member of the EcoDive NW community, continuing to grow her skills and experience.
As a NAUI Divemaster, Angel combines her love of travel, the ocean, and adventure with a strong commitment to helping others discover diving. She finds great fulfillment in guiding new divers as they build confidence and experience the beauty and diversity of marine environments for the first time.
In alignment with NAUI’s mission, Angel emphasizes safe diving practices and integrates conservation awareness into all of her instruction, encouraging students to respect and protect the fragile ecosystems they explore.
Clark “Cam” Miner
Divemaster/Instructor-in-Training
Clark is a former U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer who discovered his passion for diving in his forties. He quickly immersed himself in the world of scuba, continuously expanding his knowledge and skills. Clark believes strongly in NAUI's that dive safety is an ongoing process—one that is never fully mastered but always evolving. He remains dedicated to lifelong learning, maintaining and expanding his certifications as both a diver and a dive professional.
With a passion for year-round diving, Clark specializes in cold-water, low-visibility environments. He is a full active member of the Clatsop County Sheriff's SAR Underwater Recovery Dive Team and has been diving with Ecodive NW LLC since 2023. In early 2024, he joined the Ecodive NW Dive Team, where he plays a key role in supporting both new and certified divers across the Pacific Northwest.
Beyond diving, Clark brings over a decade of experience in the behavioral healthcare industry, working as a counselor specializing in veteran care, survivors of domestic violence, and supporting individuals overcoming substance use disorders and trauma. Like all the Ecodive NW dive team members, His professional expertise translates seamlessly into dive instruction, reinforcing patience, empathy, and compassion as he works with students and fellow divers.
Dan Heard
Divemaster in training
Dan was open water certified in 1996 and quickly advanced his training, earning his Advanced certification and completing his DiveCon/Divemaster in 1998. Early in his diving career, he worked with classes and took pride in introducing new students to the underwater world.
After stepping away from diving for a number of years due to life changes, a close friend helped rekindle his passion for being underwater. Now, Dan is returning to the dive community, working toward crossing over to NAUI Divemaster and looking forward to once again mentoring and supporting new divers.