About Dive Educators
At Dive Educators, we believe diving is more than a hobby—it’s a pathway to confidence, community, and adventure. As a full-service scuba and swim training facility, we offer high-quality education for all levels, from first-time swimmers to professional dive instructors. Our team of experienced educators and service technicians is passionate about safety, skill-building, and creating unforgettable experiences both locally and abroad. Whether you’re learning to swim, gearing up with top-tier equipment, or planning your next dive trip, Dive Educators is your trusted partner above and below the surface.
Our Vision
Dive Educators is North Georgia’s most trusted aquatic education and dive training center – a vibrant community where every person, including youth, adults, veterans, and adaptive swimmers and divers, discover their strength, challenge their limits, and experience the world through the water.
Our Mission
We teach people to thrive in the water. At Dive Educators, we deliver exceptional swim and dive education that builds confidence, safety, and lifelong passion. We welcome individuals and families of every age, background, and ability, developing skilled swimmers, responsible divers, and tomorrow’s leaders through personal instruction, reliable high-quality equipment and service, enriching travel, and a community rooted in meaningful connection and growth.
Our Team
Howard Chalmers
Owner & Instructor
Howard is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor with additional instructor certifications through SDI, TDI, DAN, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, PADI Swim, and ECSI. His journey began with a Discover Scuba Diving experience during spring break in 1989 which led to a PE class and open water certification in the Florida Keys during college. He became an instructor in 2002 and has spent over two decades helping others experience the underwater world.
Howard became an instructor because he loves showing people a part of God’s creation they might never otherwise see. That same passion drives his work at Dive Educators.
For over 30 years, he’s said, “When I grow up, I want to own a dive shop.” Now that dream is a reality—and his vision is clear: to build a community where people make new friends, learn new skills, challenge themselves, and find joy in a lifelong hobby.
A longtime Scout leader, Howard values mentorship and service. He’s proud to support local Scout troops, ships, crews, and councils through diving programs that build confidence, character, and adventure.
Lorrie Chalmers
Owner
Lorrie is a recreational diver who loves the adventure of combining travel with scuba diving. She’s enjoyed some amazing encounters with dolphins and turtles in the Bahamas, a young sea lion in Monterey, CA, and a graceful eagle ray in Cozumel. Lorrie is also a Registered Nurse and AHA CPR Instructor. She works as a school nurse in Forsyth County, and she is excited to bring her medical knowledge to Dive Educators to support classes and instruction.
Alan Spears
General Manager & Instructor
Alan is a passionate scuba instructor, always striving to sharpen his skills to inspire his students. As a technical dive instructor, he lives for the challenge, especially when diving his trusty CCR. A SCUBAPRO technician, he’s meticulous about keeping his gear dialed in and applying the same level of focus to our customers' equipment. Alan’s love for fossil diving and cave diving fuels his underwater quests, and he’s thrilled whenever he spots his favorite fish, the vibrant parrot fish. His favorite dives are in warm waters, preferably on a liveaboard, where he can chase epic adventures and unforgettable underwater treasures.
Abby Rennick
Assistant Manager & Instructor
Abby is a bubbly scuba instructor who loves teaching families and kids the joys of diving. As an expert cave and technical diver, she tackles challenging underwater worlds, and as a SCUBAPRO technician, she’s obsessed with perfecting her gear. Her favorite diving is in warm, shallow waters, where she can soak up the vibrant underwater scenes while capturing the moment with her trusty camera. Her top dive was a fun, up-close encounter with a curious sea lion in the Galapagos, a memory that always brings a grin!