Women's Dive Day 2025: Highlighting Kyalami Women in Leadership

Grab your girl gang and let’s get ready to celebrate Women’s Dive Day! If you missed our blog celebrating women in diving from last year, be sure to go back to check it out here: “Why I Dive: Female Perspectives in Honor of Women’s Dive Day.”

Women’s dive day is one of my favorite annual traditions to celebrate. It’s a time to reflect on all the contributions of women in diving - a historically male dominated activity - and to also inspire and encourage those new to the sport. While the gender divide is narrowing, as more and more women are taking the leap to become certified, there still exists a distinct gender gap among leadership roles throughout the industry. A recent report from PADI indicates that just a little more than 20% of professional level divers are women.

2024 saw a record year for women in dive leadership as close to 30% of new divemaster candidates were female, however we still have some work to do to close the gap with our male counterparts. This is why events such as Women’s Dive Day remain so important, so women can continue to be encouraged along their diving journey. You can read the full 10-year report from PADI here: 10-Year Impact Report, Women in Diving Initiative.

Here at Kyalami we are always breaking the mold. We are proud to have multiple strong, inspiring women actively holding leadership assignments within our organization. They are the backbone of our company, working hard to do ensure all dive operations run smooth and that guests are taken care of in many different capacities.

Why continue dive training?

I had several people try to tell me that I didn’t need to continue my level of training to divemaster in order to be a good underwater photographer, and that it would be a waste of my time and money. While it isn’t a requirement per se, the increased confidence and refinement of my skills that came as a result of this professional training has been invaluable to my career in underwater photography. It has opened up so many more doors for me to be able to do what I love professionally. Not to mention it was a moment that made me feel PROUD. Moral of the story for all my fellow female divers out there: follow your instincts and do what’s right for YOU!

In honor of Women’s Dive Day 2025 I want to highlight several of the amazing women we are fortunate to have on the team. Continue reading if you want to be inspired by 5 incredibly talented ladies that contribute so much to both the Kyalami brand and our local dive community.

1st I checked in with Susan Papes, our Dive Shop Manager. Susan shared with me: “as a female leader in the dive industry, I am dedicated to promoting a calm and empowering influence. I feel it is important to validate a woman’s concerns whether it be physical limitations on the dive boat or gear fit in the shop.” I can say I have seen this 1st hand with Susan as she takes care of our customers. Whether it’s just for a piece of rental gear for the day or if someone is investing a SCUBAPRO BCD that they’ll have for life, she asks the right questions to ensure proper fit and makes the person in front of her feel seen and heard.

Susan adds a nurturing and supportive energy to our leadership group. In addition to managing our shop, Susan is also a Divemaster and a 200-ton Captain!

When I asked Meme Edwards, our Director of Community Outreach & Education, what it means to her to be a female dive professional, she replied jubilantly: “It’s everything!”

“Being a female scuba instructor, I hope I continue to inspire and raise women up to have an amazing relationship with the ocean and set them up for amazing success in life. I know the ocean will continue to be a safe place and even therapeutic for all the crazy things this life brings to us.”

Meme went on to explain, “to represent women in a sport that is predominantly male, it is proof that women can handle the hard, tough and badass things in life with beauty and grace. To give women the confidence, comfort and assurance that they can do anything they set their mind to, especially when it relates to Mother Nature; the power of the ocean which no one can fight but you can try to understand, relate to and learn to go with her flow which will keep us learning and growing. In this place, the strongest male or female cannot fight but will come together to find their strength and equality. And I get to bring people to this place! Amazing!” We love Meme’s passion and enthusiasm for the ocean. I’ve seen 1st hand how she empowers others, especially women, to continue learning and growing both above and below the waves. You rock, Meme!

Next I caught up with Alexis Koh, our Co-Director of Dive Operations. Lex shared with me how she got involved in the industry, and why she chooses to stay: “I initially chose this career as a means of getting through college while pursuing my degree in Marine Biology. Eventually, I fell in love with being on the water every day and decided I was already working where I was meant to be. Since becoming an instructor, I enjoy giving the excitement of diving to those just entering the community and being an example of following your passions.”

Lex loves sharing her passion for diving with others - and what better way to bring that to life than through instructing. We are so glad you followed your passions, and that they brought you to us, Lex!

Next I spent some time getting to know a new leader to our crew a little better. Christina Martinez is our Director of Water Tours. In case you weren’t aware, our sexy red boat is only a dive boat by day, and by night it turns into a vessel for touring and relaxation. Christina has recently taken over this important part of our business from Janine, another strong female leader, who’s retired last month and moved closer to her family.

Christina shared with me, “I never really found my footing on land. But underwater, I’ve seen myself transform over the years into someone confident, skilled, and resourceful. I am now the instructor that I needed when I was first entering this world; one with a more patient and emotionally intuitive approach. I want to continue cultivating this love and natural pull we all feel towards the ocean with my students. I’m blessed to be surrounded by like-minded women who share the same experiences and encourage each other to keep going. There’s a change in the tide on how this industry is being run, and the change is for the better as more women take on leadership roles.” We couldn’t have said it any better, Christina! We are so grateful to have you as part of the team and can’t wait to see everything you contribute to the Water Tours side of our business.

Christina may be leading our tours topside, but her passion remains in the water.

Finally, we connected with Kayla Kohutko, Co-Director of Dive Operations, Lead Divemaster and 200-ton Captain, who shared: “I wouldn't say I chose diving, but rather diving chose me. I never set out to work in the dive industry. My initial goal was simply to advance my certification level after moving to Florida and finally save enough money to pursue it. But once I completed my Advanced Open Water course and started gaining more confidence in the water, I completely fell in love with the sport.”

Kayla maintains a lot of responsibility in her role with Kyalami, yet she still finds time to guide divers. Sharing the ocean with others is where she is most in her element.

Kayla continued to share: “Working in the dive industry has brought real joy and fulfillment into my life. It’s incredibly rewarding to help others stay safe while sharing the beauty of the marine world. I've always loved the water, and now I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love every day.

Teaching new divers about the sport, helping them build confidence the way my instructor did for me, and keeping them safe underwater has become my mission. Even more, I now get to mentor others who are stepping into the industry. Sharing everything I’ve learned and watching them grow reminds me of how far I’ve come.”

Kayla concluded by saying, “It's truly amazing to reflect on my journey—from a diver just looking to level up, to someone helping shape the next generation of dive professionals. I want to keep being a part of that growth, that transformation, and that passion in others.” We are so grateful for all your contributions, Kayla!

I personally am so proud to be working alongside such an accomplished and inspiring group of women. Here’s to continuing to support and encourage women in all aspects of diving. And to all my open water diving ladies out there reading this, why not sign up for that next level of certification? Take on a challenge, learn a new skill, build up your confidence - because you’re worth the time and investment.

Happy Women’s Dive Day 2025!

-Grace