Emerson grew up in El Cerrito, California, and discovered his love for the ocean early on—earning his Open Water certification at just 11 years old while living abroad. That first dive opened the door to a lifelong fascination with the underwater world. After returning to the U.S., he didn’t have as many chances to dive, but his curiosity and passion for marine life never faded.

Now part of the Ocean First team, Emerson is thrilled to dive back in—literally—and continue advancing his scuba training while exploring new destinations on future trips. When he’s not in the water, you’ll find him watching baseball, skiing, backpacking through the mountains, or hanging out with his cat, Sage (not Dalton).