Alumni Spotlight: Bryant Turffs ‘06

Whether it was playing under the beautiful banyan trees on the Historic Siesta Key Campus, making life-long friends, or working with exceptionally supportive teachers, he is grateful to be a part of this incredible community. Since graduating from Out-of-Door in 2006, he has followed his passion for the ocean and the natural world all over the globe.

Bryant has worked on six out of the seven continents chasing adventure in a variety of different roles including boat captain, diver, marine scientist, and nature photographer. To help fund his adventurous lifestyle, he has developed relationships with Sarasota based Global Expeditions Group, which operates adventure programs for high school and college students, as well as Professional Yachtmaster Training in Fort Lauderdale, where he teaches maritime safety and captain’s courses.
 
With a passion for conservation, Bryant has become involved with the Marine Megafauna Foundation, an international organization with a vision for a world where marine life and humans thrive together. When he has time, Bryant relishes in the opportunity to take underwater photography and write about his experiences. As a result of his remarkable work, he has become an ambassador for Ikelite, a leading manufacturer of underwater camera systems. His recent profile as a featured photographer can be found on the Ikelite website. His blog, click here to view, is engaging and his photography beautifully captures many awe-inspiring scenes in our marine environment.
 
The next steps in his career include more travel with an upcoming trip to Egypt as a diver on an underwater archeological expedition. Bryant’s dream is to create his own business or not-for-profit that would combine boating and environmental education with ecotourism. Of course, as Bryant shared, “If an irresistible opportunity for a new adventure presents itself, I will likely take it!”