Connie Maxwell brings a rare blend of professionalism, passion, and purpose to the world of underwater education. As the owner and administrator of Dragonfly Trace Scuba, she has built a training environment where safety, skill, and genuine community come together. Connie’s journey as a scuba diving instructor is shaped by decades of leadership, service, and hands-on experience both above and below the surface, giving her students a level of mentorship that goes far beyond certification requirements.
Connie began diving in the 1970s while working in the family scuba shop during the day and teaching scuba diving alongside her dad, Matt Leydens, in the evenings and on weekends. Her father, a respected YMCA scuba diving pioneer from the 1960s, helped shape early national training standards and inspired generations of divers with his commitment to safety, education, and exploration. Growing up in that environment, Connie developed the discipline, calm, and situational awareness that now define her teaching style.
Those early experiences laid the foundation for her future career as a scuba diving instructor, and today she brings that same steady confidence to every class, from brand-new beginners to divers advancing toward professional levels in her instructor professional development courses.
Dragonfly Trace Scuba reflects Connie’s belief that diving should be accessible, empowering, and deeply enjoyable. As a scuba diving instructor, she focuses on building strong fundamentals—water skills, buoyancy, trim, situational awareness, and environmental respect—while keeping the learning environment upbeat, supportive, and tailored to each diver’s needs. Her students often describe her as patient, clear, and reassuring, with a knack for turning complex skills into simple, memorable techniques.
Beyond her work in the water, Connie is also an approved Florida Professional Dive School and an active Organic Agricultural Outreach Coordinator, roles that highlight her commitment to education and community development. She is especially passionate about creating opportunities for veterans in rural communities to experience the transformative power of diving.
This mission-driven approach shapes her work as a scuba diving instructor, where she sees every course as a chance to help someone grow in confidence, capability, and curiosity.
Connie’s professional network spans the broader diving industry, including instructors, course directors, and dive leaders across the country. She collaborates frequently on training materials, diving safety initiatives, scuba standards, and veteran-focused dive programs. These partnerships strengthen her own practice as a scuba diving instructor, keeping her connected to evolving standards, new techniques, and the latest developments in diver education.
Travel is another cornerstone of Connie’s diving life. She leads group expeditions to warm-water destinations such as Roatán, the Cayman Islands, Saba, and Bonaire. She also coordinates multi-city group dive travel each year and explores international dive sites on her own whenever possible. These experiences enrich her perspective as a scuba diving instructor, allowing her to bring real-world knowledge of diverse diving environments, marine ecosystems, and global diving culture into her teaching.
Whether she’s guiding a student through their first breath underwater or helping an experienced diver refine advanced skills, Connie approaches every interaction with authenticity, humor, and a deep respect for the underwater world. Her goal is simple: to help divers become confident, capable, and safe while discovering the joy that keeps so many people returning to the water year after year.
As a scuba diving instructor, Connie believes that diving is more than a sport—it’s a lifelong adventure. Through Dragonfly Trace Scuba, she continues to build a welcoming, professional, and community-centered space where divers of all backgrounds can learn, grow, and explore.
If you’re ready to begin or continue your underwater journey, Connie Maxwell is the scuba diving instructor who will guide you with expertise, encouragement, and a genuine love for the diving community.