Construction worker leaving UK to set up scuba diving business in Tenerife
Brian Harrison, who admits he couldn't swim until he was an adult, saved £30,000 by working back-to-back nightshifts to make his dream become a reality18:35, 19 Jul 2026A construction worker is preparing to. . .
Brian Harrison, who admits he couldn't swim until he was an adult, saved £30,000 by working back-to-back nightshifts to make his dream become a reality18:35, 19 Jul 2026A construction worker is preparing to leave the UK next week and follow his dream to launch a scuba diving business in Tenerife. Brian Harrison, from Washington, has spent the last five months of this year, and the summer of 2025 working permanent night shifts on construction contracts including the Nissan gigafactory to fund the business. The 43-year-old who admits he couldn't swim until he was an adult, says he "learned late, got hooked, and ended up qualifying as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. " The business, namedSea Wolf Scuba, is aimed at nervous beginners for exactly that reason, and Brian will teach a maximum of two people at a time on the south of the island. Joining Brian in Tenerife will be his beloved three-year-old dog, Lobo, who he says has ended up as the face of the whole thing on social media. "Lobo is very much a part of the business, he's in the name and logo, he's on the side of the minibus, he's like a mini celeb. "Speaking to ChronicleLive, Brian said: "I've always wanted to dive and would go on holiday and it would either be a fine or a disaster and I'd start to panic, that was it since forever really. "My first ever time diving was when I was about 14. I managed the shallow part and then the teacher said 'you are too scared, you are not going in the sea'. I'm the only person to fail a Discover Scuba day," Brian jokes, "but I was determined and did it again. "Initially visiting Tenerife for a weeks holiday during Covid to see his dad, Bob Harrison, Brian got hooked and stayed for months on end. During his time he completed several good diving experiences and even his advanced open water but admits "it was an absolute disaster. ""I thought I now either never dive again as that was horrific, or I learn how to do this properly. So I went back to shop I had good experience with and said I want to deal with this and get on top of it," he said. After obtaining his dual residency, allowing him to work in Tenerife in the winter and back in England during the summer, Brian went on to teach at several diving shops on the island and began to dream about opening his own. "I never thought I'd be an instructor but I knew being around diving would be a nice work environment, it's nice people there for a good time that like to enjoy new experiences and I thought even if I ran a shop it would be nice, but it had never crossed my mind to teach. "But one thing that bothered him was "rushed" approach to teaching, especially with nervous divers like himself. Brian continued: "I didn't like they way they did things. I thought I want to do this my way. For example on open water, I explain to people I can teach in two-days and that's fine, or we can take three days, and I'll personally make less money per day, but it will be a more enjoyable experience, and I'm transparent about that. ""When I look back at my advanced open water, that was a disaster. I know how I would have dealt with me. Instead of rushing to complete when someone is struggling I'd rather stop and take a gentle approach and sort the problem. "So in 2024, Brian decided to save for his dream to set up the business and initially planned to save £10,000 over a five-year period. But after working 84-hour-weeks on a Gigafactory project his timescale moved towards October 2026. "Everything's been paid for out of the night shift wages, I've not had a full day off since March, no loans, no investors. Roughly £30,000 earned, saved and spent on it," he said. However a recent near miss on Lobo was the moment Brian knew it was now or never. "I was diving nNorthumberlandwith theSunderlanddiving centre and the dog was hit by a car. He's okay but I thought if we don't go now, the longer we are here, the more likely it is something goes wrong and we won't get to follow the dream. "Not long after when working in the factory one night and the chair broke and I ended up on my neck upside down. I was the only person around and I thought this is how you get an injury. I was able to roll over and get up and was alright but I thought if I don't leave something will happen. "I was going to continue working on the project until its completion as the contract was extended and thought I can't walk away from making that much money but then I thought what do I want it for if I get to how much I need to start a business. "So it went from a five year plan to next week. How many people have a dream and want to do something and then never do it. "Article continues belowWhilst working in the UK Brian has been progressing his own diving training and can now train disabled divers too. HisTiktok videosaimed to calm fears of scuba have even reached over 100,000 people a month and have already secured his first booked customers before the business has even opened. Brian will be driving down and taking the ferry with Lobo next week after finishing his last shifts. He adds "It's all a bit funny really. I've made friends over there who have been helping me out so I'm not totally going into the unknown but it will be emotional leaving. "Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You cansign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.