Jonny bought the Rock with his wife Sarah in December 2007. He ran it for twelve seasons, skippering trips, managing charters, building the reputation, until 2019 when a severe osteoporosis diagnosis at 47 changed the plan.
At his worst, he was 67kg and had broken around 30 bones in a single year. The Rock kept running. Erin stepped up as skipper. Jonny stepped back, not out.
In 2024 he and Sarah moved to Thailand to focus on his health full-time. It's been a slow rebuild, and an honest one. In the water he found something that worked. Diving and freediving have kept him sane through the years he couldn't run. 2026 is the first full year without a break. He's sitting close to 85kg and, as Marlane (who was there through all of it before going off to run her own business) puts it, looking positively chubby. Two kilograms to go.
His daughter Scarlett, 13, grew up on the Rock. She's been doing cruises since before she could properly remember them, still heads out whenever the family is home in Paihia, and has strong opinions about marine conservation. Sharks especially. Don't get her started.
Jonny still manages everything: charters, logistics, operations, the crew. If you're enquiring about a private charter, you're talking to him directly. Just from further away than before.