BOUNTIFUL—While Utah may not be the first place to come to mind when they hear the word, “Scuba,” there’s a store right on 500 South in Bountiful that has been teaching and cultivating a love for the sport for decades. Much of this success is due to the passion of the operations, Bob Stell and Mac Garrabrants. 

Stell worked for the fire department locally, and in 1982 trained for underwater search and recovery. “Bountiful doesn’t have much beachfront property,” Stell said, and the program was shortly discontinued. It was only a few years later that a childhood friend approached Stell, and suggested the idea of opening a specialty shop, and in 1989, The Dive Shop opened its doors for the first time. 

The business moved around a few times, but has been on 500 South for what seems to Stell like forever now, and it has proven to be key. “Location,” Stell said, “is very important.” With the thousands of cars that pass by the shop on any given day, it’s a great spot to pique the interest of those who drive by, and who wonder, “what does The Dive Shop do?”

Garrabrants “learned to dive in 1964 as a 10-year-old,” and after Stell’s original partner left the business, he felt the career move was a natural fit. Since then, Stell and Garrabrants, along with their staff, have seen many people come through their doors nervous, excited, and everywhere in between, and leave with a love of diving they didn’t have before. 

“Your training,” said Stell, “is as good as your instructor,” which is why at The Dive Shop, more often than not, students will learn from several different instructors, so that they can glean as many tips, and as much information as possible from experienced divers. The average certification course lasts two weeks, and is composed of 12 hours of instruction. Then, come the four certification dives out in the water. 

A Dive Shop-trained diver floats near a submerged and abandoned anchor on one of their many excursions. Photos courtesy of The Dive Shop

Although it may sound intimidating, the certification dives are geared for beginners: the first dive is even held in the shallow end. “If you have a problem,” said Garrabrants, “all you have to do is stand up.” It’s a unique approach that, for the vast majority of students, inspires confidence. Both Stell and Garrabrants agreed it’s extremely fulfilling seeing those who were disinterested or nervous find, “Oh my gosh, I can do this!” 

The training and certification is focused on both skills, as well as safety, “Scuba diving is generally a safe sport as long as you follow the rules,” said Garrabrants, and unless a student shows in class that their skills are compatible, they will not be invited to certify. It’s not just beginners that Stell, Garrabrants and their team work with either, they explained. From refresher courses, to rescue classes, to dive master and instruction classes, just about every scuba class imaginable is offered at The Dive Shop.

Following certification, however, those who receive their certification open the doors to an entire other world. “They see absolutely incredible things,” said Stell, explaining how snorkeling allows most to look down on fish, coral and the underwater world, but “when you’re scuba diving, you’re right there.” Not only that, explained Stell and Garrabrants, but students also find that they are now part of a larger community.

“Scuba diving is a very social event,” said Garrabrants. Over the course of the history of the shop, the team has seen people meet their future spouses, underwater marriage proposals, and more as people “get the bug” for diving. It’s a rewarding process for the students, but for Stell and Garrabrants, it’s something that keeps them, and the business going after all these years. 

For Garrabrants, the most rewarding aspect of the job is “when I see someone start apprehensive or nervous and they come out of the class a confident, self reliant diver.” Stell agreed, saying for him, it hits home when he sees that “A-ha moment” when a new diver realizes not only is it possible, but that they love it as well. “It’s very rewarding.” 

In addition to training and certification, The Dive Shop also hosts many excursions both locally, and internationally to places like Flaming Gorge, Sand Hollow, Fiji, Roatan, The Red Sea and many other amazing places. More information on these excursions, certification, classes, equipment and other services from The Dive Shop can all be found at the-dive-shop.com.