Durango Scuba Diving Shop Makes a Splash

Splash Down Diving is making a splash in the Four Corners. Little-known to many locals, we have a substantial scuba diving community in our town. Since it opened around 10 years ago, over 700 divers have been certified through Splash Down Diving.

Terry and Kim Tucker own and operate Splash Down Diving, which they bought from Zane Bilgrav in 2007. (Kim also works with us on the Durango Team!). Terry is a long-time scuba lover, and one of their first dates was scuba diving. It was such a large part of his life, they wanted to be able to share it together. In 2005 Kim received her certification and her instructor certification in 2009.  Terry and Kim lived and taught in Fiji, the Virgin Islands, and Vanautu. They then returned to Durango to run Splash Down Diving.

Splash Down Diving does PADI certifications and structures the courses on evenings and weekends to make a diving certification an achievable dream. After four classroom sessions, three pool sessions, and an open water weekend, a person becomes certified and may then scuba dive anywhere in the world. In total, this is about a three week process. Splash Down has also done 49 professional certifications (instructor training).

So just how do these open water trips work when we live in a snowy winter climate? The team takes divers to Homestead Resort near Park City, Utah, which has a 96 degree temperature and a 60 foot crater. During the summer they visit Santa Rosa, New Mexico, which offers clear water, an 80 foot depth and 62 degree temperature, along with local lakes, Lake Powell or Lake Mohave. For those who want a vacation along with a dive trip, Splash Down takes groups on Trips to many tropical locations, offering between 4 and 6 trips per year.

In addition to the trips, Splash Down has been able to enhance involvement in the local schools. They have done programs with Animas High and taken the marine biology class in Ignacio to Hawaii. Durango High School just started a dive club, so they will also have some involvement with DHS.

So what if a person is scared of the technical aspects involved with scuba diving—the deep water and gradual ascent back up? According to Kim, Splash Down Diving prides themselves in producing confident divers. They will take time to get divers comfortable and be sure to work with anyone who is uncomfortable with any portion of the dive.

Although Splash Down Diving requires a person to be at least 10 years old, this is an excellent opportunity for a family activity, a vacation, or a new challenge. With that in mind, the options are endless.

See their website for additional information: http://www.splashdowndiving.com/