Local scuba shop a real dive

It’s that time of year again. The leaves have turned and fallen, the high school football season is drawing to a close, and mid-Michigan is again bracing for another bone-chilling winter.

And all this just in time for scuba season.

No, seriously.

And if you are interested, Kevin Stiff, co-owner of the Dive Shop in Flint Township, has just the submersible suit for you. It’s a dry suit, with coverage from head-to-toe, to take on all that Michigan’s icy waters can dish out.

But, fear not, it’s only bitter cold for the first twenty feet or so; the canopy of ice will provide all the extra insulation you’ll need after that.

While winter serves as the off-season for many of our state’s recreational endeavors, Scuba Divers all over mid-Michigan are rushing to get their tanks filled and their fins polished.

Quick check: Have you gotten your buoyancy regulator inspected lately?

It’s not too late.

“We’re really busy around this time of year,” Stiff said. “Winter vacations and spring break keep us very busy; we don’t close our doors or change our hours.”

Stiff and his staff provide a number of services for the novice, i.e. those of us who thought scuba divers took the winter off, all the way to the experienced diver.

“We’ve certified kids as young as ten and adults as old as 81,” said Stiff, whose shop just celebrated its 20th anniversary last month.

“We work with a lot of families to get them everything they need before they head out on vacation.”

They can get you certified locally, or arrange to help you get your license to dive while you are on your vacation.

And where are many local families heading? Probably the Caribbean.

But, the staff at the Dive Shop isn’t completely sold out to the tropical environs. In fact, they can’t say enough about Michigan as a great state for scuba diving, regardless of season.

“There are a great number of fully intact shipwrecks in this state, some with the masts still standing,” Stiff said. “I don’t think the Great Lakes get their due.”

And, even closer to home, Stiff says that many inland lakes are worth checking out for an afternoon dive.

“People have been diving Lake Fenton, especially the north end, since the 1960s; and Silver lake has some tremendous trenches as well.”

But, in the final analysis, he’s no eccentric.

“Even so, I can’t think of a better place to go than Cozumel (Mexico).”

I guess being somewhat typical is a small price to pay for diving in the crystal clear waters of the tropics.

The Dive Shop’s manager, however, is anything but typical.

“Diving in Michigan is my favorite,” said Kim Collingham, who also teaches scuba diving locally at Mott Community College. “There is so much to see here, and it’s getting better every year.”

“Oh, and it’s affordable.”

Find out just how affordable it is by visiting the Dive Shop at G-4020 Corunna Road in Flint Township, or check out their website at diveshopmi.com.