It was the passion for diving that created Deep Blue and fuels its engine today. It started with the paths of two divers crossing while on the journey to become instructors. Gert and Scott connected while working for “fun” as instructors for a dive store in the local area. The passion for teaching and love for the sport of diving couldn’t have been better; Gert was Mr. Tech diver and Scott was into pictures and any place tropical. Together they were great instructors and a dive team.

As instructors they worked (if you can call enjoying something this much work) well together, having fun and more importantly making sure their students had fun and started to share in the passion they had for the sport. Whenever they were together and had some free time they talked about ways to continue to improve the sport, teaching, and diving.

We aren’t quite sure who tossed out the idea first of starting a store, but what we do know is they both believed that there was a better way to teach diving and help customers make decisions about dive equipment. So one night in front of a fire at Gert’s house, the two of them talked about how to create a Premier Dive Center in the Midwest. What it would look like, how they wanted students to learn while having fun, and how to do it all while always keeping safety in mind. Many late nights later, along with those unforgettable dinner meetings at South Shore Yacht Club, Deep Blue was born. But there was much work to do before the doors opened. Their dream of a dive center that welcomed everyone had to be built, products ordered, walls raised (and some removed), and dust was everywhere. When we say everywhere, we mean EVERYWHERE. Painting, lighting, and staff had to all come together to open the doors. To make this happen our friend and Dive Master, Chris, put his life on hold for six months and personally lived the build-out, leading the construction effort and turning our imagination into reality.

Finally, after a year of planning and six months of construction (was it only six months-- at the time it seemed like 6 years). The doors were open, and the start of a dream was realized in May 2003. Since then we continue to grow, adding classes, trips, training, equipment options, events, and staff. In the summer of 2005, Rich joined the “Live the Dream” team, a slogan that Gert, Scott, Rich and the rest of the Deep Blue Team now all share and believe in it. What could be better than doing what you love and helping others recognize the wonders of the underwater world? The Deep Blue family continues to grow, customers have become friends, friends have become team members, and most of all, students have become divers! We thank all of you that have participated and continue to realize the dream of the underwater world with us. Our plant is 2/3 water, shouldn’t you be experiencing some of it? Live the Dream and Dive On.

Peace.