Finger Lakes Scuba

Who we are: Two local couples began the dive operation. Henry (Mac) and Joan MacDonald of Union Springs, NY, along with Warren Miller and Karla Lauenstein of Lafayette, NY.. To accomplish this, Warren left his job with Kemper Insurance after 21 years as a Risk Management Training Specialist. While Henry left the world of human services by retiring from the Auburn YMCA where he was the Community Services -Outreach Director for over 15 years, providing programs for “at risk” youth and families. Henry and Warren ran the daily operations of the facility full time until October 2003. The scuba store has been located on Dill St. in Auburn since opening in January of 1998. In October of 2003, Mac and Joan acquired full ownership of the business.

Some History: Some of the exciting things which have occurred since its opening, include the sponsorship of a Scuba Venture Crew. A youth development program for youth ages 14-21. The introduction of the “Scuba Ranger” kids club for youth 8-12 years old and the age change for Junior Open Water Diver certification to 10 years old. Another pleasant surprise has been the number of families who have discovered diving as a fun activity, which has incredible bonding aspects and vacation opportunities. Additionally, we are proud of the many Professional Dive Leaders we have acquired and trained. In 2000 we established a Full Service satellite facility in Penn Yan, NY operated by our Tech Instructor Mike Morehouse. Mike is an SSI certified Advanced Open Water Instructor and a TDI certified instructor for Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Extended Range and SCR Rebreather. Mike also dives an Inspiration Rebreather and is an avid Cave Diver. Mike has been diving since 1972 and is currently working on becoming a certified Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor.

What we do: Finger Lakes Scuba is a Scuba Schools International Platinum Training Facility and a Scuba Diving International/Technical Diving International/Emergency Response Diver International 5 Star Dive Center, offering all levels of scuba certification and specialties. Additionally, certifications are offered in Public Safety Diver Training through ERDI. Programs range from Scuba Ranger to entry level Open Water Diver, Technical (Deep Extended Range or Mixed Gas) Diver, and Re-breather Diver to Dive Control Specialist Instructor. Instruction is available at several locations throughout Central New York including YMCA’s, YWCA’s as well as the Community Recreation Centers, High Schools and Colleges. On-Line Training as well as Private Class’s requiring special times or days are provided whenever necessary. The dive facility is a full service dive and snorkeling equipment retail store, which offers several lines by various manufacturers. One of the oldest and most well known worldwide is Aqualung-US Divers made famous by Diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau who helped to develop the Aqua-Lung, or Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. The store is open Noon to 6pm; Tuesday through Thursday, Noon to 8pm; Friday, and Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. Summer hours change Saturday to 8am to 2pm. Other times are available by appointment. In addition to providing local diving opportunities on New York's Finger Lakes the Dive Deck, a 26ft. triple-pontoon boat provides Dive Charters on the St. Lawrence River in Alexandria Bay. Coral Reef Dive Adventures (the travel side of the business), schedules and leads international dive trips to such places as the Caribbean, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, Palau, Yap, Thailand, the Red Sea as well as domestic travel to locations such as the Quarries of Pennsylvania and the Florida Keys.