Omaha, Nebraska-based Diventures, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing network of swim and scuba centers, announced its latest acquisition of Underwater Connection (UWC) located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Underwater Connection was founded in 1989 by Troy Juth and is the largest diving center in the state of Colorado offering scuba, travel, retail, equipment service and swim.
“Colorado has historically had the highest number of certified divers per-capita in the United States. UWC is consistently a national leader in dive certifications, equipment sales, service and travel. So, entering Colorado by acquiring UWC is an ideal move,” said Dean Hollis, Founder of Diventures. “I’ve known Troy for over a decade and have always admired him and the UWC team for their innovative, customer-focused approach. Over the last several years, we have sent numerous Diventures team members to visit and learn from UWC’s amazing team. To now have them as part of the Diventures family is incredibly exciting. I’m honored we can continue and build on Troy’s legacy, and I am excited to welcome, support and continue to learn from Jessy Robinson and their entire team.”
“UWC has all the key elements Diventures looks for—a comprehensive facility, world class programs and, especially, great people,” said William Munroe, General Manager of Diventures. “We are excited to learn from them, while we also support them and continue to serve their wonderful customers.”
“One new focus will be launching Diventures learn-to-swim program to complement the instruction UWC already offers,” continues Munroe. “Our unique swim approach offers important water safety skills and at the same time fills the diver funnel, creating lifelong aquatics enthusiasts. Expansion into the Front Range is key to our strategic geographic plan of bringing water safety and enjoyment to all areas of the country.”
In 2014, UWC moved to its current location, a 12,000-square-foot facility off I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road, making it convenient for team members and customers. The 15-feet deep pool, 88-degree water, and room temperature of 90 degrees mirrors Diventures locations elsewhere. The all-inclusive facility includes training, equipment sales, and service and group and private travel. Service and repair are staffed with experienced technicians making it a one-stop shop destination for aquatic enthusiasts in the area. Given its excellent design and comprehensive offerings, Diventures intends to remain in the existing facility.
“For 34 years, we’ve offered scuba diving lessons, and while ownership is changing hands, our commitment to aquatic adventures does not,” said Troy Juth, founder of UWC. “Dean and I have known each other for many years, and we’re aligned on our vision for the industry and our values, especially that the customer comes first. Becoming part of the Diventures family allows us to expand our reach to share our passion of swim and scuba.”
As with other Diventures acquisitions, store management and staffing will remain the same. Diventures will continue UWC’s mission to bring water sports through safe and fun instruction to the Front Range of Colorado.
About Underwater Connection:
Underwater Connection was founded in Colorado Springs in 1989 by Troy Juth and provides southern Colorado with scuba and swim instruction, retail, travel and equipment repair. It is the considered the lead dive business in the state of Colorado and in the top five for the entire United States. In 2014 and after 25 years in business, Underwater Connection moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility customized to provide customers and students with a comfortable learning experience and convenient location. Underwater Connection offers instruction and all major brands for retail for scuba, technical diving, freediving, snorkeling and swimming as well as a full-service travel agency with dozens of international destinations every year. Underwater Connection’s mission is to teach customers and their children not only how to be safe around the water, but how to have loads of fun!
Visit https://uwcscuba.com for more information.
About Diventures
Diventures was founded in 2009, with one location in Omaha, Neb. It since has expanded to eighteen locations (Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Little Rock, Ark.; Colorado Springs, Co.; Alpharetta, Ga.; Marietta, Ga.; North Liberty, Iowa; Lexington, Ky.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Columbia, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; Springfield, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Memphis, Tenn.; Sterling, Va.; Vienna, Va.; Fitchburg, Wis.; Sun Prairie, Wis.). Diventures provides concierge-level customer service for swim lessons, scuba certifications, equipment sales and service and group and private travel. Diventures is committed to safety and fun in the water, as well as giving back to support local and global communities. Employing hundreds of people and serving thousands of customers per year, Diventures uses their passion and the power of the water to impact lives, change the world…and has fun doing it!