Ronnie and Joey McLamb began their dive adventure in 1978 by enrolling in a Skin Diver course at N.C. State. They became certified scuba divers in the Spring of 1979. They immediately fell in love with the sport and began taking all of the scuba classes available and buying equipment as their budget allowed. They earned their Divemaster and Assistant Instructor certifications as quickly as possible. After assisting another instructor for several years and gaining experience, they made the decision to become instructors. With a growing number of divers in the area and after many of those complained about the lack of a local dive center, they decided to open a professional dive shop. In 1987 they incorporated Pro Scuba Center and opened the doors in March of 1988 in Rocky Mount, NC, as a PADI Dive Center. Within a year they achieved the highly recognized and sought after rating of Master Instructor & PADI 5 Star Dive Center. Unfortunately, an automobile accident in 1994 ended Joey's diving. After much soul searching and prayer, the couple decided to continue with Pro Scuba Center. In Joey's words, "We have met too many good people along the way to abandon them now. And besides, there are a lot more good people to meet." Joey had concentrated on the retail end of the business while Ronnie conducts the training portion. Together they run the travel program.
Many good decisions have been made along the way, most of them based on their earlier experiences. Through it all, they have never forgotten those first anxious breaths underwater, the excitement of their first open water dives, the exhilaration of learning new skills, the friendships developed and the good times shared. This is what "we" wanted to bring to Pro Scuba Center and to you. We wanted to develop a dive center with small classes and travel that is fun with people whose friendship you enjoy. We wanted to develop a dive center that you can call your scuba home. Where you always feel welcome. Where you know that you are among friends. Where the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Where you know that you are going to get honest straight forward answers to your questions. Where you feel comfortable sending your children to dive. This was our vision, not to be the biggest, but to provide a warm personal environment where you can dive throughout your diving adventure.
Continuing with our love of diving and expanding our "diving family" Pro Scuba Center has transitioned to a Training and Travel Center, which allows us to be more flexible with scheduling both training and travel and more social time with you, our customers and friends. We are very excited about this change and greatly appreciate everyone's support as we make this transition. We look forward to many more social events at our "Diver's Den" as we grow our dive club, the Underwater Buddy Association or "UBA". Whether we're training and traveling locally or off with a dive group to exotic islands, we love our close relationships with our students and customers who become very dear, lasting friends and want to extend this feeling of family to you.
It is our sincere hope that this is what you have found online and when you walk into our little piece of heaven that we call Pro Scuba Center.
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