ABOUT US

Ben began his diving career in Washington State during his 5 years in the military. After countless hours and experience in the cold waters off the Pacific North West coastline, he decided it was time to return home to Ohio and explore the waters of the Midwest. Ben became an instructor in 2016 and has since earned the coveted rating of Instructor Trainer in 2020. He is our in house Instructor Examiner, guiding instructor candidates every stride of the way to achieve their goals. His diving has taken him around the world and allowed him to meet some of the most remarkable people. When Ben is not exploring shipwrecks, you can spot him in local quarries around Columbus introducing the excitement of the underwater world to others. He has logged over 2500 dives. As owner, he likes to be apart of everyone's experience. Meaning you will see him behind the counter, on the sales floor, in the classroom, and underwater teaching. Ben is also a self proclaimed "Gear Guru", he is our resident equipment expert and spends countess hours each year testing and evaluating equipment before it makes it to the showroom floor. You ask, he will give you an honest answer. Ben promises to give you the best experience with us from start to finish!

Julie was first introduced to scuba when her father let her try on his dive gear in their swimming pool. On a family vacation to the Caribbean, she experienced her first real diving adventure and has since been hooked to the underwater world. You will now rarely catch her with a tank on her back as she has found a new passion for freediving - ditching the tanks for breath hold diving. She is the only freediving instructor in the area offering a one of a kind certification program. Julie has also lead some of the first freediving shipwreck tours in the Midwest with some of our most trusted charter captains on The Great Lakes. Some of Julie’s dive destinations include the Puget Sound, St. Thomas, Tobermory, Maui, and local quarries; but her favorite was the bioluminescent night dive with the ostracods in Bonaire. Along with sharing the title of owner with her husband, Ben; Julie is also the president of the Columbus Sea Nags Dive club organizing monthly gatherings for both freedivers and scubadivers. She welcomes everyone in as a friend and will send you home feeling like family. Julie tends to be the crazy one around here - we blame that on the lack of oxygen her brain gets from holding her breath!

Dax is 9 years old and cant wait until his birthday to get certified to Freedive and Scuba Dive. Since becoming a future buddy, he has logged 75 hours in the pool blowing bubbles underwater. He has also snorkeled in Cozumel, diving down to 20 feet on a single breath. Dax has also gone on lobster hunting excursions, seen a shark, swam with manatees, and explored tons of Florida Springs. If Dax isn't in the water with mom and dad, you can find him in the shop helping and learning along the way.

Chad got his first experience scuba diving when he was 8 years old in a friend's swimming pool. He became a certified diver in 1998 and progressed his way through the PADI and SDI system with the Underwater Connection team until he became an instructor in 2006. Chad's passion for diving and sharing his love of the underwater world shows in every class he teaches. The excitement and enthusiasm he brings with him to the dive site is unlike any other. Chads diving has taken him to the Caribbean, Great lakes, and more. One of Chad's favorite dives is the St. Clair River. You can spot chad at your local dive site sporting his infamous squid cap.

Tom has been diving since before most of us were alive. Having Retired from the Airforce after 25 years of honorable service were proud to have him as part of our dive family. Tom's excitement for diving is contagious. You cant help but get bit by the dive bug after meeting Tom. He spent 10 months diving in southeast Asia. He's taught scuba at the High Adventure Boy Scout Camp ( Sea Base) in Islamorada, Florida, and is an HSA scuba instructor. He now takes on the role of building Top Notch Instructor Candidates. When Tom's not teaching classes or taking his wonderful wife on dive vacations, he can be found cruising in his Corvette or working with the Columbus Performing Arts.

Chrissie was introduced to scuba diving by her parents in her early teens. She grew up around water: sailing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Chrissie earned her first certification in 2012 and has dove in Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Florida, and various Ohio and Pennsylvania quarries. Her most memorable dive ws a drift dive at Superman's Flight in Saint Lucia. She has introduced her husband and two boys to scuba diving as well. Chrissie has logged many hours underwater and is excited to teach new divers the way of the water

Landon earned his Junior Open Water Diver in 2017. He has continued his scuba training earning his Junior Advanced Open Water and Junior Rescue Diver Certification. Landon has dove Circleville Twin Quarries, Gilboa Quarry, White Star Quarry, and Key Largo. In the Summer, he can be found slinging gear in the shop, around the pool, or one of the local quarries as Ben's trusty sidekick. When Landon isn't diving, he spends his time playing soccer at Westfall Highschool, mud running on his four-wheeler or gaming on Fortnite .

Brian’s interest in diving started in Science class in Jr and Sr High school. In September 2005 things finally fell in place for him to get his Open Water Certification in Texas after returning from serving in Iraq. A short time later he took his advanced open water course. Upon returning to Ohio after serving three years in the United States Army, Brian continued his dive education, until finally becoming an Open Water SCUBA Instructor in June of 2012. The following June he became a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. He is also an instructor for the following Specialties: Boat, Deep, Search and recovery, Night diver, Wreck Diver, and Enriched Air. His favorite dive locations include: Southern California (Especially La Jolla), Morehead City North Carolina, The fresh water springs of Northern Florida, and Panama City Florida. To date He has over 500 dives and has instructed 200 Students in various classes. When he's not in the water he's protecting the wildlife as a game warden

Jim has always been interested in SCUBA diving and became a certified diver in 2001. Jim did his initial training here at the Underwater Connection and then, through PADI’s referral program, completed his open water dives in the Florida Keys. Since then Jim has continued his diving training here at the Underwater Connection and received his instructor certification in 2008. Some of Jim’s dive destinations have included the Carolina Coast, the Florida Keys, Grand Cayman, Mexico and quarries throughout Ohio.

Ryan got his first certification in 2012 and has been active in the diving community ever since. Ryan has a broad range of diving experience and can be found in the water any chance he gets.

Scott has been diving for well, a long time. He was initially certified in Northeast Ohio and spent a lot of time diving the wrecks of Lake Erie and various sites around that area. After a few years away from diving for all those "life happens" type of things, he returned to SCUBA in 1995 after relocating to Columbus. He has dove the Caribbean, Florida springs, The Keys, and various quarries. Scott retired from the fire service after 37 years and now enjoys his role as dive master helping divers feel more comfortable in the water. He is also the Vice President of the Columbus Sea Nags Dive Club leading divers to stay active.