Headlines in the Northeast
Big news out of South Bend, Indiana!
Congratulations to Mark Moreno on his purchase of Mikinkos Scuba and Swim. Ownership changes bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a chance to build on the legacy already in place. I’m excited to see Mark step into this role and bring new momentum to the store, the local dive community, and the future of SSI in the area.
Wishing Mark and the Mikinkos Scuba and Swim team nothing but success in this exciting new chapter!
New Name, Same Dive Passion: Scuba Zone Makes a Splash in Barberton, Ohio
Scuba Zone in Barberton, Ohio, formerly Atlantis North Aquatics, is stepping into a fresh new chapter with a new name, renewed energy, and the same passion for helping people get underwater.
Owner Karen Mullett joked that the name change should finally clear up one small issue: people calling or walking through the door looking for fish. Fair enough. “Atlantis North Aquatics” had a nice ring to it, but apparently it also came with the occasional “Do you sell angelfish?” moment. Scuba Zone makes things a little more obvious.
This is scuba. This is training. This is gear. This is where divers belong.
Whether someone is looking to learn to dive, continue their training, refresh their skills, or just talk scuba with people who understand that “I only need one more piece of gear” is a perfectly reasonable lifestyle choice, Scuba Zone is worth keeping on the radar.
Congratulations to Karen and the Scuba Zone team on the next chapter in Barberton.
Meet Instructor Trainers Chris Strollo & Letitia Nichols
Lynnhaven adds 3 New Instructors in April with 6 More Candidates Coming in June!
Meet Chris and Letitia, the Instructor Trainers at Lynnhaven Dive Center in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Lynnhaven continues to be one of the strongest examples in the region of what happens when leadership, consistency, retail focus, sales, and professional development are all pulling in the same direction. Chris and Letitia are a big part of that momentum, helping support a team that is not just teaching divers, but building pathways for future dive professionals.
In April, the Lynnhaven team trained and onboarded three new instructors, with another six already queued up for June. And before you ask... yes, Lynnhaven needs them all. This is a busy, growing, high-output dive center with the kind of customer traffic, training volume, and retail energy that requires a deep bench.
What makes Lynnhaven stand out is not just the number of certifications or the size of the team. It is the way the operation connects education, sales, service, travel, equipment, and professional development into one working system. That is how you build more than a dive center. That is how you build a powerhouse.
Great people, real momentum, and a strong example of SSI growth done the right way.
For a glimpse behind the scenes, give them a call at (757) 481-7949 or visit them online at ldcscuba.com.
Raising the Bar: 7 Instructor Trainers Join the Territory
Congratulations & Welcome our New Instructor Trainers
Huge congratulations to Mark Bodine of Divers’ Supply Indy, Jim Gidley of Just Add Water, Monica Pratt of Virginia Scuba, Jason Wujek of Buffalo Scuba, and Peter Mikhail, Sabrina Louie, and Jemma Purton of Toronto Scuba Centre for successfully completing the April Instructor Trainer Seminar.
This is no small accomplishment. Becoming an Instructor Trainer takes commitment, preparation, professionalism, and a willingness to help shape the next generation of SSI Dive Professionals. Their success is a strong reflection of the leadership continuing to grow across the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada territory.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting available Instructor Training Course dates for those looking to take the next step in their professional diving career. The momentum is real, and it’s exciting to see this territory continue to raise the bar.
Faces of SSI North America - Northeast Region
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
I’m very pleased to welcome Nautical North Charters to the SSI family. Based in Cheboygan, Michigan, near Mackinaw City, Nautical North has built a strong reputation for getting people out on the water and showcasing the very best of Northern Michigan.
Founded by Captain Jenn and her family, Nautical North grew from a passion for the Great
I’m very pleased to welcome Nautical North Charters to the SSI family. Based in Cheboygan, Michigan, near Mackinaw City, Nautical North has built a strong reputation for getting people out on the water and showcasing the very best of Northern Michigan.
Founded by Captain Jenn and her family, Nautical North grew from a passion for the Great Lakes and a desire to share the beauty, history, and adventure of the area with others. That mix of hospitality, education, and on-water experience makes them a natural fit for SSI.
What makes this especially exciting is the opportunity to connect more people with the unique diving and exploration opportunities found in Northern Michigan. From the history of the Great Lakes to the adventure of getting out on the water, Nautical North brings a lot to the table, and I’m excited to see what Captain Jenn and her team build moving forward.
Meet Nathan Williams
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
I began diving in 2010 through freediving, which felt like a natural extension of who I already was. After joining a dive shop in 2011 and being introduced to scuba, I quickly committed to the professional path. Within my first nine months, I logged 150 dives and earned my Divemaster certification by the end of that first year.
Over the pa
I began diving in 2010 through freediving, which felt like a natural extension of who I already was. After joining a dive shop in 2011 and being introduced to scuba, I quickly committed to the professional path. Within my first nine months, I logged 150 dives and earned my Divemaster certification by the end of that first year.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked across multiple dive operations while continuing to grow as both an instructor and a master technician, servicing a wide range of equipment brands. My training spans nearly all recreational specialties, along with extended range and technical disciplines, including stage cave diving and projects such as six-hour dives in the Mayan Riviera.
In 2025, I earned my SSI Instructor Trainer rating under the mentorship of Kirk, Tim, and Ronny, whose guidance helped refine my instructional approach before returning to Canada. I now have more than 4,000 dives across a wide range of environments and conditions, and I’ve also become a Mares Horizon Instructor, working with intermediate SCR systems that help divers safely extend their gas within recreational limits.
What continues to resonate with me is the philosophy behind SSI XR: helping divers pursue their highest potential without being limited by arbitrary boundaries between recreational and technical diving. As professionals, I believe our role is to advocate for both safety and progression, supporting divers from their first open water experience through whatever level they choose to achieve, while making sure the journey remains meaningful, rewarding, and worth every step.
nrwilliamsscuba@gmail.com
Meet Martin of Loves Park Scuba
Nautical North Charters Joins SSI
Meet Martin of Loves Park Scuba
Big congrats to Martin Federico Gomez Ortiz, who joined me at Scuba Savvy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the SSI Swim Instructor program. It was a demanding week that put his swim knowledge, stamina, and in-water skills to the test, and he handled it like a pro, earning his SSI Swim Instructor rating in the process.
He’s now back in Illinois h
Big congrats to Martin Federico Gomez Ortiz, who joined me at Scuba Savvy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the SSI Swim Instructor program. It was a demanding week that put his swim knowledge, stamina, and in-water skills to the test, and he handled it like a pro, earning his SSI Swim Instructor rating in the process.
He’s now back in Illinois helping grow the swim program at Loves Park Scuba on the north side of Rockford, and I’ll be working with him there as well to continue building their SSI diving programs in a way that fits the shop, supports their students, and creates even more opportunity moving forward.