We had a group of 12 guys ages 14-49 get open water PADI certified with Scott last spring in…read morepreparation for a trip to Southern California in June. He was amazing! He's very patient and knowledgeable and was so accommodating of our schedules to get our dives done even when a couple of guys needed to meet at different times. He's a true professional - exactly what you want when you're learning scuba! He also has a ton of gear for divers of all sizes and a great crew helping him!

Spring 2015 I obtained my PADI advanced open water certification with Scott. The instruction I…read morereceived from Scott was easy to understand and he was very patient. I found him to be very knowledgable and I felt safe while completing all my certification requirements with him. Even when I have questions "after hours" or need advice on equipment or anything else Scuba related, he's always been available to help me out without making me feel like I was being a bother. Also when I was researching pricing for other lessons, I found him to be among most reasonably priced. Since obtaining my certification, I've been invited on and I have since gone on several dive trips with Scott and other divers that he knows. Each time I've had a great time. You can tell Scott really enjoys scuba diving and has a passion for it. That combined with his knowledge and patient teaching practices is why I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for lessons.i

Even though the water level seems to be getting lower and lower these days, the lake is still…read morebeautiful and this place is such a serene retreat! You can enjoy some time at a beach, kayak, rent a boat, hike, or do a scenic drive here. There's also the famous railroad tunnel hike (which is really like an easy walk), boasting incredible views that tends to be a family favorite. No matter what kind of adventure you choose here, the views will be beautiful.

There are places in this country that aren't just destinations they're chapters of a life. Lake…read moreMead is one of mine. I remember when it was full truly full back in its heyday, when it stood as the largest reservoir in the United States, born from the mighty Hoover Dam and fed by the Colorado River like a beating heart in the desert. It wasn't just water out there... it was life. The kind of place families planned entire summers around. The kind of place that meant something. Our family didn't just "go" to Lake Mead we made a journey out of it. A couple days on the road, anticipation building mile by mile, until finally, there it was. We'd spend a week out there, soaking it all in. And I'll never forget those spring breaks. The sun high, music playing somewhere in the distance, boats cutting across the water, laughter echoing off canyon walls. Girls in bikinis everywhere and I was just a young man coming into my own, thinking every single one of them was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. It felt like the whole world was alive, and somehow, I was right in the middle of it. Back then, the water... it had a color you almost couldn't describe without sounding like you were exaggerating. Turquoise one minute, blue-green the next, shifting with the sunlight like it had moods of its own. The desert wrapped around it, rugged and raw, but the lake softened everything. It brought people together. You couldn't find a place to park half the time, and nobody cared. That was part of it. People shoulder to shoulder, coolers open, music playing, drinks in hand, strangers becoming friends for a weekend. It felt affordable, accessible... like it belonged to all of us. It felt like America. And now... now it feels like something else entirely. These days, when I pass by Lake Mead, it doesn't greet me the same way. The shoreline has pulled back like a memory fading. What was once shimmering and alive now looks cracked, dry, almost forgotten in places brown where it used to glow. The "bathtub ring" carved into the canyon walls isn't just a mark of water levels it's a scar. A reminder of what used to be there. It's hard not to feel like something's been taken. Whether it's overuse, growth, decisions made in rooms far away, or just time itself catching up whatever the cause, it's left behind a shell of what once was. A place that used to be bursting with life now feels like somewhere people go to remember instead of live. You don't go there the same way anymore. You visit it like a piece of history. And that's what hurts the most. Because I think about bringing my kids there today... and it's not the same gift my grandpa gave me. Not even close. What was once a living, breathing escape now feels like something we're quietly burying. Not gone but not what it was. And maybe never will be again. Still, I can close my eyes and see it. The color of that water. The sound of laughter. The feeling of being young, sunburned, a little wild, thinking the world was wide open and I was somebody in it. Lake Mead gave me that. And for that, no matter what it looks like today... I'll always love it.

Became a Rescue Diver through Mana Scuba!! Shout out to Doug for instructing me through this…read morecourse, making it informative, fun, practical and worth every penny/minute!! Can't wait to continue learning with this group as I hope to move on to Divemaster. Thanks guys!! (Photos at Kingman Wash)

Having a short timeframe (about 3 weeks) to complete my PADI Open Water Diver Certification, I had…read morea hard time finding a dive shop/instructor who could make it happen on my timeline. Lucky for me, Doug picked up the first call I made, and within a day, I was learning SCUBA via the PADI Online Course. The online course is great whether you want to take it slow and memorize everything (like I ended up doing) or quickly complete it before your vacation (while still learning, it emphasizes the important information to memorize via frequent quizzes). On to the dives: Doug and Julie host the confined water dives in their backyard pool and provide all the gear you need, though I highly recommend getting a mask/snorkel/boots/fins that FIT YOU. It's a worthwhile investment. Doug did an amazing job catering the confined dive to one of the students who had anxiety while keeping myself and another student practicing valuable skills. We were able to finish the confined dive material in one session! The open water dives were all completed at Kingman Wash at Lake Mead. If you don't have a vehicle with 4x4/AWD, fear not, the road is drivable. I saw a Mustang make it. The visibility was poor due to summertime algae blooms, but I never feared Doug or Julie would lose sight of our group, they watched and lead us like top-tier instructors. The dive platforms we used for underwater skills were great for establishing neutral buoyancy and practicing the skills we learned in the pool. I recommend staying at the Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino as it's only 20 minutes away (depending on your speed on the dirt road). Doug and Julie didn't stop showing their caring nature when the certifications were signed. They invited all of us to the local dive group, which I look forward to participating in as my diving career takes off. I would recommend Doug and Julie to anyone looking for a PADI cert in Vegas, especially if you're located in the northwest. You won't regret it!

Updated info for them locals and for anyone who's planning an amazing hike....I've gone through and…read morethrough this trail three times absolutely 10/10 kinda disappointed it was closed but now I know

A really scenic trail that's off the beaten path. Not too many people hit this trail but it's super…read moreunderrated! Easy parking and moderate hike. Can bring dogs but just watch out for rocks

PHIL IS A HORRIBLE instructor! I've had four dive instructors in my lifetime. I've never been…read moretreated this way. Phil is a very disrespectful person, he'll take your money, and he doesn't even care. Diving is an amazing experience, especially for first timers learning this sport. Care and consideration needs to be applied considering these are LIFE SAVING LESSONS! Phil does not provide that at all!! It took my boyfriend an entire year to complete this certification (mine took a week in Wisconsin with way better dive instructors). Phil always had an excuse to cancel on us when we already had set plans with him. We both missed out on work and other plans to dedicate time to meet with Phil and he would cancel over and over again or just not respond to texts and calls after he already had our money for the class. He talked down to my boyfriend in front of the entire class belittling him because he did not understand the skill the very first time doing it (DUE TO POOR INSTRUCTION). He did not instruct the divers at the lake either. Making everyone feel nervous and on edge. What kind of instructor does that? I'm so disappointed in this because I absolutely love diving. It's an amazing feeling the first time you dive, and my boyfriend did not get that experience. Please, if you want a SAFE fun diving experience, look elsewhere. Phil should absolutely NOT be instructing.

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! Horrible business!! Lack of communication, follow up, very unprofessional…read more Extremely disappointed with this business. Trying to schedule anything with this instructor is like pulling teeth. Numerous excuses, last minute cancellations, no shows, etc. Started the program with a few friends, scheduled the classroom day & swim days together. The "classroom" reeked of cigarette smoke, please keep in mind, the "classroom" is in the living room of his personal residence. Very unpleasant. Fast forward to the swim days. First swim day, our appointment was scheduled for roughly 11am. Please keep in mind that the group I was doing this with, and myself have kids, jobs, etc. We took time off for this appointment only for Phil to be almost an hour late. Contacted him numerous times about where he was, etc. Finally the facility we were at was able to get in contact with him. He told us he had something come up with his daughter and forgot to let us know but that he was on his way. Another 45 minutes later he showed up. We only got maybe 30 minutes of water time that day. Second swim day I was informed from Phil that I needed more water work, which is fine. I'm not 100% comfortable underwater. I had started practicing in my friend's pool to get more comfortable & was making a lot of progress. Third swim day, (our group needed an extra day) He flat out told me I was a lost cause, & that I needed so much extra work that I needed one on one sessions. Okay that's fine, that's what I'm paying for & he's the "professional" right?? He flat out refused to continue working with me & continued on with the two other people in my group that day. Told me to just go swim around. WTF. We had a trip coming up and I decided to hold off on getting certified. I tried contacting him numerous times after this to try to schedule a one on one, since I "needed more work" and never heard back from him. Which to be honest I wasn't even really surprised. Don't waste your money, time & energy!

Today my dog and I learned the fundamentals of SUP. We learned a great deal about ourselves and the…read moretrust that is needed. Kathy was awesome. She helped me show my girl who isn't small by any stretch of the imagination how to stand and balance. We had a wonderful time and we totally recommend this company for beginners.

Kathie was the best. So much fun!!! Rented kayaks for a three day camping trip leaving from willow…read morebeach. Epic hot springs adventure without having to join a big kayak tour group couldn't recommend enough.

Excellent customer service and great selection of well priced scuba equipment. Always helpful to…read moremake sure you get the right equipment, and they take all the time you need to make decisions. Top notch staff and hands on owners. Certified PADI center and we love all the instructors that continue to help us along our scuba journey.

I would like to thank SCS for an awesome experience getting AOW certified at Lake Mojave the past…read moreweekend. From the start of the process to the finish there was very clear communication, the equipment was in excellent shape, the staff were so knowledgeable, and it is clear they really enjoy what they do as well as each other's company but are also incredibly welcoming. We were invited to team dinner to exchange stories and tips and the group was fantastic so you really catch "the bug". I felt like I was in great hands all around. We had a big group out at the lake with people doing different courses but there was so much collegiality, and none of the "not my problem" attitude you sometimes see. Donny and Regina I worked with the most. They were patient and their calm confidence was really reassuring. Travis gave us the pre-course briefing which was thorough and helpful.