Standing the test of time - one of the oldest dive centers - the knowledge, training style, compassion and patience to ensure success was amazing. Alex, the owner has a tremendous group of master divers to help with the training and provided such a memorable experience. As an instructor, Alex was absolutely wonderful - I couldn't imaging a better experience!! read more

Some two years ago, I decided to look for local dive shops. I found Midwest Scuba Center and walked in the next day. I've since done Advanced Open Water, Computer Nitrox, Rescue, Visual Inspection, and Equipment Specialist with Midwest Scuba Center; I'm currently working towards Divemaster. I traveled with the shop to Dominica, Florida, and Indonesia. All of them were blasts. I saw pristine marine biota unmatched by anything you'd imagine. We also enjoyed many different cuisines across the spectrum. As a Divemaster in training, I experienced the backstage of scuba diving. Every minute a diver enjoys means two minutes of hard labor for the staff. I can't stress enough how increasingly appreciative I've become since starting Divemaster. I've become good friends with a lot of the staff. Alex is the owner of Midwest Scuba Center, and as opposed to Brad, the previous owner, he is an incredibly amiable guy; just like him are Jesse, Pete, Rick, Bill, John... I kept coming back day to day to the shop to hang out and to help out. I enjoy being around those people. I can't imagine what my life for the past two years would look like if I decided not to walk in that day. I've established connections with excellent people from all over the world through scuba. It is a big escape from the vicissitudes of life. I encourage everyone to give it a shot. You may not be as into it as I am, but you will never regret it. read more

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The current owner of MSC is not Brad who is mentioned in some of the reviews here. The owner is now Alex Gentner. Alex is an amazing instructor! My husband and I have been certified for a few years but do not dive regularly. Now that our kids are teens, we wanted to get them certified and start taking diving trips as a family. One issue... our youngest is on the autism spectrum. Alex has been totally amazing with him. Our son is a visual learner, and we didn't even have to tell Alex that, he just flexed to his learning style without issue. Our son still has some skills to perfect, but he's making good progress. He hasn't made it to "open water diver" yet, but he has a different level of certification that will allow him to come with us on most trips while practicing his skills so we can get him to a full open water diver. I'm very pleased that Alex was able to find a way to get us where we wanted to be (able to do something as a family) without compromising his integrity in terms of not just rubber-stamping our son through the program. I appreciate this about him and shows his commitment not only to his customers but to the sport. During some of the training with our kids, Alex was also working with other divers to earn different types of certifications (including one who was becoming an instructor). I was AMAZED how Alex was able to put some much attention into our son while at the same time able to watch over this instructor in training who was working with our daughter on other aspects. Really, he was training three different people at the same time all with completely different needs and getting it done. I would have have no qualms sending anyone to Alex. Alex is also flexible in terms of finding times that work with your schedule and places to actually do the underwater work. Our training was pushing into the fall and our son was needing extra time in the water. We did some in the pool, some at a quarry and some at a state park. The shop has everything you need or he will get it for you and he has great advice on equipment. He also sets up dive trips on a regular basis. We hope to take advantage of more of those now that we're all certified as a family. Thanks for everything, Alex! read more

Midwest Scuba Center - Alex in the middle, my kids on the right, and instructors in training on the left. - Scuba Diving Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Alex at Midwest scuba is a top notch dive shop owner. My son and myself both got certified a few years back by his staff. My wife and I just returned from our first dive trip with them and let me say it was awesome! We were very well taken care of from start to finish of the trip! My youngest son (11) is going to get certified this summer as well. Extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of diving from equipment to instructor as well as travel! Absolutely top notch in my book!! read more

A couple weeks ago, I completed my Open Water Diver certification through the Midwest Scuba Center. Alex did a great job with the basics on our confined water dives, and Bill Jones led the open water exercises at Haigh Quarry. Although I felt very comfortable in the pool, open water seemed more stressful. Bill was very patient and thorough, and our group made it through painlessly. I decided to get my Advanced Open Water Diver certification right away so there will be fewer limits when I add diving to my upcoming vacations. Bill had mentioned that the readings and dives for the Advanced certification stress "thinking like a diver," which I found very helpful when I did my first three dives at the quarry--much less stress, and I was able to enjoy the experience. By the end of the three-dive day, Alex had us all "thinking like divers," and I wasn't nearly as tired as before. Progress! Although I am still a rookie, I definitely recommend that you do the Advanced certification as soon after the Open Water certification as possible. It is easier to remember what we have learned in the first classes, and it was fun "diving" into underwater navigation, peak performance buoyancy, and wreck diving skill development. Hopefully, I can get a few more dives in before our season closes. Then we are off to the ocean! read more

Brad Knopp who owns and runs this business is not trustworthy. I bought a expensive dive computer from, a few years later I was have problems with it. He said he had to send it in to the manufacturer. Weeks went by and when I went in to inquire about it he said the manufacturer had said it was not repairable. I thought this was strange but then he would not return the item to me. He blamed the manufacturer for not sending it back to him. He of course refused to do anything for me. I was basically out over 1000 dollars. I think he resold my unit to the manufacturer and told me a story. Avoid all business with this guy, he will rip you off. read more

It is actually over by destination XL and Ryans buffet in the little strip near rural king and Sam's Club. The people there were really nice. I'm a college student and don't have that much money and the owner would help find ways to save me money. For example, I wanted a dial gauge in my spare air tanks. He suggested generic brand dials instead on spare air brand saving me 20 a tank. Since I had 2 tanks. Good small business. 40 bucks goes far on a Ramen and pbr budget. read more