McGrath, who moved to Houston to be a diver for NASA after his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, has been a certified open-water diver since 1987. His business, Divers Down Underwater Adventures, offers scuba lessons, equipment rentals and scuba experiences based out of a Webster storefront.
Lessons, available to anyone age 10 and older, take place at the Clear Lake City Community Association pool on Diana Lane or the Williams Indoor Pool in Webster. McGrath aims to provide a family-friendly experience, whether in a one-on-one lesson or in small groups.
“I want people to feel like they can come here and they’re included,” he said. “[Families] know that they can do it together, and they can feel safe.”
The shop, which opened July 31, is the second-largest scuba store in Houston by square footage, he said. McGrath hopes to eventually move to a location with its own pool and also wants to expand children’s scuba equipment offerings.
The business will offer swimming-related equipment and gear in the future to serve the nearly 100 swim teams between Beltway 8 and Galveston, he said.
Specialty experiences, from cavern diving and boat diving to digital underwater photography and night diving, are offered at the business through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors course catalog. The courses are a hybrid of online learning and in-water training, including travel for ocean dives; 16 total are available.
Divers Down Underwater Adventures also offers a $125 refresher course for those with an open-water diver or higher certification. McGrath said he hopes to add public safety officer classes to the roster as well.
Veterans, active military members, public safety officials and their families receive a discount on any equipment or service year-round.
“I give back to my veterans,” he said.
Another important part of serving the community, he added, means ensuring the sport is made accessible to people of all abilities. McGrath said he aims to make the diving experience as inclusive as possible so anyone can feel like they are part of something.
“This is our sport,” he said. “Why wouldn’t we want you to be a part of it?”
