Swim. Scuba. Travel. Gear. Omaha may be smack in the middle of the country, but that just makes its residents love water all the more, right? You might have driven by Diventures, a 12,000-square-foot scuba, and swim facility on the city’s west side, but do you know what’s behind those walls?
A 75-foot heated pool ranging in depth from 3 to 14 feet. Small-group and private swim lessons. Scuba classes. A shop brimming with top-brand scuba and swim gear. Classrooms. Even a travel center to help you plan your dream vacation.
This place is simply amazing and it is open for business—with a bundle of enhanced safety protocols.
Help Kids Learn Safety and Confidence in the Water
In our household, we give our kids choices when it comes to extracurricular activities, with one exception: swimming. That, dear children, is a non-negotiable life skill.
At Diventures, kids can learn water safety and swimming year-round in sparkling clean, warm water. A wide variety of swim programs help children (and adults) prepare for fun at the lake, beach, or pool. Lessons are $80 for four lessons per month for the first student, with discounts available for additional family members. Classes have a maximum ratio of four students to one teacher.
More than 13,000 students have been through their programs over the past decade. There’s a reason for that.
“We truly are one big family here,” said Aquatics Manager Marsha Lincoln. “We pride ourselves on having a bond with our families. … Safety is our number one priority and fun is our number one goal.”
Tips and Reminders
Whether in nature or at the pool, a bit of caution and knowledge goes a long way toward avoiding accidents. Here are some reminders from Diventures to keep you and your kids safe near the water:
- Start swim lessons at an early age and let the fun begin! The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning death by 88%. Diventures offers swim classes weekly for ages 6 months and up.
- Don’t rely on floaties or foam toys for safety. These can create a false sense of safety for the parent and child. If you would like an extra layer of safety at the pool or beach, have your child wear a properly-fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Small children should be within arm’s reach. Never leave a young child unattended near water – this includes kiddie pools and the bathtub.
- Teach your kids the rules of the pool. No running or pushing. No swimming without an adult.
- For new swimmers, spend time watching others before getting in. This allows kids to get comfortable with the environment.
- At the lake or beach, take a few minutes to survey the surroundings. Teach kids to look at the weather, how rough the water is, how busy it is and whether or not a lifeguard is nearby. This helps develop good safety habits.
- Be sure to assign an adult who knows the safety rules to watch children during summer gatherings at or near water.
- Always swim with a buddy, no matter what your age is.
Diventures offers a complimentary swim trial lesson, providing one-on-one time with an instructor. This allows staff to assess your child’s swim skill level for placement in the right class. It also gives parents an opportunity to ask questions.
Scuba, Too? Yes, Please!
Diventures is the premier place in Omaha for all things scuba.
Whether you want to brush up on your diving skills, get certified, book a trip, or get your gear – they have something for everyone. They even offer “Scuba Rangers” classes for kids as young as 8 years old. Want to try diving before committing to certification? A quick “Try Scuba” class is the perfect introduction.
Already know you love it? The Landlocked Scuba Club is a neat way to practice diving close to home. The group recently took a trip to Sandy Channel. And they dive at the Quarry in Atlantic, Iowa. In other words, no ocean necessary to enjoy scuba.
But… if you prefer tropical fish and coral, Diventures arranges and leads many dive trips throughout the world and can create custom adventures. Anyone is welcome, whether a diver or not.
Safety First… Always
These are unusual times.
Diventures understands. The safety and well-being of customers and staff is their top priority. They sanitize the pool water using sand filters, chlorination, and UV filters. And they have redesigned their swim and scuba programs to meet all safety and health guidelines. The enhanced processes include:
- Maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet between family groups and staff
- Disinfecting all equipment after each use and frequently disinfecting all commonly touched areas
- Staff members have their temperature checked and are screened for symptoms
- Customers are being asked to self-screen for symptoms and risk factors
Omaha Roots
Diventures began its journey in Omaha in 2009. Since then, it has expanded to five locations in four states. It’s the nation’s largest and fastest-growing swim and scuba center.
“We have many families who have been with us for the duration of our business,” Lincoln said. “We have kids who start in Baby and Me classes and are with us through swim team. We also have teachers who started out as students.”
Cool.
About Diventures
- 4303 S 121st Plz, Omaha, NE 68137
- 402.933.6251
- www.diventures.com
- [email protected]
