Southern Indiana Scuba was established in 1975 by Charles Beeker, who ran the business until 1991. During that time, scuba blossomed in Bloomington.
Beeker started the store and joined PADI in 1975. Selling Dacor and Sherwood SCUBA equipment, he started in a small corner building on South Walnut Street. Later, the storefront expanded to a larger building across the street, moving into 1023 S. Walnut Street, which remained the storefront until 2009. Beeker had an opportunity to expand his role at Indiana University, and subsequently sold the store to Robert Kessler in 1991.
Kessler ran the business from 1991 until 1998 when he, too, seized the opportunity to expand his role at Indiana University. During this time, Southern Indiana Scuba became an SSI Training Center and, soon after, a PADI Dive Center. Taking on his role at Indiana University, Kessler sold the store to Mark and Kim Brooks.
Mark has been involved in Southern Indiana Scuba since 1989, helping with services, sales, and training. Mark’s background prior to owning Southern Indiana Scuba consisted of working for a major computer company, and working part-time as a technician, instructor, and salesperson at the dive shop. Mark’s real love was diving, but computers paid the bills. Meanwhile, Kim worked at Indiana University as an Office Manager. On January 1, 1998, Mark and Kim took ownership of Southern Indiana Scuba. Kim is the president, and Mark is the vice-president of the company.
Mark handles daily operations and directs the company’s various training programs. Under Mark and Kim’s ownership, the business has grown to encompass several reputable brands, such as ScubaPro, SeaLife, Henderson, DUI Dry Suits, OMS, and Dive Rite. Southern Indiana Scuba offers PSI-PCI Visual Cylinder Inspection and Fill Station Operator classes, SSI scuba training and specialty classes, and DOT-approved HAZMAT and hydrostatic cylinder re-tester classes. In late 2009, our store was moved to 6500 S. Empire Rd. in Bloomington, Indiana, due to the need for more space. Expanding our floor space has enabled us to offer in-house cylinder hydro re-testing and Nitrox fills. Additionally, our team offers compressor sales, air samples, preventative maintenance, and repair.
Travel is a main part of our business. We often travel to Anthony’s Key Resort in Roatan, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, the Florida Keys, and many more places – including local dive destinations. We frequent the Caribbean and often embark on live-aboard dive trips. We consider our divers as family, and we enjoy everyone’s company. Stop by for a visit and join us on our trips!
We welcome all to our family of divers.