Diving sites offer unique outdoor option

“Pierre is fantastic,” Michael Shoup said. “It’s a community where people say they’re coming for two years to experience the state, and 25 years later they’re still here.”

Shoup is a long-time Pierre resident who combined his business prowess with his passion for scuba diving in 2021 when he acquired the only diving operation in Central South Dakota, Oahe Dive Shop.

Shoup coordinates with the YMCA aquatic center to deliver a good portion of the training comprising the certifications he awards.

“We have a great aquatic center — they’ve been so positive and easy to work with,” he said.

“At the end of this season, I think we’ll be right around 30 divers qualified,” Shoup said. “Which for Pierre and this area, that’s not bad.”

Shoup also offers refresher courses throughout the winter for divers wishing to continue to hone their skills and maintain year-round competency in the water. Although certifications are valid for an individual’s lifetime, Shoup explains that it’s a good idea to review critical skills and methods for continued safe diving.

“Learning that skill set again is good to go back over,” Shoup says. “It’s kind of like riding a bike.”

Oahe Dive Shop maintains a staff with a combined diving experience of over 45 years. They focus on small class sizes to ensure personal instruction in delivering their SSI open water and advanced certification instruction.

Reprinted from Aug. 9 edition.