Business Spotlight

BY ROB MORRIS ADDRESS:6401 N Interstate Drive, Suite 144, Norman PHONE: 405-631-4433

WEBSITE: bluewaterokc.com HOURS: Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. Bluewater Divers Offers Next-Level Adventure Sunday: Closed

There's a remarkable sense of light and welcome atmosphere from the moment you walk into the foyer at HarborChase of South Oklahoma City. Willena Ferguson, executive director at the facility, says that sensation is entirely by design.

You know you’re in for a unique experience when the top dog at Bluewater Divers introduces himself as “The Director of Happiness.” Allen Aboujeid isn’t just passionate about scuba diving. He’s downright excited to be running a dive shop in the land-locked state of Oklahoma. But Aboujeid says if you think pursuing underwater adventure here is crazy…think again.

“There is a lot of scuba diving here in Oklahoma that peoaple enjoy in our local lakes,” said Aboujeid. “Tenkiller, Elmer Thomas, Murray, Beaver. And it’s a very short drive to some great National Geographic-type diving in Missouri and Arkansas.”

The proximity to those local dive locations helps Bluewater Dive Shop offer the kind of scuba training needed to step up to those “dream dive trips” the business also provides.

“People that enjoy recreational diving ultimately have their eyes set on the ocean,” said Aboujied. “The Caribbean, South Pacific, the Red Sea. They want to go and enjoy those tropical environments. So, we prepare them for all that so that while they’re on vacation, they’re ON vacation. They don’t have to worry about the logistics of training.”

Bluewater Dive uses the latest technology to help those new to the sport become certified without traveling to a distant location. You can learn in the comfort of your own home. And for those uncertain about the sport, Bluewater offers a way you can dip your toes in the water.

“We never try to talk people into diving,” said Aboujeid. “We like them to discover it in the same way you might test-drive a car. So before you go through a class, we jump in a swimming pool with you for about an hour or so, and you get a feel for what it’s like in a safe environment.” that provides the best scuba gear available. The wide variety of gear offered by Bluewater allows customers to find something that fits their personal preferences before investing in their own equipment.

“The beauty of what we offer is that you can get certified, buy or rent your gear, and then when you fly down to the Bahamas or wherever you’re going to dive, you’re all set,” said Aboujeid.

Once certified, Bluewater Divers offers dive trips worldwide to the most sought-after locations. Aboujeid says they work with families, singles, and church groups and are incredibly excited about their partnership with Warriors for Freedom.

“They’re a really incredible veterans support group,” said Aboujeid, “We take them and other groups around the world. We’ve got a trip to Belize coming up in November, and we’re taking 14 veterans on our dime.”

Aboujeid says he’s even seen diving draw families closer when they participate in the sport.

“You know, you reach that point in time where your teenager begins to think you’re not that cool anymore,” said Aboujeid, “Scuba diving is one of those things where parents come to us and say, ‘This made us cool with our kids again. They want to do this together.’”

Aboujeid and the folks at Bluewater Divers have been in business for 20 years. That alone should tell you that there is a market for people who want to experience the magic of underwater exploration and make memories with their families, friends, or co-workers.