Waterdogs Scuba & Safety

What Waterdogs Scuba & Safety does

Waterdogs Scuba & Safety is a privately held, single-location scuba diving center founded in 2013 in Clarksville, Tennessee, operating as a PADI and NAUI Instructor Development Center that trains recreational, technical, professional, and public safety divers. The company is structured as Waterdogs SCUBA and Safety LLC and runs a wholly owned operating subsidiary, the Waterdogs SCUBA and Safety Institute (WSSI), which delivers veterans programs eligible for VA/G.I. Bill reimbursement and is Tennessee Higher Education Commission authorized as a postsecondary institution.

The core product surface is a layered certification pathway — Discover Scuba, Open Water Diver ($650), Advanced Open Water ($400), and Master Scuba Diver — augmented by more than 25 specialty courses (Enriched Air, Deep, Wreck, Night, Search & Recovery, Sidemount, Dry Suit, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Rebreather discovery, Full Face Mask, and themed courses such as the Zombie Apocalypse Diver). Technical offerings include Tech Levels 1-3 and Technical Sidemount enabling decompression diving to 165 feet, and professional offerings cover Divemaster, Instructor, Public Safety Diver, and Cylinder Technician tracks. Adjacent recurring services include AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid, BLS for Healthcare Providers, and Instructor certifications; youth programming (Bubblemaker age 8+, Seal Team, Scuba Birthday Parties); equipment rental ($5-$50/day items like regulators, BCDs, drysuits, dive computers, DPVs); regulator and cylinder repair and hydrostatic testing; Seadogs Dive Club membership ($99-$199/yr with free air fills and 20% rental discounts); and organized dive travel packages (e.g., 7-night Cozumel IBEROSTAR package at $1,099).

The business model combines transactional course tuition, usage-based equipment rental, recurring subscriptions via the dive club, professional services for equipment repair, and travel-packages transaction fees, all distributed through the physical storefront at 681 North Spring St., the company website with online registration, and partnerships with PADI, NAUI, AHA, DAN, EFR, the Boy Scouts of America, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and IBEROSTAR. The company is co-owned by Course Directors Richard Holladay and Seabrook Fields and operates with 14 staff members across co-owners, instructor trainers, instructors, divemasters, and support roles, with over 200 years of combined instructional experience cited as a primary quality differentiator.

Name

Waterdogs Scuba & Safety

Legal name

Waterdogs SCUBA and Safety LLC

Website

https://waterdogs-scuba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Waterdogs Scuba & Safety is a Clarksville, Tennessee PADI and NAUI Instructor Development Center offering scuba certifications, equipment rental and repair, AHA CPR/First Aid training, dive travel, and VA-approved veterans dive programs to recreational, professional, and public safety divers across the Middle Tennessee and Kentucky region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Training Services

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC), Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Scuba certification courses
• Dive equipment services
• PADI NAUI training
• CPR first aid training
• Dive travel packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Clarksville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Scuba Certification Courses: PADI and NAUI certification courses from beginner (Open Water Diver) through professional (Divemaster, Instructor). Revenue generated through course tuition, elearning materials, and certification fees.
2. Equipment Rental: Daily, multi-day, and weekly rental of scuba gear including regulators, tanks, BCDs, wetsuits, drysuits, masks, fins, computers, DPVs, and cameras. First-come-first-served basis with advance payment.
3. Equipment Repair and Service: Regulator overhaul, visual inspections, hydrostatic testing, valve maintenance, cylinder oxygen cleaning, depth pressure testing, and general shop work.
4. Seadogs Dive Club Membership: Annual membership with benefits including free air fills, 20% rental discount, club discounts on Nitrox and gear purchases. Individual $99, Family (2) $149, Family (4) $199.
5. Dive Travel: Organized dive trips including international destinations like Cozumel with accommodation, diving, transfers, and meals bundled into packages.
6. CPR/First Aid Training: AHA-certified CPR/AED, First Aid, and BLS courses for healthcare providers and general public, including instructor certification programs.
7. Career/Professional Training: Divemaster, Instructor, and technical diving professional programs with college credit options and VA/GI Bill funding acceptance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Waterdogs Scuba & Safety is a full-service scuba diving center in Clarksville, TN that delivers PADI and NAUI scuba certification courses ranging from introductory experiences through professional Divemaster and Instructor levels, alongside equipment rental and repair, dive travel packages, AHA CPR/AED and BLS training, and a recurring Seadogs Dive Club membership program.

Product overview

Waterdogs Scuba & Safety is a premier PADI and NAUI affiliated scuba diving center in Clarksville, Tennessee, offering a comprehensive range of recreational and professional diving certifications alongside equipment rental, repair services, and dive travel. The product portfolio centers on a structured educational pathway from entry-level Discover Scuba experiences and Open Water Diver certification through Advanced Open Water and Master Scuba Diver, complemented by over 25 specialty courses including Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Sidemount Diver, Dry Suit Diver, and environmental/conservation-focused programs. The company provides technical diving certifications (Tech Levels 1-3 and Technical Sidemount) for divers pursuing decompression diving beyond recreational limits, professional-level Divemaster and Instructor training programs approved for VA education benefits, CPR/First Aid training through the American Heart Association, and youth programming including Bubblemaker, Seal Team, and junior certifications. Supporting services include full-service scuba equipment rental and repair, Seadogs Dive Club membership with benefits like free air fills and rental discounts, and organized dive travel packages to destinations like Cozumel, Mexico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Water Diver Course Entry-level scuba certification course through PADI/NAUI that trains new divers in fundamental diving knowledge and skills, intended for adults seeking recreational scuba certification.
• Advanced Open Water Diver Course Intermediate certification course building on Open Water credentials, introducing deep dives, navigation, and specialty adventure dives for certified divers seeking expanded capabilities.
• Master Scuba Diver Course Highest recreational rating offered through PADI/NAUI, requiring multiple specialty certifications and experience credits, intended for committed recreational divers.
• Discover Scuba Experience Introductory in-water scuba experience under instructor supervision for first-time divers who want to try scuba without committing to full certification.
• Discover Rebreather (CCR) Experience Supervised introduction to closed-circuit rebreather diving, intended for certified divers curious about technical rebreather equipment before pursuing full CCR certification.
• Divemaster & Instructor Certification Professional-level PADI/NAUI leadership certifications that train divers to lead dives, assist instructors, or teach courses, intended for individuals pursuing careers in scuba.
• Technical Diving Program Multi-level technical diving curriculum covering advanced decompression, mixed gases, and overhead environments, intended for divers seeking to progress beyond recreational limits.
• NAUI Armed Forces/Veterans Programs Scuba certification pathways designed for active-duty service members and veterans, leveraging VA education benefits and GI Bill approval for eligible participants.
• Career Training Programs Tennessee Higher Education Commission-authorized career-track scuba training programs for individuals pursuing dive industry employment.
• Sidemount Diver Course Specialty certification teaching configuration and skills for sidemount diving, for certified divers interested in alternative tank setups often used in technical and cave diving.
• Deep Diver Course Specialty certification for dives between 60 and 130 feet, covering decompression procedures and deep-dive safety, intended for certified recreational divers.
• Enriched Air Diver Course (Nitrox) Specialty certification covering the safe use of enriched air nitrox mixes for extended bottom times, intended for certified divers seeking longer or more frequent dives.
• Dry Suit Diver Course Specialty certification teaching dry suit diving techniques for cold-water and seasonal diving, intended for certified divers in temperate climates.
• Wreck Diver Course Specialty certification focused on techniques, hazards, and navigation for penetrating and observing shipwrecks, intended for certified recreational divers.
• Night Diver Course Specialty certification covering night diving techniques, navigation, and communication for low-visibility conditions, intended for certified divers.
• Search and Recovery Diver Course Specialty certification training divers to locate and recover small to medium-sized underwater objects, intended for certified divers and public safety responders.
• Underwater Navigator Course Specialty certification in natural and compass-based underwater navigation techniques, intended for certified divers seeking improved orientation skills.
• Digital Underwater Photographer Course Specialty certification covering underwater photography techniques using digital cameras and action cameras, intended for certified divers interested in marine imagery.
• Peak Performance Buoyancy Course Specialty certification focused on refining buoyancy control to reduce air consumption and improve environmental awareness, intended for certified divers.
• Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Course Specialty certification training divers to use underwater scooters for extended range diving, intended for certified recreational and technical divers.
• Equipment Specialist Course Specialty certification teaching routine maintenance, minor repairs, and equipment recommendations, intended for divers who want to manage their own gear.
• Discover Full Face Mask (FFM) Specialty experience introducing full-face mask configuration and use, intended for certified divers exploring surface-supplied or cold-water mask systems.
• Refresher Course Skills review session for previously certified divers returning after an extended break from diving, intended to restore confidence and proficiency.
• Themed Specialty Courses (Zombie Apocalypse, Haunted Night, Underwater Pumpkin Carving) Seasonal themed recreational dive experiences combining holiday/specialty events with scuba activities, intended for certified divers and group bookings.
• Youth Diving Programs (Bubblemaker, Seal Team, Birthday Parties) Introductory scuba experiences and birthday event packages for children typically starting around age 8, designed to introduce young swimmers to scuba in a pool environment.
• Equipment Rental Daily rental of scuba gear including regulators, BCDs, tanks, wetsuits, and accessories, intended for certified divers and course participants needing equipment.
• Equipment Repair Regulator servicing, BCD and drysuit repairs, and general equipment overhaul services performed in-store by certified technicians, intended for divers needing maintenance.
• Dive Travel Services and Cozumel Dive Trip Group dive trip planning and booking including Cozumel dive packages, coordinating logistics, lodging, and boats for certified divers traveling to domestic and international dive destinations.
• Seadogs Dive Club Membership Recurring membership club providing ongoing dive trips, social events, and member benefits for participating certified divers in the local Clarksville area.
• AHA CPR/AED and BLS for Healthcare Providers Training American Heart Association life-safety courses covering adult/child CPR, AED use, and basic life support, intended for lay rescuers, workplace responders, and clinical healthcare providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ years combined staff experience
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered notable, minor and core.

• Gary Sinise FoundationnotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 February 2026Partnership facilitated grant of nearly $33,000 from Gary Sinise Foundation to Clarksville Fire Rescue for dive team equipment including dry suits, boots, and helmets. Waterdogs Scuba and Safety facilitated the grant partnership with Whataburger.
• WhataburgerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Gary Sinise Foundation grant program for first responder equipment; partnership providing funding for Clarksville Fire Rescue dive team protective equipment.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreTechnology or IntegrationAs PADI Instructor Development Center, offers full range of PADI certifications from Open Water through professional levels. PADI provides curriculum, standards, elearning platforms, and certification credentials.
• NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors)coreTechnology or IntegrationNAUI affiliation enables Veterans Programs with VA-approved certifications. Offers NAUI Basic through Instructor level courses for G.I. Bill benefit utilization.
• American Heart Association (AHA)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized AHA training center offering Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid, and BLS courses for healthcare providers with official certification credentials.
• DAN (Divers Alert Network)notableTechnology or IntegrationDAN Instructor Development Course offered; DAN provides dive safety association resources, training materials, and diving safety programs.
• Emergency First Response (EFR)notableTechnology or IntegrationEFR Instructor courses offered for teaching CPR and first aid skills based on internationally recognized emergency care guidelines.
• Advanced Lifesaving SolutionsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister site for CPR/AED/First Aid training services; separate brand for non-diving emergency response training.
• Project AWARE FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental conservation partner offering Project AWARE specialty courses and promoting ocean protection initiatives.
• IBEROSTAR Hotels & ResortsnotableChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotel partner for Cozumel dive travel packages providing all-inclusive accommodation, meals, beverages, and diving services for Waterdogs customers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): The largest recreational scuba certifying body globally and licensor of the curriculum and IDC framework that drives much of Waterdogs' revenue. Operates at industry scale rather than direct competition.
• American Red Cross Training Services: Competes with Waterdogs' AHA-aligned CPR/AED/First Aid training stream at a national scale. Direct substitute for the BLS/Heartsaver line but not for scuba certifications.
• NAUI Worldwide: Second major U.S. recreational dive certification agency and the credentialing layer enabling Waterdogs' GI Bill veterans programs. Industry-level incumbent rather than shop-level competitor.

Others

• Divers Alert Network (DAN): Dive safety association providing insurance, training, and research that Waterdogs integrates through DAN Instructor Development Courses. Adjacent ecosystem participant and partner, not a retail competitor.

Direct peers

• Bamboo Reef Dive Center: Long-established PADI dive center in the San Francisco Bay Area offering certification courses, equipment sales, rentals, repair, and dive travel. Mirror image of Waterdogs' multi-vertical model with comparable IDC ambitions.
• Aquatic Adventures: Multi-location PADI dive operator offering recreational and professional training, equipment sales, and dive travel. Comparable business model and revenue-stream diversity.
• Undersea Hunter: Southern California dive center with strong technical and recreational training focus plus equipment services. Comparable depth in tech and recreational certification offerings.
• Scuba Emporium: PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center in Chandler, Arizona offering the same combined stack of recreational, technical, and professional dive training plus retail, rental, and repair. Closest structural analogue to Waterdogs outside its geography.
• Ocean Enterprises: PADI 5-star dive center in Charleston, SC combining retail, rental, repair, certification courses, and dive travel. Similar full-service mix serving a regional customer base.

Regional players

• Nashville Scuba Center: Regional PADI dive center serving the broader Nashville/Middle Tennessee market. Most direct geographic head-to-head for Waterdogs' recreational customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/waterdogsscuba
• Xx.com/waterdogss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterdogs-scuba-safety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterdogs Scuba & Safety