Written by Sebron Snyder
Lone Star Scuba’s Dallas location is tucked away in a quiet shopping center just south of 635 on Preston Road. The large SCUBA sign atop the building guided me to a parking spot at the front door and then in a typical Pavlovian fashion, the Scuba Pro signage gave me the warm fuzzy feeling that quickened my pace into the shop.

I have visited Lone Star Scuba on numerous occasions and it is always therapeutic to go to dive shops to feed the equipment “jones”, even when you don’t buy. Once I entered the store I immediately began checking out gear. For a small shop, the selection is effective and their choice of top brands says something about their shop. The layout of the store is smart and the Palapa/Tiki cash register is a nice touch. A small classroom located in the back rounds out the facility.

While I was there, a student dropped by to finish up Nitrox training. We all stood around and talked shop. This is where I really saw what Lone Star is about. It’s all about getting us back to where we all came from. What is it about hydrogen and a couple of atoms of oxygen that makes us all so happy? After a few minutes, Randy Diercoff, the shop’s director, arrived and we discussed all things scuba.

Q1. How long has your dive shop been in business?
A1. Lone Star Scuba got started back in 1988 out in Fort Worth by Manny Montoro. A few years after that the Dallas location opened. I came on at the Dallas location in a very round-about way. But once I came on here things really took off for me. I can’t say enough about how Lone Star has allowed me to come in and develop as a diver and to impart that knowledge to all our customers. Our Fort Worth shop is a twin to this operation with equal services and training.

Q2. How long have you been diving?
A2. Well, I decided to take a Scuba Class while at Texas A&M back in 1984 because my family was taking a trip to Cozumel. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, shortly after that I had a really bad car accident. Once I recovered, diving became a very comfortable and welcoming place. It is still great therapy for me.

Q3. What got you interested in the sport?
A3. The family trip! Well, it’s a good way to get those Physical Education credits out of the way.

Q4. As a diver, what level of certifications do you hold?
A4. Well, I have over 97 plus certifications and specialties. That includes Padi Dive Master and Master Diver, Naui Course Director and TDI Advanced TriMix Instructor Trainer. Lone Star has been great at supporting the staff and myself when it comes to certification and dive proficiency.

Q5. What kind of training does your shop offer?
A5. We’ve got six instructors on our rolls and we offer all types of training from Open Water basic to Technical diving. One thing I would like to tell you about us is that we are very hands on. I have the ability, as director, to customize your training. Not everyone has the same needs or skill level. After my accident I really understood that. We find the ways to train you safely and effectively so that your diving can be fun and safe.

Q6. What local dive facility do you take students for OW training?
A6. We don’t have a pool here on site but we do use the Saint Marks campus pool. We’ll do open water training at Clear Springs when appropriate and we’ve used Aquarena Springs if weather conditions are unfavorable here. As a standard Austin’s Lake Travis is always on our list.

Q7. Do you offer dive trips and if so how many trips a year do you take?
A7. Yes, presently we are up to about 20 for the year when you include Flower Gardens and that’s about our year average. So, we’re a bit ahead for the year! Tech trips to Fort Lauderdale is a new thing that I am really happy we are doing. There are some great wrecks down there.

Q8. What is the most common misconception about diving, especially among beginners?
A8. Okay, here comes the silly answer. Most people think they are going to be breathing pure Oxygen. Oh, also people think bowling is safer than Scuba. Go figure!

Q9. What does your dive shop bring to the table that is unique to the Dallas dive scene?
A9. What sets us apart? Well, we really get involved with you. Everyone is different that comes through that door. We treat you that way. We support all the major agencies; Naui, Padi and TDI. Along with extremely personal service we do offer Nitrox and Trimix fills.

Q10. This is your opportunity to promote your shop to our readers.
A10. We’re proud of what we do here; we service and train everyone with that thought in mind. You come to the shop and we take the time to make your experience worthwhile. We offer some of the best gear on the market to include Scuba Pro, Poseidon, Halycon OMS Mares Uwatec , Oceanic and Mares. We provide equipment servicing, tank inspection, equipment special orders and some of the best services in the local area. Oh, I think we are the most centrally located shop in Dallas. Being a block of 635 and mid-way between the Tollway and 75 has its benefits. Besides there is a great Chinese Restaurant next door.

You can visit Lone Star Scuba’s web site for more details or stop by and check out their store.

Thanks to Randy Diercoff and Lone Star Scuba.

DallasDivers.com is not affiliated with Lone Star Scuba or any other local dive shop. We exist to promote the sport of scuba diving in the Dallas area.