Southern Utah Scuba is the passion project of Jake, a veteran diver with 30+ years underwater and two decades of teaching experience. Certified by SDI/TDI, Jake offers fully private lessons in a heated pool, tailoring each session...
Jake stands out as an instructor who genuinely excels at putting nervous beginners at ease. Reviews consistently highlight his patience and ability to adapt his teaching pace to each student's comfort level, whether someone's clearing their mask for the first time or working through anxiety about breathing underwater. His 30 years of diving experience clearly translates into a teaching style that builds real confidence. Multiple families mention how he transformed their apprehension into excitement, with several reviewers noting they went from nervous to genuinely comfortable within their first pool session. The practical side gets equal praise. Jake makes scheduling flexible, keeps all equipment ready to go, and offers helpful tips and tricks that set students up for success. He's not just focused on certification either—reviewers mention he helps with gear selection and even organizes dive trips afterward. The instruction covers everything thoroughly, from dive tables to safety guidelines, and he's willing to add extra practice sessions when needed. Several people specifically mention using their new skills on Hawaii trips or feeling confident enough to continue diving after years away from the sport.
When we decided to try something new and signed up for scuba diving lessons we had no idea where it would take us. Jake is an incredible instructor and made everything easy. We loved it so much that when we found out he was planning a dive trip to Curaçao we had to go. We enjoyed a beautiful Caribbean vacation with 15 perfectly planned dives, good food and incredible housing accommodations all planned by Jake. The trip allowed us to not only see a great variety of sea life but also build skills and be more confident under water. I can tell you that Jake is the best. He has a love for scuba diving that is infectious. If you’re even just curious about scuba diving, he’s the guy to call!
Becca Harrison
March 6, 2026
When we decided to try something new and signed up for scuba diving lessons we had no idea where it would take us. Jake is an incredible instructor and made everything easy. We loved it so much that when we found out he was planning a dive trip to Curaçao we had to go. We enjoyed a beautiful Caribbean vacation with 15 perfectly planned dives, good food and incredible housing accommodations all planned by Jake. The trip allowed us to not only see a great variety of sea life but also build skills and be more confident under water. I can tell you that Jake is the best. He has a love for scuba diving that is infectious. If you’re even just curious about scuba diving, he’s the guy to call!
Becca Harrison
March 6, 2026