The Dive Shop

"I don't dive, but we use the shop to fill compressed air for airguns. They can fill to 4500psi no problem and can hydro too."

"I would highly recommend dive shop to anyone who's looking to get certified. Owner Jim is very passionate about teaching scuba diving and it's mainly due to him I got certified. I had some initial hick-ups learning the skills, but he kept encouraging me and took time to teach me lot of skills in details. I would also call out John M as an excellent instructor. Under his guidance I was able to complete the open water diving. He's very knowledgeable and professional instructor. The other staffs of the shop are very courteous and friendly as well."

"Just took the Discover Scuba class with my husband and two kids. So much fun!! Thank you Graham for teaching us! Looking forward to trying it again over the summer."

"I am forever grateful for Jim McNeal’s dive shop. It is the only dive/scuba business in Richmond. You can find everything that you need in the store and they will order items that are not in stock for you. My husband and I purchased Open Water diving lessons offered by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) at The Dive Shop. From the very beginning to receiving the Open Water Certificates, The Dive Shop has made this process simple and enjoyable. They have helped us equipped our gears for the confined dives and open water dives. I am very petite, 61 inches and 110 pounds. None of the BCD would fit me well. Jim gave me a brand new XS BCD as free rental for the lessons. My fins didn’t work well after the first day open water dives, he took them back and replaced with a new and different style of fins. I am not telling you this to take advantage of the business; it shows what kind of business owner Jim is. His heart is in for his passion which is diving and his customers. Jim is always at the shop and he will not leave until the last customer is satisfied with his or her needs even it was hours after closing time. We were fortunate to have Jim McNeal as our inspector. He focused on safety and passing on his rich experience from last sixty years in diving. The Dive Shop has a group of strong and experienced instructors. We also enjoyed working with Nate who was working at the store. He was very patient and helpful. Great customer service! If you are interested in bring your vacation to the next level, consider getting your Open Water Certificate or Scuba courses from The Dive Shop."

"Not long after getting certified (with rental equipment) while on vacation in the Caribbean, I visited The Dive Shop in Richmond several times just to look around. Somehow it was always Dave working there (I guess he works the weekends). I appreciated that he wasn't pushy but readily available to answer my questions. When I finally decided to take the plunge (ha!) and purchase my own gear, Dave, the owner Jim, and other staff at the shop were tremendously helpful and patient. (Admittedly, I am one of those slow, poky, always-second-guessing-my-purchase shoppers.) During the multiple visits it took for me to get everything I needed, they encouraged me to try various makes and models - never pressuring me to go with the latest, greatest and most expensive - until I found what worked for me and fit my budget. Later, they happily exchanged a pair of fins, even after I wore them on several dives, after I brought them back in because the straps kept slipping off my heels (first they had me try different boots in case that was the issue, but then we moved onto different fins). I've never had to invoke it, but I understand they will price match sellers who are authorized dealers. Seriously, you will NEVER get this level of customer service, professionalism and assurance of safety and quality from Amazon or any other online store. One year later, I have logged more than 70 dives and have been places and seen things I never imagined. Conclusion: Shop local. Dive all over the world."