The Scuba Club, now The Kyalami Scuba Club, a well-established diving and scuba instruction center, is excited to announce its new ownership. The owners of Kyalami Charters and Jupiter Water Tours have taken over The Scuba Club from Ken Ward and JD Duff, who has been with them for over 40 years.
The Scuba Club has been a staple in the Palm Beach diving community for almost 50 years, offering top-notch instruction and a variety of diving experiences. The new ownership team is thrilled to continue the tradition of excellence that The Scuba Club has established over the years.
“We’re honored to be taking the reins of such an iconic diving institution,” said Rick Ratliff, the new President of The Kyalami Scuba Club. “Our team has been passionate about diving for years, and we’re excited to bring that enthusiasm to The Kyalami Scuba Club.”
Shawn Murphy, another new owner and VP of Operations, echoed Ratliff’s sentiments. “Our goal at The Scuba Club is to provide exceptional service to our guests, and safety is our top priority. As a new owner taking over the operational side of things, I’m committed to ensuring that every aspect of our operations is of the highest quality. We want to make sure that our guests feel welcome, comfortable, and safe during their time with us. We’re dedicated to providing an unforgettable diving experience, and we’ll go above and beyond to make that happen.”
The Kyalami Scuba Club will continue to offer one and two-tank dives, as well as a variety of scuba diving classes and instruction. Ken Ward, who has been with The Scuba Club for over seven years, will remain as the SCUBAPRO specialist, and the rest of the crew that divers know and love will also be staying on.
“We’re excited to continue to work with the incredible team of instructors and crew that The Scuba Club has assembled over the years,” said Shaun Gallant, another new owner and VP of Instruction & Education. “Scuba diving is a lifelong adventure, and we are excited to offer a range of classes and instruction that enhance our divers’ experience. At The Scuba Club, we offer everything from beginner to advanced courses, including Advanced Open Water Certification, Rescue Diver Certification, Divemaster certification, and more. We believe that continuing education is essential for divers to stay safe and get the most out of their underwater experiences. I’m excited to take over the education side of things and help our customers become the best divers they can be.”
The Kyalami Scuba Club dive shop will remain in operation, and will remain a ScubaPro Platinum certified dealer. ScubaPro is a leading manufacturer of scuba equipment, and the company requires its Platinum Dealers to maintain the highest standards. The staff at The Scuba Club possesses thorough knowledge of all the products, and their certified service technicians receive extensive training.
Jon-Luke Ratliff, the final new owner, added, “We understand that The Scuba Club has been a part of many divers’ lives for years, and we want to assure them that we plan to honor the legacy and continue to provide the same high-quality service that they’ve come to expect.”
The Loggerhead 3, The Scuba Club’s dive boat, has been renamed to “Kyalami Too”, and has been completely updated with countless new amenities. The new ownership team is excited about the improvements that will make the boat an even better diving experience for guests.
The new owners of The Kyalami Scuba Club are also committed to preserving the coral reefs and marine species in Florida. Florida is our home, and we believe that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the natural resources that make our home unique.– stated Rick Ratliff. He continues, “As divers, we have a unique perspective on the beauty and fragility of our coral reefs and the marine animals that call them home. We have seen firsthand the amazing diversity of marine life in Florida, and we are dedicated to protecting it for future generations.
We believe that conservation and responsible diving practices go hand in hand. We are committed to educating our divers about the importance of conservation and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to be responsible divers. We believe that by working together, we can make a difference in the preservation of our coral reefs and the marine species that inhabit them” stated Shaun Gallant.
Being based in Palm Beach, Florida, means access to some of the most amazing diving in the world. We are passionate about sharing the beauty of our underwater world with our guests, and we believe that by promoting conservation and responsible diving practices, we can ensure that future generations can enjoy these amazing experiences as well.
At The Kyalami Scuba Club, we are committed to being synonymous with conservation. We believe that by leading by example, we can inspire others to join us in our efforts to protect our coral reefs and the marine species that depend on them. We invite you to join us in our commitment to conservation and responsible diving practices, and to experience the beauty of our underwater world for yourself– said Shawn Murphy.
“The Kyalami Scuba Club will be the same great Scuba Club you’ve known for fifty years–with a few drops of Kyalami blood added to it,” Rick Ratliff added. “That means our number one priority has always been and always will be YOU–the diver. The guest comes first, and we make sure your needs are being taken care of from the second you drive up to our beautiful location!”
