Part 2: The Advantages of Hosting College and University Scuba Clubs – Tec Clark – Scuba Diving Industry Magazine & Video Podcasts for Dive Pros

January 2026 Table of Contents
category: Retailing (3 min read)
sponsors: Blue Force Fleet, Campus Edge Training

Tec Clark Continues His Series on Making Money From Universities & Colleges

by Tec Clark, owner, ScubaGuru Academy & The Campus Edge Training for Pros

DO YOU WANT MORE students and more revenue, of course you do. So, consider hosting a scuba club at your local college or university.

As part of campus life at most colleges and universities there are multitudes of student-run organizations and clubs. These can range from professional (i.e. Pre-Law Club) to academic (i.e. Rho Phi Lambda honors organization for recreation majors) to cultural (i.e. Black Student Union) to hobby (i.e. Gaming Club) to social (i.e. Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority) and of course sports/recreational (i.e. Ultimate Frisbee Club). Pretty much whatever area of interest students have, there will be a club for it.

A typical club on campus is developed by two or more enrolled students and a faculty/staff advisor. The students have some type of interest or expertise in the area and they serve as the President, Secretary and Treasurer. The faculty or staff advisor is a person who works on campus and also has an interest or expertise in the area, to which they serve in more of an accountability role to the activities and funds of club members. So, what about a scuba club?

Many colleges and universities have a scuba club. Most of which are student-run, which means the President, Secretary and Treasurer are scheduling the dive trips, fundraising, and organizing meetings. However, most scuba club executives and members are not dive professionals. And in most cases the faculty/staff advisor is not a dive professional either. What about equipment you may ask? In some cases, campus scuba clubs have used equipment that was purchased second-hand or donated, with dissimilar brands and styles. As you know, all these issues are wrought with problems. That’s precisely where you come in.

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As a dive professional you can either start a scuba club or support an existing one at your college or university. Here are some ways:

Offer to help with training needs. Perhaps a refresher class at the beginning of the semester. Or be the go-to instructor for students who are not yet certified divers.
Offer to help with open water dive trips. You can give better briefings, you can assist the weaker divers, you’re better prepared for rescues, etc.
Offer rental equipment options for club members.
Offer to do annual inspections and repairs on a club’s existing equipment.
Offer to be a guest lecturer at a scuba club meeting.

If you are starting a scuba club, offer to be the scuba club Advisor. Even though you do not work on campus as a faculty or staff member, you are a dive pro so that makes you the perfect Advisor. Also, put policies in place to show administration that you will keep the students safe and reduce exposure to the university. Hosting a scuba club at your local college or university is a great way to develop a relationship with the institution that can open doors to bigger and better things. You will grow your student base and increase revenues. To learn how to do each of the items I mention above take The Campus Edge online course. Click/scan the QR code to purchase The Campus Edge and start your journey into the many opportunities and revenue streams at colleges and universities.