When people ask me how I got into scuba diving, the answer is simple: Mac’s Sports.
What started as curiosity quickly became passion, thanks to the incredible people who make up the Mac’s community—especially Will, who continues to be a mentor, role model, and friend. Mac’s didn’t just introduce me to diving; they changed the course of my life.
Where It All Began
Mac’s Sports was the first place that took a chance on me in the water. I received a scholarship through them that allowed me to begin my scuba journey—an opportunity I will never forget. That scholarship wasn’t just financial help; it was a door opening into a new world. A world I only leave when I have to.
From the first geared up pool experience to earning my certifications, Mac’s has been there every step of the way. Their team has guided, taught, and most importantly, believed in me—even when I was just a homeschooled teen with big ideas and goals.
Will: The Stealthy Dive Ninja
If you’ve ever had the chance to dive with Will, you know what I mean when I say he moves through the water like a ninja. Calm- well, his version of calm, confident, and completely in his element, Will is one of my favorite people to watch underwater. He’s also someone I admire deeply—not just as a diver, but as a person. He is relatable and never gets on us when we make a mistake. Frankly, he reminds us he has likely done it to or another diver has.
Will reminds me of the kind of adult I want to become: patient with his students, passionate, and always ready to guide others with a joyful confidence. And though he’s an awful texter (his words, not mine), he always shows up when it counts, messy hair and all! He also humored our idea of forming a homeschool dive group—something that many dive shops might have brushed off.
Diving with a Community
Since that first group dive, Will and the Mac’s team have completed around six dives with our homeschool group, taking us to sites across Florida. They’ve helped us learn, explore, and grow—all while making sure we stay safe and have fun. Each group dive is better than the next as our peers grow and the staff get to know us. Grilling after the dive and laughing with them is often just as good as the dive itself.
They’ve also hosted countless “try scuba” events for our friends and families, sparking interest and inspiring others to give diving a chance. It’s been amazing to see families who were once just curious now fully immersed in the scuba world—many of them certified divers thanks to Mac’s training programs. Their kids camps are a favorite as they are able to hone in on youth diving and what it takes for kids to truly take in and learn the information.
A Family, Not Just a Shop
At Mac’s, you’re not just a customer. You’re family. The Grindey family’s roots run deep in Tarpon Springs and the surrounding areas, and their legacy shows in every interaction. I feel like I grew into my teens visiting their shop, especially as we are always met with smiles, support, and genuine interest in whatever new idea or dream I was chasing.
Their staff is the best. They remember your name, they’re excited about your next dive, and they make you feel like you belong—whether you’re brand new or have a hundred dives under your belt.
Diving Side-by-Side
One of the best parts of my journey has been diving with the Mac’s crew—not just learning from them, but truly diving alongside them. Whether we’re exploring springs, coastal reefs, or doing training dives, they’re right there in the water, guiding but never hovering, encouraging but never pressuring. They make it easy to grow as a diver while still having a blast.
i pretty much have memories with most of them. From diving with one fin in Rainbow River with Steve and Brian. To being leashed to Brian on a shark tooth dive- my 85lbs was no match for the ocean that day but man I loved the safety and fun of it! To swim throughs with Kevin, stacking rocks and dive 50 with Jolly. Mikey- there’s a ton but I would say a night dive with him and his awesome outfit and just enjoying diving right next to him. The Halloween dive and customer appreciation dive are events I look forward to every year. Of course all of these will never be trumped by the classroom and pool days that began the journey but they certainly are worth never forgetting.
Their staff is stacked with experience—true professionals who know how to teach, troubleshoot, and share their love for diving. You feel safe, supported, and challenged in the best way possible. They don’t just tell you how to dive—they show you how to love it.
And one could argue they host the best dive club parties around. While I have only attended a few, I love seeing the pictures and count down to the days that I can join more actively. Or even one day visit and be a speaker or just enjoy a drink with the crew.
Looking Ahead
This September, I’ll be taking my first dive trip with Mac’s to the Keys with my Dad—and I’ll be turning 15 while on that trip. I can’t wait. It’s crazy to think how far I’ve come with their help, and how much of my journey they’ve been there for.
Whether I end up working with them one day or just dropping in whenever life brings me back home, I hope I’ll always be remembered at Mac’s the way I remember them: as the people who believed in me from the beginning – family.
I’ll never be able to repay them fully, but I can make them proud.
