OUR STORY
First Coast Divers was first opened for business in Jacksonville, FL in March of 2007 and is owned and operated by Dan Mechelke.
From the beginning, Dan's business philosophy has always been to offer the highest quality products with the highest level of personal service. This is why First Coast Divers exclusively sells Aqua Lung gear (and their fine family of products) and has partnered with PADI to offer the best dive training in the world.
Although our prices are competitive, at First Coast Divers, we realize that we may not be the least expensive dealer from which to buy your gear and to receive your training...it will never be our goal to be that type of store. Our goal is to exceed our customers' expectations in regards to the quality of products and quality of service we offer.
We believe in building lasting relationships with our customers based on trust. We believe in treating people the way we would want to be treated. And we believe in deeds and not just words. It is our goal to be your hometown dive center.
Please contact us anytime with any questions and/or concerns.
MEET THE FIRST COAST DIVERS TEAM
DAN MECHELKE
One of the things Dan enjoys most about diving is the camaraderie with fellow divers...meeting new people and making new friends.
For Dan, diving is just as much a social event as it is an adventure sport.
His personal passions in diving are spear-fishing, underwater videography and having a good time with friends.
ROB YOUNGBLOOD
Rob is a native of Jacksonville, FL and has enjoyed working in the diving world for over 20 years.
He began diving in Okinawa, Japan in 1989 while deployed with the United States Marine Corps.
In 2003, he decided to take his training to the next level and become a certified PADI Instructor.
LEE GREENE
Lee has over 20 years of diving experience, with the last 9+ years spent teaching at First Coast Divers.
When asked what he loves about teaching he says, "It’s seeing the spark in the eyes of the students when they realize that they have opened up a new world of experience and adventure through diving."
CHARLIE KELLY
Charlie is a native of Jacksonville Florida and began his diving career in 2016 with First Coast Divers. Over the next four years he continued his
diving education and achieved the rating of Divemaster.
In late 2020 Charlie reached his ultimate goal of becoming a coveted PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. His greatest joy as an instructor is to see new divers using their skills to explore the underwater world.
ALEX PIQUER
Alex is a Florida native and has always been drawn to the water as a sailor, fisherman, and diver. He began his diving career at First Coast Divers and currently works with us as PADI Open Water SCUBA instructor.
Alex feels that diving is one of the best ways to connect both with the beauty of nature and with people. "Diving opens us up to incredible new experiences both here at home and across the world"
LISA GREEN
Lisa became a certified diver in the beautiful kelp beds off Catalina Island, California at the age of 16. Her passion for diving has been a gateway to exciting travel adventures, including diving in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Fiji, Aruba, and regularly in Bonaire.
Lisa became a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor to enrich the lives of others through diving and is especially interested in bringing more women into the sport of scuba diving.
DREW CHUBB
Drew is a Virginia native and has always had an affinity for the water, leading him to serve in the Navy for the last 25 years. He started his
diving hobbies in 2003 and has traveled the world, recently earning his PADI Master SCUBA Diver Instructor certification.
Drew enjoys the peace diving brings and enjoys seeing the looks of excitement on his students' faces when they dive for the first time and hearing about their diving adventures for years to come.
