Business & Tech

Scuba Lessons and Adventures Offered Locally at East Coast Divers

There are a ton of interesting stores in Brookline, and East Coast Divers has to be near the top of that list.

If you ever wanted to learn how to scuba dive, East Coast Divers is the place to get certified and learn the art of under sea exploration here in Brookline. Since 1974, East Coast Divers has been supplying divers with gear to buy or rent, and the instructions for snorkeling and diving.

“Back in 1974, the original owner, Paul Adler ran the store out of his father’s garage,” current co-owner Nick Fazah said. “He was one of the first of three people on the Chester Poling wreck off the coast of Cape Anne in 1977.”

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Fazah and Alex Dulavitz started teaching at the shop in 2004 after meeting in a certification class. They collectively purchased the store in October 2012. 

Fazah, 28, of Ipswich, England has been diving since he was 13 years old. “It’s imperative to find a good instructor who would teach you to not cut corners,” Fazah said. “This isn’t like a cooking class.”

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Fazah said that the freedom that comes with scuba diving is the biggest appeal. “Everyone has a digital connection in this day and age,” Fazah said. “When you go for an hour long dive, there is no other sound besides your bubbles. There are no cell phones, no traffic, no emails, no stress.” Fazah described his love for diving as a “total addiction.”

“We cater to an enthusiastic clientele,” Fazah said. “The most important thing is getting people in the water.”

According to Fazah, there are more varieties of fish to see up north in the colder waters than in the tropics. East Coast Divers lead dives out of Gloucester and Rockport. “There are plenty of people diving locally in the warmer months, Fazah said. “They get certified up here and then head to the tropics during the winter time.”

Fazah said that the jade green waters are home to some phenomenal sights, like Torpedo Rays, seals all kinds of fish and a 15 lbs lobster named The General, who lives off of Folly Cove.

“It’s (diving) really an awesome experience.” Fazah said. “You get the opportunity to see stuff that 90 percent of people never get to see.” 


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