About Us

Burton's Dive Service is a full service scuba and snorkeling training facility and equipment store, that has been in operation since 1986. We specialize in providing a friendly atmosphere where customers can feel welcome and free to ask any questions they may have without any high pressure sales tactics.

Our training programs go well beyond the "minimum standard" to ensure top quality graduates and are designed to ensure that you end up not only certified but qualified. Our training is based on NAUI standards, the same standards used to train NASA astronauts. NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) is a not-for-profit organization whose sole purpose is to promote dive safety through education.

Our large selection of top quality brands allow you to purchase equipment suited to your specific needs and our certified repair technicians can keep it in good working order for years to come.

History

Burton's Dive Service, also known as BDS, was formed by Sam Burton in 1974 in Chatham New Brunswick as a part time business selling Dacor dive equipment from his basement. This was a necessity for his students as there was no other dive store in the area. He had already been teaching scuba diving with NAUI since 1962 and by this time selling scuba gear was the next logical step.

In September 1986 Sam and his wife, Mary Lynn, resurrected BDS, this time in Ottawa (Gloucester), by again selling from their basement until they moved into their first storefront, the former Curler's World, at the corner of Ogilvie Rd. and Cyrville Rd. This was a short stay however as in September of that year they moved in to a long term location a little further up Cyrville Rd. There they stayed until May of 1998 when BDS moved to its present location on Beechwood Ave.

More recently, in August of 2003, Sam and Mary Lynn decided to enjoy a well earned retirement and sold Burton's Dive Service. More information about the new owners can be found on the staff page.