About Us
About us-yes; but more so about you, our valued customers, new and existing. EXCITEMENT, FUN, and ADVENTURE that will last a LIFETIME! That is what you can expect from Black Hills Aquatic Adventures.
With your training, you will receive the knowledge and skills to safely dive in the most beautiful areas of the world. 70% of this world is underwater and laced with incredible beauty and vast resources. Here at Black Hills Aquatic Adventures, you can earn your certification as an "OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVER" the 1st step in your diving certifications; and then safely advance your way up with more knowledge and skills through courses such as ADVANCED SCUBA DIVER, with SPECIALTY COURSES, RESCUE DIVER, and then achieve the coveted MASTER SCUBA DIVER.
If you wish you can even further your knowledge and skills to a career in helping to bring new and interested people into the diving world as a professional Dive Master and Dive Instructor.
June 2021 Jim became an Instructor for the HANDICAPPED SCUBA DIVERS ASSOCIATION INTENATIONAL now being able to work with and certify adaptive people in scuba diving or offer an adaptive discover scuba experience.
SCUBA diving is an equipment intensive sport so when you are ready we have all, the latest and greatest dive and safety equipment that you will need to dive more safely and comfortably.
Who We Are-Our History:
What happens when you take an ocean-loving former U.S Coast Guardsmen and plop him into the beautiful but land-locked Black Hills of South Dakota? "Black Hills Aquatic Adventures" happens.
Husband and wife team Jim Wallace and Julie Hallstrom opened this Rapid City-based dive shop in September of 2016, taking pride in offering quality equipment and safe, comfortable training.
NAUI’s definition of diving is “Dive Safety through Education,” and with this motto in mind, Jim and his staff combine safety and fun into an adventure for a lifetime.
Jim has been diving for 50+years and a NAUI instructor for 25 years and a NAUI Instructor Trainer for 20 years. He is also a paramedic and has experience training emergency medical personnel (First Responders, EMTs, AEMTs, Paramedics) as well as community health courses for divers through Divers Alert Network (DAN) and for professionals/lay people through American Heart Association.
As of August 2020 Jim is now a Training Development Coordinator (IT) for the Ocean Reef Group. Instructing and promoting the safe and proper use of their Integrated Diving Mask (FFM), snorkeling mask (FFSM), and underwater/topside communication equipment. Jim loves sharing a new way of recreational diving it's safe, comfortable and a fun way to dive.
We love the water, and we love to help others discover the beauty and serenity of our aquatic world.
