Midwest Aquatics Swim & Scuba

I knew very little about scuba diving except that I really wanted to learn how to do it. I went to exactly the right place. The staff is very knowledgeable and incredibly kind. I took the scuba course in the classroom and in the swimming pool. The instructor was excellent and I gained a lot of insight on how to dive and what to do in emergencies. I was able to not only purchase my basic scuba gear in the shop, but they also helped me purchased a diving computer, a BCD and a transmitter. I was able to test all the equipment in their pool afterwards.
Their enthusiasm for scuba diving is contagious. I mentioned to Elaine that I was planing on going to Isla Mujeres to finish my certification. She recommended everything from the diving school, to golf cart rentals, restaurants, markets, and hotels. She, along with everyone else who works there, is very knowledgeable about the best places around the world to dive.
Not only is Midwest Aquatics a great place to learn how to scuba dive, the atmosphere and the kindness of all the employees is above and beyond.
Thanks!!

I go here for my scuba lessons. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I don't mind it because the staff is friendly.

The pool is heated and has both a shallow and a deep end. It seems pretty equipped with all the gears one would need to have scuba lessons and the instructors really know their stuff. The restrooms and changing areas are clean and there is also a galley kitchen and conference room to hold teaching classes.

Also, you should stop by their shop to purchase a few accessories for your next diving trip. This place has a little bit of everything!

When I moved to Kansas City in 2000 I discovered Midwest Aquatics. As an avid scuba diver, I needed a place to get into the water to check out my equipment before going to dive in the Caribbean. Their pool is wonderful. They have a full service equipment facility and have serviced my regulators many times. I've been pleased with equipment I've purchased from them. Although I did my dive training elsewhere, I've talked with people who've been certified through this shop and they speak highly of the training. When I go for my Nitrox Cert I will definitely consider them. From what I can tell their children's program is first rate.

This place does it all - from outfitting you to teaching classes to lessons.

Showed up right at opening time on Saturday and got the personal attention of the owner for an hour as we systematically worked through the outfitting of a diving/snorkeling novice. Really appreciated his care/thoughtfulness. Gear served me well in Grand Cayman. Am looking forward to geting more certifications here.

I have been training and diving with Midwest Aquatics since 1998. Back then they were located at College and Quivira. I learned to scube dive with Gordon and Darin and I loved how patient they were. I ask a lot of questions, and they did a great job answering everything in a way that I could understand the concepts. This was important to me because I want to be safe while diving.

When they built their new facility at 161st and Metcalf, I was excited. They finally had a pool that was located in the same building! The classrooms are large and comfortable and they have a ton of room for equipment that you can rent or try out before you buy.

With any hobby, a thriving community makes it more fun for everyone involved. Once I learned how to dive (I got my advanced certification as well) I was interested in getting to the ocean. Midwest Aquatics has a bunch of organized trips every year. I have been to Cozumel, Bimini, Saba, Barbados, the Sicorro Islands and the Bahamas on liveaboards and more. Not bragging, just saying that having a bunch of regular diving friends to share new experiences with is what keeps me coming back for more.

I highly recommend the people at Midwest Aquatics. They are good people and want to make sure you are a safe diver and having a blast doing something that many never get to experience!

We went for an intro SCUBA lesson from Mike through a Groupon offer and were quite happy with the lesson.

Mike gave us an hour + lesson in his 14 foot pool. We got to try the basic SCUBA equipment and got lots of time with Mike as the class was only 4 people.

The water was warm, the facility was nice, and Mike was very patient, friendly to talk to, and made the scary experience FUN! It was neat swimming underwater with the fins (required minimum effort) and being able to not worry too much about breathing.

If his facility was closer to home, I would strongly consider getting certified through him.

The pool area gets slippery, so beware!

We have been extremely happy with Midwest Aquatics over the past 5 years. We have 3 children that take lessons there currently. Over the years we have had various instructors, like in any learning environment different instructors have worked better for our children than others. What I appreciate is Darrin's willingness to talk with me extensively about our needs, our goals for each child, and give me options on days, times and instructors. Angi, Natalie and Heather have all been great teachers. I would highly recommend Midwest Aquatics.

Waste of time and money. Five minutes of actual "swim lessons" for 25 minutes of class.

Our little girl absolutely loves her swim teacher. She looks forward to lessons each week. Great activity to do during the winter. They have a lot of swim teachers, so you might need to find one your child clicks with. We've always had a good experience.

It is January, and now is the time for my three year old twins to learn how to swim. Although Midwest Aquatics is located in the back of beyond, over half an hour's drive from midtown Kansas City, from the recommendations of several other mothers, Midwest Aquatics is a facility that will have young swimmers safe and confident in the water.
The group lessons meet at different times based upon level of proficiency in the water. New swimmers wear a floatation device called a bubble, which is a foam block strapped to the back of the child by a belt worn around the waist. It assists with buoyancy without impeding arm movement (unlike the Puddle Jumpers or similar water wing devices); the bubble helps to keep the child afloat, but unless he is working with his arms and legs to swim or tread water, it will not effortlessly suspend him in the water (your child works to swim).
The group lessons run 25 minutes and 5 minutes free swim at the end. The instructor, Secille, teaching my daughters is fantastic; she is kind and dedicated to her task. She works well with the group class of four students, and everyone seems to thrive.
My only complaints are the driving time to get here and the fact that the "family changing room" is inadequately small and rather gross with a dingy wet floor. Otherwise, there is nothing about the facility of which to complain.
However, I will add that one will lower his esteem for Midwest Aquatics if he speaks to them on the telephone. The customer service over the phone plummets immensely, especially if speaking to Angie--who is, as she reminds one over the phone, not the owner (thank goodness!)--who is rude, unpleasant and REMARKABLY unwilling to leave messages for either the swim instructors or the owner. Everyone else seems to be very nice, the owner, the deck monitor, the instructors, but if you find yourself speaking to Angie over the telephone, I highly recommend asking her when you might call back to speak to someone else....
If you are in need of swim instruction or wish to become scuba certified, Midwest Aquatics certainly seems to be the best option for Kansas City residents!