Divecenter Scuba Republic focuses on the experience of diving. 'It's about the experience of diving. Diving is a 360 degree experience', says owner Jan van Voorst. To make the most of that experience, the dive center is located in a unique location on the beach of Zandvoort aan Zee. 'The North Sea is not only a backdrop for us, but we make optimal use of it.'

Jan has a background in the advertising world. 'It often concerns a product or brand. I wanted to turn that around and give people something that helps them grow personally. This way divers can experience something beautiful together.' In 2011, he founded the diving school and used his experience in the advertising world to make it a success. 'Diving has always been a hobby and I found out that I loved teaching.'

The atmosphere of diving

Scuba Republic is one of the few diving schools with its own swimming pool. According to Jan, that is an important element. 'Divers can do unlimited diving exercises this way.' This is mainly reflected in the arrangements. During a three-day package, for example, people can obtain their diving license. 'We take people out of their daily routine and put them in the atmosphere they know from diving.'

In addition to the three-day training, Scuba Republic offers advanced training and instructor training. 'We actually offer everything except technical diving.' For organizations there is also the option to use diving as a means of team building. 'We use diving as an instrument to portray the problems in an organization. That is anything but a static session.'

Collaborating in the industry

A growing branch of the sport is freediving, also known as diving without equipment. 'We are dealing with a completely different target group there. It is a physical challenge and a sport with a competitive element.' It is therefore different from regular diving. 'But we get a diverse range of people here anyway. Many people come here for the beach and the sea. That is why we also work together with the catering industry on the beach and other local entrepreneurs.'

For example, Scuba Republic works together with training centers for kite surfers. 'We bring it together and don't see colleagues as competitors.' That symbolizes Jan's vision. 'I think it is important to work together even more than before and to complement each other in that way. In the diving industry we have to be alert to changes and see how we can get the best out of each other.'