Hella Wanna Scuba?

*Hella (adv.): A slang term meaning "very," "a lot," or "extremely," that originated in Oakland, California, in the 1970s. Derived from "hell of a" or "helluva," it spread quickly among Oakland youth, becoming a hallmark of Bay Area slang. By the 1990s, it had gained broader recognition, but it remains a point of regional pride for Oaklanders. Hella versatile, Hella iconic, and Hella demure!

At Original Oaktown Divers, we believe that everyone should have the chance to explore the world beneath the waves, not just for the adventure but for the personal growth, confidence, and connection it fosters. Having started our own journey as a kid in Oakland, we understand the barriers people face when it comes to swimming, diving, and ocean exploration. By teaching SCUBA, we're breaking down those barriers and helping others discover a new world where they can thrive, grow, and build lasting bonds — with nature, with others, and with themselves.

  • We teach private and semi-private SCUBA classes tailored to meet individual needs, helping each diver gain confidence and competence at their own pace.

  • Our programs focus on developing safe, skilled Monterey divers who are comfortable navigating real-world diving conditions.

  • We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone to experience the joy and wonder of ocean exploration.

Why Us?

  • Our courses are unique in the field. We are not a short, simple, dip your toes in kind of experience after following a curriculum. Our program is more in line with the way past generations of California divers learned, by teaching adaptability and resiliency in order to prepare you for the amazing Pacific Ocean.

  • We continue to take our divers out long after the course is over. This is unique in the industry, so why do it? We trained you — We BELIEVE in YOU!

“Guiding the expedition was Oakland-based instructor Aaron Potash, who describes himself as a “classic California diver,” a term that feels perfectly suited to Jade Cove itself. Aaron describes the archetype as the West Coast equivalent of the old-school Northeast wreck diver: equal parts explorer, problem-solver, and stubborn idealist. Jade Cove demands exactly that kind of mentality because the challenge begins long before anyone enters the water.” — A Fistful of Jade: Windup in a Bay 2026 with Marathon & Prometheus Design Werx

SCUBA Instructor teaching in Monterey

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Diving Decision Making

This video explores Gary Klein's decision-making model and demonstrates how applying it to SCUBA diving enhances pattern recognition and decision-making skills.