About us / Meet the staff
Why use Extreme Sports?
We teach all of our SCUBA students through Scuba Diving International. SDI is the leading SCUBA training agency due to their unique way of teaching students in a “modern” way. SDI encourages the use of new technology in developing superior divers.
Most dive shops force new divers into purchasing their own gear BEFORE they even start their first class. We understand diving isn’t for everybody and we want you to experience the sport before you spend hard earned money. We also allow you to try on different types of gear before you make your decision.
While SDI is the leading dive agency, the family here at Extreme Sports also goes above in beyond in making every student feel comfortable under the water. We understand the specific fears people go through before learning to dive, and we know how to make individuals feel safe and excited about diving.
We only carry the most superior, reliable, and highest performing gear on the market. SCUBAPRO is the industry leading SCUBA equipment manufacture. Divers turn to SCUBAPRO for exclusive technology, reliable performance, and unmatched selection.
Founded in 1997, Extreme Sports Inc. was created by the Weston family. As the business grew, Extreme expanded into a bigger family with friends joining us along the way. Everyone that walks in the door is apart of our family and all of us love what we do.
In 1989 Grady Weston became Scuba certified after buying an Open Water certificate with his brother from a local auction. A year later his wife, Deb, and eldest son, Justin, became certified. His youngest son, Jared, became certified in 1994 rounding out the Weston family of certified Scuba divers.
In the late ’90s, after several years of diving, the Westons were looking to offer advanced diving training in the Joplin area for the first time. In 1997, Justin decided to become an instructor for SSI, followed by Deb as an Assistant Instructor in 1998. In an 8×10 office, Extreme Sports Scuba came to life. In 2000, Justin switched to SDI as an open-water Scuba Instructor, followed by Grady in 2001 and Deb in 2004.
While in the 8×10 store, a SCUBAPRO rep came by and sold them on the SCUBAPRO line of diving equipment. With much success, they were informed they needed to find a larger location; in May of 2003, Extreme Sports Scuba moved to its current location at 5203 S. Range Line Road.
Extreme Sports Inc, prides itself on safe, certified Scuba divers through SDI/TDI/ERDI. Please come by and talk to us so we can get you set up with the classes that best fit your needs.
established in 1997
- the Weston Family & friends
Teaching and exploring since 1997
our Mission
We are passionate about what we do and we love to fulfill people’s lives who seek to adventure just like us. Seeing our customers smile when they first hop into crystal clear waters for the first time is the best feeling.
our Vision
Safety is our biggest priority in SCUBA diving. Our customers are family to us, and we want to share our exciting hobby in the safest way possible. We choose to spend extra time going in depth when discussing safety procedures.
values
- Safe Practices
- Superior Education
- Customer to Business Honesty
Deb Weston
Deb and her family own Extreme Sports Scuba. She certified to scuba dive in 1990, became an SSI assistant instructor in 1998, and an SDI instructor in 2004. Deb teaches a lot of the open water classes throughout the summer. She has logged over 2,700 dives and has traveled to many destinations in the Caribbean. Many of her photos from her dive trips are located in the dive shop on display. Come visit Deb in the dive shop any time through the week
Dan La Due
Dan certified to dive in 2003 to become a dive buddy for his daughter. Since 2003, Dan has not missed a single month in making a dive. Dan became a divemaster in 2006 and an SDI assistant instructor in 2008. Dan has logged over 2,600 dives and is an avid underwater photographer. He is also ERDI certified and retired chief of Newton County Rescue & Recovery. He completed his SDI Instructor course in September of 2020.
Doug Lord
Doug certified to dive in 1990 and has over 1600 logged dives. He became an SDI Assistant Dive Instructor in 2014. Doug then completed his SDI Instructor course in September of 2020. He has now earned SDI instructor ratings in Computer Nitrox, Wreck, Night Diving, Limited Visibility, Deep, Photography, Dry Suit, and more. Doug enjoys underwater photography and is the go-to guy’ when talking about traveling the world. Doug is full of knowledge about tropical corals and all marine life.
Drake Weston
Drake may be the youngest staff member but he is far from inexperienced. He was certified in 2010 at the age of 10. He completed his Scubapro Pro Tech service rating in July of 2019. Drake also completed his PADI OW SCUBA Instructor course in January of 2022 and his SDI OW Instructor crossover in May of 2022. Drake can teach SDI specialties such as Dry Suit, Deep, Sidemount, Equipment Specialist, and more.
Shaye Weston
Shaye might not be a certified diver, but she is far from inexperienced in this field. By growing up in the business, she has found interest in all sides of the business. She is the brain behind the storefront and handles the majority of the sales. Shaye handles invoicing for business to business sales and international travel inquires.
Justin Weston
Justin certified in 1990 at the age of 13. He became an SSI dive instructor in 1997. Justin became a TDI Nitrox instructor the next year. He started teaching SDI open water courses in 2000. Most of his interest in diving has been in public safety diving since the start. Justin specializes in teaching Emergency Response Diving International courses and water rescue courses. He is a former Chief of Newton County Rescue & Recovery.
Mark Willoughby
Mark is the IT Diver. As of 2015, he adds SCUBAPRO Service Tech to his accomplishments. Mark was certified to Scuba Dive in July 2013. If you ask him, he can’t get enough dives in any given year. Mark has additional certifications in CPROX, NITROX, Wreck diving, Night/Limited Visibility Diving, Master Diver, and Solo.
Nicole Willoughby
Nicole is the Diver behind the blog, the diver behind social media, the diver behind the website, and she’s behind the camera most of the time, both on land and in water. Nicole was certified in July 2013. She has received additional certifications in CPROX, NITROX, Wreck diving, Deep Diving, Advanced Diver, Rescue, Night/Limited, Master Diver, and Solo.
Jared Weston
Jared certified to scuba dive at the age of 12 in 1994. He has been a volunteer on several local fire departments in the past and currently works as a full-time medic for Newton County Ambulance District as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Jared has completed his ERD1 certification and he’s a retired Assistant Chief of Newton County Rescue & Recovery. Jared is currently a Dive Master.
Allison Reid
Allison has been an American Red Cross water safety instructor for over 15 years. She has also been a Lifeguard instructor and lifeguard instructor trainer for over 15 years. Allison is a certified athletic trainer and waterfront director; she has been for 9 years. If you need swimming lessons, Allison is your gal (for both children and adults). She completed her Divemaster in July of 2022.
a tribute to a great man . . .
grady weston
October 7, 1955 - October 24, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019, we lost one of our own. A father, husband, grandfather, brother, dive instructor, mentor, friend. Grady Weston gained his wings. If you needed him, he was there, no questions asked. And truthfully, there were those moments you never knew what he was about to say. He could catch you off guard faster than anyone. But the minute you were a friend, you were family. He was certified to scuba dive in 1989. Continuing education prompted the family to open Extreme Sports Scuba in August 1997. He became an instructor in 2001. Grady and his son Justin’s passion for rescue lead them to become ERDI (Emergency Response Diving International) instructors. Grady had logged well over 2,000 dives in a variety of destinations but states that Cozumel was his favorite dive destination. We love you!
