 High Sierra Divers217 Palm Avenue Auburn, CA 95603 (530) 823-6757 E-Mail info@hsdivers.com Hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM - 6 PM Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM |
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HISTORY OF THE BUSINESSHigh Sierra Divers was founded by Tom Minch in 1985. In order to obtain major product lines and offer better service it was necessary to obtain a storefront location. High Sierra Divers then entered into a partnership arrangement with Sports Anyone a local sporting goods store in 1986. In 1988, it was decided to open a stand-alone business, Douglas Novelly was hired as the first full time employee to manage the new store. High Sierra Divers was incorporated as a California corporation in 1986 and opened its doors to scuba customers. We were the only shop in the Grass Valley Area and quickly grew. In 1991 decided to open a second store in Auburn. The store in Auburn was managed by Doug Novelly and proved to be a success. It was decided to close the Grass Valley store in 1993, cut expenses and still serve both areas. High Sierra Diver's instructors have more than 120 years of combined experience in the dive industry.The corporation sold the business to Doug Novelly in 2001. Doug & his wife Tina have owned and managed the store since then. | |
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 Dave Albright - NAUI, SDI, SSI, HSA InstructorDave is a former owner who still teaches classes, does merchandising, web authoring and whatever is needed around the shop. He also goes on trip familiarization trips and then puts together many of our warm water trips. He is a trip leader on many of the trips. He is the inventor of the Albright High Altitude Tables. Dave also volunteers with Wave Camp @ Sacramento State every year where he conducts SCUBA experiences for severely handicapped children. He also volunteers at the local Police department and is the Meter Maid on Wednesdays. He also delivers Meals on Wheels every Friday. Obviously Dave is retired. (from the Hydro-Electric Industry) |
 Doug Novelly - NAUI SDI, SSI Instructor TrainerDoug is the current owner who teaches classes, does merchandising, equipment repair, sales, Open Water Training, Instructor Training and whatever is needed around the shop. Doug is also one of our trip leaders on many of the trips. Doug took an Advanced Class from us, started helping with the classes and became our first employee. He was the manager of the Grass Valley store and started the Auburn Store. He eventually became an Instructor and then an Instructor Trainer (the highest level attainable). Doug is an avid diver, free diver and photographer. He is the go-to guy for all your Scuba related questions. ) |
 Tom Minch-
NAUI, ANDI, SDI, TDI, SSI, HSA-
Instructor TrainerTom, the founder of High Sierra Divers, and former owner, still teaches classes and is one of two Instructor Trainers at the shop. He was instrumental in developing High Sierra Divers' philosophy on diver education and training, believing that the instructor has an obligation to teach "more than the minimum". Having been in charge of in the leadership training, his philosophy has been engrained in all of our leadership personal. The result has been unparalleled Scuba instruction at all levels. Ten years ago Tom was asked to run a new program at Sacramento State University's WAVE CAMP. He, along with Dave Albright took the challenge and has been volunteering their time each year since. Since then they have enlisted the help of other instructors and Div-Cons. High Sierra Divers has graciously loaned the scuba equipment necessary to make this program the success it is. Tom has a degree in Entomology, practiced Dentistry in Grass Valley for 31 years and possesses a Class A general engineering contractor's license to run his commercial diving business. He has also been certified as a bridge inspector and has also taught CPR/First Aid classes for his local Red Cross chapter. In his "spare time" he enjoys sailing, woodworking, and being outdoors |
 Susan Averill - Dive Control Specialist Susan expanded her love of nature and the ocean by getting certified at High Sierra Divers in 2003. Her curiosity and quest for knowledge kept her coming back for further training. When asked what she wanted to get from her Dive-Con course she stated she "just wanted the additional knowledge and diving skills that the course offered". It was a very demanding course for her, both physically and academically. The staff at the dive shop was very understanding and continuously offered encouragement and support. Susan has evolved into one of our more experienced Dive-Cons and has conducted a majority of our Scuba Tune-ups. When Susan is not helping with classes she can usually be found hanging our at her cabin in Caspar: diving, beachcombing, gardening and relaxing with a good glass of wine. |
 Tina Novelly - Co-Owner of High Sierra DiversTina specializes in Sales, Repairs and Travel at the store. She is very knowledgeable in these areas and is always willing to share that knowledge. Tina prefers warm water diving but will still be seen on many of our local trips. She is responsible for the great appearance of the shop and displays. Tina also enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her daughter, Cambria. ) |
 Marc Davis - SSI AOW Instructor.
Marc Davis teaches classes and is an avid diver, underwater photographer/videographer, and underwater treasure hunter. Marc has been a certified diver since 1972. He enjoys sharing with his students the safe diving practices and practical "tricks of the trade" gleaned from the collective knowledge of the High Sierra Divers team of professionals as well as through his many years of diving experience. Marc served for 10 years as an Assistant Scout Master and parent volunteer with Boy Scouts of America. Marc owns and operates a commercial construction inspection business. He has a masters degree from Humboldt State University and has published numerous magazine articles about underwater prospecting and treasure hunting. He has searched for treasure on Spanish Galleon shipwrecks in Florida as well as hunted for gold and lost jewelry in the waters of California.
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 Jeff Boundy - Instructorunder construction |
 Jack Brokaw - Instructor Jack received his original open water certification with High Sierra Divers in 1994, became a Dive Master in 2002 and an Instructor in 2006. He teaches three or four classes per year and helps his dive buddy, Marc Davis, with his Open Water Classes also. He is proud to be a North Coast cold water diver and has been with High Sierra Divers on warm water dives to Roatan, Utila, bonaire, Turk, Palau, & Fiji. He loves underwater photography and says his best dive is wherever the next one will be. |
Jim is a former owner who still teaches classes and is an Instructor He has always striven to aspire to the highest levels of teaching and encourages his students to do the same. Jim also volunteers with Wave Camp @ Sacramento State every year where he conducts SCUBA experiences for severely handicapped children. Jim is a Doctor of Dentistry and has a degree in . He is an Odontologist (Forenistic Dentist> Jim is also an avid Sailor and lives in Puerto Vallarta part of the year. Jim is a Red Cross First Aid CPR Instructor |
 Noah DeMaranville - Dive Control Specialistunder construction |
 Just Willis - Dive Control Specialist Just is relatively new to diving and a new addition to our team. After completing his Open Water Certification, his love of diving led him to study and advance to the level of Dive Control Specialist. Just enjoys working with the instructors and students, hoping to share his love of diving, while constantly gaining more experience and knowledge of the sport. Just especially enjoys diving in the mountain lakes. He has been self-employed for the past 26 years, specializing in extending the shelf life of food and high tech components through modified atmosphere packaging. He is a past board member of the California Association of Meat Packers, a 32nd degree Mason and is affiliated with the Ben Ali Shriners of Sacramento. |  Chuck Petty - Dive Control Specialistunder construction |
 Mike Lyke - Dive Control Specialistunder construction |
 Scott - Dive Control Specialist under construction ) |
 Ed Phillips - Dive Control Specialistunder construction |
 Phil Easley - Dive Control SpecialistPhil also has the following qualifications: He is a TDI Nitrox Diver with over 100 logged dives. He is a current Dive Master for the Nevada County Sheriff's Department Dive Team. He has been diving for 6 years. Phil is also a USCG Licensed Ship Captain (50 ton Master on Inland Waters and 100 Ton OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) Near Coastal to 100 miles off shore). His hobbies are Hunting, Fishing, Spear Fishing & Sailing. Phil also enjoys Ranching & Farming, Law Enforcement, Horseback Riding, Mule Packing & Sailing. |
Ardyce Minch - Dive Control SpecialistArdyce also has the following qualifications: She is a TDI Nitrox Diver with over 100 logged dives. His hobbies are Scuba Diving, Horseback Riding, Spear Fishing & Sailing. |
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