Making a Splash!
Father and son teach scuba at Phantom Training Center
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy of PHANTOM TRAINING CENTER
Cowboy boots might be the norm in Central Texas, but one local father and son have traded in their boots for flippers to spend their spare time scuba diving at one of our many local lakes. Scuba diving usually conjures up images of the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas, but these guys are donning their wetsuits to explore the sometimes murky lakes in Central Texas.
Learning to scuba dive was one item of many on Hunter Steele’s bucket list. Now it’s a passion of his. Joined by his dad, Shane Steele, the duo began recreational diving together in 2019 and quickly realized they both wanted to continue, so they explored their options. Eventually, they decided to open their own business, Phantom Training Center, with the goal of being the most affordable, accessible and customer-friendly scuba education experience possible. Focused on recreational diving, the company offers both individual and group classes for children and adults.
“We wanted families or friends to get the experience and knowledge of diving safely together without breaking the bank,” Hunter said. “To our knowledge, we are currently the most affordable scuba training center in all of Texas.”
Based in the Temple, Killeen and Copperas Cove area, Phantom Training Center is a family-owned business that caters to all levels of students, from first-time divers to those who are seasoned. Mostly teaching at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, the Steeles are willing to accommodate schedules, re-attempt certifying dives, and work together for as long as it takes for their students to feel safe and knowledgeable underwater.
“We will not rush you in and out the door. Our primary goal is to educate people in a hobby that can be engaged with your entire life,” Hunter said. “We both have unique teaching styles that allow us to accommodate anyone looking to enter the diving world.”
Shane is on a mission to include those with disabilities, especially wounded warriors, in the sport he loves. A 30-year disabled military veteran himself, he is in the process of becoming certified to offer instruction to those with disabilities, handicaps or other impairments.
Steele’s goal to be as accessible as possible, especially for veterans or others with post-traumatic stress disorder or post-traumatic stress symptoms. In addition, military members can use their GI Bill benefits for approved certifications and professional-level licenses at Phantom. These programs cover a range of courses that progress to the level of Divemaster or Instructor programs.
“We all have disabilities — some are just more extreme than others,” Shane said. “Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they can’t do things they want to do. We want to be there to assist them so they can enjoy diving just like anyone else. Also, we know that scuba diving has proven to be particularly calming to individuals suffering with PTSD or PTSS.”
Besides hands-on scuba training, Phantom also offers a full slate of self-paced classes. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced diver, a child or an adult, there is something for everyone. Adults can take a range of courses from beginner to advanced, while experienced divers can take classes that lead to several types of professional certifications. Children under 10 can start on the Explorer program and learn all about marine ecology, including sharks, sea turtles, fish identification, coral ecology and more. Children who are 10 and older can start learning to scuba dive, while younger children can work on their snorkeling skills or take the Blue Oceans and Mermaid classes.
The Steeles have big plans, including working with Killeen Independent School District to offer summer scuba diving courses for high school students. Hunter, a local music teacher, is passionate about introducing the joys of scuba diving to a new generation of students and is working to see his dream realized in local high schools.
As their company has grown, more people are looking to Phantom for help with equipment maintenance, now that they are an Inspection Authorization-certified Mares Dive Gear Service Center.
The Steeles are also in the process of earning a certification to teach rescue and recovery diving to local law enforcement agencies.
“Teaching in a family-owned, education-focused organization offers so much more fulfillment than working in an organization designed to produce divers as fast as possible for the largest profit margin deemed acceptable,” Hunter said. “Our students have always come out of their experiences either comfortable and certified in scuba diving or feel like they gave it their best shot without being pressured to continue past their comfort zones. We are a dive center for the student, not for the profit.”
Phantom Training Center
Email: phantomtrainingcenter@outlook.com
Phone: 254-952-7399 or 254-707-1263
Website: https://www.letsdiveptc.com
