Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Gentile.
Jim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been exploring the Lake for many years doing survey work for engineering and environmental consulting firms. By combining my skills of being a scuba instructor and maritime captain with the right boat creating Windy City Diving seemed a natural extension of my personal diving.
As an avid scuba diver familiar with many of the local shipwrecks I thought that the Chicago area needed a professionally run dive operation that could safely take fellow divers to see and explore many of our local historic treasures. Chicago has a great maritime history that is today mostly ignored because the evidence of that history is out of sight and below the waves of Lake Michigan. Since the early 90’s the clarity of the Lake has improved to the point where exploring the Lake’s shipwrecks has become much easier thereby making local diving more enjoyable. To enhance local diving I over saw the sinking of the SS Mackinac off Evanston and in 2010 I led the sinking of the M/V Buccaneer off Chicago. The Mack is the number site we visit as it offers something for every level of diver from beginner to expert. We generally follow up the dive with a wooden schooner the Wells Burt that dates back to the 1800’s.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall yes. Westrec who manages the harbors for the City of Chicago has always been supportive of commercial enterprises. The only challenges have related to cost of doing business with gas prices. The best wrecks in Chicago are at a minimum twice as far to travel to then say the wrecks of Milwaukee which means that we spend more money to get our divers to diving.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Windy City Diving – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The foundation of Windy City Diving is based on diver comfort and safety and making their scuba adventure an enjoyable experience. In the past, Great Lakes diving was a more macho do it your self-activity which is fine for the advanced and experienced diver but not so good for the newer diver. The Chicago area shipwrecks are relatively shallow and perfect for the newer diver but that “do it yourself” treatment they would receive from the old dive charter operations was not conducive to developing these newer divers into happy customers. Windy City Diving’s approach is based on my many years as a dive instructor and catering to the needs of the newer diver.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago’s lakefront is just awesome. The view from the Lake is spectacular.
Pricing:
- 2-tank dive charter: $130
- Single Tank Wednesday Night Wreck Dive & Fireworks: $100
- Discover Scuba Diving Wreck Dive (All Inclusive for the Non-Diver) $295
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WindyCityDiving.Net
- Phone: 630.209.2445
- Email: jim@WindyCityDiving.Net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindyCityDiving
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35805-d4504640-Reviews-Windy_City_DIvers-Chicago_Illinois.html
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
