About SELA SCUBA
A Division of SELA Aquatics
We are a NAUI Platinum Pro Dive Center operating in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas. We specialize in recreational SCUBA certification and group dive travel.
Since 2009, SELA Aquatics has offered an array of Aquatics classes and training programs. In addition to teaching SCUBA, our company certifies hundreds of American Red Cross lifeguards each year. We also teach courses such as Water Safety Instructor and Certified Pool Operator courses, and we offer swim lessons for ages 3 and up.
We began offering SCUBA certification to our lifeguards in 2014, and in 2020 we expanded our SCUBA classes to the public.
Rob Dowie (President/owner of SELA Aquatics) along with Robyn Barthel and Alex Effinger (vice presidents of SELA) lead the dive program for SELA Aquatics. Rob, Robyn, and Alex are NAUI SCUBA instructors.
Meet Our Instructors
Within all of our training programs and operations, water safety is at our core. You can feel confident that your safety and comfort are our top priorities in the water. You'll also have fun along the way and open a whole new world of possibilities through diving!
Rob Dowie
Owner / NAUI Course Director / NAUI SCUBA Instructor
Rob has been diving since 2013 and greatly enjoys introducing people to the sport. He particularly enjoys helping divers take their certification beyond the initial open water certification to establish a lifelong hobby and learning experience. Some of Rob's favorite dive destinations include the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Roatan.
Robyn Barthel
NAUI SCUBA Instructor
Robyn primarily teaches in the New Orleans area and has been diving since 2013. She enjoys taking the time to help students become comfortable in the water. Robyn is a volunteer diver at the Audubon Aquarium. Some of her favorite dive locations include Cozumel, Galapagos, Palau, and the Socorro Islands.
Alex Effinger
NAUI SCUBA Instructor
Alex is currently working on his PhD, but he can frequently be found teaching diving during checkout trips with SELA Aquatics. Alex has been diving since 2013, and some of his favorite dive destinations include Cozumel and Turks and Caicos.
Teaching Locations
We offer pool and classroom sessions primarily in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge Classes
Mirabeau Park Aquatic Club
SELA Aquatics owns Mirabeau Park Aquatic Club, our primary teaching site in Baton Rouge.
Mirabeau features a brand new, state of the art training pool. The training pool is heated year-round and features a retractable roof and transparent side screens that are raised and lowered by remote control. This offers a warm, comfortable teaching facility year-round, along with an indoor classroom. Mirabeau also features a large recreational pool which is used for classes during warmer months.
Address:
1272 Wylie Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
New Orleans Classes
UNO Aquatic Center
SELA Aquatics manages and operates the UNO Aquatic Center at the Lakefront Arena. This is an Olympic-sized indoor pool that is heated year-round, along with a connected classroom.
Since SELA operates this pool, we can always schedule space for SCUBA classes here without worrying about time constraints. This huge pool is a great place to work on perfecting your buoyancy!
Address:
6801 Franklin Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70122
