Rick's Dive 'N Travel Center Inc. was founded April 15th, 1978 by Rick Newton. After a couple of early relocations in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Rick's vision continued to expand with plans on the drawing board for a state-of-the-art diver training center unlike any in Arkansas, or even in the USA.  This came to fruition in 1985 with the opening of our present location at 24th & Poplar Street in North Little Rock. Rick's 7500 sq. ft. diver training center offers many amenities, including our signature custom  14' deep indoor heated diver training pool, two fully equipped classrooms, showers & locker rooms, fully equipped service center, Bauer Air Compressor and air storage for immediate air fills, and high visibility neon lights inside and out. Rick's also has a private sundeck with surround sound music for hosting pool parties or relaxing between pool sessions.  Rick's features one of the largest inventories of scuba diving equipment in the South. Rick and Robyn Newton continue to be active owner/operators of Rick's Dive 'N Travel Center, Inc. today. "Our business has not only allowed us to escort divers to the far corners of the world and meet some of the greatest people around, but also, to share the love of scuba diving and the underwater excitement with customers we are proud to call.......OUR buddies and friends."  Be sure you ask for a tour of our dive center!

Selected as one of the TOP TEN" dive centers in America by DEMA, Diving Equipment Marketing Association

Join in the fun and excitement that we have been offering our customers for over three decades.

Not sure you will like SCUBA diving? Rick's invites you to join us for an introductory scuba experience in our indoor heated pool, no gimmicks, no pressure, just a chance to let you experience what you just may be missing! click here for details

Welcome to Rick's

Rick's Selected Best of the Best! Learn More...

Rick's Honorary Student Time Line Page!

	1978 - Samuel F. Jirik, DDS Cabot -one of Rick's first 10 students
	1979 - Jeff Lawrence - Owner of Power House Gym in Little Rock
	1981 - Jerry Cavaneau - Arkansas Razorback Hall of fame member certified at Rick's
	1982 - Bob Russell and family Owners- Russell Chevrolet in North Little Rock
	1982 - The Keeling family of North Little Rock certified at Rick's
	1983 - Dr. Dale Colclasure Dentistry and family certified at Rick's
	1985 - Democrat Gazette runs story & photo of Rick's "Ground Breaking" at our current location in NLR
	1986 - Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center sponsored Mr. Jack McKinney, a free lance underwater cameraman, top side cameraman, writer & photographer to discuss his work on the Andrea Doria to a filled gymnasium at Northeast High school with our Seaview presentation.
	1987 – Mrs. Marty Dunwoody former student & certified Open Water & Advanced Open Water at Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center before going on to set the ladies world's Deep Diving Record, over 500’
	1987 - Democrat Gazette article with Rick's hosting an underwater wedding in our pool for a local Sherwood couple, builder Jon & Karen Young who met during diving classes at Rick's
	1988 – Lynn Dickey - Razorback football all star and family certified at Rick's
	1989 - Women & Families article "Enjoy Scuba Diving" - Outdoor Arkansas Gazette
	1990 - Rick's was selected as one of the world's best designed dive centers by "Diving World" magazine
	1990 – Rick's wife, Robyn Newton designed several styles of men's and women's wet suits for a well known national wet suit company
	1990 - John Hardin Bale - Automobile dealership owner certified at Rick's
	1990 - Rick’s sponsored  writer & ocean activist Dee Scar in "Touch the Sea" program at the Arkansas Repertory Theater in Little Rock
	1992 - Rick's featured in article in the Conway Log Cabin Democrat Newspaper
	1992 - Rick’s certified North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays
	1992 - Rick’s certified Honorable Senator Cliff Hoofman
	1992 - Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones sons Steve & Jeryl certified at Rick's
	1993 - Rick's Dive 'N Travel Center selected by PADI as a Top Retailer
	1993 - Rick led a dive group that was featured in a 20 minute segment on NBC Dateline during our Cocos Island Dive Adventure with reporter John Scott (footage on file)
	1993 - Radio & TV Sports personality Craig O’Neill certified at Rick’s Dive 'N Travel Center inc
	1993 - Peter Kumpe with the Lion's World Services for the Blind was certified at Rick's
	1994 - Rick’s hosted the band - "Little Texas" and who are Scuba Divers for a meet & greet session at Rick's before performing in Little Rock
	1994  Sandy Carroll, became Rick's Dive 'N Travel Center's PADI Course Director - one of the very few in our area
	1995 - Rick's was honored to host world renowned underwater photographer, Chris Newbert "In A Sea of Dreams" at the Little Rock, Hilton
	1996 - Rick’s Dive N ‘Travel Center started a campaign to sponsor several diver groups to help keep the beautiful Buffalo River clean – August 8, 1996 along with " Keep Arkansas Clean"
	1997 - Rick's selected as "Best of the Best" - Dive Center by the readers of the Arkansas Democrat/Gazette newspaper every year since it's inception 1997 thru 2009 - Thank you Arkansas!
	1997 - Dr. Andrew Henry - Cardiologist/partner of the Arkansas Heart Hospital - certified at Rick's
	1999 - Rick's staff of professional Instructors escorted one of the largest dive groups ever by a single dive center during the Millennium celebration to Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles - 120 divers & participants  (see photo's on our "Take A Dive" page here)
	2000 - Rick & Robyn featured in an article in the Arkansas Democrat/Gazette, October issue
	2000 - Rick's was featured on the front page of the Arkansas Business Weekly, May Issue
	2001 - Rick's featured article in the Arkansas Times newspaper - May Issue
	2001 - Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center received recognition for 25 years of outstanding service since May 1978 presented by PADI worldwide at Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center by our PADI Regional Representative.
	2003 - Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center is proud to have certified the FIRST- Jr. Master Scuba Diver in the State- Scotty Luffman, Jr. of Cabot
	2004 - Rick served on the Advisory Committee of the PADI International Resort & Retailer Association
	2004 - Rick's selected as one of the "TOP TEN" Dive Centers in America by DEMA (Diving Equipment Marketing Association)
	2004 - Our store was featured in an online magazine article by Dive Retailing.Com - click here to read article
	2004 - Rick's staff honored in the PADI Undersea Journal Edition, worldwide publication
	2004 - Rick has completed the Epcot Dive Quest Program & has dived in the Living Sea exhibit several times
	2004 - PADI Partners – Underwater Journal article & photo with PADI representative, Pete Treloar along with Rick’s Educational Director, Sandy Carroll with Robyn & Rick Newton honored with the PADI Five Star 25 year membership award 1978 after having certified more than 8000 students
	2005 - PADI Undersea Journal  - Rick's Selected as a model dive center, "one of only three" in the U.S., and selected to participate in a photo shoot for PADI's Continuing Education Workshops & promotional materials
	2006- KARK 4 TV – Jeff Whatley – Assistant News Director – certified at Rick’s
	2006 - Rick's twenty year staff member & PADI Course Director, Sandy Carroll appeared in the latest revision of the PADI Recreational Diving Encyclopedia, worldwide publication
	2006 - KARK TV Co-Anchor Jancey Sheats – certified at Rick's
	2006 - Rick, "You publish the best E-newsletter that I have ever seen". Congratulations - Mark Young - Dive Center Business Magazine Owner/Writer for the diving industry
	2006 - Owner Rick Newton featured in a store photo in the PADI 4th Quarter 2006, Undersea Journal article - "Communicating Expectations" with our Master Scuba Diver Program
	2006 - Rick's received a DEMA Award for recognition for our outstanding contributions to the Diving Industry
	2006 - Dive Evaluation Report perfect score from (C.O.R.E.) The Council on Retail Excellence (see below)*
	2007 KARK 4 TV– Aaron Nolan – Sportscaster certified at Rick's
	2007 Rick’s certified the family of Mr. & Mrs. Scott T. Ford, former President & CEO of Alltel
	2007 - Rick’s interviewed by Elizabeth Sharp of Central Arkansas’ Sync Weekly magazine
	2007 - Rick's certified diver Zoie Clift has articles on diving published in several magazines including SCUBA Diving Magazine with a feature story about Lake Ouachita in the Scuba Diving Magazine
	2007 - PADI's interview with Rick on streaming video in conjunction with PADI's  - "GO PRO CHALLENGE" Click for interview
	2007 - Jancey Sheats with KARK 4 runs stories about Diving in Arkansas during news segments. You can click the links to watch the videos: Scuba Diving 101: Testing the Waters Part 1 and Scuba Diving 101: Testing the Waters Part 2 (Large downloads please account for extra time for the video to start)
	2008 - June article from  Dive News Wire pertaining to Rick's Underwater Treasure Hunt 30th Anniversary Celebration
	2008- Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center was honored during our 30th Anniversary with a presentation at Rick’s Underwater Treasure Hunt by PADI Regional Representative, Mr. Gordon Apons
	2008 - Rick’s Dive 'N Travel Center was awarded several DEMA awards & honors at this year's Diving Equipment Marketing Association Trade Show in Las Vegas. - Honors for Rick's included the McNett Group Award, the Henderson Aquatic Award,  Innovative Concepts Group Award along with the Trip 'N Tour Flaming Diamond Award for our extensive Dive Travel programs.
	2009 - Rick's recently was honored to be selected the Best Dive Center through Stevens Media poll
	2009 - Rick's was honored by with an Outstanding Service Award by PADI for more than 31 years of outstanding service
	2009- Dive Center Business Magazine writers publish an article about Rick's Dive 'N Travel "Making your Store an Adventure"
	2009 - Did you know that Ricks Dive 'N Travel Center has escorted more than 7000 dive trips since we started in business? Come see why we are the leading Dive Center in Arkansas!
	2009 - Rick's O/W Scuba Class featured in Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article by PADI diver, Misty Brown

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Click on "Learn more" for

additional information

*Dive Evaluation Report from (C.O.R.E.)
The Council on Retail Excellence

Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center recently received a mean score of 10 out of a possible 10 from the Council on Retail Excellence in association with the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA). Learn More...

 When you want to do it right the first time!  Learn More...
 

Store Hours

 

Monday - Thursday	9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
By appointment after hours Call 1-800-521-3541

 

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"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams...
live the life you have imagined at Rick's."

 

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