Jason Preker
Hi, I’m Jason, the general manager of Underwater Safaris since 1987. This photo was taken driving Aqualung II, our 30’ Carver dive boat. When I was in high school, I worked in the scuba department at Morrie Mages Sports on Ontario and LasSalle. I was the only scuba diver in the department (I was 15). It was fun to be the authority on scuba diving for the largest sporting goods store in the world. When Underwater Safaris leased the space from Morrie Mages in 1987, I stayed on and managed that store unit I moved to Lincoln Avenue in 1991.
I was certified as a PADI Open Water Diver when I was 12. Since then, I have completed Advanced, Rescue and Master Scuba Diver with certifications in Deep, Night, Search and Recovery, Drift, Boat, Wreck, DPV, Photography, Videography and Underwater Naturalist. I have dove in great places like the Bahamas, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, Baja (Sea of Cortez), Florida Keys, Florida Springs and Cozumel. Locally I have dove in Lake Michigan, Pearl Lake, France Park (Logansport, Indiana) and Devil’s Lake (Baraboo).
My favorite dives:
- Shark Diving at Stella Maris in the Bahamas: We were surrounded by gray reef sharks.
- Baja (Sea of Cortez): While Checking out the baby sea lions at Las Animas, a huge male (bull) sea lion felt I got too close. I saw teeth (my eyes popped out) and I was back on the boat in 2.2 seconds.
- My favorite local diving is in Lake Michigan harbors doing search and recovery for boaters who have lost phones or keys (you name it). I seem to have an uncanny knack for finding their “newly wet” possessions before they become artifacts.
I enjoy working with the customers at Underwater Safaris… outfitting them for great trips. I also get to order and check out all the new scuba equipment. I am certified as a technician for US Divers, Sherwood and Mares. I have extensive knowledge in scuba equipment from 20 years in the industry.
Scuba is an equipment intensive sport. Favorite part of my job? Talking to divers about what they need to make their dive safe and exciting, finding the merchandise whether we carry it or not and then hearing about how great their dive was. If you need equipment we don’t have, I’ll find it and do my best to get it for you.
