March 2026 Level UP Podcast | Scuba Diving Industry Insights of 2026

Get the latest trends in dive retailing, travel, training, and operations with Level Up, the official podcast of Scuba Diving Industry Magazine. In this episode, industry leaders break down key topics shaping dive businesses worldwide – from consumer behavior and sustainability to safety, fitness, and operations from the March 2026 issue. 👉 Read more: https://scubadivingindustry.com/march-2026-issue-hub/ 00:00 – Intro & Show Overview Greg the Dive Master (https://scubaradio.com/) and William Cline (https://scubadivingindustry.com/) welcome this month’s expert panel. 01:10 – Britain Cline (https://scubadivingindustry.com/) Topic: Beneath the Sea Show Report: Diver Behavior & Retail Insights 14 interviews show dive shops remain essential, 93% return for staff expertise, and demand is growing for community events. 05:02 – Cathryn Castle Garcia (https://www.clearstorycoach.com/) Article: From Rags to Enrichment – A Tribute to the Late Wayne B. Brown Leadership, integrity, and family-first philosophy. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/from-rags-to-enrichment-a-tribute-to-the-late-wayne-b-brown-by-cathryn-castle-garcia/ 09:15 – Stephen Frink (https://stephenfrink.com/) Topic: Cover Photo of Wayne B. Brown Behind-the-scenes of a historic dive trip and iconic image. View Issue: https://scubadivingindustry.com/march-2026-issue-hub/ 13:14 – Marina Walser (https://www.diveacademyfiji.com/) Article: Part 6: How to “Blue” Your Business and Make More Green – Dive Academy Fiji Sustainable, off-grid dive operations combining eco-tourism and profitability. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/part-6-how-to-blue-your-business-and-make-more-green-dive-academy-fiji-by-gil-zeimer/ 20:30 – Peter Symes (https://xray-mag.com/) Article: Europe: A Wreck Diver’s Paradise – With a Few Rules European wreck diving, historic finds, and shallow Baltic sites. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/europe-a-wreck-divers-paradise-with-a-few-rules-by-peter-symes/ 28:05 – Dan Orr (danorr@danorrconsulting.com) Article: Building a Safe and Enjoyable Buddy Relationship for Traveling Divers Dive safety, insta-buddy selection, and communication risks. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/building-a-safe-and-enjoyable-buddy-relationship-for-traveling-divers-by-dan-orr/ 32:23 – Gretchen Ashton (https://www.scubafit.com/) Article: Fitness Insights Part 3: A Retailer’s Case Study Fitness programs improving retention and generating revenue. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/fitness-insights-part-3-a-retailers-case-study-by-gretchen-m-ashton/ 38:49 – Jeff McNutt (https://divebvi.com/) Article: Part 2: Creating an Employee Handbook for Dive Centers SOPs vs handbooks – defining how vs why in dive culture. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/part-2-creating-an-employee-handbook-for-dive-centers-by-jeff-mcnutt/ 43:52 – Kramer Wimberley (https://divingwithapurpose.org/) Article: The Invisible Thread: Why the Ocean is Your Next Breath Ocean produces 50%+ of our oxygen and connects everyone. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/the-invisible-thread-why-the-ocean-is-your-next-breath-by-kramer-wimberley/ 48:49 – David Prichard & Lily Mak (https://enchantedsea.com/) Article: A Group Dive Guide to St. Lucia – The Helen of the West Indies Caribbean destination ideal for group dive travel. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/a-group-dive-guide-to-st-lucia-the-helen-of-the-west-indies-by-david-prichard-lily-mak/ 54:42 – Jeff Cinciripino (https://jeffcinciripino.com/) Article: To Discount or Not to Discount – That Is Our Question Why discounting hurts margins and how to shift to value-based pricing. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/to-discount-or-not-to-discount-that-is-our-question-by-jeff-cinciripino/ 1:00:14 – Tec Clark (https://www.scubaguruacademy.com/p/the-campus-edge) Article: Part 3: Where is the Best Place to Develop Divemasters and Instructors? Colleges as a scalable pipeline for dive professionals. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/part-3-where-is-the-best-place-to-develop-divemasters-and-instructors-by-tec-clark/ 1:05:26 – Steven Lopez (https://www.explorersphotography.com/) Article: Shooting Vertical Worlds: Capturing Height, Depth and Scale Underwater photography tips for depth, scale, and composition. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/shooting-vertical-worlds-capturing-height-depth-and-scale-by-steven-lopez-msc-dr-carmen-obied/ 1:12:51 – William Cline (https://scubadivingindustry.com/march-2026-issue-hub/) Articles: -How Geopolitical Events Are Shaping Dive Travel Confidence -Divemasters as Brand Ambassadors, Not Just Safety Monitors Travel trends, diver confidence, and evolving dive staff roles. Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/how-geopolitical-events-are-shaping-dive-travel-confidence-by-william-cline/ Read: https://scubadivingindustry.com/divemasters-as-brand-ambassadors-not-just-safety-monitors-by-william-cline/ Subscribe for FREE: https://scubadivingindustry.com/subscribe-for-free/