Best Dive Shop: Dive N’ Surf

For his 80th birthday three years ago, Dive N’ Surf owner Bill Meistrell wanted to dive 80 feet with a double hose regulator, like the one he learned to dive with in the early 1950s.

To ensure the safety of the regulator, which was nearly as old as its diver, Meistrell had it rebuilt by Dive N’ Surf’s “Supreme God of Repairs” Jocko Robinson. Robinson presides over an area at the back of the nation’s oldest dive shop that is part repairs, part museum.

As a member of the California Classic Equipment Divers Association, Robinson believes in making every repair, and even every rental an educational experience for the customer.

What Robinson is to equipment, Dave Jensen is to dive instruction. Jensen is Dive N’ Surf’s Director of SCUBA operations. In addition to SCUBA certification classes, Jensen coordinates Dive N’ Surf club activities, which include monthly beach and boat dives and guest speakers.

“The dive club’s goal is to keep veteran divers active, match up new divers with dive buddies and have fun,” Jensen said.

Dive N’ Surf: 504 N. Broadway, Redondo Beach. (310) 372-8423. DiveNSurf.com

Runner-up: Sea d’ Sea, 1911 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach. (310) 373-6355. SeaDSea.com.