About Underwater World
Underwater World owners Frank and Linda Krailler first began diving in the mid-80s. Daughter, and now Dive Instructor Kim, was 12 years old. After being certified in the Florida Keys, Frank was hooked on diving.
Frank’s certification as an Open Water Diver led to more advanced courses and helping out at a local dive store in Cincinnati. Linda’s certification led to a passion for exotic dive trips to fabulous dive locations like Bonaire, the Bahamas, Nassau, Turks and Caicos, the Caymans, Belize, St. Croix, and Fiji, which (Frank and Linda both agree) resulted in the birth of twins Julie and Mindy, and then Frank, Jr.
They experienced the ultimate in diving — liveaboard vessels like the Aqua Cat and Blackbeards fleet in the Bahamas, and Nekton destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.
They explored the fabled wrecks of Lake Erie and the sunken treasures at Gilboa Quarry in nearby northern Ohio.
When Frank learned that the dive shop where he got his start was closing, he and a partner started their own. By now, Frank was a certified Master Scuba Diver, Dive Instructor, and certified dive industry technician, but he still wasn’t satisfied with the new location. There was no pool. Students were required to travel to other locations to complete their pool sessions. It was not only a hassle for students, but not having enough time to feel comfortable breathing underwater and trying out newly learned skills impeded learning. This was a safety risk Frank wasn’t willing to take.
In May 1997, Frank and Linda bought the property and began construction of Underwater World Scuba Center, now Cincinnati’s largest scuba facility complete with retail space, training classrooms, repair shop and Frank and Linda’s pride and joy, a huge heated pool. The pool, with artfully painted walls of sharks and sea life, is used by both students during the course of their certification and by certified customers who want to refresh their skills or try out new equipment.
Over the years, Frank’s biggest thrill has been seeing his daughter Kim become an instructor and hear the positive feedback from her students. Nowadays, being a scuba diver is a family requirement. Kim’s daughters Shelby, Courtney and Cassidy dive. Twin Julie’s husband Justin is a diver, as is twin Mindy’s boyfriend Glenn. Courtney, Frank Jr.’s girlfriend dives and grandson Cameron can’t wait to be a diver. Frank Jr., having earned his business degree from EKU in 2008 and the shop’s new Assistant Manager, looks forward to keeping the Krailler dive legend alive at Underwater World.
Our history is why we call Underwater World a family-oriented dive shop. We invite you to stop by anytime to visit or browse. We hope you will get to know us better by reading our vision of learning, equipment, service and staff.
