Ron Ault started filling tanks in a propane and espresso stand in Potlatch, and moved to the present dive shop in 1997. He brings with him years of experience underwater, first diving mud holes in central Texas as a kid. He grew up and moved on to salvage diving in the navy, and joined the prestigious Navy Experimental Diving Unit in its early days. He was the first person to dive below 1000 feet in the open ocean. What's it look like down there? Much like the concrete floor of the dive shop, he says, but with a real soft bottom.
After leaving the navy, Ron took some underwater jobs in construction and salvage, and did an exciting stint in the sewers of New York City. He came to Washington state in 1975 and started a long career in commercial harvesting of geoducks, urchins, and sea cucumbers. He figures he's walked the entire bottom of the state's inland waters down to about 70 feet, and much of the open coast as well.
In 1995 Ron returned to his roots of scuba diving at Hood Sport 'n Dive. He's even started wearing a BC, and is using fins again. He hasn't slowed down on telling sea tales, and he's usually ready to tell you one anytime the shop's not too busy.