Sea D Sea Dive Shop, a local icon of the diving community for the last 44 years will officially close today.

With an average of 85% of new students quitting diving within their first year, diving shops have never really been a great investment idea; and even with the enticement of reduced rent to keep it a dive shop, nobody bought it.

So today is the last day before it turns into some kind of a boutique or gift shop, as rumor has it.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve always gone in for a quick air fill or a deal on gear.

Crazy Ivan used to teach out of the shop, and had yours truly help with some of his classes.

I stopped in a couple of weeks ago, when I heard the news of Sea D Sea closing – there wasn’t much inventory left, but I did walk away with a $110 light for $60.

Barry and Sea D Sea will truly be missed.

Enjoy your retirement Barry, and thank you for the many great years of service!

There is a interesting article by the Daily Breeze on Barry and Sea D Sea: Sea change: Redondo Beach scuba shop to close after 44 years