Who we are
AQUA’rd Turtle Scuba
(ôkwərd/ˈturt(ə)l/ˈsko͞obə)
"In a world full of normal, be AQUA’rd".
We are passionate about sharing the underwater world. We take the time to get to know each customer and their needs so that their underwater experience is a cherished memory that they will talk about for years to come. From planning dive trips to Beaver Lake, Arkansas to Cozumel, Mexico and everything in between, we want to see the love and joy that each customer has when exploring the amazing world under the water.
Brad Burns
(Owner/PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer)
Brad was certified as an open water diver way back in 2002. After diving hard for a couple years, he took time away from diving to raise a family.
In 2014, he got his wife, Allie certified and the adventure was on from there. In 2015, Brad became an SSI Instructor and earned the SSI Silver 300 Instructor achievement.
In 2018, he crossed over and became a PADI Open Water Diver Instructor and in 2019, opened up AQUA’rd Turtle Scuba.
One of his favorite experiences was having the opportunity to dive with and handle sharks in both the Bahamas and Guanaja, Honduras.
Our Staff
Lauren Weiss
(PADI Open Water Dive Instructor)
Lauren was certified as an open water diver at the age of 11 in Aruba. Before that, she would go on dive boats with her parents and help the crew while the divers were in the water.
One of her favorite experiences was working with disabled divers and veterans in Cayman Brac, where she became certified as an Adaptive Dive Buddy with Dive Pirates at the age of 16. After that, she started working towards her instructor certification.
She earned her dive master and instructor certification while living in Cozumel, where she perfected her Spanish.
Since then, she has moved back to Missouri, and now works for Wonders of Wildlife in the Shark tank and instructs for AQUA’rd Turtle Scuba.
Allie Burns
(Manager/PADI DM In Training)
Allie was certified back in 2014 after our oldest son left the house and headed off to college. Allie was looking for a new hobby and her hubbie talked her into trying Scuba. She tried it once in the pool and was hooked.
Allie handles the day to day operations of the shop and prepares our group trips (not an easy task). She also puts together all the great events we host at the shop or at the lake..
One of her favorite experiences was her first ocean dives which happened to be on the Cayman Aggressor 4 (she was very spoiled after that trip). She remembers it being a very calm and beautiful day and took her first giant stride into the oceanic world, it was breathtaking.
