Explore the world beneath the surface.
Professional PADI scuba training for Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas
From your first breath underwater to Divemaster, Clay Raborn teaches every level personally — small classes, gear and materials included, and a free try-scuba lesson to start.
Years of diving
Master Instructor
University scuba instructor
Where we teach
Try before you certify — the free try-scuba lesson
Think you can't dive? Think again. Many people say "I'm claustrophobic" or "I could never breathe underwater" — but once Clay explains scuba and lets them try breathing air in just three feet of water, the reaction is always the same: "WOW, that's cool!"
Clay provides everything you need — just bring your swimsuit. So far, no one has walked away without a smile. Come discover God's incredible underwater creation. There is no cost and no commitment.
Book your free try-scuba lesson
Call 318-455-4975 or send a message and Clay will find a time that works for you.
Book your free lesson →Your path to certification
From first-time divers to aspiring professionals — every course includes gear, materials and Clay's personal instruction. Call for current pricing.
PADI Open Water Diver
Earn the world's most recognized scuba certification and start exploring underwater — no experience required.
PADI Advance Open Water Diver
Build real underwater confidence with five specialty dives, including deep diving and navigation.
PADI Rescue Diver
Sharpen your awareness and learn to handle real dive emergencies with calm and skill.
PADI Master Diver
PADI's highest recreational rating, for divers who've put in the dives and the training.
PADI Divemaster
Turn your passion into a profession — lead certified divers, assist with training and share the underwater world.
PADI specialty courses
Go deeper, explore further, and experience more. Specialty courses let you master specific techniques and earn additional credentials.
Boat Diver
Learn the terminology, etiquette, and entry techniques that make boat diving smooth instead of stressful.
Learn more →Deep Diver
Safely extend your depth limits to 40 meters / 130 feet — the walls, wrecks and big animals live deeper.
Learn more →Night Diver
See a completely different underwater world and get comfortable diving after dark with a light in hand.
Learn more →Peak Performance Buoyancy
Dial in your weighting and trim so you hover effortlessly, breathe less, and dive longer.
Learn more →Search & Recovery
Learn real search patterns and lift bag techniques to find and recover lost or dropped objects.
Learn more →Underwater Navigator
Learn to find your way underwater with a compass and natural navigation, no surface support required.
Learn more →Wreck Diver
Explore sunken ships and other wrecks safely with real mapping, planning, and guideline skills.
Learn more →Refresher (ReActivate)
Get your skills sharp, your confidence back, and your certification current in a single flexible session.
Learn more →Meet your instructor: Clay Raborn
Clay Raborn is the instructor and owner of Ark La Tex Scuba. His students attest to his patient, understanding leadership and genuine consideration for every student's needs — regardless of certification level.
Growing up, scuba was Clay's biggest desire. He trained for years through the Eldorado Dive Shop with Billy Richard and Tom Hamm. Over 20 years of diving led him to become a PADI Instructor, then a PADI Master Instructor.
Clay holds a B.S.E. from Southern Arkansas University in P.E./Health and continued at LA Tech in Special Education. He returned to become the scuba instructor at Southern Arkansas University for 18 years. He is also an Aqualung dealer and certified service technician.
Clay believes scuba is the best sport for families and takes pride in teaching them to experience it together — including his two daughters, Lauren and Erin, and his mother, Laura.
PADI Master Instructor · Owner
Clay Raborn
Students in the water
Where the classroom ends
Credentials
Why divers train with Clay
Everything included
Gear, materials and pool time are part of every course. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Personal instruction
Every course is taught by Clay himself, at your pace — nobody waits at the back of the line.
Families welcome
Scuba is the best sport for families. Clay takes pride in teaching them to experience it together.
Ark La Tex Scuba
Come discover the underwater world
Let's make your dive dreams real
Have a question? Interested in a course? Want to schedule your free try-scuba lesson? Reach out and Clay will personally get back to you.
Contact Clay →