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The Who’s Who of Sidemount
Stories are at the heart of diving culture. Accordingly, we asked over 30 internationally recognized explorers, educators, engineers, pioneers and producers, who have each made significant contributions to sidemount diving, to share their stories. And what stories they are! Interviews by Stratis Kas and Michael Menduno.
By Stratis Kas, with interviews by Michael Menduno as noted. Format concept: Ashley Stewart. Images courtesy of the subjects unless otherwise noted. Cover collage by SJ Alice Bennett using who’s who images.
Passionate water-centric individuals spend lifetimes in-and-out of the water, to solve what to the untrained eye may seem unimportant, but to the sidemount devote is vital: achieving nothing less than perfection. The following people may not all be perfect (how could they be?), but all have made significant contributions to sidemount and diving in general, everyone in their own special way.
This is a collection of world recognized and influential explorers, educators, engineers, pioneers, and content creators who are widely recognized as leaders in the field of sidemount diving and have helped advance the state of the art. At best, by its very nature, the list is incomplete. If you feel you should have been on it, you may be right. It was likely an oversight, and or limited resources on our part. Our apologies.
Collectively, these individuals embody a palpable depth of knowledge and experience with sidemount diving. We offer up their stories for your edification. May we present, (some of) the Who’s Who of sidemount.
Click the images to read their stories.
Aleš Procháska
Andy Davis
Andrew Goring
Audrey Cudel
Bil Phillips
Brett Hemphill
Brian Kakuk
Christophe Le Maillot
Daniele Pontis
Edd Sorenson
Garry Dallas
Jeff Loflin
Jill Heinerth
Lamar Hires
Marissa Eckert
Mauro Bordignon
Michael Thomas
Mike Young
Mikko Paasi
Natalie Gibb
Patrick Widmann
Phillip Lehmann
Piotr Czernik
Rick Stanton
Rob Neto
Robbie Schmittner
Robin Cuesta
Skanda Cophield
Steve Bogaerts
Steve Davis
Steve Lewis
Steve Martin
Thorsten Waelde
Tom Steiner
Tomasz “Michu” Michura
Woody Jasper
Wes Skiles
See accompanying story: Configure Me This: The Annotated Sidemounter