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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.

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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

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

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See accompanying story: Configure Me This: The Annotated Sidemounter

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