Scuba Reader

In many ways, scuba diving began to be a major part of pop culture by the late 1950's and early 60's. During this time Hollywood released more than twenty movies where scuba diving was integral to the plot. Television shows like Sea Hunt and the Cousteau documentaries were bringing the adventures of scuba divers into the homes of Americans. Magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and Argosy were following the sport's growth and writing about the adventures of divers. Words like skin diver, f… Continue

On a recent trip to Tarpon Springs Florida, I had the opportunity to engage in some diving nostalgia. There I had the opportunity to see a diver reenact the sponge dives of yesteryear by donning a hard hat diving system and go searching for sponges in the local waters. Afterwards the diver was available for pictures, a dramatic figure wearing his copper helmet. Often I would wonder what it would be like to don such historic dive gear myself, and walk across the ocean floor. Recently I began to h… Continue

As a scuba diver, sharks have featured prominently in my imagination. Having a true close encounter with them has been something I have looked forward to since becoming a diver. My first encounter was with a nurse shark lying on a wreck off of Fort Lauderdale. I would next come face to face with a blacktip reef shark while diving Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary off of the Florida Keys. Both encounters were enjoyable if somewhat brief. Since these encounters, I have hoped for something more in… Continue

Last March, divers from across the globe made the annual pilgrimage to the city of Boston and its elegant Fairmont Copley Hotel. It was time once again for the Boston Sea Rover's annual clinic. Attendee divers would have the opportunity to both attend interesting lectures about the wonders of the underwater world our sport allows us to experience, as well as regale each other about that last great dive adventure. If asked, I would have reported my last dive had not just been great, but truly awe… Continue

Last October, members who attended my local scuba club meeting had the opportunity to learn about one very unique facet of our sport. Our speaker that night was Woody Tinsley, and his topic was the fascination for Megalodon shark teeth collecting by scuba divers from around the world. Listening to his presentation, I began to hope that if the opportunity arose, I would find myself in one of those shark tooth diver destinations he mentioned, and try my hand at hunting for my own fossil trophy. Th… Continue