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Club 25 Profile – Keldan Advanced Lighting Technology

Photo courtesy of Keldan Advanced Lighting Technology

Founded in 1994, Keldan Advanced Lighting Technology came about when Daniel Keller, a prolific diver and an electrical engineer with a MSc in electrical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), made a dive light for his wife as a birthday present in the early 90’s. When his friends at his local dive club saw the incredible performance and quality of the dive light, Keller was inundated with requests to manufacture more and KELDAN was born. Since then, KELDAN has grown to become a globally respected manufacturer of the highest performing underwater video lighting equipment.

Continuous Research and Development

KELDAN has built its reputation on the continuous improvement of its product through continuous research and development. All its optical, mechanical and electronic components are carefully designed in-house to ensure that even professionals will be impressed by the quality of its products.

Keldan Products

Known for their video lights and handheld lights, KELDAN video lights are known to be compact, light in weight with excellent photometric specifications. Its modular design allows KELDAN lights to be easily configured for all types of professional video needs underwater.

KELDAN handheld lights are dive lights with full features which are small in size, user friendly and are optimized for maximum brightness. They are often used by divers who need a light in lakes, night dives, ice-, wreck- and technical diving as well as rescue and outdoor operations and law enforcement.

Club 25 Profile – TUSA (Tabata USA)

An international sporting goods manufacturer heaquartered in Japan, TUSA is one of the world’s first scuba equipment makers. Founded by Kazuo Tabata in Japan in 1952, Tabata made his first mask and goggles by hand in his garage. Today, Tabata’s global network includes facilities in Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Netherlands and the United States.

Renowned for using the finest materials with an unparalled commitment to quality and innovation, TUSA was the premier manufacturer to introduce crystal (premium) silicone mask skirts with their original Liberator model. It was also the first to introduce vibrant colours to their diving equipment.

With 67 years of history, TUSA’s commitment to continued innovation is evident throughout Tabata’s product line, including the VIEW Swimming Gear, TUSA Sport Snorkelling Equipment Vitalshot Golf Equipment and other recreational sporting goods.

Designed and manufactured to ISP 9001 standards, TUSA dive equipment is made to the highest innovation standards and quality. The ISO certification provides independent assurance of TUSA’s commitment to developing and manufacturing innovative equipment to the highest international quality standards.

Club 25 Profile – Suunto

Founded in 1936, Suunto is a Finnish company that has been pioneering exploration since its founder Tuomas Vohlonen found a way to produce more accurate compasses for his orienteering adventures. Derived from the Finnish word “suunta”, which means “direction”, “path”, “bearing “ or “heading”, Suunto is a manufacturer of sports watches, dive computers, compasses and precise instruments. Currently headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto’s founding was a result of Vohlonen’s idea of filling and sealing a lightweight compass with liquid to dampen the needle in order to protect it from shock and wear due to excessive motion. Vohlonen, who was a surveyor, built the compass housing out of celluloid and applied for a patent on his design in 1932.

After being granted the patent in 1935, Vohlonen put his wrist-mounted M-311 compass into mass production. Although it wasn’t the first liquid-filled compass, the design of the M-311 was lightweight and small, which enabled it to be easily worn on your wrist. After a few minor changes, the M-311 was adopted by the Finnish Army as the M-34. Suunto was registered on February 1936.

After his death in 1939, his widow Elli Vohlonen took over Suunto until 1952 when she sold the company to Paavo Kajanne, Aarne Mahnala and Veli-Jussi Hölsö, who also ownd Redox Oy. The company was sold to the Niemistö family at the end of the 1970s and was purchased by Sponsor Oy in the early 1990s. Then known as Suunto Oy, the company took over Recta SA, a Swiss compass manufacturer in 1996 but Suunto Oy was purchased by Amer Sports in 1999.

Besides its wide variety of magnetic compasses, Suunto also makes multi-functional electronic wristwatches which include compass bearings, altitude, barometer, sports training and GPS.

Suunto dive computers are trusted, functional and durable tools for all kinds of underwater adventures from the beginner to the advanced. Extensively tested and manufactured in Finland, Suunto’s venture into the underwater products began in 1965 when a British sport diver realised that Suunto’s liquid filled compass also worked underwater. Suunto’s first dive compass the SK-4 was soon launched. Renowned for being reliable and durable, it was used by famous underwater explorers like Jacques Costeau.

Suunto went on to become a leader in the field of dive instruments during the 1980s. In 1987, Suunto went digital by producing the SME-ML, Sunnto’s first electronic diving computer. The SME was Suunto’s most impactful creation during the 1980s and was hugely influential in the popularisation of underwater diving. The SME eliminated the need of divers to calculate dive times using diving tables. In 1989, Suunto marine compasses became the standard in Swan and Baltic boats and almost all the yachts in the Whitbread Round the World race are equipped with Suunto compasses. In 1997, a decade after the launch of the SME, the Suunto Spyder, the world’s first watch-sized dive computer is launched – combining a top-of-the-line diving computer with a high quality dive watch.

Today, Suunto is still based in Finland where most of Suunto’s products are designed and handcrafted in Suunto’s flagship factory outside Helsinki. Suunto’s aim is to provide adventurers and sports enthusiasts with the best tools to explore and conquer new territory form the highest mountains to the deepest oceans – and anywhere in between.

Club 25 Profile – Mares

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of scuba equipment, MARES was founded by Ludovico Mares in Rapallo, Italy in 1949. The son of an Austrian naval officer, Ludovico Mares was born in Pola, Italy on January 10, 1898 and was an avid sportsman who excelled in many sports. Ludovico was a national champion in hockey and held regional records in diving while also excelling in figure skating regionally.

It was during World War I that Ludovico found his calling. A diver with the Austrian Royal Navy, Ludovico continued to dive after the war as he focused on submarine recoveries. At the end of World War II, however, like a lot of Istrian (present day Croatia and Slovenia) exiles, Ludovico was forced to emigrate. He moved to Rapallo, Italy where his passion for the ocean and his ambition drove him to begin producing dive equipment.

Starting out with spearguns, Ludovico started making masks and fins. After a few years, his continued drive for innovation and his enterprising spirit helped spread the word about the quality of MARES products around the world.

In 1971, Ludovico Mares retired and sold his company to AMF, a large multinational company whose portfolio of companies included Harley Davidson and leading sports equipment brands like HEAD (tennis and skiing), Tyrolla (ski bindings) and Munari/Sanmarco (ski boots). MARES is still a member of this group of sports brands, now known as Head NV.

The innovation spirit of Mares continued as MARES became the first to introduce fins made in two materials in 1973 – with the blade made out of technopolymer and the overmolded foot pocket made out of thermoplastic rubber.

In the next five years MARES perfected the bi-material technology and brought the famous Plana fins to market. Lighter and better performing, the Plana fins married its unique good looks with indisputably superior consistency in quality that quickly made rubber fins obsolete. Today almost every fin produced is made using this technology.

MARES launched the new “optical system” for dive masks in 1979 with customers now able to get a customized optical mask from their local dealer in a few minutes.

In 1981, the MR12 III regulator, designed and manufactured entirely in Italy, was launched. A fine-tuned version of the MR 12 II, the world’s first regulator with the VAD (Vortex Assisted Design) system, the system was further perfected and improved, thereby making breathing more natural while delivering exceptional results under any conditions.

The next year, MARES became the first company to use brand new silicone technology by introducing a series of new masks with it.

With Scuba Schools International (SSI) joining the MARES family in 2014, new product lines were developed by MARES to serve the needs of the sectors in which SSI offers training. A new Freediving line was developed from research done by MARES with special suits, monofins and specially designed accessories developed specifically with the passionate freediver in mind. The XR- Extended Range line was introduced for divers who like to try new dive systems and who want to extend their range of experience such as using gas blends or making cave dives. The Scuba Ranger line was also introduced for kids learning how to dive.

In 2016, MARES further extended their range by acquiring rEVO, a company specialising in rebreathers. With the company going from strength to strength through its relentless dedication to innovation, the innovative excellence of Ludovico Mares will go on for generations to come.

Club 25 Profile – Bauer Compressors

BAUER COMPRESSORS INC is recognized around the world as one of the most innovative designers and manufacturers of high-pressure systems. Founded in 1976, BAUER COMPRESSORS is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and specialises in high pressure breathing air products, GSA/military breathing air products, industrial air and gas products, natural gas and inert gas compression.

BAUER’s Breathing Air Compressor Systems are the gold standard for firefighting, diving, military, offshore, industrial and medical applications where reliable ultra-pure breathing air is required to maintain life safety. Ranging from small mobile systems to very large stationary systems operating in fire stations, mobile vehicles, dive operations, shipboard, offshore platforms, industrial plants, etc, BAUERS air compressor systems fit any need from 2.9 scfm charge rate up to 145 scfm charge rate (per compressor system) with fill pressures up to 6000 psig. BAUER COMPRESSORS Containment SCBA/SCUBA fill stations are built to exceed the current NFPA standards and including independent certification by a third party laboratory.

Club 25 Profile – Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards

Founded in 1994, Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. With a vision of outstanding value and first class service on top of some of the most bio-diverse dives in the world, it did not take long for Atlantis to become synonymous with first class Philippines dive vacations.

From the beginning, with first their resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines and then their second resort in Dumaguete Philippines, partners Andy Pope and Gordon Strahan have focused on the thousands of details it takes to exceed their guests’ expectations. What is quite unique is still offering a value that allows most to experience the Atlantis difference.

In 2010, Atlantis added the luxury Liveaboard Atlantis Azores which quickly became the top Liveaboard in the Philippines. In a market of coastal rated boats, their blue water rated yacht, the Azores, not only has the rating to handle offshore offerings like the world famous Tubbataha Reefs, but to do so in first class quality, safety and comfort. Atlantis Azores offers four different exciting itineraries including Apo Reefs and Coron Wrecks, Tubbatah, and two Visayas itineraries including Bohol and around Cebu island including Malapascua. Atlantis also has two annual transition trips, and their real time availability is accessible on the Atlantis website.

Both Andy & Gordon are grateful to the many thousands of guests who have helped Atlantis reach their success and hope to see them back at the resorts soon. They also look forward to another 25 years of welcoming guests to the Philippines and exceeding their expectations with the dive vacation of a lifetime.

Club 25 Profile – Lenhardt & Wagner (L&W)

Founded by Wolfgang Lenhardt and Bernd Wagner, Lenhardt & Wagner was established in 1975 as a developer and manufacturer of exhaust systems and optimiser of motorcycle engines. Currently one of the world’s leading manufacturers of breathing air compressors, pressurised air cylinders for diving and other high-pressure applications, L&W started to supply high pressure compressors in 1980. Over the last thirty years, L&W has established a worldwide network of L&W agencies and service centres to ensure the steady growth of the company.

After ending its production of exhaust systems in 1997, L&W switched its focus entirely to high-pressure applications. In 2014, L&W introduces the next generation of silenced compressors – the LW 450 ES II – which is armed with a newly developed condensate system that significantly improves the life of the filter. The new ES Series II is included as the standard condensate collection tank. In 2015, the new and ultralight MC Series, one of the world’s most powerful mobile breathing air compressor, is presented at BOOT 2015 with a capacity of 400 litre per minute. The newly developed compressor block is a culmination of L&W’s 30 years of experience and has been built to be almost antimagnetic. In 2016, the advanced compressor series LW 450 III and LW 570 II are released. The roll out of a new industry-proven lubrication system and reinforced components form the core of the new compressor blocks, improving the life of the compressors even under the most difficult conditions. In 2017, the new mobile and stationary PURACON systems for breathing air monitoring are brought to market. In addition to being able to check for water content, the PURACON systems can also check the value of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels and oil in the compressed air. This marks the first time that users can monitor all required limits according to the European standard for breathing air (EN 12021:2014).

In addition to Breathing Air Compressors and related peripheral equipment, L&W offers storage and filter for the necessary high-pressure which is required for natural gas filling stations. L&W also specialises in industrial applications for high-pressure inert gases such as argon, helium or nitrogen for use in welding and laser cutting in addition to general laboratory use.

The balanced growth of L&W is based on long-term and strategic planning and the continued expansion of its customer base in the Asian and American market.

Club 25 Profile – Scubapro

Founded in 1963 by Gustav Dalla Valle and Dick Bonin, SCUBAPRO is one of the most iconic dive equipment brands. Revered in the 1960s and early 1970s as the Rolls-Royce of scuba diving, SCUBAPRO is famous for being able to withstand just about any sort of abuse while providing high performance without compromise.

The first company to seriously challenge Jacque Couteau’s US Divers’ dominance in the scuba diving industry, SCUBAPRO was initially set up by Healthways (a company which sold bar bells and water skis) as a subsidiary to produce diving gear specifically for professional dive stores, a concept Dick Bonin had pioneered while he was working for Swimaster. A former Submersible Operations Officer with the US Navy SEALS, Bonin was brought in by R&D Director Gustav Dalla Valle to help produce diving gear for SCUBAPRO. In 1962, when Healthways went bankrupt, Gustav bought the rights to the SCUBAPRO name for one dollar and using Gustav’s $20,000 European credit line, Bonin and Dalla Valle engaged the most brilliant engineers they could find to push the R&D department in their new venture to produce the industry’s most cutting edge diving equipment.

In the first two years, SCUBAPRO successfully developed the first reliable piston first stage regulator, which reduced maintenance requirements through its simpler mechanism with less moving parts and produced the high air delivery rate that only a balanced piston can deliver. SCUBAPRO also popularized the Jet Fin invented by Rene Beauchat. SCUBAPRO’s many firsts in the industry – the first flowthrough Mark V piston regulator introduced in 1970, the first low pressure BC (buoyancy compensator) inflator, the first back-mounted BC for widespread distribution, the first silicone mask, the first jacket-style BC, the first pilot valve assisted second stage (Air I), the first integrated inflator/second stage regulator (Air II), the shotgun snorkel with an exhaust valve – made it the leader in the diving equipment industry and Bonin’s unprecedented move of offering a lifetime guarantee on SCUBAPRO equipment made the SCUBAPRO brand synonymous with diving excellence. Bonin’s dedication to personally testing, evaluating and approving every item the company was bringing to market, coupled with their usage of the most brilliant minds in the industry enabled SCUBAPRO to constantly push the envelope to produce the most advanced diving products annually.

Gustav sold his shared to Johnson Worldwide Associates in 1974. The following year, he retired to Napa Valley where he created one of the world’s finest wineries, the Dalla Valle Vineyards. Gustav passed away in 1995. Bonin continued as President and lead the company to continued profitability and growth until 1991 when he retired. Dick Bonin passed away in December 2015.

Today, SCUBAPRO remains the industry’s gold standard for innovation, performance, reliability and durability. For the hobbyist to the professional, SCUBAPRO continues to produce industry-leading regulators, dive computers, BCDs, thermal protection, masks, fins, snorkels, gear bags, scuba accessories and divewear. A Johnson Outdoors Inc company, SCUBAPRO employs more than 400 diving enthusiast in 17 locations spread over 13 countries on four continents.

Club 25 Profile – Aqua Lung

For centuries, humans have been trying to devise equipment to enable us to breathe underwater with the US military coming closest to success with the SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) programme designed by Christian Lambert in 1939 that had the unfortunate side effect of leaving divers injured or killed by oxygen toxicity (pure oxygen at increased partial pressures is toxic). Aqua Lung invented the first safe underwater breathing system in 1943 when Jacques-Yves Costeau collaborated with Emile Gagnan, an engineer with L’aire Liquide (a French multinational company specialising in supplying industrial gases and services), to produce an air regulator valve that would regulate your air supply in a variable pressure environment.

Knowing that oxygen and air-pressure would be key to creating a safe underwater breathing system, Gagnan used a similar type of valve used in gas-generator engines to create a pressure regulator that adjusts the air pressure of your breathing gas automatically so that the air pressure inside the diver’s lungs matches the pressure of the water. With Costeau believing that “purified and filtered compressed air was the ideal gas mixture for self-contained breathing apparatuses”, Gagnan and Costeau created a demand valve that delivers breathing gas to the diver when you need it. These three critical and groundbreaking safety innovations made Aqua Lung’s underwater breathing system the first safe and modern underwater breathing apparatus.

With the invention of the modern diving regulator, L’aire Liquide (Air Liquide) founded La Spirotechnique (now Aqua Lung International) in 1946 as a specialised division to conceive and commercialise regulators and other diving equipment. In 1946, Aqua Lung rolled out the first Aqua Lung modern regulator, the CG45, with distribution rights sold to U.S Divers in 1952. Air Liquide acquired US Divers in 1958, renaming it Aqua Lung America.

Today, Aqua Lung continues to be the “leading global designer and manufacturer of scuba dive equipment and water sports gear” with almost every set of modern SCUBA gear around the world using the Aqua Lung system. Aqua Lung equipment for recreational, technical and military applications can be found under the brand names of Aqua Lung, Aqua Sphere, Apeks, OMER, U.S. Divers, MP Michael Phelps and Stohlquist. There are also independently owned Aqua Lung Partner Centres around the world dedicated to helping customers maximise their scuba diving experience.

Club 25 Profile – National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide)

Established in 1960, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) is one of the largest non-profit dive training and certifying organizations in the world, offering recreational and technical scuba diving and freediving training programs of the highest calibre.

As one of the most trusted dive training providers, NAUI’s role as an industry leader has defined diving. Whether in the establishment of scuba instructional standards, equipment development, advancements in diving research or dive training innovations, NAUI leaders have paved the way for scuba divers around the world.

NAUI offers a full range of training programs from Freediver and Scuba Diver to leadership level certifications and designations, including Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, Instructor, Instructor Trainer, Course Director and Course Director Trainer. In addition to its core courses, NAUI offers dozens of specialty courses, including Nitrox, rescue, digital imaging, drysuit, recreational ice, wreck, archaeology, naturalist, hunting & collecting, search & recovery, and many more. NAUI training programs also include beginner and advanced courses in freediving, technical diving, leadership rescue diving, and public safety diving.

NAUI started its first Instructor Certification Course (ICC) in August 1960 at Houston’s Shamrock Hilton Hotel with 72 candidates. Founded by Albert Tillman and Neal Earl Hess, NAUI was formally known as the National Diving Patrol before it was renamed in 1959.

Starting out as a column in the Skin Diver magazine started by Jim Auxier Jr and Chuck Blakeslee in 1951, Neal Hess would review course outlines submitted by diving instructors and would list the names of these new skin and scuba diving “instructors” in the National Diving Patrol column in the magazine. The 1950s was a period of great interest and growth in recreational scuba diving and Sea Hunt, the iconic television series starring Lloyd Bridges, who became NAUI’s first honorary instructor member, and Zale Perry (NAUI #A-12), generated a lot of the early excitement and interest in scuba diving as a recreational activity.

In 1955, Tillman, director of sports for the L.A. County Parks and Recreation, started the world’s first civilian training programme for scuba diving by creating the L.A. County Parks Recreational Underwater Instructor Certification Course (1UICC) with L.A. County lifeguard Bev Morgan. With the National Diving Patrol announced in the May 1960 issue of Skin Diver magazine as an official national organisation to “insure competent underwater instruction and to reduce diving accidents through education”, Hillman, Blakeslee, Auxier and Tillman, who became NAUI’s first instructor, met and organised NAUI’s first Instructor Certification Course (ICC) from 22 to 26 August at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel in Houston. Of the 72 candidates who took part, 53 graduated and together with the staff instructors, they became the first instructor members of NAUI. This NAUI ICC passed into history as the first course to make “diver certification available worldwide”.

NAUI was incorporated in 1961 in California, USA, as a non-profit educational organisation with Al Tillman serving as President and Neal Hess as Executive Secretary. Aqualung inventor Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Albert R. Behnke, a pioneer of diving medicine, were on the original Board of Advisers of NAUI. Tillman administered NAUI’s business out of his home until Auxier and Blakeslee (NAUI #A34) from Skin Diver provided office space and a salary. Skin Diver magazine also published the “NAUI” page as a regular feature to help NAUI to continue to grow. Al Tillman left the NAUI Board and administration in 1967 to manage his resort, the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) (started in 1965), in the Bahamas and was elected to the newly created position of NAUI Resort Branch Manager. Since then, NAUI has continued to use regional branches (managers) and local Chapters as a way to organise its member populations.

Art Ullrich (NAUI #601) was hired as the new Executive Director of NAUI in 1968 and he moved NAUI’s headquarters to Grand Terrace, California and later to Colton, California. Today, NAUI continues to grow and is currently headquartered in Tampa, Florida with member instructors, resorts, stores, service and training centres in Japan, South Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Brazil and the Pacific Rim. In the United States, the US Coast Guard rescue divers, the US Navy SEALS and other special military forces are all trained to NAUI standards as part of their overall training.

NAUI is based on the principles of democratic self-governance and commitment to excellence. To that end, NAUI members embrace six fundamental values in the pursuit of their mission:

 

  1. Superior Leadership and Instructor training
  2. Democratic Association of Equals
  3. Trust and Respect
  4. Academic Freedom
  5. Dynamic Growing of Body of Knowledge and Skills
  6. Ever Improving Leadership and Instructor Training

NAUI members and divers are dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the ocean and its inhabitants. The NAUI Green Initiative in association with the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund promotes awareness and action to safeguard underwater ecosystems.

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