Aqua Lung is the name that introduced the world to scuba diving in 1943, when Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan developed the first “aqua-lung”. Little did they know, their work and their innovative scuba diving equipment would expand the very possibilities of underwater exploration.
Now, the excitement and adventurous spirit of that first dive lives on through Aqua Lung’s scuba diving gear. Our dedication to quality and innovation has led to the manufacture of the world’s premier scuba diving equipment for professional and recreational use. For over 70 years, Aqua Lung has given divers of all experience levels the means to live out their underwater endeavors. Whether you’re enjoying the beauty of coral reefs or getting up close and personal with a wreck, you’ll always feel prepared and in control with Aqua Lung.
Innovation First. This is our mission. It isn’t just a cool slogan or something an ad agency came up with. It’s our heart and soul. It’s the thread that runs through everything we do. Founder and CEO Bob Hollis took up scuba diving in the late 1950’s when recreational diving was just in its infancy. His love for diving soon led to a keen interest in underwater photography, a hobby that required him to create his own specialized equipment. With a degree in mechanical engineering, it was natural for Hollis to start designing his own specialized diving equipment. Fast forward 30 years and what you have is a worldwide recognized brand that manufactures diving equipment of the highest quality and latest technological innovations. Oceanic’s innovative diving products are sold all over the world and include the brand names Aeries, Hollis Gear, Lavacore and Oceanpro.
SCUBAPRO first appeared in the scuba diving world in the early 1960’s. It was guided by two men, Gustav Dalla Valle and Dick Bonin. They brought to the market many innovations for diving that are still being used today. The 1964 catalog featured everything the diver could want, including regulators, recompression chambers, and submarines. In 1965 the first version of the Jet fin first appeared. After 40 years the fin is still popular with technical and military divers worldwide and is one of the most copied scuba products ever sold. In 1966 the catalog also added the Automatic Decompression meter, a forerunner to the modern dive computer. Back mount BC’s, weight integrated systems, the Classic style STAB jacket, and other innovations continued to be introduced throughout the years.
UWATEC was founded in 1983 in Hallwil, in the heart of Switzerland. In 1987 they introduced their first dive computer, the Aladin PRO. It was quickly established as the standard in the industry. By the early 1990s, UWATEC was synonymous for diving computers. Joining Johnson Outdoors and SCUBAPRO in 1997, UWATEC continues to be a leading innovator in the industry.
Suunto was born in Finland more than 80 years ago, when championship-level orienteer and keen outdoor enthusiast Tuomas Vohlonen invented the mass production method for the liquid filled compass. Since then, Suunto has been at the forefront of innovation, hand crafting premium sports watches, instruments and dive computers that have been tested in the world’s harshest conditions. From the beginning of time, man has explored. All that has changed are the tools. The word “Suunto” comes from the Finnish word meaning “direction”. Suunto is pronounced “Soon-toh”.
Bigblue Dive Lights entered the dive light market in 2007 introducing their first light models at the DEMA show in Orlando that year. The unique shape, color and functionality established by those first-year models set the standard for the Bigblue brand. Each year Bigblue has continued to build upon the reputation for innovation, performance, and quality becoming the only dive light manufacturer to aggressively pursue new innovations in recreational lights, technical lighting products, and lights designed for photo and video needs. Utilizing the latest in LED technology, and incorporating creative accessory designs.
Diving is a fascinating sport. But we are situated in a different environment, an environment that is afflicted with danger. We realized, that there are situations we cannot control. By developing the Buddy-Watcher we want to contribute to more safety underwater. Precision German engineering brought us the Buddy-Watcher, the ultimate in dive safety. Buddy-Watchers use sonar technology to give divers the ability to communicate underwater. By the push of a button you are now able to get your buddy’s attention at a distance of 20m. This a major technological leap and will save many lives. Buddy-Watchers are endorsed by DAN Europe, DAN International and DAN South Africa.
In 1949, Ludovico Mares designed and manufactured his first masks and spearguns with one dream in mind: To share his unbridled passion for the sea and diving with the rest of the world. Mares started as one small factory in Rapallo, Italy, but now, almost 70 years later, it is at the forefront of innovative dive technologies, representing only the best in dive products.
Mares continues to set new industry standards. Constant investment in innovation, research, expertise and a creative, professional approach make Mares a synonym of quality, safety and reliability. The best of Mares is encapsulated in every product to meet the needs of each and every diver.
Come and discover the Mares world, all you need to do is…
Just add water.
Rob Allen has been manufacturing spearfishing gear since 1982. His guns have grown in popularity and due to their simplicity and strength can withstand almost any water conditions. Today the brand is one of the world’s most popular and now has a distribution network covering more than 40 countries.
