The podcast where we talk all things sidemount and cave diving, from equipment, skills, techniques and sidemount/cave diving expeditions to interviews with some...
E104 Naomi Allen - "Sidemount and Mine Diving Thailand"
Hey, welcome to another episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by our show sponsor, XDEEP, Insta360, and the show's patrons.
In this episode, I meet Naomi Allen of Koh Tao Divers in southern Thailand. Naomi is a leading light in the next generation of premiere technical divers and instructors. She has spent the past few years training, teaching, and diving in Thailand with guidance and mentorship from Mikko Paasi, who should need no introduction.
In my discussion with Naomi, we get into her background and journey to where she is today. We cover how Naomi trained in sidemount diving, cave diving, and the KISS Sidewinder, and has progressed on to participating in mine exploration projects with Mikko in Thailand. We talked a lot about the importance of mentors, how to train properly, and the differences between mine and cave diving. We also discuss the value of technical dive training for recreational instructors and how the skill sets transfer from tech diving to open water level courses. And of course, keeping it sidemount, we talk about the right way to train both as a sidemount diver and for those aspiring to be instructors.
Enjoy... cheers Steve :)
Photo credits: Krista Paasi and Maxime Cheminade
Thanks to: XDEEP, INSTA360 and Naomi Allen.
www.bottomlineprojects.com
www.kohtaodivers.com
Naomi's Instagram - naomi_underwater_
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1:12:34
E103 Hollie Gallacher Teggart - "Maritime Archaeology, Wreck Diving, & Love of Sidemount”
In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, sponsored by XDEEP and Insta360, host Steve Davis interviews Hollie Gallacher-Teggatt, a sidemount diving instructor based in Malta. They discuss Hollie's journey into diving, her passion for sidemount, and her studies in maritime archaeology. The conversation explores the significance of wreck diving, particularly in Malta, and the importance of preserving underwater cultural heritage. Hollie shares her experiences diving various wrecks, including the X127, and emphasizes divers' emotional connection with these sites.
The episode also touches on the technical aspects of sidemount diving and the importance of teaching and sharing the love for diving with others. In this conversation, Hollie and Steve discuss the intricacies of sidemount diving, emphasizing the importance of trim, buoyancy, and equipment configuration.
They share personal experiences and challenges during their diving journeys, highlighting the significance of building a strong foundation in diving skills. The discussion also touches on the evolution of sidemount techniques, the benefits of different cylinder types, and the process of setting up a sidemount harness.
Hollie shares her recent transition to rebreather diving and the importance of empowering women in technical diving, showcasing the supportive community within the diving world.
Thanks to:
Our Sponsors:
XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu
INSTA360 - Get free accessories with an Insta360 X4 camera here -https://www.insta360.com/sal/x4?utm_term=INRFFJF
Our Guest:
Hollie Gallacher-Teggart @girlsthatsidemounts
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1:21:07
E102 Joseph Bicanic - Bent Out of Shape at Boesmansgat
This is the amazing story of Joseph Bicanic's
decompression sickness (Bends) incident while cave diving at Boesmansgat or Bushman's Hole in South Africa. Joseph joined Richard "Harry" Harris and Craig Challen's "Dark Side of the Moon" expedition. While working on mapping the cave and also achieving a personal depth record of 210m, Joesph was "bent" and subsequently
had to medevac to Johannesburg for hyperbaric treatment.
Big thanks to our sponsor XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount for making this episode possible.
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1:23:55
E101 Gus Gonzalez - Dive Talk
It's great to bring you Episode #101 with Gus Gonzalez, one-half of the dynamic duo behind the YouTube phenomenon, "Dive Talk".
Huge thanks to our podcast sponsor, XDEEP and episode sponsor, Seacraft along with the patrons of Speaking Sidemount for their support.
In this episode Gus and I discuss his journey from novice diver to prominent figure in the diving community through the YouTube Channel, "Dive Talk". We learn how Gus and Woody met, the evolution of Dive Talk, and the chemistry that makes their show unique. Gus shares insights into his diving experiences, the challenges of balancing a professional career with diving, and the importance of delivering value and the content his audience wants.
We discuss the challenges in delivering thoughtful reactions to incidents and respect for fellow divers. We explore dealing with criticism and haters, highlighting the significance of focusing on constructive feedback. We learn about the development of the Dive Talk Go rebreather with Mike Young, and the mission behind the Dive Talk Academy to ensure quality instruction in diving education. We continue discussing the success of the annual Dive Talk Meetup events, which have proved incredibly popular with over one hundred attendees. The conversation also touches on plans for diving events and opportunities for divers to connect and improve their skills.
Cheers
Steve
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1:06:47
E100 Josh Richards - Mt Gambier Cave Discoveries
Hey, it's great to bring you... Episode #100!!! Six years, a lot of blood sweat, and tears as the saying goes but a huge amount of learning, growth, and fun... I've loved every moment.
I want to acknowledge the support of XDEEP who had the vision to join us early as the show sponsor and have been with us every step of the way. I am incredibly grateful to Piotr, Patrick, Bart, Magda, Barbara, and the wider XDEEP team for their support.
Other sponsors have also supported us... Shearwater, Seacraft, SEAL Drysuits, Fourth Element... and you'll hear it here first, Insta360. They are all fantastic brands that I love. Most of them I was diving before Speaking Sidemount and I'm very proud and thankful for their support.
And then there is all of you. Thank you so much for your support as patrons. You are the group that helps with production costs so you are part of this team and I appreciate the support :).
In this episode, sponsored by XDEEP and Seacraft, I catch up with one of the most interesting people I know... Josh Richards. Josh and I have known each other for five years and have knocked out some terrific dives together in some of the premier caves of Mount Gambier, South Australia... an area known as the "Limestone Coast".
Josh and I delve into his fascinating journey from military service to stand-up comedy, to being in line for a one-way trip to Mars, and ultimately to becoming a prominent figure in Australian cave diving exploration. We discuss the intricacies of diving, the importance of teamwork, and the skills necessary for technical diving, particularly sidemount diving. Josh shares his experiences in discovering new cave systems in the Mount Gambier region and the dynamics of his team, the Soggy Wombats. Josh's stories emphasise the collaborative spirit of exploration and the joy of sharing discoveries with the diving community.
Enjoy :)
Steve
The podcast where we talk all things sidemount and cave diving, from equipment, skills, techniques and sidemount/cave diving expeditions to interviews with some of the world's top sidemount and cave divers. Whether you are new to sidemount diving, have been diving sidemount for years or just want to know more, this is THE place for all things sidemount.
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