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Stanton Waterman was a leading icon during the four formative decades of scuba diving - 1970-2010. While a cinematographer for notable films (he's won five Emmys) such as the documentary Blue Water, White Death and the Hollywood blockbuster The Deep, he could be found on endless liveaboard and diving trips, where hundreds of divers enjoyed great conversation and countless stories. And while Stan hasn't been diving for a while, his two fascinating autobiographies, Sea Salt; Memories and Essays and Sea Salt II; More Salt, continue to sell well among divers who learn of the splendid man. He's about the only human being I've ever met about whom no one has a bad word.
This month, April 5, Stan turned 99. To honor him, we're carrying two short pieces by divers who know him well: John Bantin, our senior editor and author of two books, including Amazing Dive Stories, and Bret Gilliam, the founder of SDI/TDI (one of a dozen of major occupations in the scuba world) and the author of several books, including Deep Diving.
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Stan Waterman has spent the greater part of his life underwater, diving well into his 80s. In fact, he celebrated his 80th birthday aboard the Sea Hunter, diving at Costa Rica's Cocos Island, a place not known for easy diving conditions. He went on to have a second birthday party aboard the Tahiti Aggressor, at Rangiroa, in French Polynesia. Pioneering 3D underwater filmmaker Howard Hall dived with him and said, "Stan made his move across the current (through the massed sharks) at the last possible moment, kicking ferociously. His timing was perfect. As he swam up to the others and me, Stan, filled with enthusiasm, pumped his fist and yelled, 'Wow!'" loudly through his regulator mouthpiece." ...
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