International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame 2024 Inductees Celebrated at Ceremony on Grand Cayman

Four new members were officially inducted into the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) at a ceremony on Saturday, September 28th, at the Indigo Hotel on Grand Cayman. Established by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism in 2000, the ISDHF celebrates dive industry leaders who have contributed to the success of recreational scuba diving worldwide through innovation and advancements made in the areas of dive tourism, equipment design, dive safety, inclusivity, exploration, adventure, innovation, and more.

This year’s International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame inductees include Margo Peyton (USA), who founded Family Dive Adventures & Kids Sea Camp, certifying over 8,000 children, including those with special needs; Claudio Guardabassi (Brazil), a pioneer in Brazilian diving who established Projeto Acqua and Brazil’s first PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Course; John Thet (Singapore), founder of Underwater360 and organiser of Asia’s largest dive trade show, ADEX, who has been instrumental in providing a platform for the diving industry and ocean conservation; and Eric Sala (Spain), a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence who has led the Pristine Seas Initiative and helped to protect over 5.7 million square kilometres of ocean.

John Thet’s induction into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame highlights the growing influence of Asian leaders in the global dive industry. As the fifth Asian honouree, he joins an incredible group of individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of diving.

The first Asian inductee, Akira Tateishi (Japan, 2004), revolutionised underwater photography and founded the Marine Diving Fair in Japan, setting a new standard for the industry. Clement Lee (Malaysia, 2011), a founding partner of Borneo Divers, played a pivotal role in the growth of Malaysia’s dive tourism and marine conservation initiatives. Dr H.S. Batuna (Indonesia, 2018) helped put North Sulawesi on the global dive map by discovering and developing many iconic dive sites while pioneering marine conservation efforts in the region. Finally, Hussain Rasheed (Maldives, 2019) made waves in the Maldives, organising the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting to raise awareness about climate change, while also shaping the country’s dive tourism industry.