News
Dive industry mourns Oceanic Founder and Industry Icon Bob Hollis

A life full of adventure came to a peaceful close on January 4, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah with family surrounding Bob’s side. Born on April 25, 1937, in Orland, California to Robert and Elinor Hollis, Bob leaves behind a legacy as a pioneer, entrepreneur, businessman, and most importantly, a loving father and grandfather.
Bob accomplished more in 85 years than most and lived his life to the fullest. He was a risk taker who truly did what he loved and inspired others to do the same. If there wasn’t a way, he created one.
Bob will be remembered by many as a groundbreaking influence in both the sport of scuba diving and underwater photography. Bob’s love of the ocean began in 1955 after reading an article about underwater exploration in Popular Mechanics. Following his first scuba experience, Bob became obsessed with the water, becoming one of the earliest underwater photographers on the West Coast and establishing the Underwater Photographic Society of Northern California in 1966. Additionally, Bob was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Underwater Parks and Reserves (California State Parks Department), where he assisted in exploring the coastline and identifying future areas for preservation, including Point Lobos, La Jolla and the Salt Point State Park.
A true entrepreneur, when Bob realized that the scuba diving and photography equipment available at that time did not meet his needs, he set about developing his own. All of this was done while Bob continued to attend school for business and engineering and worked at Standard Oil to support his young family. In 1966, Bob opened the Anchor Shack dive shop in Hayward, California, and began developing underwater camera housing, strobes and hand lights, which served as the jumping off point for his company Oceanic. By 1976, the Oceanic product line had completely developed, ultimately turning Bob and the Oceanic brand into leaders in the scuba diving community. Over the course of his lifetime, Bob founded many companies including American Underwater Products, Pelagic Pressure Systems, ROMI Enterprises and the renowned scuba diving brands, Oceanic, Hollis, and Aeris. Bob wanted everyone to experience scuba diving and gave thousands around the world the opportunity to do so.
Using his experience, Bob helped create an underwater saturation system in 1978 for the Andrea Doria shipwreck. The system was attached to the wreck at a depth of 240’ for up to seven days, allowing divers to explore the wreck for several days without having to swim to the surface. Bob logged more dives than anyone on the wreck and in 1981 served as the underwater photographer for the nationally aired film called, “Andrea Doria: The Final Chapter”, detailing the team’s goal of recovering the bank safe from the famed sunken Italian ocean liner.
In addition to developing photography and scuba diving equipment, Bob was also responsible for leading some of the first dive trips to Cozumel, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Belize, Yucatan Peninsula and the Galapagos. He also led tours to the remote destination of Papua New Guinea, where he later built a family home and destination dive resort for other underwater enthusiasts.
Over his storied career, Bob received many awards and achievements including the NOGI Award, the DEMA Reaching Out Award, and was an inductee of the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.
Throughout all his professional success, Bob’s greatest achievement was his family, including his children Debbie (Jon), Mike (Molly), Nick (Brittany) and Zach (Danica), grandchildren Heather, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Caitlin, Robert, Seth, Preston, Olivia and Sloane, and great-grandchildren Benjamin, Natalie, Henry, Eleanor, Samuel, Ian and Colin. Bob shared his passion of the ocean and traveling the world with them, including abalone diving trips on the California coast, family live-aboard dive trips, motorcycle adventures, and creating memories for many lifetimes. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
The family will be holding private services in Orland, California and asks for those interested in honoring Bob to share your story and photos via social media. If you would like to also share those with the family, they can be sent to bobhollisfamily@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to an ocean conservation charity in Bob’s memory.
Source: www.divenewswire.com
Gear News
The DYNAMICNORD SE series of neoprene wetsuits in a beautiful camouflage blue

A head-to-toe camouflage look that focuses on style and comfort
Designed to provide an unforgettable diving experience, the DYNAMICNORD SE series wetsuits offer everything you need. They feature a unique camouflage design and protect you while offering optimum freedom of movement and keeping you warm.
Sometimes, divers just want a special look. In this case, the camouflage wetsuits from DYNAMICNORD are the perfect choice. Made from extremely robust, abrasion-resistant limestone neoprene, the SE-C wetsuits are built to last. Nevertheless, the neoprene is also soft and stretchy to offer all divers a high degree of comfort.
The SE series suits are optimally sealed thanks to their back zipper with flap and their design allows you to easily close and open them by yourself. They also have reinforced shoulders and knees to protect high-wear areas and extend the life of your neoprene suit.
The SE camouflage series suits are available in neoprene thicknesses of 3 and 5mm.
To complete the camouflage look, DYNAMICNORD also offers matching essentials, such as the MC-15 two-lens mask and SC-10 snorkel. They both feature a blue camouflage design, as well as the AF-70 freediving fins, which are available in a matching shade of blue. A head-to-toe camouflage look that focuses on style and comfort.
The SE series suits in camouflage look are now available from DYNAMICNORD retailers and in the online shop.
SE-31-C/SE-32-C: 3mm Men/Women – recommended retail price: £183
SE-51-C/SE-52-C: 3mm Men/Women – recommended retail price: £238
Size Men: S-3XL incl. ML
Size Women: S-2XL
Gear News
Divers in the U.S.A. to get a free octopus with selected regulator purchases

Mares in the U.S.A. has announced an exclusive limited-time offer designed to keep divers safe and well-equipped underwater this summer dive season.
From June 15 through August 1, 2025, customers who purchase select Mares regulators will receive a free octopus—no extra costs, just added value.
Whether you’re upgrading your setup or gearing up for your next dive adventure, this promotion is the perfect opportunity to get premium Mares performance at a reduced cost.
Eligible regulators include:
- ATLAS 62X
- EPIC ADJ 82X
- ATLAS ADJ 62X TBP
- SXS 62X
- DUAL 15X
- ULTRA ADJ 82X
- DUAL ADJ 62X
- DUAL ADJ 62X – 75th Anniversary Edition
Choose from one of the following octos—free with your eligible regulator purchase:
- DUAL
- DUAL ADJ
- LOOP
- SXS
- ULTRA
- ULTRA ADJ
This promotion is available only at participating Mares dealers and while supplies last. It is not valid for purchases made through Mares.com.
Don’t spend another summer with outdated gear. Visit your nearest Mares dive center and take advantage of this incredible offer today!
To find a participating dealer near you, click here – https://www.mares.com/en_US/partner-locator.
About Mares
Founded in 1949 by Ludovico Mares in Rapallo, Italy, Mares is a worldwide leader in manufacturing innovative, high-performance scuba diving, snorkeling, and freediving equipment. From recreational divers to advanced technical enthusiasts, Mares is dedicated to enhancing the underwater experience through cutting-edge technology, comfort, and safety. Mares is a member of the HEAD Sports Group.
Find out more about Mares products at www.mares.com.
- News1 month ago
Aqualung Group Enters Court-Supervised Reorganization Process
- Blogs3 months ago
Making a Splash: My Path to Becoming a Master Scuba Diver at 12
- Blogs3 months ago
Here’s That Lifeline You’ve Been Waiting for, Dive Industry – Make Sure You Grab It with Both Hands
- Gear News3 months ago
Poseidon Unveils the Next Evolution in Dive Footwear: The New One Shoe
- News3 months ago
Alex Khachadourian joins Scubaverse as Sales Account Manager
- Gear News3 months ago
Typhoon International Unveil New Wetsuit Collection for Watersports Enthusiasts
- Gear Reviews3 months ago
Gear Review: Zeagle Recon Fins (Watch Video)
- News2 months ago
Saeed Rashid Joins Scubaverse as Underwater Photography Editor