Underwater, where light bends and gravity fades, the world operates by a different set of rules. It’s a place of quiet exploration, where each dive reveals new possibilities. The 2025 Dive Awards, presented at boot Düsseldorf, capture that same spirit—shining a light on those who push boundaries, rethink old ideas, and dedicate their efforts to preserving and evolving the world of diving. This year, the awards, powered by BAUER Kompressoren, recognized achievements across five categories—Personality, Climate, Product, Innovation, and Destination—each a reflection of the forces shaping the future of the diving industry.
The 2025 Dive Awards at boot Düsseldorf
Boot Düsseldorf has long been the meeting ground for the world’s most dedicated divers, a place where industry professionals, conservationists, and innovators converge. The Dive Awards, introduced in 2023, have quickly become a focal point of the event, a recognition not just of excellence but of the ideas and individuals who are shaping the industry's future. More than just trophies handed out in a convention hall, these awards serve as benchmarks for progress, offering a glimpse into where diving is headed—technologically, environmentally, and culturally.
A Deep Commitment to Exploration: The Personality Award
In diving, personality matters—not in the sense of fame or recognition, but in the depth of commitment one brings to the ocean. The 2025 Personality Award winner, Dr. Steffen G. Scholz, embodies this philosophy. A passionate wreck explorer and underwater photographer, Scholz’s work uncovers the hidden history beneath the waves, making shipwrecks—often inaccessible to most—visible to the world. More than just documenting these sites, his mission is to raise awareness about their importance as fragile historical and ecological sites, not just dive attractions.
Scholz joins a distinguished group of nominees, including Sabine Kerkau, whose Baltic Sea Heritage Rescue Project works to preserve underwater cultural heritage while removing dangerous ghost nets, and, an internationally acclaimed underwater cameraman who has worked on productions for BBC, Netflix, and Disney, bringing the beauty and vulnerability of the ocean to a global audience. Each of them represents a different facet of what it means to inspire and lead in the diving world—whether through visual storytelling, conservation, or hands-on environmental work.
Diving’s Role in a Changing Climate: The Climate Award
There’s no escaping the reality that diving depends on the health of the ocean. With climate change threatening marine ecosystems, the Climate Award category recognizes projects making a measurable impact in ocean conservation and sustainability. This year’s winner, Better Oceans, takes a unique approach—not as a single organization, but as a platform that connects marine conservationists, scientists, and water sports enthusiasts in a shared fight for healthier seas. By offering a centralized database of marine conservation projects, Better Oceans amplifies the voices of those working to protect the underwater world.
Other nominees also made a compelling case for recognition. Scubapro's Everflex Yulex Dive suits brought attention to sustainable materials in dive gear, proving that high-performance suits can be made from plant-based neoprene alternatives. Meanwhile, MANTAHARI’s "You Buy, We Donate" initiative demonstrated a business model where every product sale directly funds conservation efforts in Indonesia, creating a win-win for consumers and the environment.
The Future of Dive Gear: The Product Award
Diving equipment is more than just tools—it’s the interface between human explorers and an alien world. The 2025 Product Award went to Seayos, the first standalone GPS for divers. For decades, navigation underwater has remained a challenge. Seayos changes the game, allowing divers to pinpoint locations, create real-time maps, and enhance safety—all without surfacing. With its ability to track dive routes and even assist in diver-to-surface communication, this device is poised to redefine underwater orientation.
The competition in this category was fierce, with Ocean Reef’s GSM Cube 3 introducing a multi-channel underwater communication system, bringing wireless, hardwired, and VHF radio connectivity into one device—a huge step forward in underwater teamwork and safety. DynamicNord’s RS-350 drysuit, built from ultra-durable ripstop material with reinforced zones, also turned heads, showing how gear design continues to evolve toward greater durability, adaptability, and comfort.
Rethinking Buoyancy: The Innovation Award
True innovation in diving is rare. The core mechanics of buoyancy, propulsion, and air management have remained largely unchanged for decades. That’s why the winner of the 2025 Innovation Award, The Avelo System, stands out—it challenges one of the most fundamental aspects of scuba: buoyancy control.
Instead of inflating and deflating a traditional BCD, the Avelo System uses a water-based buoyancy system, allowing divers to adjust their buoyancy without gas expansion or compression. The result? A more stable, controlled dive with less effort and lower air consumption. This could be one of the most revolutionary shifts in dive equipment since the invention of the modern BCD.
Not far behind in innovation, Scubapro’s Seawing Supernova introduced a modular fin system allowing divers to swap between different blade types depending on their dive needs—a flexible approach rarely seen in fin design. Cressi’s Aquawing Jacket also made a strong case, proving that BCD sizing can be universally adjustable—an idea that could transform how rental and training gear is managed worldwide.
The Ultimate Dive Destination: The Destination Award
A great dive destination isn’t just about clear water and marine life—it’s about how the location welcomes, supports, and protects divers. This year’s Destination Award went to Malta, a region known for its crystal-clear waters, shipwreck dives, and sustainable dive tourism practices. With over 200 dive sites, strong marine conservation efforts, and a commitment to responsible tourism, Malta continues to establish itself as one of the top diving destinations in the world.
Its competition in this category was impressive. Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia, known for its luxury-meets-conservation approach, has pioneered sustainable reef protection programs while providing world-class diving experiences. Meanwhile, Gl. Ålbo Dive Resort in Denmark brought attention to the Baltic Sea as a hidden gem for cold-water diving, with deep wreck sites and marine restoration projects that are gaining international recognition.
Why the Dive Awards Matter
The 2025 Dive Awards are more than a recognition of achievement—they are a statement about where the diving industry is headed. Each winner, from the pioneering technology of Avelo to the conservation efforts of Better Oceans, represents a shift in priorities. Sustainability, safety, adaptability, and inclusivity are driving the next generation of divers, equipment manufacturers, and conservationists.
It’s also an acknowledgment that diving is evolving beyond just recreation. Whether it’s through GPS-enabled navigation, AI-driven equipment, or community-driven conservation efforts, the industry is seeing a fusion of technology, science, and advocacy unlike ever before.
For those who were at boot Düsseldorf 2025, these awards weren’t just a highlight—they were a window into the future of diving. For those who missed it, the message is clear: diving is changing, and those who adapt will be the ones who shape its future.
WS360 will continue following these groundbreaking projects, products, and initiatives, tracking their impact in the real world. As new technologies, conservation programs, and dive destinations emerge, we’ll be there to report on the stories that matter—to divers, to the industry, and to the ocean itself.
Comments