Mr. Scuba Hal Watts

[Bob Evans]

Just heard Hal Watts passed on December 7, 2024. Hal was a special friend for many years. A diving Hero. 1935-2024. I will post some photos
Later.

 

[The Chairman]

Oh no! Mr Scuba is no more.

 

[The Chairman]

I bought my first mask, snorkel and JetFins from Hal back in 1969. I worked on his car throughout the 70s, and since I wasn't 'certified', but diving, he kept telling me I was going to die. I remember delivering his blue Valiant to Mrs' Herd's pool where he was teaching Scuba back in the early seventies. All of his students were in full scuba, mask on, duck feet on, breathing on their regulators and doing pushups in the hot, muggy Orlando August sun. Yes, they had those stiff wetsuits on as well and it was brutal! I looked on in horror and disbelief. I didn't want to do that! My how times have changed. Years later I'm becoming a guide at his 40 Fathom Grotto, and he knows me from somewhere, but just can't place it. I finally asked him about his Valiant and his eyes lit up. His next statement was "You finally got certified!"

Hal changed our sport and mostly for the better. When dove into that hole of his, he plummeted. I had to kick to keep up with the man, my ears screaming all the way down. I will miss seeing him at DEMA.

Caveat, I shared that story in front of him a few times. Invariably, he would say "I didn't do that... well, at least I'm not going to admit that I did!" with that trademarked conspiratorial wink and his sly smile. He was the very first, and probably the best Scuba Legend I ever knew. He was the real deal.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

R.I.P. Mr. SCUBA

 

[BoltSnap]

Sad to hear this. He is a true pioneer and a huge icon for the dive business in the US.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Another legend gone. I was at a DEMA show in Las Vegas a number of years ago. Hal sat down at the table where I was eating lunch, took off his motorcycle jacket and helmet and introduced himself. I found out he was 80 years old at the time and had ridden his Harley from Florida to Las Vegas to attend DEMA. Amazing guy.

 

[The Chairman]

I found out he was 80 years old at the time and had ridden his Harley from Florida to Las Vegas to attend DEMA.

He loved his Harleys.

 

[Johnoly]

Oh no! Mr Scuba is no more.

Even people from our home town of Orlando that didn't dive, knew Hal Watts here. It was alot of fun to talk with him in the dive shop.

 

[The Chairman]

Even people from our home town of Orlando that didn't dive, knew Hal Watts here. It was alot of fun to talk with him in the dive shop.

His first dive shop was on Colonial Drive almost across from the Colonial Mall. He gave it to Scarlet when he went full time up at the Grotto. I graduated from Colonial in '75. I already miss him. I have a signed copy of his managing narcosis textbook somewhere. At one DEMA, I made an offhand remark about "everybody must dive stoned!" which got him to giggling. In fact, he would giggle every time I passed by his booth. Fun times.

Bulls and reefies aren't the problem, it's the lemons and hammers that I never see ambush me.

Funny, but I've gotten ambushed more by Jewfish. They're glad that they're protected!

 

[Bob Evans]

I bought my first mask, snorkel and JetFins from Hal back in 1969. I worked on his car throughout the 70s, and since I wasn't 'certified', but diving, he kept telling me I was going to die. I remember delivering his blue Valiant to Mrs' Herd's pool where he was teaching Scuba back in the early seventies. All of his students were in full scuba, mask on, duck feet on, breathing on their regulators and doing pushups in the hot, muggy Orlando August sun. Yes, they had those stiff wetsuits on as well and it was brutal! I looked on in horror and disbelief. I didn't want to do that! My how times have changed. Years later I'm becoming a guide at his 40 Fathom Grotto, and he knows me from somewhere, but just can't place it. I finally asked him about his Valiant and his eyes lit up. His next statement was "You finally got certified!"

Hal changed our sport and mostly for the better. When dove into that hole of his, he plummeted. I had to kick to keep up with the man, my ears screaming all the way down. I will miss seeing him at DEMA.

Caveat, I shared that story in front of him a few times. Invariably, he would say "I didn't do that... well, at least I'm not going to admit that I did!" with that trademarked conspiratorial wink and his sly smile. He was the very first, and probably the best Scuba Legend I ever knew. He was the real deal.

Pete, we met each other at the Hal's Grotto with Greg Holt from Scuba Radio. Will post some images.