Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 2/2016 | Page 104

Stanton Waterman THE HANS HASS FIFTY FATHOMS AWARD RECIPIENT 2006 By LESLIE LEANEY The name Stan Waterman is recognised throughout the international diving world as one of the pioneers of underwater film and photography. He took his first dive at the age of 11, when he was given a Japanese Ama diver’s mask while on holiday in Florida. Stan put the mask on and swam along the breakwater at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. The beauty of undersea life hooked him forever and set his life’s course. The year was 1934 and the first books and films on the sport of diving were many years away. Past Hans Hass Fifty Fathoms Award Recipients SDOP 102 Ernest Brooks II (USA) James Cameron (CANADA) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2010 2013 2014 2003 Bev Morgan (USA) Dr. Sylvia Earle (USA) Daniel Mercier (FRANCE) Laurent Ballesta (FRANCE) Stanton Waterman (USA) Professor Weicheng Cui (CHINA)