PaddleSports & Diving
Paddle Above ... Dive Below the best of BOTH worlds!
PaddleSports & Diving
Paddle Above ... Dive Below the best of BOTH worlds!
AWSA - Presenters, Writers, Trainers, Industry consultants
How it all started....
In 1989, AWSA developed the first Dive Kayak design for Ocean Kayak, inventor of the sit-on-top kayak, and wrote the training manuals for the SCUBA industry (Kayak Diving) the following year. Building upon the success of Kayak Diving (the cross-sport), we took the diving design and system to Cobra, Islander, Kiwi and Sevylor inflatables (the first inflatable dive kayak and paddleboard). We have incorporated paddleboards into our diving programs, alongside the kayaks, to create the present PADDLESPORTS DIVING .
Clark and Jean are both life-long adventure junkies. Clark owned a river company, one of the first licensed Lead Boatman and Jet-boat Captains on western whitewater rivers, was a big game outfitter, owned a multi-sport adventure store and was a professional diver in the movie industry, as an underwater coordinator and stunt man. Jean was an All-American swimmer and coach, ARC Water Safety/Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, First Responder Trainer, ACA whitewater Canoe/Kayak Instructor, mountain backcountry backpacking guide, and inductee in the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. They merged their diverse careers and talents into the American WaterSports Association, AWSA, to work in the outdoor adventure sports industry as manufacturers reps before honing their focus to SCUBA and paddlesports. At DEMA, 1989, their focus narrowed even further when they saw the first-ever sit-on-top kayak on the showroom floor. Clark worked with the kayak manufacturer to design and produce the first purpose-built sit-on-top dive kayak; Jean developed the first kayak diving training/certification materials for the diving industry. Both are Instructor Trainers/Course Directors. Clark and Jean are listed in Who’s Who in SCUBA Diving.
Thus began their decades-long effort to promote and advance the ultimate cross-sport of Kayak Diving, which has recently evolved into PaddleSports diving, to include the paddleboard as a viable dive craft. The rest of the story is waiting to be written!
Paddleboarding and Diving
Paddleboard Diving: The FIRST inflatable dive board!
Paddleboard cruising at night with Nav Lites
Prepping for a night paddle in Guanaja.
Padleboarding Guanaja Honduras
From kayak diving to the launch of paddlesports diving!
Our Vision
At American WaterSports, our intent is to promote safety and excellence in the ultimate aquatic cross-sport of PaddleSports Diving through quality training and leadership, and to facilitate and enable worldwide opportunities for paddlesports diving adventures.
Ecologial Perspectives on Paddling and Diving
Growing environmental threats have increased environmental awareness throughout society, on a global level. We are now exposed to a wide vocabulary related to environment concerns. A few of the more common terms are…
- Eco – adjective; not harmful to the environment; Etymology: derives from the Greek oikos "house, household" .. the earth is our home.
- Ecology – noun; branch of biology that studies the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings; considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere levels; focus on interactions. Research plays a crucial role in understanding environmental problems and developing strategies to mitigate them.
- Ecological – adjective; relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
- Environment – noun; everything that surrounds us; refers to the interaction between the physical, chemical, and biological components; aims to identify the internal and external factors that affect the population.
- Ecosystems – noun; dynamically interacting systems of organisms, the communities they make up, and the non-living (abiotic) components of their environment. Because ecosystems are dynamic and do not necessarily follow a linear successional route, changes might occur quickly or slowly over thousands of years.
People are becoming more conscious of how their choices impact the planet and are actively seeking eco-friendly alternatives. This shift in behavior is driven by various factors, including greater access to information, the influence of social media, and the realization that individual actions can make a difference.
The aquatic realm is best explored via eco-friendly paddlecraft, with low impact, quiet, and nature-friendly travel through natural environments. This enables up-close and personal observation of wildlife and delicate ecosystems without significantly disturbing them. It is an environmentally responsible method of exploration, compared to more noisy, invasive motorized watercraft.
Paddling and diving can both satisfy the characteristics of eco-friendly when performed responsibly. A key to this is proper, comprehensive training – knowledge and skills – in both sports, AND continuing participation to ensure continued competence.
Kayak and Paddleboard Diving, the Eco-Friendly Choice
Diving from a human-powered paddle craft is a means to engage in an intimate, integrative experience with the marine and aquatic ecosystems. Kayak and paddleboard diving represent the most ecofriendly approach to extending the reach of the ultimate diving experience – paddlesports diving. This approach offers access to undisturbed frontiers above and below – the best of both worlds.
What the science says....
Current research indicates that human interactions can negatively impact both surface and underwater ecosystems. Studies conducted by various universities, marine agencies, environmental/ecological foundations, etc. have explored these impacts and ways to mitigate them. Among the concerning impacts of surface travel craft are: noise pollution from motorized craft which can interfere with communications (e.g whale and dolphin sonar signals) and disturb normal marine life behaviors, high speed impact with marine vegetation and animals, and the ability for larger boats to transport numbers of participants that exceed the carrying capacity of a particular ecosystem or site. Concerns for underwater ecosystems, in regard to divers, include contact with the seabed and interactions with marine wildlife; these behaviors can damage corals and other organisms, create excessive silting (indirect damage to reef organisms), as well as disturb normal congregating, spawning, or nesting behaviors.
Uniquely eco-friendly characteristics
Inherent characteristics of kayak and paddleboard diving help us fulfill responsibilities to the health and well-being of surface and underwater ecosystems in the following ways:
o Typically smaller groups and more highly trained, responsible participants
o Slower paced, less impactful method of travel
o Paddle craft leave no contaminants (oil, gas, invasive species)
o No noise pollution or surface disturbance
More intimate interaction with surface ecosystems fosters greater likelihood of responsible attitudes and behaviors toward the environment
Mutual benefit
The intersection of the activities of paddling and diving creates a unique cross-sport, with the potential, when done responsibly, to be uniquely eco-friendly. It offers:
o Freedom – ability to design and implement your own float and dive plan
o Independence – more individual choice in where and when to paddle and dive
o Undisturbed surface and underwater exploration
o Improved surface visibility & safety – paddlecraft and dive flag easily seen by approaching motor craft
o Respect for the marine and aquatic ecosystems – low to no impact behaviors
o Holistic aquatic experiences - embrace proven benefits (physical, mental, emotional) of interactions with water and aquatic environments
Fulfilling our eco responsibilities
Kayak and paddleboard divers can develop/nurture the capacity to fulfill these responsibilities through:
o Comprehensive knowledge of the marine and aquatic ecosystem sites they visit
o Advanced skill competency in both paddling and diving
o Continuing education/training in both sports
o Regular and consistent participation in the individual sports and in the cross-sport of paddlesports diving
o Join local organizations that have a mission to protect and improve ecosystems
Combining the relatively low impact characteristics of skin and scuba diving from a paddle craft offers benefits to both the diver/paddler (intimate, integrative aquatic experience) and the environment (reducing human impacts on both marine and aquatic ecosystems). Join us at Scuba Show 2025, Long Beach, CA, to learn more about the relationship between paddlesports diving and the aquatic environment.
AWSA ... A world of paddlesport diving possibilities
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
Promoting safety and excellence in the ultimate aquatic cross-sport of PaddleSports Diving through quality training and leadership.
- OW Paddling - Kayak & SUP
- OW PS Diving - Skin & SCUBA
- PS Surface supplied air diving
- PS Diving Guide/Instructor
Cross-Sport Explorations
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
You have a dive kayak, you have scuba gear. Imagine the possibilities! Keep exploring the web site to get ideas for other applications of your versatile equipment and talents.
PaddleSports Dive Travel
PaddleSports (PS) Diver Training
Exciting adventures coming soon!
- Accommodating Airlines- shipping for paddle craft
- Accommodating Resorts for kayak & paddlesports diving
- Accommodating Liveaboards for paddlesports diving
- Accommodating Expeditions
PaddleSports Diving Education Materials
Providing AWSA materiais as well as recommendations to other high-quality, accurate information to enhance paddlesport divers' competencies.
- AWSA PaddleSports Diving manual
- Training materials for OW paddling and OW PaddleSports Diving
- Scuba Shows & Paddlesports Shows
- Show-sponsored seminars
- AWSA Publications
- Recommendations & links to valid, reliable paddling and diving resources, outside of AWSA
PaddleSports Diving Destinations
Want to know more?? Scroll down to see our FAQs
Identifying and facilitating high quality, safe, and exciting paddlesports diving experiences around the world!
- Host Resorts – AWSA participating properties
- Trained Staff – PaddleSports Diving certified instructors/guides
- Dive kayaks and dive paddleboards – approved dive craft on site
- Dive sites – approved paddling dive sites and programs
Want to know more?? Scroll down to see our FAQs
Want to know more?? Scroll down to see our FAQs
Check the FAQ section, at the bottom of the page, for Frequently Asked Questions and other suggestions for making the most of the paddlesports cross-sport possibilities.
AWSA Host Resort Program
we partner with industry leaders!
AWSA partners with SCUBA and paddlesports industry leaders to promote safety and excellence in the ultimate aquatic cross-sport of PaddleSports Diving, through quality training and leadership. We are an organization that specializes in providing quality training programs in the watersports industry. Our trainers are dedicated to helping you reach your full potential and achieve your goals. We believe that hard work, proper training, and ongoing participation are the keys to success, and we are here to support you in the journey.
Problem Solving Awsa Style
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
You see a CHALLENGE….
what’s the Plan??
SOLUTIONS
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
You explore SOLUTIONS.
As they say in the Amazon...
"Ha um jeito!!" (there IS a way)
OUTCOMES
CHALLENGES
OUTCOMES
Positive OUTCOMES accomplished!
Enjoy the fruits of your labors
AWSA - providing quality training and leadership
Sample AWSA Education Materials
AWSA Training Manuals
summing it all up ...
Cross-Sport Skill Competency
Cross-Sport Skill Competency
As a cross-sport, knowledge and skill competency in both sports is critical
High Quality Training
Cross-Sport Skill Competency
High quality Training is the most efficient, effective, and safe way to gain competency
On-going Participation
On-going Participation
Regular participation ensures continued competency … take advantage of the destinations, shops, agencies, & networks that support paddlesports diving.
