Leslie Leaney

:: Leslie Leaney - Sports / Education - 2003

Co-Founder, Historical Diving Society USA
Founder, Historical Diver Magazine

Born in 1947 in London, England, Leslie Leaney started diving in 1969 in Singapore. He progressed through the BSAC system and became a scuba instructor, club Expedition Director and eventually Diving Officer, for BSAC Special Branch in Singapore. During his two-and-a-half year tenure he trained several dozen divers and was responsible for the training curriculum of over a dozen instructors and over 70 active recreational divers.

In 1970, operating out of the port of Mersing, Leaney lead dozens of diving expeditions out into the South China Sea islands off Malaya’s east coast. Exploring principally around the islands Pulau Dayang, Aur, Tioman, and Permangil, his expeditions did some of the very early recording of the effect of the Crown of Thorns starfish on coral reefs in that area.

In 1971, prior to the rise of international diving tourism, Leaney led an expedition dive team to the Perhentian Islands off the north east Malay coast, and then another to the Indian Ocean, diving the atolls of the Maldive Islands. In 1972, after diving trips to Australia and New Zealand, he conducted a survey on behalf of the late King Hussein of Jordan, on the feasibility of establishing a dive center in the Red Sea port of Aquaba, Jordan. During the 1970’s he traveled extensively working with divers and instructors in England, Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

In 1980 Leaney relocated to Malibu, Southern California, where he worked in the music industry. He started to pursue his interest in diving history, and throughout the 1980’s he compiled an extensive diving library and a collection of historical antique equipment. His archives currently provide reference research material for diving historians, and items from his collection are on display at various museums. In 1992 this interest in history lead to Leaney to co-found the Historical Diving Society-USA, (HDS-USA) with Skip Dunham. The inaugural meeting featured a mix of recreational, military, and commercial divers and the Society continues to provide an educational forum for these separate, but connected, groups to learn about their joint history.

Initially formed as a chapter of the British HDS, the Society evolved into an American non-profit corporation. During its fourteen year existence Leaney has worn the hats of Chairman, President, and Executive Director, and under his guidance the Society has grown from a few dozen members to over 2,700 in 37 countries. It is internationally affiliated with similar organizations.

To guide the new Society Leaney helped to establish and develop an international Advisory Board of divers, who had distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. Under his guidance the HDS-USA Advisory Board has continued to grow in stature along with the Society. Members include Sylvia Earle, Hans and Lotte Hass, Scott Carpenter, Sir John Rawlins, James Cameron, Bev Morgan, Lad Handelman, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Christian Lambertsen, Dr. Peter B. Bennett, Andre Galerne, Phil Nuytten, Ernie Brooks, James Caldwell and many others. A listing of the HDS-USA Advisory Board can be found at www.hds.org

In 1993 Leaney founded The Journal of Diving History (JoDH) (originally titled Historical Diver Magazine), America’s first, and only, publication devoted to all aspects of diving history. As founding editor he introduced various columns, including the “Women Pioneers in Diving” column written by former Skin Diver Magazine editor Bonnie Cardone. He also published numerous historical articles translated from foreign language, including Russian, French, and German that had never before been published in America. From its small initial circulation The Journal has grown to be the official publication of historical societies in America, Australia, Asia, Germany, Canada, Russia and Mexico and is mailed to over 3,000 divers in 37 countries world-wide.

Through his research Leaney has written numerous articles that have appeared in several international publications, and he has lectured on the subject of diving history at seminars in France, Canada, Mexico, England and America. A partial listing of his research articles can be found at www.hds.org, - Historical Diver Magazine back issues. His research is referenced by numerous authors and he has been a consultant for The History Channel, The B.B.C., The Discovery Channel, United States Navy, and other organizations.

During his international travels he has assisted in strengthening the ties between America and divers many other countries who wished to record their own nations diving history. Leaney’s work with the Musee du Scaphandre in Espalion, and the World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes, helped lay the foundation for the formation of HDS France. His work in promoting the careers of Austrian diving pioneers Professor Hans Hass and Lotte Hass, lead to their American return in 1998 for a film festival in their honor. A stellar cast comprising of Zale Parry, Al Giddings, Stan Waterman, Ernie Brooks, Al Tillman, Sylvia Earle, Phil Nuytten, Howard and Michele Hall, Emory Kristof, Bev Morgan and Andy Rechnitzer participated in the event. “It was the finest tribute occasion I have ever attended,” said Stan Waterman. Leaney is currently the American representative of the Hasses.

Leaney serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, The Commercial Diving Hall of Fame, the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Historical Diving Society USA, and others. Among his awards are the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences NOGI Award for Education, the Beneath the Sea Diver of the Year Award for Service and Honorary Life Time memberships in the Historical Societies of Russia, Canada, and South East Asia, Pacific.