Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis

09/12/2025

Thanks for an awesome 2025. 12 episodes with guests representing 12 different countries. Huge growth and recognition from Spotify as a top podcast. Massive thanks to XDEEP, our patrons, and all of our followers and listeners. Cheers, Steve :)!!

Send a message to learn more

09/12/2025

What a great year for Speaking Sidemount!!! 12 podcast episodes with an amazing array of guests representing 12 countries around the world. Different people, different perspectives and experiences with one common thread... a love of sidemount diving and everything that you can do with this awesome dive configuration.

Huge thanks to XDEEP, who are not only world leaders in sidemount and tech diving gear but also an amazing group of people who are passionate about their products and about supporting divers around the world!!! This show would not be what it is without their support. Cheers and thank you to: Piotr, Bart, Barbara, Magda, Patrick and all of the team at XDEEP.

Thank you to our Patrons who, every month, support the show through Patreon with small contributions that add up to massive support for our production.

Lastly, to all of our followers. Thanks so much. This is a project of passion for me, and the many messages of support, the shares of the show, and the growth in our audience make it all worthwhile.

Cheers for a great year. Here's to an even better 2026.

Steve Davis.

27/11/2025

Episode 114 of Speaking Sidemount is out!!! In this brutally honest episode brought to you by XDEEP, I sit down with Chris Richardson, founder of Deep Six Gear, to unpack three decades of hard truths inside the dive industry.

From the early days at Oceanic to the realities of online retail, dealer politics, teaching professionalism, and gear innovation — Chris lays it all out.

We also honour the lives and contributions of Michael Menduno (AquaCorps, InDEPTH) and Nancy Easterbrook (DiveTech Cayman), two giants whose impact continues to shape the world of technical diving.

If you’re into sidemount, tech diving, dive instruction, or the dive business, this episode is packed with insights, lessons, and real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

🎥 Watch or Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HwfPUiU1ONQ?si=6c8-zky_Ml5iL1Pe

🎥 Watch previous full episodes & bonus clips: https://www.youtube.com/

🎧 Listen to the Podcast - Spotify | Apple | Google — search Speaking Sidemount Podcast

📘 Steve's Sidemount Fundamentals eBook: https://www.sidemountpros.com/store

🤿 Train with Steve: https://www.sidemountpros.com/locations

💛 Support the show: www.Patreon.com/SpeakingSidemount

📸 Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzsteved/

🛠️ Thanks to our sponsor XDEEP - www.xdeep.eu and to Chris - Deep Six Gear — https://www.deep6gear.com

In this brutally honest episode brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis sits down with Chris Richardson, founder of Deep Six Gear, to unpack three decades of ha...

27/10/2025

Episode 113 of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, is out.

In this episode, I talk with Mark Rowe, a former British Army Royal Engineer who began diving in 1989 and went on to become a leading sidemount and technical instructor.

Mark shares his incredible journey from military service to full-time diving instructor, including his role in developing the Battle Back program, using diving to rehabilitate injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

We explore:
🔹 His early days learning to dive in Sharm el-Sheikh before it became a Red Sea diving mecca
🔹 Building the UK’s largest military dive club and founding Battle Back Diving
🔹 The evolution of sidemount diving and why good instruction matters
🔹 Insights on training, gear setup, and diving safely across multiple systems
🔹 Rebreathers, tech diving, and the future of advanced diving education

Whether you’re a sidemount diver, an instructor, or just passionate about diving history — this is a deep, inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen to or watch the Speaking Sidemount Podcast on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://youtu.be/wE_3eX6VRf0

Thanks to our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu
📘 Grab Steve’s Sidemount Fundamentals eBook → www.sidemountpros.com/store
🌐 Follow Mark Rowe at Rubicon Diving Lanzarote - https://www.rubicondiving.com

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis talks with Mark Rowe, a former British Army Royal Engineer who began diving in 198...

21/10/2025

Episode 113 is up on early release for patrons with the support of XDEEP. This month, I’m joined by Mark Rowe — ex-Royal Engineer, tech instructor, and all-round legend of the sidemount world. From military diving to running Caribbean and Canary Islands dive ops, Mark’s story is packed with grit, experience, and insight for every diver who’s ever strapped cylinders to their sides. 💪🌊

👉 Patrons get early access! Join me on Patreon to hear the full episode before everyone else — plus get bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, and direct input on future guests.

🔗 Check out the episode & become a patron now: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141684211

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

28/09/2025

Álvaro Granell was kind enough to share some images of the caves of Mallorca with respect to Episode 112. Absolutely stunning :)!!

Image credit and thanks to Miquel Perelló.

28/09/2025

Episode 112 of Speaking Sidemount is live. Massive thanks to XDEEP and our patrons for their support of the podcast.

In this episode, I catch up with Álvaro Granell, a cave diving instructor from Mallorca, and learn about his journey in sidemount and cave diving, as well as the extraordinary caves of Mallorca.

Álvaro shares the history of Mallorcan cave exploration, the scientific projects that are currently in process and along the way we chat on all things sidemount and cave diving. Check it out via the links below.

Thanks to:
Thanks to: Álvaro Granell - https://www.youtube.com/⁩
Image Credit - Miquel Perelló
Our Sponsor - XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/
Our Patrons. Support the show for as little as USD$5/month and get EARLY Access to every episode here - https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemount

Get your copy of Steve’s Sidemount Fundamentals eBook - https://www.sidemountpros.com/store

To watch and listen:
Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/yg6hKluBxzM
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ann9B9KTFjT17saZ1B3jn?si=e3daf28d21b34ed2
Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e112-a-lvaro-granell-cave-diving-mallorca/id1430566498?i=1000728703838
Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, host Steve Davis interviews Álvaro Granell, a cave diving instructor from Mallorca. They disc...

28/08/2025

And we're back... Episode 111 is up with the support of our awesome sponsor XDEEP.

In this episode, I meet and chat with Ana Gonçalves. Ana is a Prosthodontist... (I know, all will be explained), a dedicated sidemount and KISS Rebreathers Sidewinder diver. Ana is a DAN Europe Representative and a DAN Diving Officer Dentistry. In this episode, we talk about Ana's journey in diving and the intersection of her career in dentistry and diving. Ana explains the considerations we should have as divers with respect to dentistry and in particular, while undergoing or after recent treatment. It's an awesome chat. To watch or listen, check out the links below.

Thanks to:
XDEEP
Ana Gonçalves - https://www.instagram.com/agoncalves.dds.dmo
Image Credit: Rui Oliveira https://www.instagram.comruipaoliveira/
Diving in Portugal - https://www.portugaldive.com
Ana will be attending Diving Talks Lisbon 17 - 19 October 2025 with the DAN Europe team. More info here - https://www.divingtalks.com

To watch and listen:
Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/x_7vjZb58K4?si=EW9rdznp9WrUSNtt
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VK4lnjuZaKFM3KEpAHQEU?si=afa7b8cceeba49e9
Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e111-ana-gonc-alves-dental-considerations-for-divers/id1430566498?i=1000723803875
Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, host Steve Davis interviews Ana Gonçalves, a prosthodontist and sidemount diver, about her unique journey that intertw...

21/08/2025

Episode 111 is available on early release for patrons. It was awesome to meet Ana Goncalves, DAN Medical Officer - Dentistry and learn more about the dental considerations for diving. Great conversation with Ana, and also loved hearing about her path to sidemount and KISS Sidewinder diving. The episode is available on Patreon for supporters of the podcast. Huge thanks to our patrons, to our show sponsor XDEEP, and to Ana for sharing with all of us.

Cheers
Steve.

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

27/07/2025

It's Live!! Great to bring you Episode 110 with the support of XDEEP.

In this episode, I interview Anand Chandra Sekaran, and we go back to our roots, discussing the fundamentals of what it takes to be good in sidemount and how to progress to become a sidemount instructor.

Anand is a PADI Course Director based in Malaysia, who shares his journey from a small town in Malaysia to becoming a diving instructor, sidemount and cave diver. Anand discusses his early fascination with underwater exploration, the transition to sidemount diving, and the importance of effective instructor training.

We delve further into the intricacies of sidemount diving, discussing various aspects such as cylinder types, gas management, the significance of proper buoyancy, weighting awareness, and the integration of tech diving principles into instructor training. Our discussion also emphasises the need for instructors to be well-versed in sidemount techniques and the importance of continuous practice and adaptation in different diving environments.

Massive thanks to:
Our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/
Anand Chandra Selaran - https://www.antigravitydiving.com/

Get a copy of the Sidemount Pros Fundamentals eBook - https://www.sidemountpros.com/store
Send me a DM for a 15% discount code to the video courses at Steve Martin’s www.sidemounting.com

To watch and listen:
Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/nG_PtE1tFog?si=dfNAnL2WiWsECOnx
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3z145Jk9H3CkUChDRQAvRv?si=effad20412584826
Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e110-back-to-our-roots-the-fundamentals-of-sidemount-diving/id1430566498?i=1000719199554
Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis interviews Anand Chandra Sekaran, a PADI Course Director based in Malaysia, who s...