Scuba hall of fame exec receives diving industry award
Leslie Leaney
(CNS Local Life): Leslie Leaney, the executive director of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF), has been named the recipient of the 2016 Reaching Out Award presented by the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA). The award honours leaders and pioneers in the dive industry for contributions to the success and growth of the sport and dive community.
“Mr. Leaney has partnered with the Cayman Islands for many years through the ISDHF and his leadership has been instrumental in helping that organisation grow and celebrate the sport of scuba diving,” said Moses Kirkconnell, the Minister of Tourism and ISDHF chairman. “Mr. Leaney brings a wealth of knowledge to the ISDHF board to expand our global goals. Leslie is most deserving of this prestigious recognition.”
Leaney will receive the award during the 28th annual DEMA show and awards ceremony to be held in Las Vegas 18 November. He will be joined by fellow honouree Lad Akins of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, who will be acknowledged for his conservation efforts and work with the invasive lionfish species.
Leaney said of the award, “It is both an honour and a privilege to be recognised by DEMA for my contributions to the sport of diving. Throughout my time in the industry, I have been fortunate to not only learn from divers before me, but able to pass on their skills and knowledge to others, allowing me to help preserve the diving heritage of the Cayman Islands for years to come.”
In acknowledging Leaney’s contribution to the dive industry, Director of Tourism Rosa Harris said, “Mr. Leaney has been integral to the growth of the dive product in the Cayman Islands and we are proud to see his work recognised by DEMA. It’s through his preservation efforts and thoughtful contributions to the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame that divers and their legacies will live on and help to inspire future generations to discover the Cayman Islands’ spectacular underwater depths.”
Leaney is known for his preservation of dive history through his dedication to organisations like ISDHF, the Commercial Diving Hall of Fame, the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Historical Diving Society-USA and other educational societies.
Category: Marine Environment
