Speaking Sidemount27 Jun 2025

E109 The Art of Diving with Xavi P Tapia

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, host Steve Davis welcomes Xavi P. Tapia, a cave diver and instructor from Ecuador, who shares his journey through the world of diving. From his beginnings in the Galapagos Islands to establishing his dive center, "The Art of Diving" in the Dominican Republic.

Xavi discusses the philosophy behind The Art of Diving and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in the diving community. The conversation also addresses the challenges of adapting to various diving conditions, particularly cold-water diving, and the importance of safety and proper training in the sport. Xavi shares his insights on the importance of learning in diving, the beauty and challenges of diving in the Dominican Republic, and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the underwater environment.

He emphasizes the need for divers to adopt a student mindset, the unique diving experiences available in the Dominican Republic, and the significance of maintaining safe diving practices and preserving the natural beauty of the caves.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:19 Diving Journey and Experiences

12:34 Transition to Cave Diving and Instruction

16:24 The Art of Diving and Personal Growth

18:29 Diving as a Science and Practice

20:22 Collaboration and Community in Diving

22:57 Future Aspirations and Safety in Diving

29:19 Practice & Building your Skills

30:59 Navigating Cold Water Challenges

34:59 The Art of Diving: Training and Philosophy

38:44 XDEEP Exploration Support Program

40:15 Learning from Diverse Instructors

48:01 Exploring the Dominican Republic's Diving Paradise

52:55 Cave Diving Challenges and Experiences

01:05:38 Conservation Efforts in the Dominican Republic

01:10:09 Reinforcing Cave Diving Safety

01:15:25 Traveling to the Dominican Republic for Diving

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(121)

Sidemount 101 | Philosophy & Equipment

Have you ever watched really good sidemount divers underwater and wondered how they make it look so effortless?Meanwhile, your cylinders float, your trim feels unstable, hoses are everywhere, and it f...

2 Jun 46min

Stuck in a Wreck | The Moment Everything Went Wrong

I got stuck inside a wreck I knew better than anyone. This is the story of my close call on HMNZS Canterbury — and how complacency nearly cost me my life.In this solo episode of Speaking Sidemount, br...

26 Apr 23min

Naval Officer Analyzes the Scylla Wreck Tragedy | E118

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis reacts to and analyses the 2021 wreck-diving tragedy inside the wreck of HMS Scylla off Plymouth, UK. This is Steve's reacti...

25 Mar 1h 28min

Why The KISS Sidewinder 2 Took So Long and Why It Was Worth It!

The Sidewinder 2 is here — and the story behind it is wild.In this episode brought to you by XDEEP, Patrick Widmann joins me to share the real journey behind the years-long development of the Sidewind...

26 Feb 1h 39min

From BellBoy to Cave Mentor - Tavo's Darkside Story

In Episode #116 brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis is joined by Gustavo “Tavo” Padilla-Pohjanen of Darkside Divers, Mexico. From a rocky start in snowboarding to discovering peace and purpose underw...

26 Jan 1h 2min

Growing Up in the Mecca of Technical Diving | CCR, Sidewinder & Dahab with Omar Derbala

In this final episode of Speaking Sidemount for 2025, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis sits down with Omar Derbala, a technical and CCR instructor born and raised in Dahab, one of the most iconic ...

27 Des 20251h 29min

"Lies, Lessons, and Legacy" - Chris Richardson on 30 Years in the Dive Industry

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 hard truths inside the dive industry. From th...

26 Nov 20251h 20min

E113 British Army to Sidemount Master - Mark Rowe's Incredible Diving Journey

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 1989 and went on to become a leading sidemount...

27 Okt 20251h 32min