1949 at age 19, at the Central California coastal community, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Jim began his diving adventure with homemade diving equipment, no training, but lots of enthusiasm and a genuine sense of curiosity.
Jim Willoughby
Jim made his way to British Columbia, Canada in the late 1950s and decided to stay. He became one of the most active and influential diving pioneers in the Northwest U.S. & Western Canadian. Jim taught thousands of beginning diving students. He also taught advanced diving and underwater photography.
Jim directed and served on staff of many NAUI Instructor Training Courses resulting in the certification of hundreds of new diving leaders. He was the first to teach an extended one year course for instructors; five days a week for one year.
One of Jim’s most proud achievements as an instructor was developing special courses for deaf, handicapped and blind students. It’s just amazing to witness people with special challenges adapt themselves to the underwater world with so much enthusiasm.
Jim devoted a lot of volunteer time and expertise to help build the diving industry. He served on the Board of Directors of N.A.U.I. Canada for several years and he participated as a search and recovery, public service diver for the California Highway Patrol for several years and later for the R.C.M.P. in BC, Canada.
Jim has been truly passionate with exploring the underwater world, but his primary passion for diving is underwater photography. If he couldn’t take you diving with him, he could bring back photos of his world to show you.
Jim has been honored and recognized many times for his contributions and achievements in diving.
- Recipient of N.A.U.I. Canada Medal (U.W. Canada Diving Achievement Award).
- Man In The Sea Award (for outstanding service to the sport of scuba diving – 1981).
- Received many national and international photo awards.
- N.A.U.I. Grand Distinction, highest distinction award – 1978.
- R.C.M.P. Award for unselfish, exploring, discovery and teaching which makes this planet a finer place in which to live.
- Expo ’86 award for specialized periods at Expo ’86.
Some of Jim’s fondest memories include:
- Working with Cousteau Society dive team.
- Working with Ron and Valerie Taylor, John Stoneman, Stan Waterman, and Jack McKenney, for National Geographic.
- Demonstrating Can Dives DeepWorker one-person sub for National Geographic.
- Dive team guide in many parts of the world.
- Owning and managing three retail dive stores in Vancouver, British Columbia area.
- Director and M.C. of Can Dives huge dive tank at Expo ’86 (one of our best shows was a couple getting married under twelve feet of water).
- Cinematographer for Canada’s National Film Board.
- Dive Club Organizer. “I have organized and started more scuba dive clubs than I can possibly remember. These were in Canada and the U.S.A.”
- Instrumental in creating many underwater parks in Canada and the U.S.A.
- Very instrumental in creation of world’s first underwater mermaid (9 foot bronze statue) in British Columbia, Canada.
- Made several underwater movies and commercials.
- Produced his own weekly TV show, “Divers Den” for two years.
- Diving in many places around the world.