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John Womack, founder of Otter Watersports, has passed away

Listen to this article John Womack Snr, founder of the Otter Watersports brand and a legend of the British Isles diving community, has died at the age of 75. He passed away on the night of 30 November after a long battle with illness, it was announced in an official announcement. John Womack Snr started

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: December 3, 2018 - 13:54

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 17:36

John Womack, founder of Otter Watersports, has passed away

Listen to this article

John Womack Snr, founder of the Otter Watersports brand and a legend of the British Isles diving community, has died at the age of 75. He passed away on the night of 30 November after a long battle with illness, it was announced in an official announcement.

John Womack Snr started diving in 1972 when he joined Bradford Sub Aqua Club in Queensbury. He soon became a First Class Diver, in 1979 and an Advanced Instructor. In 1986 John Snr decided to set up Otter Watersports and Divers Warehouse in Bradford.

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He partially retired in 2012 and sold Divers Warehouse to South Lodge Company Scuba, so he could now have more time to create and perfect dry suits, warmers, leaving the running of Otter Watersports to his son John Jr.

John Snr was a regular member of the Bradford 44 BSAC branch continuously for over 40 years. He was also a diving officer at Bradford during the ’70s. He has taken part in expeditions around the world including to the wrecks of the ‘Britannic’, ‘Victoria’, ‘Prince of Wales’, ‘Repulse’ and many others. In 2010 he received a special award, for his outstanding support and contribution to the diving community.

Source: drysuits.co.uk

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.