Cave diver and underwater cinematographer Wes Skiles dies 
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Author: Eric Cheng ( echeng )
Related Link: Ocala
Wes Skiles, a renowned explorer and underwater photographer / cinematographer, died yesterday while diving off of Boynton Beach, Florida. According to local papers, Wes signaled to other divers that he was ascending. Details are spotty, but he was later found at the bottom of the reef, motionless.
Wes' photography and work is featured in this month's National Geographic article on Bahamas Blue Holes. His beautiful cover shot shows two divers exploring a beautifully-lit limestone cave.
If you have something you'd like to share to memorialize Wes Skiles, please leave it in the comments here, or send it to us via email and we'll add it to this post.
UPDATE:
NPR did a story about Wes this morning. It's a nice piece and includes a slideshow of the photos from the current issue of National Geographic.
There is also a notice of a memorial celebration and service.
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Comment(s):Great chap to be around, laughter, a twinkle of mischief in the corner of his eyes, my favorite caveman by a long shot and a wicked harmonica player to booth, nothing but good memories, nothing but pleasure everytime I caught up with him, So long Wes, hope I get to enjoy life as you did one day.
Jean
Posted by Viz'art on 07/22 at 03:52 PMSad news indeed. I never met him, but his spectacular photo of Dipolder Cave is one of the things that first got me into cave diving. I’ll miss the images he produced.
Damien
Posted by betti154 on 07/22 at 06:03 PMI was fortunate enough to have met Wes a couple times back in the the late 90’s early 2000’s when I spoke at the Boston Searover’s show and Underwater Canada. He had a fantastic sense of humor and wit.
He added so much to the world of diving ....
His death is a huge loss to the underwater community.
Rest in peace WesPosted by seascapes63 on 07/23 at 05:36 PMIn Memory of WESLEY C. SKILES
Memorial Celebration and Service
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
at Ginnie Springs
The memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm
followed by a celebration of Wes’s life.
Ginnie Springs will be open to our guests
all afternoon. The celebration will last
into the evening. You may want to bring the
beverage of your choice and a picnic
supper or food to share.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers
donations be made in Wes’s name to:
the Alachua Conservation Trust.
alachuaconservationtrust.orgPosted by Walt Stearns on 07/25 at 06:41 AMWes Skiles and I did some presentations at various dive shows a number of years ago and we got to be good friends. My wife, Veronica, and Wes took a break at one of the shows and he sat on the steps and played his harmonica for her. His images always left me in awe and I loved what he did but could never bring myself to do what he did. He put everything in perspective when he described cave diving. It looks great in video and in stills but the hours spent cold and lonely left him wondering why he did what he did. That only lasted until he reached the surface and then he couldn’t wait to go again. He brought images to the masses that we will never experience and he did it with an amazing love of life. Veronica and I don’t see Wes as much as we used to but he will live forever in our hearts. He is the true meaning of “Explorer” and we are all better off for having known Wes. We offer our heartfelt condolences for his family and friends. There are some people who have been with us on this earth that can never be replaced. Wes is one of those people.
Herb Segars
Posted by Herb Segars on 07/25 at 05:02 PM
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