Scuba Diver, Adventure Traveler, Explorer, Magician
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
An adventure illusionist, Rich uses magic to break cultural barriers while investigating man-made ecological catastrophes, indigenous culture, and other compelling stories. Raised in Massachusetts, Rich attended Radford University in Virginia for Acting/Media Studies and also focused on martial arts. When he left school, he relocated to Los Angeles and landed a job as a film crew member for a reality show pilot called “Stars Stunts Action.” He is an avid rock climber, sky diver, traveler, adventurer and scuba diver.
WHY I LOVE THE OCEAN:
It’s an extraordinary exotic world down there. The exploits of Jacques Cousteau originally drew me to scuba diving. My favorite part of being underwater is the sensation of being someplace foreign to the human body — diving deep and peering up to the shimmering surface above knowing I’m in a place humans were not meant to be.
HOW I STARTED SCUBA DIVING:
Exploration and preservation drive me. As a kid I have always wanted to be an archeologist. The nostalgia of the Indiana Jones films drew me to the adventurer/explorer life. To me, scuba diving is another facet of learning about the world and all aspects of physical life. I’m deeply moved by tales of sunken ships and undiscovered Spanish galleons. I am also an avid promoter of keeping our oceans clean and preserving the habitats of the many beautiful creatures that reside in our planet’s waters.
WHO I ADMIRE:
My grandfather has influenced me the most. I admired him a lot. He sparked the fuse of exploration in me. He was a surgeon but also an avid traveler. He traveled the world to remote areas to visit tribes and Indigenous cultures to learn their spiritual and holistic healing practices. I would visit my grandparents’ house and was mesmerized by his study, which was filled with artifacts from his travels. From sailing to scaling mountains, he did it all.
WHEN I’M NOT DIVING:
I love all aspects of adventure and exploration, both personal and physical. I enjoy rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing, mountaineering, running, surfing, martial arts, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, reading about history, culture and travel, writing, and of course, traveling.
MY FAVORITE CRESSI GEAR:
I love the wetsuits and masks. The variety and different functionality, especially the fog-proof masks, are unparalleled. The higher-end regulators are also exceptional. The first and second stage delivers smooth and comfortable air with ease of breathing and comfort in controlling the flow. I also love the free diving fins. An absolute must-have for any free diver!
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CRESSI OCEAN AMBASSADOR:
I have always been a fan of Cressi products. The brand has a unique feel and look that gives style and elegance to the art of scuba diving. The wetsuits are sleek and eye-catching, and the fit is perfect. The BCDs are manufactured well, with obvious care and time taken — the buckles, rings and compartments are placed just right for ease of use and access. They are also comfortable and high quality. Cressi has always paid careful attention to divers’ needs, and they’ve done it for divers undertaking a wide variety of underwater activities. This is why I wanted to be a Cressi Ambassador.
FIND ME:
instagram.com/richcmanley; expeditionrich.com; cultureshockmagic.com
Patricia Wuest
Maitland, Florida, USA Dive Magazine Journalist, Scuba Gear Tester, Ocean Conservationist. As the editor- in- chief of Scuba Diving and Sport Diver magazines, Patricia has had a 25- year career in dive…Read More