Why This Shake-Up Could Change the Future of Diving Gear Forever
This week marks a significant shift in the global diving industry: HEAD, the sporting goods giant behind Mares and SSI, has officially acquired the Aqualung Group. For divers, retailers, and industry insiders alike, this is big—possibly the biggest change in years.
Who Is Aqualung Group?
The Aqualung Group is one of the most established names in recreational and professional diving equipment. Their portfolio includes:
- Aqualung – Iconic scuba gear manufacturer and pioneer of modern diving.
- Apeks – A favourite among technical divers, especially known for cold-water regulators.
- Aquasphere – Focused on swim and triathlon gear.
- Omer – Spearfishing equipment experts.
- Pelagic Pressure Systems – Instrumentation and dive computer technology.
They’ve been around for decades, with a strong reputation for performance and reliability—but under recent ownership by private equity firms, many felt the innovation had stalled and the heart of the brand had been lost.
Who Is HEAD?
HEAD is a major player in sports equipment, particularly in tennis, skiing, and swimming. But for divers, they’re best known for:
- Mares – A full-spectrum scuba gear brand covering everything from freediving to recreational and technical diving.
- SSI (Scuba Schools International) – A leading global scuba training agency with a strong digital infrastructure and standardized global education model.
This acquisition means that some of the world’s biggest and most respected scuba gear and training brands are now under one umbrella.
What Does This Mean for Aqualung & Apeks Users?
Short term? Nothing drastic. Your gear still works. Your local dive shop will still service it. Warranties and parts are still valid.
Medium to long term? This could be very, very good news.
Under HEAD’s leadership—with a proven track record in sports gear innovation and industry-specific investment (see: Mares’ solid product lineup and SSI’s digital training expansion)—Aqualung and Apeks may finally get the industry related leadership, and support they’ve been lacking.
For Apeks fans: don't worry, your cold-water reg isn't going anywhere. In fact, it may just get better.
The Bigger Picture: Innovation, Distribution & Community
This move could streamline manufacturing, enhance global distribution, and—most importantly—revive innovation. HEAD understands sport, performance, and user experience. That’s a breath of fresh air for Aqualung, which many divers felt had been languishing under owners like Montagu Private Equity and Barings LLC, whose focus was more financial than functional.
Now, instead of squeezing margins and reducing SKU counts, Aqualung might actually start pushing boundaries again—especially with HEAD’s backing.
And with SSI already onboard, we may even see better gear-training integration down the line. Imagine matching your reg setup to your training environment right out of the gate.
Not Everyone’s Happy—But Here’s Why We’re Optimistic
Some divers are understandably concerned about consolidation. Fewer independent brands could mean less competition. But let’s not forget:
- HEAD made Mares a success story.
- SSI’s digital expansion helped standardize and simplify diving education worldwide.
- HEAD is not a financial firm—they’re a sports company, and they know what divers want because they’ve done it before.
This might just be what Aqualung and Apeks need to rise again—from legacy brands resting on old laurels to innovators at the front of the pack.
Bottom Line:
This isn't just a business move—it's a turning point. If done right, it could mean more reliable gear, better global support, and new innovations that benefit divers everywhere.
And frankly, we’re here for it.