Skin Diver Magazine
Covered the world of diving for decades
Text by Phil Nuytten
Holy Cow! These old Skin Diver Mag covers bring back a lot of memories. Hard to believe that the person who shot so many of these is still a freelance professional underwater photographer and diving journalist today! Based in Nevada, Geri Murphy (pictured) has an incredible history in underwater journalism, with more than a thousand published articles, books and photos – including an astonishing 170 covers for Skin Diver Magazine. Geri began her career as a sport diver in the late ‘60s, diving off the New Jersey coast, exploring and recording images of shipwrecks and sea life. She turned her interest to the Caribbean, where she was the first to photograph and document ‘Stingray City’, the name she coined for what is now a world-famous dive site in the Cayman Islands. Later she spent time in Micronesia, where she authored a number of articles and dive guides.
Geri has had an impressive career in Hollywood, working on underwater films. In 1973, she joined the crew for the production of the theatre release movie Sharks Treasure. She was the underwater script supervisor and safety diver for Hollywood stars Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset in the award-winning epic The Deep. In addition to films, she worked in television, on productions that include Man From Atlantis and Switch.
Geri spent almost 30 years diving around the world with her husband, Paul Tzimoulis, who was publisher and editor of Skin Diver Magazine during that period. She has been the recipient of a wagonload of honours for her writing and photography, including induction into the AUAS Diving Hall of Fame, the Women Divers Hall of Fame and the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, among others.
I once mentioned to her late husband Paul that I thought highly not only of Geri’s work, but also her unfailing good humour and the obvious sincerity she brings to all the stuff she does. Paul thought for a moment and said, “Yes, she really is a lovely woman.” “A lovely woman.” Simply put, but quite profound, I believe.
Now, Geri has put together a book that will bring back the days of Skin Diver magazine for a whole new generation to enjoy. To get your copy of her SDM ‘coverage’, go to: www.gerimurphyimages.com
A helluva run and is still going strong! Congrats, Geri!
18 Responses to “Skin Diver Magazine”
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Kevin
hello…
i am trying to track down a photographer from back in the day – Rick Frieshie (sp mistake sorry) !!
In 1989 – 1992 he would come to Nassau and Bahama Divers and we would go out and do some ‘wacky’ diving so HE could get pictures for the Skin Diver Magazine.
John England and Bill Whiteland…went out with US a few times.
Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated…!!
Also, congratulations on everything YOU have done and continue to do for Scuba Diving!!
Regards,
Kevin / K2
Turks and Caicos Islands
B.W.I.
Gaz Cooper
Rick Past away quite a few years ago great guy had many a great dive with him
Ken Hess
I am trying to find a 1973-or 74 issue of Skin Diver Magazine that had an article Ellsworth Boyd dives with the U.S. Navy Underwater Photo Team, Andros Island, Bahamas
Still Looking
Still trying to find a 1973-or 74 issue of Skin Diver Magazine that had an article Ellsworth Boyd dives with the U.S. Navy Underwater Photo Team, Andros Island, Bahamas
Dr. E. Lee Spence
I looked through all issues for 1973 & 1974 and found only three articles by Ellsworth Boyd. although two were about Navy divers, when I scanned through them and read photo captions, neither seemed to relate to the Navy photo team or to Andros Island. Perhaps the article you are looking for was printed in a different year.
Naomi
Hello,
I’m trying to track down the current copyright holder for Skin Diver Magazine. I’m working on ta publication that would like to reprint numerous sections from old Skin Diver articles and I’d like to get written permission to do so. Please let me know if you have any information that would help.
Thanks!
Skippy Thomas
Does any one remember a contest Skin Diver ran in the mid 1990s, submitting ideas for new equipment that would be very beneficial to the diving community…I would much appreciate any input.
Kim Brannon
Is there anywhere to find archives of skin diver issues? I’m looking for my favorite dive boat captain, Chris Frye from Parrot’s Landing on Grand Cayman. He and his crew were featured in the mag in early 90’s.
Old SDM article on solo diving?
I see this is an old post but hope it is still active.
I have been trying to track down an old skin diver magazine article from the late 70s or early 80s titled or subtitled something like “buddy diving. only for the lonely?”
I do not remember who the author was.
Surely there must be a collector out there somewhere you could find it.
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to put together an index of old skin diver magazine articles.
Mitch
ken mcleod
Hi- I have a back issue of Skin Diver magazine (October 1975). The editorial in that issue was: “Dive Alone?”
Is this what you are looking for?
Jim Knelange
Anyone remember the article about the new ScubaPro Jet Fins? I’m guessing it was 1965. They explained about the dead spot on the fins and how this was turned into extra propulsion through the “jets.”
Tim
Hello,
I graduated from the College of Oceaneering way back in 1996 and boy do I feel old…lol! While attending the school Skin Diver magazine came to the school and did a photo shoot while we were training. I was singled out for one of the photos and I am hoping to track down the magazine in which my photo was used. Is there any way to find this? Any help would be appreciated and thank you.
Jack Dyer
I would like to get a copy of two articles in April 1992 issue and March 1993 issue Skin Diver. House fire destroyed mine. Anybody willing to make a copy of either or both articles for me, I’ll pay.
Thanks Jack
RON MCGHEE
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A COPY OF MY ARTICLE: DOWN UNDER UP NORTH IN THE APRIL 1954 OR APRIL 1955 , PLEASE REPLY ASAP AS I AM 85 NOW GOING ON 86 IN SEPT. THANKS, RON MCGHEE
DIVER Editorial
Hi Ron, we at DIVER magazine don’t actually have any Skin Diver issues, nor do we have access to them, or their archives. I hope someone rating your comment can help though. Good luck!
Thomas Reyes
I’m looking for an early edition photo of Bob Figueroa. He was on the cover. He was an early pioneer of Free and Scuba diving from Southern Cal. He passed last week. He was 94. I would like to tribute him on my FB page. Thanks,
Tom
Cathy rogers
Looking fo Dive Magazine article from 1991-92 on Plantation Beach Resort, Cayos Cochinos, Honduras… Any idea how to find that magazine or just the article? Thanks…
Cath
Tim L Gossman
I am searching for a Skin Diver Magazine Issued in 1986. I was photographed for an edition of Skin
Diver magazine while attending the College of Oceaneering in Willmington, CA in the summer of 1996. My name is Tim Gossman and I would greatly appreciate any information you could provide in finding this photograph. Thank you for your time and efforts.