TEKAsia 2026: Asia's First Technical Diving Conference

A Long-Overdue Conference for Asian Tech Divers

Technical divers in Asia have spent years flying to OZTeK in Australia or crossing oceans to reach European conferences just to hear the latest on cave exploration, wreck penetration, and rebreather technology. That changes this month. TEKAsia 2026 opens its doors at Suntec Singapore from April 10 to 12, running alongside the 32nd edition of ADEX Asia Dive Expo. For the first time, a dedicated tech diving conference sits right here in Southeast Asia — and the lineup is stacked.

What Is TEKAsia?

TEKAsia is a three-day technical diving conference organized by David Strike and Richard Taylor, two veterans of the advanced diving world, in collaboration with OZTeK and ADEX. The event brings together over 30 speakers from across the globe for seminars, hands-on workshops, and real-world case study presentations. Topics range from deep cave systems in Mexico and Canada to WWII wreck explorations and the ongoing investigation of HMHS Britannic. Think of it as OZTeK's Southeast Asian sibling — same DNA, but built for this region's growing tech diving community.

The Speaker Lineup

The names alone should get your attention. Jill Heinerth, one of the most accomplished cave divers alive, heads the roster. Richie Kohler and Leigh Bishop bring deep wreck expertise from both sides of the Atlantic. Simon Pridmore and Steve Lewis — authors whose books sit on most tech divers' shelves — are presenting as well. Bernie Chowdhury, whose account of the Andrea Doria dives remains essential reading, rounds out a seriously heavyweight group.

Regional representation matters too. Por Parasu Komaradat from Thailand, Edmund Yiu from Hong Kong, and Yoshitaka Isaji from Japan all have sessions lined up. That local perspective is exactly what makes TEKAsia different from just importing a Western conference wholesale.

Topics and Workshops Worth Your Time

The program covers ground that most recreational diving events never touch. Cave diving techniques for deep systems — not the Florida cavern zone stuff, but serious exploration in Mexico's cenotes and Canadian sinkholes. Wreck penetration planning for WWII sites scattered across the Pacific, including newly discovered ghost wrecks. Rebreather (CCR) technology sessions that go beyond the sales pitch into actual field performance and failure modes.

Decompression strategy, hyperbaric medicine updates, marine archaeology methods, and underwater mapping technology fill out the schedule. If you run deco on a VPM-B algorithm and have opinions about gradient factors, this is your crowd. Hands-on workshops mean you leave with more than just notes.

ADEX 2026: The Bigger Picture

TEKAsia runs inside ADEX, and the expo itself deserves mention. Now in its 32nd year, ADEX 2026 carries the Big Blue Legacy theme, pushing the Blue Revolution concept — reduce, innovate, reuse. The expo features try-dives, underwater photography competitions (Voice of the Ocean), the Blue Legacy Awards on April 10, and the Ocean Tribes Festival on April 11, mixing conservation advocacy with art and music.

For non-tech divers tagging along, there is plenty to do: gear demos, free try-dives, kids' zones, and a Surface Interval area focused on diver health and fitness. Exhibitors range from Southeast Asian liveaboard operators to major gear manufacturers. Tickets start at $10 SGD through Eventbrite or www.adex.asia.

Why This Matters for Diving in Asia

Southeast Asia already has world-class tech diving — Coron's wrecks in the Philippines, the caves of Koh Tao and Trang in Thailand, deep walls in Bali and Sulawesi. What it has lacked is a regional knowledge hub where the community shares research, incident analysis, and evolving best practices without a 20-hour flight. TEKAsia fills that gap. Having speakers like Heinerth and Kohler present alongside Asian explorers creates a two-way knowledge exchange that benefits everyone.

It also signals to training agencies, equipment manufacturers, and dive operations that Asia's tech scene has reached critical mass. The economics follow the events. More conferences mean more attention, better infrastructure, and ultimately safer diving for everyone pushing limits in this part of the world.

Practical Details

TEKAsia 2026 runs April 10-12 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. ADEX hours are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. TEKAsia is a ticketed event within ADEX, so plan accordingly — general ADEX entry starts at $10 SGD, but TEKAsia sessions may require separate registration. Check www.adex.asia for the latest pricing and the full daily schedule, which was still being finalized at press time.

Singapore is a natural hub — direct flights from Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Hong Kong, and Tokyo all clock in under 6 hours. Changi Airport puts you 20 minutes from Suntec by MRT. If you are combining the trip with diving, Tioman Island (Malaysia) and Anilao (Philippines) are both a short hop away.

Should You Go?

If you are a certified tech diver or seriously considering the jump from recreational to technical, TEKAsia is a no-brainer. The speaker quality matches any global conference, the location saves you a transatlantic flight, and the networking value of connecting with Asia's growing tech community pays for itself. Even advanced recreational divers curious about what lies beyond 40 meters will find sessions worth attending. Mark April 10 on the calendar and book your tickets through ADEX. The tech diving world just got a lot closer to home.