Our Story
Founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2024, Dive Steel emerged from a simple realization: the diving industry needs a better, safer alternative to traditional lead weights.
While lead has been used as dive weights since antiquity, the metal is a known toxin to both humans and the environment. High profile examples of lead contamination such as the Flint water crisis in Michigan have highlighted the dangers of lead in the aquatic environment.
This awareness sparked our mission: to reimagine dive weights as a sustainable, safe alternative that protects both divers and our oceans. Through innovative engineering and a commitment to sustainability, Dive Steel was born.
Our Mission
To reimagine dive weights through innovative, environmentally conscious design that prioritizes the health of our oceans and the safety of the diving community.
Meet Our Founder
Peter Woolf, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineer | Sculptor | Environmental Advocate | Passionate Diver
Dr. Peter Woolf brings a unique combination of artistic vision and scientific expertise to Dive Steel. With a doctorate in Chemical Engineering, he understands the technical challenges and environmental implications of diving equipment design. As a sculptor, Peter approaches product development with an artist's eye for form, ensuring that each Dive Steel weight isn't just functional, but thoughtfully crafted.
This intersection of art and engineering is central to Dive Steel's philosophy. While his engineering background drives the technical specifications and material science, Peter's sculptural experience influences the ergonomic design and aesthetic qualities of each product. The result is diving equipment that's not only environmentally responsible but also beautiful in its simplicity and functionality.
His vision for Dive Steel stems from years of experience as a scientist, artist, and diver, recognizing the need for sustainable alternatives in diving equipment. By combining precision engineering with artistic sensibility and a commitment to ocean conservation, Peter has guided Dive Steel's development of innovative, environmentally responsible diving products that stand apart in both form and function.
Design Philosophy:
"Great design, like nature itself, finds elegance in efficiency. Every element in our products serves multiple roles - each curve, each material choice, each detail must advance at least three purposes. This is how we create diving equipment that's simultaneously functional, beautiful, and environmentally responsible."
Core Values
Innovation
We reimagine what a dive weight can be, using modern materials and the global connectivity of the internet and digital communication. These solutions both protect the environment and connect us together across the planet.
Sustainability
Every decision we make considers its long-term impact on our oceans and marine ecosystems, ensuring a better future for generations to come.
Community
We believe in fostering a global community of environmentally conscious divers through our Sea Bottle Network and trade-in programs.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Be part of the movement towards sustainable diving practices.