A South Australian, with a background as varied as a soldier, comedian, and aspiring astronaut, has become the Australian face in a critical international rescue operation. Josh Richards was called into action late last week to assist in the search for two individuals still missing within a cave system in Laos.
Richards, a seasoned member of the Soggy Wombats cave diving team, has a proven track record of discovering significant extensions to multiple caves along South Australia’s renowned Limestone Coast. His expertise was highlighted in 2022 when he and dive partner Matthew Aisbett uncovered an astonishing 400 metres of new passage branching off from the well-known Engelbrecht Cave near Mount Gambier. This was followed last year by another major find: a 100-metre tunnel discovered at Pines Cave, near Tantanoola, announced by the Soggy Wombats.
Despite his deep involvement in exploring confined underground spaces, Richards confessed to a surprising personal challenge: claustrophobia. He explained his unique coping mechanism to 891 ABC Adelaide, stating, “I love cave exploration, and I force myself through dry caves to get to the water.” He elaborated on his paradoxical comfort in water, noting, “I don’t experience claustrophobia underwater, interestingly enough, and I think that’s related to being weightless.”
A Lifelong Explorer
Richards’s journey to the Laos cave rescue is a testament to a life dedicated to adventure and pushing boundaries. His caving achievements have recently garnered significant attention, but it was his ambitious intergalactic aspirations that first propelled him into the public eye.
Following a degree in physics and service in various branches of the military, including the army, navy, and the British Royal Marine Commandos, Richards transitioned into the world of stand-up comedy. Under the guise of a ukulele-playing koala, he performed internationally before hanging up his comedic hat in 2016. It was during this period that he applied for a one-way ticket to Mars as part of the now-defunct Mars One project. By 2021, he had progressed to the final 100 candidates out of an initial pool of 200,000 applicants.
The rigorous process of applying for and documenting his Mars One experience, which included writing two books, inadvertently reconnected him with his passion for diving after a hiatus. Back in 2021, he articulated this connection: “I actually have the opportunity to explore here, go and dive these caves, learn more about the geology, how they connect to each other, why they form.” He added, “In some ways it’s fulfilling that explorer element that wants to go out and go to Mars.”
A Call to Action
The current situation in Laos, however, represents a different, albeit equally compelling, kind of adventure. Will Passos, a teammate of Richards with the Soggy Wombats, has known him since they met during basic training in 2019. The pair had recently returned to Australia from an expedition exploring caves in Japan.
Passos expressed no surprise at Richards’s immediate commitment to the Laos rescue. “From all the news that I’ve seen, the situation, the environment, the skill set that they require, it’s kind of very suitable for Josh,” he remarked. He highlighted Richards’s physical attributes and his proven capabilities, stating, “Not just because he has a small frame, but because of the skill set he has.” Passos continued, “I’m also not surprised that he just put his hand up and volunteered straight away. I think it’s in his nature to be involved and to be doing what he’s doing right now there.” Passos also echoed Richards’s philosophy on exploration: “I think Josh has repeated it a million times, but you can’t say that the cave ends until we go and touch the wall at the back.” He further praised Richards’s composure and competence underwater, noting his comfort and skill, which fosters trust within their dive team.
South Australia: A Global Hub for Cave Diving Excellence
Richards is not the first Australian diver, honed by the unique challenges of SA’s Limestone Coast, to be instrumental in a high-profile cave rescue. In 2018, fellow Australians Richard Harris and Craig Challen gained international acclaim for their roles in the extraordinary rescue of a boys’ soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand. Their remarkable efforts earned them the joint title of Australian of the Year.
Darren Mitchell, a diving instructor and owner of The Habitat cave diving accommodation in Mount Gambier – a facility previously owned by Richards – commented on the international reputation of Australian divers. “It’s good that it’s being put forward that Australian scuba divers have the skills, knowledge and experience to be an asset in these emergency situations,” Mitchell stated. He confidently asserted that the “nucleus of that is here [in Mount Gambier].”
Mitchell described the regional city as a vital centre for some of the most skilled divers from across Australia and the globe. “If anyone wants to ascend up and be a good scuba diver, they must come to the Mount sooner or later,” he advised. He further emphasised the magnetic pull of the area for seasoned divers: “It’s very rare that you’d be at a really high level of scuba diving and not want to come to Mount Gambier. It’s a big drawcard that brings people to this little city of ours.” This concentration of talent and expertise, nurtured by the unique geological formations of the Limestone Coast, positions South Australia as a crucial training ground and a source of world-class divers ready for the most demanding situations.
