a special supplement to

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UNDERWATER WONDERLAND

cies

THEY HAVE names such as Whytecliff Park, Kelvin
Grove, Porteau Cove and Passage Island. Ponular scuba
diving spots, these areas are doors to another worid.

Underneath the water there ex-
ists a world that belongs to scuba
divers. Filled. with exotic life and
fascinating colors, it is a world.on-
ly a few ever see...

But. recent equipment innova-
tions are opening the sport to new

divers who quickly learn scuba div-

ing is not the macho: pastime that
many think it tobe.)
Smaller, lighter air’ tanks are
opening the way for more’ women
_ divers who in the past had difficul-
-ty lugging. the 38-pound air tanks
around:on their backs. ‘
“*We’re seeing more women and
teenagers,’’ says Diving Locker
manager.Linda Crawford.
“Classes have increased from a
few women to almost half

SCUBA DIVING is no Jonger confined to Jacques Cousteau. This local woman discovered a friendly Giant
Nudibranch (underwater slug) during a dive along the Sunshine Coast.

women.’’

And more families are signing
up for scuba diving classes. ‘We
see fathers and mothers with
children. The youngest diver we’ve
trained is 1} years old.”” '

During the training, students are’
- taught

about equipment fun-
damentals, safety, proper pro-
cedures and all the technical in-
formation a diver needs to know.

After passing a. written and
practical test, students are issued
their scuba diving certificate —
their pass to the exciting watery
world beneath the sea.

After the basic training, divers
can continue upgrading their skills
in areas such as night diving,
wreck diving, sport diving,

divemaster and instructor.

One of the most popular
courses, says Crawford, is called
underwater hunter.

As the name suggests, divers
learn how to gather numerous tas-
ty sea creatures for their dinner.
Tips on .cooking the underwater
delights are also provided.

Most non-divers think British
Columbia’s waters are
uninteresting and lack the variety
and beauty most often seen in the
tropics. Not at all, says Crawford.

“Because the water is cold, it at-
tracts a lot of different varieties of
life and there’s nothing really dan-
gerous here (in B.C. waters),”’ she
explains.

“It’s only in the warm water

that you get sharks and jellyfish

and stuff.’?
But not only do local divers

Paul Auclair photo

21 - Wednesday, March 11, 1987 ~ North Shore News

know that B.C. is a great haven
for underwater life, National
Geographic recently rated the pro-
vince as one of the top three diving
spots in the world after the Great
Barricr Reef and the Red Sea.
While the water in B.C. is com-
paratively cold, a wetsuit or a
drysuit. keeps divers warm. under
the waves. And for the fashion-

conscious, the latest wetsuit colors

for this season’s diving include hot
pink, lavender, red and teal.

‘“‘And you can get all of ‘the ac-
cessories to match,. even tanks,’

"Viele «

oe

learn scuba diving fun

Crawford says.

Divers can expect to pay about
$1,500 for a complete set of gear
that includes tank, regulator, suit
and personal gear.

Most diving shops have rental
packages for those divers who do
not have their own equipment.

- Passes, much like ski passes. can

help reduce rental costs.

Approved certification courses
will generally cost $150 to $200,
depending on the type of certifica-
tion. ‘Equipment cannot be rented
without certification. ©. ~