On Jan. 21-22 divers in the Vancouver area will be able to begin 2012 with a plunge into the Vancouver Aquarium’s Divers’ Weekend. Divers’ Weekend is an annual event at the aquarium located in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia and offers a number of events that will inform, entertain and even teach divers from all over.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by Dive News Network. The focus of the event is asking divers and non-divers alike to come and “Explore the oceans - Expand your horizons - Exchange ideas”.

There will be over 14 speakers conducting a diving seminar series over the two days and a number of exhibits will be showcased. The Diving Officer for the Vancouver Aquarium, Jeremy Haywood says that every year this is a particularly busy time for the aquarium. “We always get a lot of visitors who are interested in the Divers’ Weekend events,” Haywood says. “Divers can show their C-cards and get in for a lower cost than normal but even non-divers will enjoy the events we have planned.”
One of the events that the aquarium has slated is demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Navy EOD, Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP dive teams. These demonstrations will be conducted at the aquarium and are sure to be amazing. “We are lucky to get these folks to come out and take part in this year’s event,” says Haywood.

There will also be a number of exhibits by diving clubs, organizations and businesses that will showcase the many aspects of diving. “Every year we get a lot of support from the local dive community,” says Haywood. “People will be able to explore the many types of diving, travel destinations and underwater photography. We will even have gallery activities for the kids. We want everyone to have a great time.”

Divers presenting their certification card will get 50 percent off the admission. Divers wanting to obtain a membership to the aquarium can also get 10 percent off Aquarium membership. “It is sure to be a fun weekend all the way around,” says Haywood. “I want to invite everyone to join us.”

For more info on the event visit www.vanaqua.org ■

As part of the Divers Weekend, Vancouver Aquarium will present Demo Dives by the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy Dive Teams. These two-day seminar series with 6 talks per day are a series which will include highlighting diving in the Philippines and Vanuatu, as well as underwater camera housings by Aquatica. There will also be information about professional diving education at Capilano University. For more info visit www.vanaqua.org.