LAKE SAINT-LOUIS: WEST-ISLAND SURPRISES.

Many divers won't say it but they tend to secretly bless the zebra mussel. Of course these little brats caused all sort of inconveniences. But, have you dived the Saint-Lawrence River lately? "Formidable!" American and Canadian antipollution measures added to the filtering effect of zebra and restoration of aquatic plant beds, all improved water quality, including a tremendous increase in visibility. Add warm summer waters, relatively shallow waters, abundant fauna and flora and 10 meters plus visibility and you will get the ideal freshwater diving equation. This explains why the Kingston/Cornwall wreck diving area is the number one dive destination with Montreal area dive clubs.

Lake Saint-Louis borders the southern shores of Montreal's West-Island (from Lachine to Ste-Anne-de Bellevue and Île Perrot). Biologists rank it as one of the most productive section of the watershed. Divers can log some 75 different species of fish observation sheets. Listing the few eastern Canadian freshwater species missing from these waters would be easier. Clear highly mineralized waters from the main river mingle with nutrient rich Ottawa river flow. Average depths of some five meters offer ideal anchorage for an underwater botanical garden visit. The ideal fish natural hatchery!

Many islands offer excellent snorkelling and shallow diving areas. The best location for fish and aquatic plant observation would be "les îles de la Paix", a string of low lying islands protected by environmental legislation. Located along the southern portion of the lake, they are an easy boat ride from the many Beaconsfield, Dorval and Lachine marinas. Châteauguay, Ville de Léry, Maple-Grove and Beauharnois public (free) boat ramps offer an even closer access for smaller cartops or inflatables. Many fishing outfitters rent boats on a day to day basis. Underwater photographers will find the area ideal for a photo safari. From carnivorous Utricularia purpurea, a plant also called bladderwort, to colourful crappies, thousands of subjects will attract the lens. Waterfowl are also abundant. Ducks of all feathers, blue herons, eagles and ospreys fly over head... So do those "d..." motormarines and mosquitoes: take your dive flag and bug repelant along.

The best area for scuba diving is Pointe-des-Cascades a small village near the town of Vaudreuil. Formerly the entrance of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges canal, used for marine traffic to the upper St-Lawrence prior to the Seaway, the area is deeper and many artifacts of the marine era are still found. A museum and public park located near the first locks show all sorts of anchors and marine equipment found in the waters around the site. Diving mainly takes place in and around the first lock lower access. Abandoned since the mid '50s, the inner sections of canal locks are not recommended for basic level diving. Some snorkellers and scuba divers visit the upper sections of the canal in the Côteau-du-Lac section. Campgrounds occupy both ends of the canal.

Lake Saint-Louis offers better diving conditions from July to September. Heavy boat traffic, Seaway channel, urban and industrial areas should be avoided. A good marine chart will help the experienced diver in locating the best potential dive sites. Local dive clubs will offer help. As usual this dive location reputation suffers from both 'too good to be true' and 'backdoor' syndromes... In many ways no one expects it to be great. But it is! Good old simple diving, close to home, low profile, relaxing and wet!

DIVING COMMUNITY UNITES TO DEAL WITH SAFETY ISSUE

A chain of events has prompted the formation of committees in Quebec destined to solve the dilemma of industry control of scuba diving instruction versus the expected intervention of government legislative control. As of January 15 leading dive shop owners and instructors, affiliated to all certification agencies operating in the province, formed two study groups. The goal is to write down common instructor accreditation procedures and new bylaws to adapt the existing provincial council (FQAS) to change. The general idea is to offer Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister a constructive alternative: pledge that the diving community can control diving safety measures and stop fatalities that plagued the sport in the last few years. The following short report sums up a few major events.

On December 19 in the Quebec National Assembly, Municipal Affairs Minister Remy Trudel answered Liberal opposition MNA questions regarding the government plan to legislate scuba diving. Stating the earnestness of the matter, following the death of 30 people in the last six years, as well as the three sets of coroner recommendations, the minister listed his various meetings with the Safety in Sports Board (Régie de la Sécurité dans les Sports - R.S.S.Q.), the provincial Underwater council (F.Q.A.S.), the Safety in Sports Association (Association de sécurité dans les sports au Québec) and the National Rescue Federation (Fédération nationale de sauvetage). After these meetings Trudel sent in a report to the Executive Council asking for amendments enabling government commissioning of an official body to accredit diving instructors in the province.

"We favour the soft approach by associating our government with this sport's community as well as with the national associations involved." stated Minister Remy Trudel. *(unofficial translation of the Quebec National Assembly debates French transcription 96-12-19 11:00)

F.Q.A.S. chair, Richard Thouin, also announced last December that the Council board was willing to withdraw from the scuba diving certification field. This predictable decision confirmed diving community access to a non partisan government recognized body and a means to deal with the legislative impact of the bill forecast for March 1997. Various meetings were also held with scuba instructors and diving community leaders on November 30 in Quebec City, and in Montreal on December 14 and January 15. "Is the diving community answerable enough to dictate it own accreditation standards and controls? If not the minister will have no other choice than to commission R.S.S.Q. to do our job! The decision is ours!" Thouin emphatically concluded his December 4 invitation letter sent to leading Quebec diving instructors and dive shops.

PLONGÉE CAPITALE REBORN

Pierre Vallières recently announced the opening of his new dive shop in Quebec City. Plongée Capitale inc. will offer the full line of usual services at their new location at 2700 Jean-Perrin, Suite 125. Gaétan Genest also helps in with diving activities and programs such as the Flinkote Annual Ice Dive. For information on Quebec City diving (418) 847-1105 Fax 418-847-0945.