Discover Scuba campaign launched

PADI Canada together with the dive industry in Canada is offering prizes and incentives to members of the diving community for signing up new divers. The campaign has been launched as a three phase Diver Acquisition Program which is running from March through May and then later again this year. And there are prizes for participation.

The first phase of the program involves the use of general interest magazine advertising and public announcements soliciting non-divers to take advantage of a free Discover Scuba Program.

The second phase focuses on shows such as the Outdoor Sportsmen's Show. The first show at which the campaign was promoted was in Toronto February 21 to 23 where participants were invited to engage in a free Discover Scuba Diving event.

The third phase involves posters identifying a need for divers to be REAL BUDDIES under the banner "Be a Real Buddy, Introduce a Friend to the Adventure and Excitement of Diving". The campaign utilizes training facilities, instructors, divemasters and divers who are encouraged to invite their non-diving friends to a free Discover Scuba Diving experience.

The promotional posters and other advertisements are designed to excite non-divers into experiencing the wonder and adventure that awaits them by simply taking advantage of this free Discover Scuba Diving experience. As an added benefit, on registering, the participants' names are placed on a list for a draw, to be held in August 1997 for an expense paid holiday for two to the Caribbean. There are also many in-store benefits that are being provided by training facilities to encourage instructors, divemasters and divers to participate in the buddy system.

The program is being supported by the Canadian diving equipment manufacturers as well as DIVER Magazine. For more information visit a local participating dive store, or call 1 800 663-3122.

New Scubapro Canada manager

With the resignation of Simon Morris as Canadian Sales Manager for Scubapro, Larry Milne, Scubapro's Eastern Sales Manager of the past six years, has taken on the responsibility of servicing all of Canada. He will continue to work from Scubapro's head office in Burlington, ON. For more information contact Scubapro Canada, 4180 Harvester Rd., Burlington, ON L7L 6B6. (905) 634-0023 fax (905) 634-0261.

Nadel carries Dacor

Dacor Corporation has appointed Nadel Enterprises Inc. as distributor of its line of scuba and sport diving equipment for Canada. "We are very pleased to work with Dacor because we see the inclined growth in this industry," says its president, Marty Nadel. "The new division will be directly geared towards the diving consumer and will invigorate the diving market by working alongside the retail dealers. Together with Dacor's impressive reputation for top-quality product." For more information contact Nadel Enterprises Inc., 565 Fenmar Drive, Weston, ON, M9L 2R6. (416) 745-2622 fax (416) 742-2616.

Push the button sweepstakes

As many divers already know, the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia will be sinking the HMCS Saskatchewan on June 14 off Snake Island near Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Cousteau Society has become involved by holding a Push the Button Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes is open to residents of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico and the grand prize is a round trip for two from the major airport closest to the winner's home, three nights hotel accommodation and the right to push the button to sink the Saskatchewan and participate in the first dive afterwards to recover the underwater cameras. Ten second prizes are actual pieces of wood from the Calypso embedded in lucite with a copy of the commemorative 50th anniversary of Calypso edition of Calypso Log, signed by Captain Cousteau. Twenty-five third prizes of one-year family memberships in the Cousteau Society and 25 fourth prizes of Calypso II t-shirts will also be awarded. The deadline for entry is April 30 and entry forms may be obtained by calling The Cousteau Society at 800-441-4395.

Aqua-Lung treasure hunt '97

The 1996 Treasure Hunt was a great success, raising a total of $34,312.74 for the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities of Canada and other chosen children's charities. Much of the success was due to the host stores and sponsors such as PADI Canada, Zodiac Watches, Gates Suits and DIVER Magazine. The winners of the trip for two to Cozumel with Papa Hogs and Plaza Las Glorias were Crystal Boldoc of Vancouver, BC, Jason Evans of Calgary, AB, Darlene Forst of Regina, SK, Laurie Siscoe of Lively, ON, Graveline Martin of St. Hyacinthe, QC and Blair LeBlnc of Sackville, NS. The winners of the Gates Pro-Am Dry Suit are Janis Lepp of Vancovuer, BC, Dave Desrosiers of Calgary, AB, J. Desharnais of Regina, SK, Dan Mills of Owen Sound, ON, Shad Houde of Brossard, QC and Carl Francis of Lake Echo, NS. The volunteer winner of a trip for two to Cozumel is Patty Liddell from the Gananoque, ON event. The 1997 Treasure Hunt has four primary goals. To promote diving, to encourage regional diving activity, to generate a cooperative spirit between dealers and to raise awareness and monies for Canadian children in need. For more information contact an Aqua-Lung dealers or Aqua-Lung Canada, Ltd., Unit E, 2200 keating Cross Rd., RR 3, Saanichton, BC, Canada V8M 2A6. (250) 652-5881 fax (250) 652-5891. Website http://aqualungcan.com

Canadian dealers recognized

Cross Country Parts, distributers of Zeagle and Oceanic Canada showed their appreciation to their dealers by presenting eight Outstanding Dealer Awards. The recipients for Zeagle products were Northwest Scuba of Edmonton, Alberta, Divers Wearhouse of Nepean, Ontario, Dive Masters of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Thunder Country Diving of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The recipients for Oceanic products were, Divers Wearhouse of Nepean, Ontario, Get Wet Adventures of Langley, British Columbia, Kocher's Diving Locker of Vancouver, British Columbia and Aqua Sport Scuba of Calgary, Alberta. The presentations were made in January at DEMA '97 in Orlando, Florida. For more information contact Cross Country Parts or Oceanic Canada at 2307 Centre Ave., S.E., Calgary, AB T2E 0A9. (403) 235-5454 fax (403) 235-6394.

More Canadians travel to Cayman

Figures just released from the Department of Tourism in the Cayman Islands, show that in 1996, 16,144 Canadians visited one or more of the three islands, which is the highest number of visits by Canadians to date.

The Cayman Islands are located in the Western Caribbean, just 480 miles south of Miami, and 189 miles northwest of Jamaica. The British Crown Colony known as Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman has an average year-round temperature of 25°C (85°F). For more information contact your local dive shop or travel agent.

Recompression chamber in Winnipeg

The transfer of the Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Squadron to Winnipeg from Edmonton has resulted in the establishment of a recommpression chamber at CFB Winnipeg, at the airport.

The chamber will be available for use by civilians on a 24 hours "on call" basis, with 45 minute notice. CFB physicians along with specially trained civilian doctors will be authorized to use the facility. For more information contact the Manitoba Underwater Council, Inc., Box 711, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2K3. (204) 253-3483.

DAN first-aid kit

The DSS-Guardian (DSS stands for Dive Safety System) has been created by DAN expressly for the recreational diver and dive professional. It includes supplies for wound cleaning and management of most types of wounds which could occur in the marine environment. It also provides dressing and bandaging supplies for a wide variety of injuries. For more information contact Divers Alert Network, University Tower, Suite 1300, 3100 Tower Boulevard, Durham, NC 27707. (919) 684-2948 fax (919) 490-6630.

Sealsuit winner

Brooks Wetsuits Ltd., has announced the winner of their Sealsuit Giveaway Contest. Gail Montgomery won a Brooks Sealsuit after entering the contest with John Ruttan of Seafun Divers in Nanaimo, B.C. Her husband's name was actually drawn, but since his drysuit was in good condition he passed the prize to Gail. For more information contact Brooks Wetsuits Ltd., 1067 Churchill Cres., N. Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1P9. (604) 986-3441 fax (604) 986-3443.