A local club is diving into a May Long weekend event.
May 15, 16 and 17, the The Top Island Econauts Dive Club will be hosting its annual Weekend Dive Extravaganza at Telegraph Cove.
According to President Jackie Hildering, the Econauts have hosted the event at Telegraph Cove for more than 30 years.
“The May long weekend Dive Extravaganza is one of the very few remaining inter-club dive events in British Columbia,” Hildering said.
By hosting six other BC dive clubs, the Extravaganza helps keep the culture of scuba diving in BC going.
“The event showcases the mind-blowing diving of our area and the funds raised from the raffle allow us to continue our socio-environmental efforts. The event normally hosts 60 visiting divers making for some 75 divers total,” she said.
Participants for this year include the Aquarius Scuba Club (Esquimalt/Victoria); Duncan Divers; Coquitlam Scuba Club; Vancouver Pescaderos; Campbell River Tide Rippers and the hosting Top Island Econauts (Northern Vancouver Island).
The event kicks off Friday evening with a meet and greet and orientation event. There will be two dives on Saturday and two on Sunday.
The club is a non-profit society aimed at facilitating safe and ecologically-sound recreational diving on northern Vancouver Island. This is achieved through shared facilities and expertise.
The Top Island Econauts are dedicated to sharing their expertise and adhering to safe practices. The Club practises a strict “no touch, no take” approach and has a strong commitment to marine research and education.
In addition to diving, the club is also involved in the community.
They give out bursaries each year to local high school students continuing on in (marine) science-related studies and/or excelling in their efforts for the environment.
The club also provides marine education services such as giving presentations, having a presence at community events, holding an annual Ocean Day beach walk, and providing detailed educational content on their webpage.
They also offer a non-commercial voice for local diving which was a significant factor in Five Fathom Rock in Port Hardy being recognized as a Rockfish Conservation Area.
The Top Island Econauts Dive Club was established in 1975 to promote safe and environmentally-sound recreational diving on Northern Vancouver Island. They were incorporated on April 7, 1976.