Vancouver Aquarium Divers' Weekend returns for 19th year

It’s an event that Jeremy Heywood, a diving and boating safety officer with the Vancouver Aquarium. “looks forward to every year.”

Taking place this Saturday and Sunday, the 19th annual Divers’ Weekend at the Vancouver Aquarium will showcase all things dive-related – including exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops – to the thousands of people that are expected to attend.

Heywood said the event has something for everyone.

“It really doesn’t matter whether our visitors are certified divers or if they are seeing an air tank for the first time,” he said.

Adding depth to the event, visitors can also learn about the history of scuba diving through a historical gear diving demonstration by Heritage Hard Hat Divers. The youngest aspiring scuba divers can enjoy fun and engaging activities, such as diving-inspired crafts and face painting.

The theme for this year’s event is training, giving guests insight into exploration techniques through workshops from Ocean Wise and Vancouver Aquarium experts as well as local industry leaders.

Special guests and workshops

The event also includes a workshop series from professional photographers in the industry.

On Saturday, Stewart Sy of SLS Photography opens the workshop series. He will discuss how to visualize the perfect underwater shot well before clicking the shutter.

This will be followed by a workshop with Jessica Schultz, who is a scuba diver, marine ecologist, and research scientist with the Ocean Wise Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Schultz will talk about how to identify fish while diving in BC and how to collect the right information.

The day will conclude with a workshop by Kelly Korol from DiveSafe International, an expert on occupational diving.

Then on Sunday, Aquarium curator of fishes, technical diver, and underwater photographer Lee Newman starts the workshops off with a splash. He will share insights on how to take a passion for photography to new depths safely and successfully.

Experienced diver and instructor Liz Tribe will lead a workshop called ‘Chasing the Elusive Fundamentals: Trim, Buoyancy and Propulsion’, which explores how achieving this delicate balance improves dive experience.

The third workshop of the day and final of the weekend will be led by the Aquarium’s diving and boating safety officer Jeremy Heywood.

Activities during Diver’s Weekend run from 10 am to 5 pm on Jan. 27 and 28, 2018 and are included in the price of admission.

Special to this weekend, the Aquarium will offer 50% off admission and 10% off Aquarium membership with a valid diving certification card. To learn more about Divers’ Weekend, visit the website.

Vancouver Aquarium Divers’ Weekend

When: January 27 and 28, 2018

Time: 10 am to 5 pm

Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver

Tickets: Included with price of Aquarium admission, with special offers