Brief Highlights of AUC History: 20th Century1960's-1970's:

Originally called the Alberta Skin & Scuba Diving Council which provided the much needed basic skin/scuba diver and instructor training right here in Alberta.  This was long in advance of the formation of the now established & recognized international scuba training agencies and their expansion into Western Canada (e.g. PADI began in Illinois in 1966 & finally came to Alberta in mid to late seventies).  The ASDC also assisted in the past with providing an affordable insurance program for many of our local instructors, divemasters and dive clubs who certified 1000's of Alberta's skin and scuba divers for over 20 years.  Dive events (like the Jasper Aquathon) were created to keep divers busy underwater and often included spear fishing and other competitive-type activities.  

1980's: The Alberta Scuba Diving Council continued to support Alberta's dive clubs and retailers in the '80's.  The AUC's accomplished volunteers created a Snorkel Student Manual & Snorkel Instructor's Guide & Reference Manual that was used to assist in teaching basic snorkel instruction.  These resources are still being used today by many lifeguards and swim instructors at local pools across Alberta. Increased funding support came from the Alberta government thru Alberta Sports Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation, Alberta Lottery Funds and Alberta Gaming (revenues from our volunteers working at bingos & casinos).  Families still came out & participated at many club & AUC dive events. 

1990's: The AUC embraced the inclusion of underwater sports (like underwater hockey) into the organization as reflected by the society's official name change from Alberta Scuba Diving Council to the Alberta Underwater Council.

The AUC continues to support & sanction many yearly events for Alberta's underwater hockey clubs and enthusiasts, including UWH World Championships in Calgary in 2002 & the Canadian National UWH Championship in Edmonton in 2009.  In the 90's, the AUC offered testimony & successfully lobbied governments opposing the ban of scuba diving in the National Parks in Alberta.

The "Diver Down Flag" program was started with a PSA developed for TV & aluminum signs posted at the busiest Alberta lakes.  The AUC, partnering with local dive clubs & retailers, helped sponsor the development of steps and washroom facilities at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park for the use of divers.  The AUC additionally continues to support the efforts of local diver volunteers with the placement of safety marker buoys at Banff's Lake Minnewanka 1912 dam site which helps keep boaters away from this very popular diving and training location in Alberta.  Divescapes Conference & Exhibition was started in 1995 by hard-working & dedicated volunteers and was held every year until 2001 in both Edmonton & Calgary.  The AUC support group:Underwater Archeology Society of Alberta had numerous projects including the Oldman River Dam study & helped install a new plaque underwater at the Jasper Habukkuk historical dive site.  In the early nineties, progressive volunteer directors of the AUC created & began the then controversial "Discover Scuba" program for schools and youth groups.  This program has now become one of AUC's the most important - introducing thousands of youth & school students from across the province to the"Discover Scuba" experience for over 20 years.  Students receive a "Discover Scuba" participant certificate which lists all the scuba dive clubs, instructors and dive retailers in Alberta.By the late nineties, the provincial economy & society had changed greatly.  This in turn, affected membership levels in local scuba dive clubs.  Many of Alberta's scuba dive events suffered with low attendance as busy families and Alberta dive retailers struggled to make ends meet plus juggle the needs of all family members. 

From the 20th into the 21st Century:Highlights of AUC's Continuing & Brand New Programs while Celebrating over 50 years of Supporting Underwater Sports in Alberta:

Dive Safety & Dive Flag Education programs continue with the AUC's newly revised "signage" at local Alberta boat launches and marinas to help remind boaters about the "DIVER DOWN FLAG".  On-going "Dive Flag Safety Awareness" program targets both boaters and divers at many Alberta's boat/sports shows for continuing education benefiting the in-water safety of Alberta's divers.  Hopefully potentially fatal collisions of boaters and scuba divers are prevented thru this education.  Alberta's scuba divers are also encouraged to be aware of "dive safety" issues inherent in our sport and to act responsibly while enjoying scuba in Alberta and around the world. 

New Youth Outreach Program in 2009 to Current: Intro to Underwater Hockey Program for School aged Phys-Ed, Youth Clubs/Camps, Sports Teams, etc.  Two programs have been added to introduce Edmonton and Calgary's youth to the different & exciting sport of Underwater Hockey.  Teachers & youth leaders can choose between one hour "Quick UW Hockey Intro" or the "Comprehensive Intro to UW Hockey" is a popular choice of many of our school groups as it allows for more opportunity for instruction, chance to learn more defensive underwater hockey moves plus more time to enjoy more underwater hockey games.  The students learn by doing and this program is designed for them to "learn as they play & have fun". All the equipment necessary is supplied by the AUC: masks, snorkels, full foot fins of a variety of sizes anticipated, plus the underwater hockey pucks, sticks and gloves.  Youth/schools students between 8-18 with basic swimming abililities are required.  Teachers/youth leaders are asked to arrange for pool facility bookings and transportation to the pool.  An experienced UW Hockey Instructor meets you on the pool deck with all the equipment needed - mask, snorkels, fins plus sticks, pucks & gloves.   

Jr Outreach "Discover Scuba Experience" for Schools/Youth Groups, etc.

Started in the early nineties & continues to be the mainstay of the AUC's youth programs.  Youth/School students between 12-18 thoughout the school year, with summer camp participants in the summer, diving into local recreational facilities & pools across the province.  All the necessary equipment is supplied from mask & fins to regulators, tanks, etc.  Teachers/youth leaders are asked to arrange pool facility bookings & transportation to the pool.  Our very experienced Scuba Instructors meets you on the pool deck!  The Alberta Underwater Council (AUC) with support from ASRPWF and other goverment partners in towns & cities across the province endeavors to continue to help make these programs affordable. The fees charged by the AUC for both Discover Scuba and Intro to Underwater Hockey Programs are designed to help cover the costs of the fully qualified, insured, enthusiastic & talented instructors.  Plus the replacement cost (due to wear & tear) of the very intensive investment of equipment that is required for these programs.  In turn, this will help ensure the longevity of these AUC programs for future youth in aquatic facilities across the province of Alberta. 

The recent Twin Lakes Diver Training Facility rejuvenation has received AUC support for the benefit of local scuba divers, clubs and dive stores.                                                                                                                                     

Divers-please show your support by becoming a member in these clubs and in the Alberta Underwater Council (AUC).  Many hours of volunteer work from hammer & nails, to working bingos & casinos to help pay for the materials went into this project.  Twin Lakes continues to be a popular training lake for advanced, divemaster, instructor & even technical diver certifications for many training agencies like PADI, SSI, SDI/TDI, etc. 

AUC sponsors, recruits & supports the volunteer scuba divers who install and remove the Scuba Safety Marker Buoys at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park.This important area is now a fully enclosed "no boating allowed" area which has contributed greatly to the safety of Alberta's divers enjoying scuba in Banff.  Volunteer divers also install in the spring and remove in the fall, the special marker buoys for the area's most popular dive sites showing the "1912 Submerged Dam", the "Bridge Pilings" and the "Submerged remains of the townsite of Minnewanka Landing" in Lake Minnewanka in Banff.

The AUC, with the assistance of volunteer scuba divers from all over the province, has produced the ALBERTA DIVE GUIDE/LOG BOOK, which continues to be a high quality local guide and log book that includes the most popular diving locations and conditions expected of the many scuba dive sites in Alberta.  This excellent resource is undergoing a complete revision and will be available again soon thru the AUC office or at your local favourite Alberta dive retailer. 

Divescapes Conference-returned with the help of volunteers in 2006 and continues the tradition of bringing internationally recognized speakers, film-makers, dive industry personalities to Alberta.  Combined with trade/travel show exhibition, it provides a local showcase for diving equipment, dive safety, dive retailers, training and dive travel. The 2009 Divescapes was hosted in Calgary and was very successful thanks to the support of Calgary dive community.  Next Divescapes Conference is cheduled for Oct 19-21, 2012, in Edmonton. 

Annual Dive Alberta Events-including underwater lake cleanups and dive events continue to be very popular with Alberta scuba divers and are supported by very enthusiastic clubs and retail dive stores.  The dive event season starts with the Jasper Aquathon on May long weekend.  Thanks to many AUC volunteers, it has been held annually since 1962 and is a premier AUC scuba diving event.  Alberta Dive events and/or Lake Cleanups are now held every month during the Alberta dive season (from May to September) all around the province.  A resurge of great attendance at AUC Dive Events in the new millennium was seen due to increased sponsorship of the local Alberta Dive Retailers, increased members joining dive clubs  - as divers always need dive buddies.  Also by environmentally active Alberta scuba divers wanting to "give back" by participating in the many underwater lake cleanups.etc.  Big attitude change from the sixties when divers were seen as mostly underwater hunters not underwater conservationists.Creating underwater parks: In Alberta, over the past 50 years, local divers have created and built many underwater parks.  This gives all divers, from beginners to expert, the opportunity to safely train and practice their underwater sklls. Divers don't sink 'junk' underwater, they actually create habitat for fish and contribute to the safety and training opportunites to all Alberta scuba divers, whether at Cold Lake, Sylvan Lake, Twin Lakes, etc. 

AUC members' contributions are always welcome & needed-whether as a contributor to the AUC's website or newsletter, as a board member, or a volunteer at an Alberta lake cleanup or dive event, dive leader/instructor/club member or as an uw hockey enthusiast/coach/referee/club supporter!If it's underwater in Alberta-think AUC!  Attn: AUC Alumni, Past Presidents, Board Members, Volunteers, etc: please critique the above article and send your additional comments, info or tribut to past volunteers/events/projects, with any old photos, documentation, old news clippings, articles, etc, to: Cathie/AUC Office Ph: 1-888-307-8566, 780-427-9125, info@albertaunderwatercouncil.com