Alberta Underwater Council
Serving Alberta's Underwater Enthusiasts Since 1960

Jasper Aquathon
Alberta diver competing in the hula hoop buoyancy control challenge

Sylvan Lake Cleanup
Divers from the U of A Scuba Club enjoying the underwater cleanup event

Banff Underwater Cleanup
Lake Minnewanka ... volunteer divers help keep the lake beautiful for future generations

Alberta Underwater Council

Divescapes Update #2

Divescapes Update: As of October 5th, 2009

DIVESCAPES 2009— what is it? For those who haven’t attended one before—it is the Alberta Underwater Council's “Scuba Conference & Exhibition”. This extensive event, brings to your own backyard, an underwater trade show venue that brings divers, travel agents, tourism boards, manufacturers, resort & boat charter operators and dive store retailers together into Western Canada’s largest scuba conference.

Exciting Speakers have been lined up for you to enjoy. You won’t be disappointed with this 2009 cast—from cave diving & technological advances in scuba diving to the wonders of studying & seeking out the denizens of the deep oceans of the world to the latest about underwater archeology! These amazingly talented underwater explorers, authors, educators & photographers are among the world ranking elite.

Jill Heinerth: Divescapes 2009 Keynote Film Show Presenter:

Canadian, Women Hall of Fame Explorer, Cave/Rebreather Instructor & awarding winning Underwater Photographer.

DIVESCAPES 2009 PRESENTATION: ICE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA:

In spring of 2000, the largest moving object ever seen on our planet began its voyage - so grand in scale it changed the earth’s r jill_divescapes otation as it moved. Dubbed Godzilla by scientists, it had enough fresh water to supply the United States with all of its water needs for years. A special team from the National Geographic Society and the New England Aquarium are the first to employ a bold new technological approach at exploring above, below and within the ice. They confront life and death decisions every day. But despite the natural beauty that captivates them, they are in a race to escape the clutches of the ice... How will they get out?

See and hear Jill's incredible story at Divescapes 2009 on Saturday during the keynote film presentation.

Jill will also present at the Friday evening's VIP night (only for Silver & Gold Pass Divescapes 2009 ticket holders).

Jeffrey Gallant: Divescapes 2009 Presenter: Dreamless Sleeper – The Lure of the Greenland Shark:

A Canadian award-winning underwater photographer, videographer & author, Jeffrey is also the co-director of “GEERG” Greenland Shark & Elasmobranch Education & Research Group in Quebec. In addition to his university prep level teaching, he is the author of the annual DIVING ALMANAC— Book of Records published yearly establishing all the records & interest to the world diving community.

Greenland Shark discovery & development of a study of these little known sharks who inhabit Canadian waters. Steinbeck quoted: “An ocean without its unnamed monsters would be like a completely dreamless sleep”.

Mandy-Rae Cruickshank and Kirk Krack: Divecapes 2009 Presenters: The making of the Sundance Film Winner "The Cove" and how this dynamic freediving team contributed their skills in the film.

This freediving team travels the world as Free Diving Coaches, competitors & World record holders. Both divers assisted the team in stealthily filming an annual dolphin massacre in a secret cove in Taiji, Japan, helping to make it a SUNDANCE Film Festival award winner! Read more about Mandy-Rae and Kirk

John McCuaig: Divescapes 2009 Presenter: Exploring the Shipwrecks of Bell Island, NFL

Now featuring travel to Canada’s East Coast – specifically, Newfoundland.

Please join John on the Friday evening of the AUC’s DIVESCAPES 2009, as he relates his enthusiasm, excitement together with great underwater footage of the recreational scuba diving opportunites on the real historic WW II Shipwrecks off Bell Island, Newfoundland. Read more about John McCuaig here

Divescapes Chair Note: A Gold or Silver level Divescapes pass is needed to be purchased for you to be part of the Friday evening program which includes great food at the VIP Reception after the presentations in addition to the balance of the Divescapes program on Saturday.

Howie Robins: Divescapes 2009 Presenter: The Evolution of an Artifical Reef

Howie’s presentation will feature their latest project HMCS Annapolis the last of the great steam driven destroyers and also explain the complexities of creating ships to reef projects. The ARSBC has become a tourism success story in Canada and around the world.

Howie Robins is the President and one of the original members the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia. He has been an active community diver for over 30 years and has remained close to the scuba dive industry in BC. Read more about Howie

Andy Lamb: Divescapes 2009 Presenter: Zooming in on Ecology of the kelp forests of the Pacific Northwest

Marine Naturalist / Educator, Co-Author - "Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest" (over 40,000 sold) and the more recent "Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest". With 40 years of SCUBA diving with over 2,500 Pacific Northwest Dives. Owner/operator of Cedar Beach Lodge, Thetis Island, B.C.