Well scuba friends, just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to stop diving! And we’ve got good news to share with you on that end: we’ve recently renewed our pool contract with Campus Recreation and our Pool Sessions will be taking place in the conveniently located Van Vliet West Pool, right on campus! Wahoo!
It’s short notice, but we’d love to get divers and non-divers alike for our pool session this Saturday, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at our new location. Non-divers will be participating in a Discover Scuba Course, and already certified divers can join us for skill reviews and games! The cost $20, or free with a $20 membership and it includes all the scuba gear – just bring a bathing suit! Please contact dive@uofascuba.com ASAP to reserve your spot.
If you can’t make it due to the stress of exams, here’s a list of future pool sessions to mark on your calendar:
- Saturday, December 10th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
- Saturday, January 21st, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
- Saturday, February 11th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
- Saturday, March 24th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
- Saturday, April 14th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Our club is also planning a PADI Ice Diver specialty course this winter. Requirements are a PADI Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) and cold water scuba gear (available for rent from Ocean Sports). For more information please e-mail info@uofascuba.com!
Our best wishes to you through exam times and the rest of the holiday season!
Hello everyone!
Thank you for your interest in the U of A Scuba Appreciation Club. Please check out our newly updated website www.uofascuba.com for even more information. This month’s newsletter contains information about:
Clear Lake Pumpkin Carving Dive
Membership Pool Sessions
Fall Fundraiser
Grant U-21
New Office Hours
A message from Ocean Sports
Cozumel Update
Membership
This year, our membership fee is $20 and it is valid through August 31 2012. The benefits of being a member include:
- Access to the $5000 Grant U-21 if you are under 21 years of age. Your course may be completely or partially reimbursed!
- 1 free pool session (if certified) or 1 free Discover SCUBA pool session (if uncertified)
- Access to additional pool sessions for $20.
- Meet other divers at social and dive events in AB and BC.
- Share your dive experiences and learn from others at our general meetings.
- Pair up with dive buddies on dive trips.
- Cheaper diving opportunities and cheaper dive trips
- Incredible discounts on courses and equipment with our sponsor Ocean Sports.
To become a member you can either stop by our office in SUB during office hours or join us for a pool session. We will have you fill in a membership form, pay the fee, get your membership card, and you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of being a member!
Pool Sessions
We hold several pool sessions throughout the year for both divers and non-divers. If you have not been diving before, this is a great chance to try out scuba diving. If you are certified, these sessions are a great chance to get wet and refine your dive skills.
The remaining dates for Fall semester are:
- November 13, 2011 12-2PM
- December 18, 2011 12-2PM
Pool sessions are held at Scona Pool (10450 72 Ave). As a member, the first session is FREE! Additional pool sessions can be attended for $20. Equipment is included, so you only need to bring a bathing suit and towel, but if you have mask/fins/snorkel bring those too! E-mail dive@uofascuba.com to sign up.
Fall Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who came out and made our Fall Fundraiser at Hudsons on Campus a huge success! Congratulations to all of our prize winners, especially Ron Reece who took home a Bronze Open Water gift certificate from Ocean Sports. If you have not yet claimed your prize please email amandac@uofascuba.com.
Please stay posted for the dates of our Winter Fundraiser at Hudsons on Campus!
Grant U-21
If you are 21 or under we could pay for your diving courses! Applications will open up in early 2012. Check out http://www.uofascuba.com/courses/grant-u-21/ for more information or email jenn@uofascuba.com.
New office hours!
Come by our office to meet our exec and talk scuba diving! Our office is located in SUB, Lower Level, 040E. Our new office hours are:
First Thursday of the month: Thomas B: 12:00-1:00 pm, Lester M: 1:00-2:00 pm.
Second Thursday of the month: Amanda L: 11:00-12:00 pm.
Third Thursday of the month: Christine J: 4:30-5:30 pm.
Fourth Thursday of the month: Eric W: 1:00-2:00 pm.
If you are unable to visit us during our office hours you may also contact info@uofascuba.com to set up a meeting at another time.
A message from Ocean Sports
With Christmas right around the corner, Ocean Sports has a great selection of gift ideas for your family and friends to get you! This is the perfect way to get the dive light or camera you’ve been wanting. Family members and friends that are purchasing for you will receive your U of A Scuba Club discount, and all items can be returned or exchanged if they are not perfect. We also offer gift certificates in any denomination.
Did you know that Ocean Sports offers a large selection of optical dive and snorkel masks? We carry most prescriptions in stock, or we can custom order your lenses for a more complex prescription. Come in with your prescription and we’ll help you see underwater! Visit our website: www.oceansports.ca!
Cozumel Update
The Cozumel Trip is now full! We have 14 excited divers itching to get wet in the warm waters of the Arriecifes de Cozumel National Park. Many of them are brand new divers who will be starting their Open Water training here in Edmonton and finishing down in Cozumel with AtkinsScuba. If you are interested in being an alternate if extra spots open up or if you’d like to hear about Cozumel 2013, please e-mail cozumel@uofascuba.com.
Hello everyone!
Thank you for your interest in the U of A Scuba Appreciation Club. We are looking forward to a great year filled with diving, introductory and refresher scuba courses, great social events to meet fellow divers, and our exciting trip to Cozumel, Mexico! In this newsletter we have the following:
- Fall U of A Scuba Club Fundraiser
- Club Membership
- Pool Sessions
- Cozumel Trip
- Exec positions
- Grant U-21
1. Fall U of A Scuba Club Fundraiser
On October 14th at 8:00pm the U of A Scuba club is hosting a Party at Hudson’s on Campus. Come out for a good time and a chance to win some awesome PRIZES.
Tickets are only $5.00 each and all proceeds go to the continuing operation of the Scuba club. Present this ticket at the door between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm for $5.00 cash back to finance your first round (or whatever you want!). In addition, your ticket gives you a chance to win big prizes! Hudson’s has provided us with a number of gift certificates to raffle off; the club will contribute t-shirts, other great scuba swag, and even a chance to win some free training with our sponsor Ocean Sports.
Scuba Club Fundraiser at Hudson's on Campus
Come out and support the club while getting a great start to your Saturday night! Buy your tickets from any scuba club executive. Contact any Execs you know to hook you up, drop by the office during exec office hours (hours are posted on our website, and the office is in the basement of SUB), or email Amanda at amandac@uofascuba.com and she’ll make sure and get some to you!
2. Club Membership
This year, our membership fee is $20 and it is valid through August 31 2012. The benefits of being a member include:
- Access to the $5000 Grant U-21; if you are under 21 years of age your course may be completely or partially reimbursed!
- 1 free pool session (if you are a certified diver)
- 1 free Discover SCUBA pool session (if you are uncertified)
- Access to pool sessions ($20 per session after your first session)
- Discounts on courses and equipment with our sponsor Ocean Sports
- Social and dive events in Alberta, British Columbia and Mexico
- Share your dive experiences and learn from others at our general meetings
- Meeting new dive buddies
To become a member, stop by our office in SUB during office hours or join us at one of our pool sessions or social events, fill in a membership form, pay the $20 fee, and enjoy the benefits of being a member! E-mail info@uofascuba.com if you have any further questions.
3. Pool Sessions
We hold monthly pool sessions throughout the year for both divers and non-divers. If you have not been diving before, this is a great chance to try out scuba diving with the PADI Discover Scuba course. If you are certified, these sessions are a great chance to get wet and refine your dive skills by playing dive games and practicing diving techniques.
The first pool sessions of the semester are:
- October 9, 2011 – 12-2PM
- November 13, 2011 12-2PM
- December 18 201 12-2PM
Discover Scuba group underwater
Pool sessions are held at Scona Pool (10450 72 Ave). As a member, the first session is FREE!! Additional pool sessions can be attended for $20. Equipment is included in the cost of the pool session. E-mail dive@uofascuba.com to sign up.
4. Cozumel Trip
There are only a few spots left for the Cozumel 2012 SCUBAPOCALYSPE trip. For more information, check out www.uofascuba.com/cozumel or e-mail cozumel@uofascuba.com. Deposits are due by October 31st at Ocean Sports, so hurry!
Cozumel 2011 with the Scuba Club
5. Exec positions
Here are your new executives for the 2011/2012 year. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us or drop by the office during exec office hours (hours are posted on our website, and the office is in the basement of SUB).
President – Jennifer Morrison
Dive Coordinator – Thomas Berner
Dive Coordinator – Kyle Boender
VP Environment – Jessica Cahyadi
VP External – Amanda Lai
VP Finance – Christine Johnston
VP Marketing – Amanda Croy
VP Operations – Lester Tugung Michael
VP Social – Eric Walper
Past Exec – Ross Lockwood
Past Exec – Mark Faas
We are always looking for dedicated individuals to join our executive team. Currently the VP Fundraising and VP Information positions are open and we are looking for candidates! E-mail info@uofascuba.com if you are interested in becoming an executive.
6. Grant U-21
If you are 21 or under we could pay for your diving courses! Check out http://www.uofascuba.com/courses/grant-u-21/ for more information or email info@uofascuba.com.
That’s all for now. Look forward to future updates from the U of A Scuba Appreciation Club!
Haven’t you heard? The U of A Scuba Appreciation Club is continuing its long two-year tradition of Spring Break in Cozumel, Mexico with an upcoming Cozumel 2012 trip! There is full information available here, but in case you want the low down it’s $750 for 7 nights at the Blue Angel Resort from during the U of A’s Spring Break (February 19th to 26th). The package includes hotel, breakfasts and diving! Unlimited shore diving on the awesome Villa Blanca and 10 boat dives on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Group shot from Cozumel 2011.
If you pay your deposit before August 31st, we’ll take $100 off the trip! For more information contact cozumel@uofascuba.com or to pay your deposit contact megan@oceansports.ca or visit Ocean Sports in person!
A happy sponge from one of the boat dives.
There are additional pictures from Underwater and our Land Activities as well as videos our 2011 trip here and here! If you do not yet scuba dive, we will work with you to get your Open Water Certification before February 
