Niagara Divers 2023 Dive and Event Schedule
Following is the dive schedule for this year. Please note that we are doing more inter-club dives with the Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit. This is helping each club to fill charters and offer more selection. We are still trying to add a charter to the Waome and based on interest we may also add a second Kingston trip in September.
We will have on-line deposits for the NDA available soon. You can also email mail to book your spots. For the FEURU Charters, instructions are attached in their schedul found in this PDF.
Durrell Martin
Niagara Divers Association
Vice President
(416) 931-1022
durrell@niagaradivers.com
Listed are 89 dives, with a mix of Charters and Shore dives to provide
every level of diver with many options. Plus, there are 5 social events.
Since many members have not been diving for almost two years, please
remember to carefully check your equipment and service as needed. Plus
make sure to do some basic dives first and review your safety skills.
We also advise using a check list and doing extra careful buddy checks
before getting into the water.
This year with COVID tracking rules, all members will need to pre-register to attend any of the events, including signing waivers in-advance on-line. This will also be followed up with COVID self screening and waivers in person at the event.
At each dive there will be a Dive Co-ordinator assigned who will collect the signed forms. Please note, It is understood by all divers that the Dive Co-ordinator is not performing the duties of a Divemaster, regardless of whether or not the Dive Co-ordinator is certified to do so. Complete details are available in the Club Policies online at http://www.niagaradivers.com/member/policies.pdf.
Listed are 79 dives, with a mix of Charters and Shore dives to provide every level of
diver with many options. Plus, thereare 5 social events.
At each dive there will be a Dive Co-ordinator assigned, please note it is understood by all divers that the Dive Co-ordinator is not performing the duties of a Divemaster, regardless of whether or not
the Dive Co-ordinator is certified todo so. Complete details are available in the Club Policies online
at http://www.niagaradivers.com/member/policies.pdf.
This year we will be teaming up
with our sister club, The Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit (FEURU) to help each otherfill charter dives plus provide more
local inter-club shore dives. The FEURU also runs Thursday evening
dives from May 4th to October 12th plus Monday evening dives from May 22nd to August 28th. Their Chief
Diver is Derek Causarano
Sunday January 1st
Inter-Club
Dive
Niagara River, New Year’s Day Surface Drift
Meet at 11 a.m. at the Fort Erie
Underwater Recovery Unit
Cost: Free (Food paid for by both
NDA FEURU)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: Following the drift we will be having a Chili Cook Off Contest!
Please bring along a pot of your
secret family chili recipe and may the best cook win.
There will be drinks, buns and
desserts provided.
Saturday January 21st
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool
Session One
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to NDA Members and their
Family and Friends
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 4 pm to
5:30pm. We are allowed to
load gear onto the pool deck from 3:30 pm
onwards via the side door that
opens up to the main parking lot. After the dive we have an additional
30 minutes to pack
up.
Saturday February 25th
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool
Session Two
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to NDA Members and their
Family and Friends
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 4 pm to
5:30pm. We are allowed to load gear onto the pool deck from 3:30 pm
onwards via the side door that opens
up to the main parking lot. After
the dive we have an additional 30 minutes to pack
up.
Friday
to Sunday February 24th to 26th
Toronto – The Outdoor Adventure Show
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday
(Exhibit Hall and Seminars)
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
(Exhibit Hall and Seminars)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
(Exhibit Hall and Seminars)
Cost: $18 for Weekend Pass ($14 for
one day)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: None, but a great
place to plan your next dive trip.
Notes: Durrell will be there
each day to promote our Shipwreck
show, so please come out and enjoy the seminars and
great exhibits. Kayla Martin will
be presenting on the Sunday as the Heritage Ambassador for Save Ontario
Shipwrecks.
Saturday March 18th
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool
Session Three
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to NDA Members and their
Family and Friends
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 4 pm to
5:30pm. We are allowed to load gear onto the pool deck from 3:30 pm
onwards via the side door that
opens up to the main parking lot. After the dive we have an additional
30 minutes to pack UP
up.
Saturday April 1st
Welland – Shipwrecks 2023
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday (Show
Setup)
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday
(Seminars)
Cost: $54 (Free with NDA membership
and Helping at the show)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: None, but it is
the best and largest dive show in Canada.
Notes: Free Parking
Saturday April 15th
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool
Session Four
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to NDA Members and their
Family and Friends
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
We will have both the deep pool and the
shallow/hot tub pool for
our last session in April so
all ages are
welcomed.
There will be special games for the
kids (both young and old), so please invite some friends to join us
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 4 pm to
5:30pm. We are allowed to load gear onto the pool deck from 3:30 pm
onwards via the side door that opens up to the
main parking lot. After the dive we have an additional 30 minutes to
pack
up.
Sunday April 23rd
Welland Scuba Park – Season Kick Off Dive
Noon to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: Please come and get back
into the water for the season!
Time to test your gear and practice
your skills. The dive will be followed with Homemade Tomato Soup. Plus, some
Hand-Crafted Dive Cookies!
Saturday April 29th
Toronto – Scuba Swap
9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 0 – Just great deals on used gear!
Notes: Make sure to get there early
and line up for the best deals.
If you have equipment that you want to sell, then the drop off is
on Friday evening. For more info please go to
http://www.scubaswap.org/
Sunday
May 7th
Sherkston Quarry – Trains and Tracks
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 park fee to get into Sherkston Shores for the
day
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: This is the best time/Vis of
the year. For those interested, we are going to also work on creating
an updated dive
map of the quarry.
Saturday
& Sunday May 13th and 14th
Lake Erie, ON – Eastern Lake Erie Mooring Project - Various Wreck
Cost: Free
Charter run by: River Diver
Number of Divers: 2-4
Number of Dives: 6
Number of Dives: Raise Lines and Install Moorings
Dive Co-ordinator: Chris Corfield
Notes: We have chartered Rick Lymer
for two days to deploy the Mooring to Lake Erie for the season.
We need 2-4 divers in water and 2 boat support person each of the days. If you are interested in helping, then
please
contact Chris.
Monday May 22nd
Welland Scuba Park – Victoria Day Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: The water is warming up now, but the vis
is still great. This is
also World Turtle Day; we are going to search the
shallow banks for turtles. This is
a great time to get photos!
Saturday & Sunday June 10th and 11th
Inter-Club
Dive
Picton, ON – Various Wreck
Cost: $320 plus PayPal Fees
Charter run by: Abucs scubA Diving
– Dive brockville
Number of Divers: 10
Number of Dives: 4
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: Plan to dive the wrecks of
the City of Sheboygan, the
Kattie Eccles, the Olive Branch and
the R H Rae.
Would be launching from the Waupoos Marina near Picton, so just a short boat ride to the wrecks
https://www.abucsscubadiving.com
Saturday July 1st
Welland Scuba Park – Canada Day
Club Promo Video Dive
11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number if Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: We
will be making a new Club Promo video as we have done for the past several years.
Over the years this has turned out
to be one of the best events of the season. We need everyone out, both
divers and
bubble watchers to help write,
direct, film and star in the epic sequel to The Creature from
beneath the Old Welland
Canal. Hint: the name we are thinking about
is: The Curse of Davey's Jones Locker!
Saturday & Sunday July 8th and 9th
Inter-Club
Dive
Kingston – Various Wrecks
Cost: $300
Charter run by: Pat’s Dive Charters
Number of Divers: 6
Number of Dives: 5 (4 on Charter
and 1 night shore dive)
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: The group can decide on the
wrecks; The Marsh, The Cornwall, The Comet, The Munson, Aloha, The
Wolfe Island.
Note: Date is subject to change
again current booking issues.
http://patsdivecharters.com/
Friday to Sunday July 14th to 16th
Brockville – 2023 Woman’s Day
of Diving
Number of Dives: 5
This is the 9th year of PADI’s
International Day of Women's Diving
Kayla Martin invites you to Brockville
for a great weekend of bonding with
other women who share your love of
the Underwater World!
The event is being organized by
Carly Brenner Hunter
Cost is $300 for the charters plus
there will an additional cost for the shared accommodation.
There are very limited spots,
so first come first serve!
Please book Directly with Carly at info@carlyunderwater.com
Note: You will need your Passport
since some of the dives will be on USA Wrecks.
Friday
to Sunday July 21st to 23rd
Inter-Club Dive
Tobermory – Various Wrecks
Cost: $148.25 + HST for Charters.
Shore Diving Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: Up to 10
Dive Co-Ordinator: TBA
Charter run by: Divers Den
Notes: YOU MUST book and pay an
Accommodation Deposit of $200 by
April 30th.
Attached is the FEURU
details about the weekend.
Sunday
August 13th
Lion’s Head Harbour – Wrecks of the Cyrenian
and Gladstone
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: 25
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: These are very shallow
dives, Cyrenian 3 meters and Gladstone 7 meters. We will be trying again
Photogrammetry on both wrecks
Wednesday
to Monday August 24th to 28th
Inter-Club
Dive
North Carolina, U-352 and other
Wrecks
Cost: $185 plus Tax in USD
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: Up to 8
Dive Co-Ordinator: TBA
Charter run by: Olympus
Notes: YOU MUST book and pay an
Accommodate Deposit of $300 by April 30th.
Attached is the FEURU
details about the weekend.
Saturday & Sunday September
9th and 10th
Inter-Club
Dive
Brockville/Rockport – Various Wrecks
Cost: $300 for Charters plus PayPal
Fees. Shore Diving Free
Number of Divers: 12
Number of Dives: Up to 9
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Charter run by: Abucs scubA Diving
– Dive Brockville
Drive out on Friday afternoon or
evening.
Saturday morning charter with Dive
Brockville followed by afternoon shore dives at the Rothsay and Centeen Memorial
Dive Park.
Group dinner: Pickup Fish &
Chips for dinner overlooking the river. Followed by a night dive on the
Rothesay.
Sunday morning charter with Dive Brockville (In
Rockport) followed by afternoon shore dives at the Conestoga and Wee
Hawk.
Note: We will be doing all Canadian
Wrecks, so no Passport needed.
Sunday September 17th
Inter-Club
Dive
Niagara River, Wild Blueberry
Crumble River Drift
Meet at 11 a.m. at the Fort Erie
Underwater Recovery Unit
Cost: Free (Dessert paid for by NDA
and BBQ by the FEURU)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: Following the dive we will
be having a BBQ and for a new twist this year the Strawberry Shortcake
is being
replaced by Wild Blueberry Crumble
and Ice Cream. Like last year we will team up with our sister club the
Fort Erie
Underwater Recovery Unit and start
the drift from their building.
This was an outstanding event last
year that everyone loved!
Saturday
& Sunday September 23rd and 24th
Lake Erie, ON – Eastern Lake Erie Mooring Project - Various Wreck
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: 2-4
Number of Dives: 6
Number of Dives: Drop Lines and
Remove Moorings
Dive Co-ordinator: Chris Corfield
Notes: We have chartered Rick Lymer
for two days to pull the Moorings from Lake Erie for the season.
We need 2-4 divers in water and 2 boat support person each of the days. If you are interested in helping, then
please
contact Chris.
Monday
October 9th
Welland Scuba Park – Turkey Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: I have no idea what a
“Turkey Dive” is, but we will come up with something. But rest assured, I know what a
Turkey Dinner is, so I will
guarantee that part at the least.
Sunday October 29th
Inter-Club
Dive
Welland Scuba Park – Pumpkin Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: Water temps are still good,
so please come out and have some fun
Saturday
November 18th
Sandusky, Ohio - Shipwrecks and Scuba
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Day $40 / Night $45 -
http://www.shipwrecksandscuba.com/
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number if Dives: 0 – Just a Really Great Dive Show. NDA is a sponsor!
Notes: Show in moving back to their
old location at Sawmill
Creek Resort
Sunday December 10th
St Catharines – Christmas Brunch
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: TBA (About $25)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number if Dives: None – This is just a NDA Calorie Replacement Event!
Notes: Closer we will confirm date,
price and location, but everyone loved the Beacon Harbourside
Restaurant that we
went to last year, so we most
likely will return.
Sunday December 17th
Inter-Club
Dive
Welland Scuba Park – Christmas Tree Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (Lunch paid for by NDA)
Number of Divers: Unlimited (We
hope by this date)
Number of Dives: 1
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: The past several years have
seen a great turn out for this event.
It was a great day and fun was
had by all. From tobogganing into
the river, to my Special “Christmas in a Cup”
homemade stew, it is a not to be
missed event!