Diving in Vancouver - Part I
Posted By Christopher Chin on 16 August 2005
It is said that the Pacific Northwest was one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite places in the world to dive. Those who know British Columbia diving are hooked on it, and for good reason. With stunning walls, numerous wrecks, seasonably amazing visibility, and a grand diversity of flora and fauna, the “Emerald Sea” has plenty to offer most divers.
When I found out that I had to go to Vancouver for a meeting, my thoughts immediately turned to diving, and my gear practically started packing itself.
When people think of diving in British Columbia, they often think “cold”. Certainly, in the wintertime, bottom temperatures will be in the 38-44F range, but what most people don’t realize is that in the summer, the water is often warmer than in Monterey. From July through September, bottom temperatures will usually range from 52-56F, and the surface will be an astounding 65-70F.
Whenever anyone plans to dive in unfamiliar waters, it’s a very good idea to obtain an area orientation. After chatting on the phone with PADI Course Director Neil Christian, my first stop was the International Diving Center, a PADI Career Development Center just a few blocks from the popular Kitsilano Beach Area (just south of downtown Vancouver). IDC offers multilingual instruction and is a full service facility including nitrox and trimix fills and equipment. With their Oxygen booster, they’re one of the few shops that can pump high pressure oxygen.
I spent a great deal of time at IDC that first evening with instructor and full-time staff member Landon Shantz who was generous not only with his time and suggestions, but also provided me with a useful map to help me find my way to the local sites.
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