With about 10 full-time sports networks on television these days you get to see a lot of unusual activities – jai alai, tractor racing, sandboarding – but try as you might, you’ll likely never see anything as strange as the Annual Sea to Sky Pumpkin Dive.
"Scuba divers carving pumpkins underwater and crazy waterproof costumes," says Karen Yaremkewich, owner and manager of Sea to Sky Ocean Sports. "I’ve had fun participating in previous Ezee Breathers Pumpkin Drives, so I’m glad to be helping out by promoting and organizing the Annual Pumpkin Dive and inviting divers and non-divers to come have Halloween fun at Porteau Cove on Halloween Saturday."
Contestants compete for best pumpkin and best costume honours while dropping into the water off of Porteau Cove. For a concept so off-the-wall, the rules are actually quite stringent:
• Pumpkins must be a minimum of 12 inches (21 centimetres) in width and height;
• Pumpkins must be carved with a dive knife only;
• Pumpkins must be sunk to a minimum depth of 30 feet (nine metres) or greater and then carved at that depth – sink holes are not allowed;
• Divers must bring back all the pieces of the pumpkin, including all the insides.
Prizes will be awarded for the most original carving, scariest carving, biggest pumpkin carving, greatest amount of pumpkin insides brought back, and best diver-carver costumes. There will also be draw prizes for competitors and spectators.
The Pumpkin Dive takes place on Oct. 27 at noon. Entry is free for Ezee Breathers Scuba Club Members, or $5 for non-club members. Competitors must also bring their own pumpkins.
For more information, call Sea to Sky Ocean Sports at 604-892-3366.
