Niagara Divers 2024 Dive and Event Schedule

The following is the dive schedule planned so far for this season.

Listed are 52 dives, with a mix of Charters and Shore dives to provide every level of diver with many options. Plus, there are seven dive shows and 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 to do so. Complete details are available in the Club Policies online.

The charters are open to members to book and pay a deposit by April 30. If there are any spots left, then they will be opened up to non-club members.

Durrell Martin
Niagara Divers Association
Vice President
(416) 931-1022
durrell@niagaradivers.com

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
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: Following the drift there will be a potluck dinner.

Sunday January 21st
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool Session One
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 for Members and $10 for Non-Members (Family and Friends)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 3:30 pm to 5:00pm. We are allowed to load gear onto the pool deck from 3:00 pm onwards via the side door that opens to the main parking lot. After the dive we have an additional 30 minutes to pack up. Following the dive, we head to Moe’s Tap & Wings for Dinner.

Sunday February 11th
Port Colborne YMCA, Winter Pool Session Two
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 for Members and $10 for Non-Members (Family and Friends)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Notes: The in-water pool time is from 3:30 pm to 5:00pm. We are allowed to load gear onto the pool deck from 3:00 pm onwards via the side door that opens to the main parking lot. After the dive we have an additional 30 minutes to pack up. Following the dive, we head to Moe’s Tap & Wings for Dinner.

Friday to Sunday February 23rd to 25th
The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show – At the International Centre
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: $16.00 plus ask Kayla or Durrell for a $3 off discount coupon from S.O.S. (plus free parking)
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 Save Ontario Shipwrecks and our NDA Shipwreck show, so please come out and enjoy the seminars and great exhibits. Kayla Martin will be presenting her expedition for the Royal Canadian Geographic Society to the Oliver Mowat on both the Saturday and Sunday.
https://outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto-visitor

Friday to Sunday March 15th to 17th
The Boston Sea Rovers – 70th International Ocean Symposium and Dive Show
Friday (Workshops)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday (Exhibit Hall and Seminars)
8 p.m. to 10:30 pm Evening Film Show
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (Exhibit Hall and Seminars)
Cost: $35 Saturday Day, $35 Saturday Evening, and $30 Sunday Day
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: None, but it is an awesome show with some of the best speakers on the planet.
Notes: Kayla Martin will be presenting her expedition for the Royal Canadian Geographic Society to the Oliver Mowat on Saturday.
https://bostonsearovers.com/

Friday to Sunday March 22nd to 24th
Beneath The Sea 2024 - Meadowlands Exposition Center: Secaucus, New Jersey
8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Friday – Diving Sciences Symposium
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday – Legends Champagne Reception & Dinner
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday - Exhibit Hall and Seminars
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 pm on Saturday – Awards Banquet
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday - Exhibit Hall and Seminars
Cost: Range from $35.00 to $250.00
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: None, but it is an awesome show with some of the best speakers on the planet.
Notes: NDA Member James Sears will be receiving the prestigious Diver of the Year Service Award for his 45 years of diving and severing as the President of the New York State Divers Association for the last 21 years.

https://beneaththesea.us/

Monday April 8th
Welland Scuba Park – Full Solar Eclipse Dive
1 pm to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 1
Dive Co-ordinator: Durrell Martin
Notes: The Solar Eclipse starts at 2:04 pm and ends at 4:31 pm with the Maximum at 3:19 pm
The plan will be to have a canal side lunch, dive and eclipse viewing.
REMEMBER YOU NEED SPECIAL GLASSES TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE SAFELY. You can purchase on Amazon cheaply.
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/canada/welland?iso=20240408#:~:text=Eclipses%20visible%20in%20Welland%2C%20Ontario,Apr%208%2C%202024%20Solar%20Eclipse

Saturday April 13th
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: $55 (Free for NDA members 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
https://shipwrecks.niagaradivers.com/wp/

Saturday April 20th
The OUE Scuba Swap - Toronto
9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 0 – Just great deals on used gear!
Notes: If you have equipment that you want to sell, then the drop off is on Friday evening.
On Saturday line up early for the best selection, then come noon they discount everything left which can lead to some really awesome deals.
https://www.ouescuba.com/scuba-swap

Sunday April 21st
Welland Scuba Park – Season Kick Off Dive
Noon to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
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.

Sunday May 12th
Innerkip Quarry – Planes, Buses, and Sunken Ships
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 park fee to get into Innerkip 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.

Saturday & Sunday May 18th and 19th
Lake Erie, ON – Eastern Lake Erie Mooring Project - Various Wreck
Cost: Free
Charter run by: TBA
Number of Divers: 2-4
Number of Dives: 6
Number of Dives: Raise Lines and Install Moorings
Dive Co-ordinator: Chris Corfield
Notes: With the passing of Rick Lymer, we are still working on a plan to put the moorings out. 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.

Sunday June 2nd
Bowmanville – Juno Wreck Dive and Picnic
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: This is a fun shallow dive with lots of fish!
https://robertkuzel.tripod.com/id22.html
https://samkearyblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/exploring-a-shipwreck-in-lake-ontario/

Saturday & Sunday June 15th and 16th
St Clair River– Famous Sturgeon Run
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 6
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: You can read details at the SUCI Website. Some of the dives are available to all levels of divers, but some are for VERY advanced diver only.

https://suci2.ca/st-clair-river-1/

Sunday June 30th
Welland Scuba Park – Canada Day Club Promo Video Dive
11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
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 Curse of Davey’s Jones Locker.

Sunday July 21st
Mississauga – Whimbel Point Dive and Picnic
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: Come explore a new site with a 30-foot wall dive.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=10XKkj169ck8XxtL_xvXLIRdHD9cSnaje&ll=43.499883030907625%2C-79.25156228768446&fbclid=IwAR0RxiyeoWSDu_dWNz_fq4QdkRChK-CDA2bPIr8TG5Meh-573ABtcCvglAE&z=11

Saturday & Sunday July 27th and 28th
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: We have the afternoon charter on the Saturday and the morning charter on the Sunday. This way you only need to book one night of accommodation. There are several very low-cost options in the area that Phillip will go over.
Would be launching from the Waupoos Marina near Picton, so just a short boat ride to the wrecks
https://www.abucsscubadiving.com/
http://www.waupoosmarina.ca

Sunday August 11th
Lion’s Head Harbour – Dive on the Wrecks Cyrenian and Gladstone and Picnic
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: These are very shallow dives, Cyrenian 3 meters and Gladstone 7 meters. It is a wonderful spot for a picnic with huge old trees to setup under and washrooms right there.
The town does charge for parking.

Sunday August 25th
Grand Bend, Ontario – The Wexford
9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $160 plus PayPal Fees
Charter run: Fully Tek
Number of Divers: 8
Number of Dives: 2
Notes: We have not been to the Wreck of Wexford near Grand Bend since 2018. It is a 250 feet steel freighter that was sunk in the great storm of 1913. Cris Kohl lists it as one of the “100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks” in the Great Lakes. This link will show you some pictures. http://divertrek.com/diving-the-wexford-wreck-lake-huron/
The boat loads at 8:30 am and launches from: Port Franks Marina, 7574 Biddulph St, Port Franks
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Franks+Marina/@43.2320804,-81.892696,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x882f405ea2cd8de3:0xe5cf36a5105e0334!8m2!3d43.2320804!4d-81.892696!16s%2Fg%2F1td5xt30?entry=ttu
The marine charges $5 for parking for the day

Sunday September 1st
Barcelona, New York – Lake Erie Wreck on the USA Side
9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $130 USD plus PayPal Fees
Charter run: Osprey Charters
Number of Divers: 15
Number of Dives: 2
Notes: The group can choose two wrecks from the following list: John.J.Boland, Betty Hedger, George Whelan, Passaic, Dean Richmond, Indiana, Washington Irving, Schooner C, Schooner G, Acme, Brunswick, Carlingford, Oxford, Cracker, Persian, Swallow, Straubenzie, Barge F
This will be a two Tank Recreational Dive.
https://ospreydive.com/

Saturday and Sunday September 14th and 15th
Brockville – Various Wrecks on both the Canadian and USA sides of the river
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: We have the afternoon charter on the Saturday and the morning charter on the Sunday. This way you only need to book one night of accommodation. There are several very low-cost options in the area that Phillip will go over.
You will need your passport!
https://www.abucsscubadiving.com/

Saturday & Sunday September 21st and 22nd
Lake Erie, ON – Eastern Lake Erie Mooring Project - Various Wreck
Cost: Free
Charter run by: TBA
Number of Divers: 2-4
Number of Dives: 6
Number of Dives: Drop Lines and Remove Moorings
Dive Co-ordinator: Chris Corfield
Notes: With the passing of Rick Lymer, we are still working on a plan to put the moorings out. 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.

Sunday September 29th
Port Dalhousie – Lake Street Wreck – Dive and Picnic
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: Again, lets go explore a new site. There are three stripped 60 meter wood and steel hulls.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=10XKkj169ck8XxtL_xvXLIRdHD9cSnaje&ll=43.41200199118251%2C-79.26254861580945&fbclid=IwAR0RxiyeoWSDu_dWNz_fq4QdkRChK-CDA2bPIr8TG5Meh-573ABtcCvglAE&z=11

Sunday October 6th
Hamilton – Alma Munro Wreck – Dive and Picnic
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number of Dives: 2
Dive Co-ordinator: TBA
Notes: Again, lets go explore a new site. A small propeller driven schooner featuring a boiler, some machinery, and various metal objects.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=10XKkj169ck8XxtL_xvXLIRdHD9cSnaje&ll=43.41200199118251%2C-79.26254861580945&fbclid=IwAR0RxiyeoWSDu_dWNz_fq4QdkRChK-CDA2bPIr8TG5Meh-573ABtcCvglAE&z=11

Sunday October 27th
Welland Scuba Park – Pumpkin Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free for the dive and $10 to the Martin Dive Team if you want in on the lunch.
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. Remember to bring some “Extra Weight” to get both you and your pumpkin to the bottom.
Following the Dive there will be a Halloween Meal featuring: Graveyard Chill… Its best not ask what’s goes into the Cauldron!! (Note: No Zombies will be harmed in the making of the chilli).
Plus, hot cheese nachos and buns for dipping. There will also be themed desserts, Chocolate Spider Nests, Day of the Dead Cookies and Swamp Tarts!! Along with lots of water and some fresh fruit.

We are hoping for a large group of both Divers and Bubble Watches along with some kids.
The vis is excellent this time of year (or at least before you start carving! And the water temps are in the high 50’s).

Saturday November 16th
Sandusky, Ohio - Shipwrecks and Scuba
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Day $40 / Night $45
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

http://www.shipwrecksandscuba.com/

Sunday December 8th
St Catharines – Christmas Brunch – The Mandarin Restaurant
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $29.99 (Seniors $23.99 and kids $14.99)
Number of Divers: Unlimited
Number if Dives: None – This is just a NDA Calorie Replacement Event!
Notes: Everyone loved the event this past year, so we are returning to the same spot again. It is all you can eat, which Dave’s mom, Chris’s dad and my son Kevin fully tested.

Sunday December 22nd
Welland Scuba Park – Christmas Tree Dive
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free for the dive and $10 to the Martin Dive Team if you want in on the lunch.
Number of Divers: Unlimited
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!