Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest - 2000

On October 22, Beaver Aquatics and Pacific Pro dive hosted the 4th Annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest and 2cnd Annual In Water Tug of War. On that cold, windy Sunday, twenty-three divers descended beneath the waves to carve Hallowe'en pumpkins - for prizes and charity.

The judges, Dave "the Ancient Mariner" Wardell - of Wardell Drysuit fame and Neil Cameron - of the Campbell River Courier Islander, had a difficult time identifying the winners forBest Costume, Best Pumpkin, Scariest Pumpkin, Most Mutilated (pumpkin) and Funniest Pumpkin.

The 2cnd Annual In Water Tug of War produced five hard-pulling teams from Campell River and Courtenay. The final came down to the North Island College Bottom Feeders taking on the Campbell River Penguin Pullers. The Penguin Pullers were less than an inch away from winning when returning champion and anchor, Mark "Mr. Excitement" Stephens, kicked right out of his fins which allowed the Bottom Feeders to come away with a win.

Donations and support from Pajos Fish and Chips, North Island Co-op, Overwaitea, Subway, Joey's Only, Quizno's Subs, Sub Surface Tech, Hilcam Trophies, Pier Street Computers, Omega Salmon Farms, Carnegie Street Productions, and the Coast Discovery Hotel helped to make this a fine event.
Many dive Suppliers - PADI Canada, Aqualung, Bare Wetsuits, Genesis Scuba, Tomcat, contributed prizes for the contestants as well.

Campbell River Maritime Heritage Center will benefit from the funds collected in Campbell River. Pacific Pro dive is donating its contributions to the Marine Mooring Project.

Thank you, Derrick Summers and Max Koropecki for your assistance as dive-masters, thanks to Steve Gray of Discovery Passage dive Charters who provided the safety boat, and finally - thanks to Kelvin, our pink safety gorilla.