The Vancouver Traveler » Sports & Recreation

Clear Visibility….Lets go Diving

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:00:31 +0000

It’s been a long while since I made a post about the amazing scuba diving that can be found in British Columbia. What scuba diving?? I know everyone thinks us Crazy Canucks all live in igloos…and hunt polar bears!! But needless to say, that is a little off the mark!!

So, today was the great adventure day! Up early to catch the first ferry to Sechelt BC, where we met up with the guys from Suncoast Diving. With the boat all loaded up, we got on our way up the inlet to dive on the sunk destoyer HMCS CHAUDIERE. The Chaudiere, was sunk back in 1992 as an artifical reef, and this day would prove to be the best day of diving I have had here on the coast.

We had tied up to the midship mooring line, and it was out intention to do some outstanding wreck penetrations…but much to our surprise, we spent the first 20 minutes of our dive right at the bottom of the line! Crazy…but right there, at the bottom of the line, sat a Giant Pacific Octopus!!
Normally this guy would have left us in inky blotch…not this time. He or she stayed and played with us for almost 20 – 25 minutes!! We lucked out, as in our group of 5 divers, there were 3 digital cameras, and one HD Digital Video camera…needless to say, this big guy was blinded with all the flashes going off!!

You divers out there, looking for a great day!! Give Suncoast Diving a call…ask for Rob, and get out diving!! Visibility is currently greater then 100 foot!!

Ever been diving on the CHAUDIERE? got a good diving story?….stop by and let me know what you think of diving in BC…I would love to hear from you!!

Photo Credits: From my Personal Collection.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Giant Pacific Octopus

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:27:58 +0000

Can you image, this beautiful creature is waiting for you to come and see him or her, just off our coast…here in British Columbia!

Giant Pacific Octopus:
Octopus dofleini
Size: Mantle to 8′ (20cm)
arm span to 30′ (9m)
Range: Bering Sea to California.
Habitat: On sandy and rocky shores; intertidal to 330′ (100m)
Description: 8 arms of equal length; species changes color from pale to dark reddish brown ot mottled patterns. Large, globular body; head has no fins
Comments: This is the largest octopus in the world, reported to weigh up to 600lbs (272kg). It is also found in Japan. The female guards strings of eggs, attached to the roof of the den. Want to read more about the Pacific Octopus, Click Here

Photo Credit: Personal Collection.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Digital Storm LAN 2008

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:36:02 +0000

Digital Storm LAN is a 48 hour video game tournament for PC and XBOX 360.
Vancouver is a regional qualifying location for any gamers who wish to compete in the World Cyber Games 2008 tournament. The qualifying tournament will be held at Croatian Cultural Center at 3250 Commercial Drive in Vancouver, and runs from August 1at 4pm until 4pm on August 3.
Winners of the qualifying tournaments at Digital Storm LAN will compete and the WCG Canadian National Finals.
Those who win at the national level will join Team Canada to compete at the World Cyber Games Grand Finals in Cologne, Germany.
Team Canada will compete against 700 gamers from 70 different countries. The World Cyber Games is the Olympics of the video game community, this event offers participants an unique cultural and competitive experience.
Digital Storm also offers non-qualifying tournaments for other gamers. All tournaments have sponsors and donated prizes as well as the do random prize draws for participants.
This event offers gamers a safe and social atmosphere to meet other gamers and share their passion for video games!
Check out their website at www.digitalstormlan.com for more information.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Subaru Ironman Triathlon

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:52:01 +0000

Held in Pentiction, about 4.5 hours outside of Vancouver, Subaru Ironman Canada is the oldest ironman race held in North America.
Held August 24, and attended annually by more then 2,000 athletes from around the world, the Subaru Ironman Triathlon is one of the most beautiful and greatest athletic competitions in the world.
To complete the triathlon the competitors must survive and exhausting 3.86 km swim, endure a mountainous 180.2 km bicycle road race and then finish it off with a 42.4 km run…..I am exhausted just thinking about it!
For more information visit www.ironman.ca

photo credit – sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Zip-Trekking

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:30:42 +0000

If you are looking for something invigorating, exciting and unforgettable, then look no further then the outdoor phenomenon called zip-trekking.
Ziptrek Ecotours offers this amazing experience at Whistler/Blackcomb, combining both an exhilarating experience and environmental education.
They offer 10 zip-lines on two different 5 line tours plus a Tree Trek Canopy Walk.
For more information visit their website at www.ziptrek.com

photo credit – Ziptrek Ecotours

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Hero in Your Speaker Series

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:20:51 +0000

The Hero in Your Speaker Seriesis a unique opportunity to meet some of BC’s greatest sports personalities at the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Every Wednesday this summer, starting July 9 and running through to September 21, different Hall of Fame inductees will present their stories to the public starting at 1pm.
Visitors will have the chance for autographs, questions and pictures with the guest speaker.
Speakers this year will include media legend Steve Armitage, boxer and Olympic bronze medalist Dave Walters, Canada’s greatest rugby player Garath Rees and many, many more Hall of Fame inductees.
A full list of this years speakers and further information on the Hero in Your Speaker Series can be found at www.bcsportshalloffame.com

photo credit:
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Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Splashdown Water Park

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:54:58 +0000

Greater Vancouver’s only water-slide park offers advanced, intermediate and children’s slides. There is a slide there for everyone depending on your experience or your “scare” level.
Their advanced slides come with names like “Oliver Twist”, the “Kamikazi” or the “Corkscrew”, all which offer 425 feet of twists, turns and thrills.
If you like speed, give the “Whipper Snapper” a try, its 395 feet with less turns and a great straight down section where you can get some serious speed!
There is inner-tubing and children’s pools which have 5 slides available.
The water is kept at a temperature between 25 and 29 degrees.
Splashdown Water Park is the place to be on those warm summer days…so why not pack up the family and spend the day having fun in the water!
Splashdown also has a full concession which features pizzas, salads, sandwiches and burgars. BBQ rentals are also avaliable, as is rentals of various sport equipment, life jackets and umbrellas (incase of one of those sudden rain showers).

Splashdown Water Park is located by the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
For more information and admission fees visit their website at splashdownpark.ca

image credit – sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Tour de Delta

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:30:34 +0000

Ok, so it’s not the Tour de France…but it’s almost as much fun! Delta will be hosting the Tour de Delta from the 11 – 13 July, which is featuring professional racers from around the world competing for a $25,000 purse making the Delta the richest event in Canadian cycling.

Tour do Delta is proud to partner with the Tour de White Rock, Tour de Gastown, and the Giro di Burnaby to give you 8 great days of cycling. This is a great opportunity to soak up some great summer weather while watching cyclists from Canada, the United States and New Zealand compete on this challenging courses.

Be sure you do not miss out!!

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Street Hockey…anyone??

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:26 +0000

Sunrise Summer Kickoff. If you find yourself with some free time on the 5th of July, why not come and celebrate Hastings and kickoff the summer at this years 7th Annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff. Sunrise Square Parking lot will come alive from 10am – 3pm with street hockey, music, entertainment and tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

There will be special guest appearances throughout the day from the Vancouver Giants, an RBC Paralympian as well as members form the Vancouver Police Department. There will be several great oppotunites to win some great door prizes will also be available.

The Street Hockey Tournament is open to local elementaru school children, however, registration is limited. There are only 160 spots waiting to be filled (80 for kindergarten to grade 3 and 80 for grade 4 tp 7), so be sure to register early. Registration forms are available at the local schools as well as the BIA office.

Completed forms should be returned to the BIA office. On line registration is now available and can be found at www.hastingssunrise.ca under Events/Sunrise Summer Kickoff.

Photo Credits: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Bike, Ride, and Skate

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:15 +0000

Critical Mass in Vancouver; Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space — a bike rde and skate — This event is held the last Friday of every month, and you are invited to enjoy the safety and comfort in the care — free space that we create by simply riding together!

Bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates, self propelled couches, and any form of human powered locomotion are all welcomed! We ride around the city wherever people want to go. This decided collectly, the length of the ride depends on enthusiasm and is also collectively decided.

No one comes is forced to or needs to break the law in order to participate. We meet 5 – 5:30 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, leave at 6:00pm; Critical Mass in Vancouver, for more information visit www.bikesexual.org/cm/

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler