Chamber Day returns, May 7

AVALON – Scuba divers are preparing once again for a full-day of diving off Catalina Island during the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber’s Chamber Day, May 7.

Known as the largest single-day scuba charity event in the United States, Chamber Day raises funding for the facility that aims to keep divers safe. The event marks a time for the diving community to come together each year for the benefit of the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.

Chamber Day attracted about 200 divers and netted close to $15,000 for the chamber during the first event. The event has grown to more than 1,000 participants, added Chamber Eve, the Flying Dutchman and the Chamber Challenge. More than $125,000 was raised last year.

“The key thing is keeping our Chamber ready to go,” said Ken Kurtis, who chairs the event. “Whether there are no accidents or an accident-a-day, our Chamber stands at the ready.”

The event consists of a full day of diving – or two dives – at Catalina plus a walking tour of the Chamber at the Isthmus. Cost is $95, pus $30 for food and airfills, which goes to the boat. The cost includes diving, the tour, a t-shirt and five daytime raffle tickets.
This year the chamber will offer divers a third dive in place of the island tour. The boat, Magician, will take divers out for the third dive. A total of nine dive boats will participate in the day-long event.

The Flying Dutchman, a mythical boat but a key player in Chamber Day, is an option for those unable to attend the event. “Diving” the Flying Dutchman includes dive daytime raffle tickets and a t-shirt. The public can also contribute to the chamber through the Chamber Challenge, which raises money through direct donations.

Dinner, a raffle and an evening of fun follow the event at Chamber Evening, co-sponsored by the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

For more information on Chamber Day, visit dornsife.usc.edu/chamberday/ or call (310) 652-4990.