Saturday the two BSC, Battlefords Sailing Club and Battlefords Scuba Community will combined forces in the first annual beach cleanup at Meota.
Members of the Sailing Club will be hosting an open house to attract new members and the Scuba Community saw this as an excellent time to make people aware of the impact their society has on the aquatic resources that surround us. As divers, the members get up close and personal with that environment, and that environment is most important to them.
The Scuba Community offers Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) educational programs to those interested in learning to dive, and PADI has been a leader in the movement to preserve and improve the state of the aquatic environment worldwide. Through the efforts of PADI and like minded organizations, a number of programs have been developed to make people aware of the plight of the world's aquatic resources, and the role that we as individuals can play in changing that situation.
Holding a beach cleanup in September, when most of the world organizations do it, would not attract nearly the attention that this weekend would in the opinion of the Scuba club. The decision was made to hold the cleanup in the early summer, calling it the Splash for Trash.
Diver teams will scour the bottom looking for articles that do not belong in the water and will remove them while the non-diving members of the Scuba Community and members of the Sailing Club pick up trash from the beach. Members of the public are encouraged to join in and make a difference. Divers expect to find beverage containers, golf balls, plastic bags, six-pack holders, sunglasses, broken glass and similar items on the lake floor. Beach cleanups in other areas have recovered picnic tables, park benches, boat motors, motor vehicles and lawn furniture. Who knows what treasures lie beneath the surface of Jackfish Lake?
Members are urged to bring gloves to protect their hands and to pick up foreign objects carefully and safely. Members of the public joining in are urged to take precautions.
As part of the day's activities, members of both clubs will have equipment on display and personnel available to answer questions about the gear and the activities of the respective clubs. People interested in sailing, snorkelling or scuba diving will be able to get involved in a favourite pastime or a new activity if they so desire.
This is two groups showing their love for the water. How about joining in with them?
For more information about the Battlefords Sailing Club please contact them through their website at www.battlefordssailingclub.com. The Battlefords Scuba Community may be reached through their website at www.battlefordsscubacommunity.ca.
