Divers of all genders are being invited to take part in Divetech’s annual fundraiser for the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation during Women’s Dive Day on Saturday, 15 July.
The West Bay dive operation has been hosting these annual fundraising dives since 2018, and this time it’s holding a scavenger hunt for the second consecutive year.
The event coincides with the opening of Divetech’s new shop and dive site at Cobalt Coast, where this year’s dives will be held.
Breaking records
Divetech’s Women Dive Day events have broken records over the years.
In 2018, it arranged the most women in a chain holding hands underwater, when 84 took part. Then, the following year, it beat its own record, when 107 women held hands along a rope line, 15 feet underwater.
In 2020, the divers cumulatively swam the equivalent of the circumference of Grand Cayman, and in 2021 they logged 639 hours underwater – the equivalent of 2.3 million seconds, representing one second for every person diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide in 2020.
Last year, Divetech’s underwater scavenger hunt raised $8,824 for the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Owner Jo Mikutowicz says she’s asking for divers and supporters to help surpass this amount on 15 July.
The Breast Cancer Foundation has supplied a ‘shopping list’ of items that are needed by their clients who are suffering with or recovering from cancer. Women’s Dive Day participants can ‘buy’ one or more of those items with their donations – 100% of which will be given to the charity.
A minimum donation of CI$30 (US$37.50) will get divers an air tank and weights, and “most importantly will allow the Breast Cancer Foundation to purchase a specialist bra for a breast cancer patient, or apply your donation towards a more expensive item,” Mikutowicz said.
She added, “If you would like to donate a greater amount or club together with your dive buddies to purchase a more expensive item, please do.”
There will also be a raffle, so non-divers have a chance of winning prizes as well.
Revenue from rental equipment on the day will be donated to the total amount. Anyone renting equipment or using Nitrox tanks is asked to pre-book.
“Not a diver yet? Not a problem – anything you do in the water on 15th July will count as support in return for a donation to the CIBCF. Snorkelling, swimming or we’re happy for you to just hang out in your bathtub,” Divetech said in a press release about the upcoming event.
The dives take place at Cobalt Coast from 9:30am to 1:30pm.
For those who don’t have a buddy or would like to go with a guide, instructors will be running guided dives from shore at 9:30am, 11am and 1pm. Pre-booking is required and registration on the day is 30 minutes before your confirmed time.
Numbered stones, painted in Divetech’s signature bright pink, will be placed at various spots at the Cobalt Coast dive site. Each stone – one per person only – corresponds to a prize.
For more information or to register, email [email protected].
Breast Cancer Foundation Shopping List
- Specialist bra – CI$30/US$37.50
- Compression bra (post surgery) – CI$45/US$56.25
- Prosthetics for bras – CI$43/US$53.75
- Specialised swimsuits – CI$100/US$125
- Prosthetics for swimsuits – CI$63/US$78.75
- Wigs – CI$40-100/US$50-125
- Gift bags for chemotherapy patients (includes nail protectors, moisturiser, shampoos for cold cappers, conditioners, Epsom salts, mouthwash, toothpastes, pain balm, deodorant, blankets and silk pillow cases, ear protectors, shower caps and wide-tooth combs) – CI$100/US$125
- Counselling (for patient, husband or children) – CI$100/US$125 per session
- Massage/acupuncture for joint pain and menopausal symptoms – CI$100/US$125 per session
- Lymphatic checks and drainage – CI$100/US$125 per session
- Green2Go nutritional drinks for low blood counts during chemo – CI$25/US$31.25 per week per patient
- Mammogram scheme – CI$150/US$187.50
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