What is the AUC??

What do they do??

Why join??

The Alberta Underwater Council is the representative non-profit body for underwater sporting activities in the Province of Alberta which endeavours to encourage underwater related sports/activities as individuals or within local clubs.  It is managed by an Executive Director and has a volunteer board of directors elected, usually in spring  at AGM - Annual General Meeting & Elections.

 

Created in 1960, the AUC has benefited from amazing volunteer members working hard for their Scuba Council in every decade since, evolving & changing as needed over the past 60+ years!  One of Alberta's longest continuous recreational associations, it has been active in many issues over the years including: divers' right to dive, dive training, dive training standards, dive safety issues, club support for both scuba clubs and underwater sport clubs, legislation, marine ecology, conservation of underwater archeology and heritage, plus environmental lake cleanups, underwater & shoreline.

 

We are very proud of our accumulative estimate of over 40 tons & counting of debris removed from Alberta's lakes & rivers by Alberta's scuba divers since the early sixties. We have celebrated our 60th Anniversary in 2020 and 2021 as a Council supporting scuba & underwater sports (like underwater hockey) in Alberta.
 

Be safe, dive safe, have fun! 

Remember, if COVID or other protocols are deemed necessary for public health, then limitations on AUC activities might be experienced.

 

Link to AUC Membership Info

The AUC Mission

  • To encourage responsible participation in, and an awareness of, the many underwater activities available while seeking to preserve the aquatic environment.

WE REPRESENT:

  • The interests of Alberta's underwater enthusiasts to all levels of government.

WE ENCOURAGE:

  • Safe scuba diving practices & ask members to maintain & inprove their scuba skills by participating in and organizing group dive activities.  
  • Member involvement in upcoming events, latest scuba safety tips & technology, advanced dive training, scuba pool fun practice plus dive travel opportunites, and social/scuba/underwater sport club activities.

WE ADVOCATE:

  • Scuba diving, snorkeling, u/w sports (like u/w hockey) as life-long activities through our hosted scuba events, U/W Outreach Programs for Schools/Youth, the bi-annual Divescapes Scuba Conference and at outdoor shows around the province. 

WE PROMOTE:

  • Dive safety practices and available training opportunities. 
  • Conservation of historic dive sites (eg. Jasper's Project Habbakuk, Banff's Lake Minnewanka submerged 1912 dam & townsite, Waterton's paddle-wheeler "The Gertrude").
  • Environmental cleanups in Alberta's lakes, rivers & streams for the benefit of all Albertans - over 40 tons & counting of trash removed from AB lakes/rivers since 1960's.
  • Underwater sport activities like underwater hockey are encouraged via their clubs. 

 

What do we offer our Members??

The Annual Membership fee of $21.00/yr entitles members to receive discounted fees at dive events, lake cleanups, etc. around the province. Members can participate in programs supporting the adventure of local diving, lake cleanups, dive safety & support for local scuba & uw hockey clubs in Alberta.

  • PLUS:  Communications: eNEWS, FACEBOOK, E-Mail, etc.
  • PLUS Support for Dive Alberta Events/Lake Cleanups, U/W Hockey Tournaments, Fundraisers, including Lake Cleanup Tee-shirts for participants.
  • PLUS Sport Accident Insurance,  AB Dive or UW Hockey Clubs' Directors Insurance,
  • PLUS The Alberta Dive Guide & Log Book, Scuba Safety Programs,  Dive Alberta Event Prizes & Grand Prizes whenever available!     
  • PLUS: DIVESCAPES SCUBA CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION (every 2 yrs, alternating between Edmonton & Calgary, budget permitting), next one Oct 2026 in EDMONTON. For details, click on Divescapes.ca
  • PLUS: Discover Scuba Experiences & Intro to UW Hockey are offered for Schools & Youth Groups across Alberta

 

NOTE: The AUC is independent and neutral when it comes to all local Alberta Dive Shops, Independent Instructors and their scuba certification agencies, equipment suppliers, etc. 

We welcome participation and leadership from each of Alberta's LDS (local dive shops) & Independent Instructors.  We always endeavor to operate fairly, cooperatively & reciprocally with all organizations & individuals that wish to engage with the Council.

 

Current AUC Executive & Board Members

Effective as of the latest AGM/Elections (April 2025), Next AGM - May 2 2026 @ Percy Page Centre, Edmonton 

President – Terina Hancock, Edmonton, Term of Office ends: Spring ‘27

Vice President - Dan Ermel, Term of Office ends: Spring ‘26

Treasurer – Tom Davies, Edmonton, Term of Office ends: Spring ‘26

Director - Ken Benoy, Calgary, Term of Office ends: Spring '26

Director – Nic Buntmann, Edmonton, Term of Office ends Spring '26

Director –  Mark Faas, Red Deer, Term ends: Spring '26

Director – Allan Keller, Term of Office ends: Spring ‘26

Director  -- Martin Blackwell, Fort McMurray, Term of Office ends: Spring '27

Director – Michelle Boudreau, Fort McMurray, Term of Office ends: Spring ‘27

Director – Stuart Dunnill, Cold Lake, Term of Office ends: Spring '27

Director - Larry Wedgewood,  Edmonton, Term of Office ends: Spring '27

 

Executive Director – Robyn Clarke

AUC Office (Edmonton), 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6

Toll Free: 1-888-307-8566, Office Ph: 780-427-9125

info@albertaunderwatercouncil.com

www.albertaunderwatercouncil.com

 

AUC gratefully thanks & acknowledges the continued support from our participating & supportive AB Dive Shops (LDS - local AB Dive Shops), many Independent Instructors, AB Dive Travel Specialists, AB Scuba & UW Hockey Clubs, AUC members & volunteers, Lifetime AUC Members/Volunteers, plus Divescapes Scuba Conference Exhibitors, Sponsors & Attendees, and Government of Alberta.

Plus recent Donations from:  Estate of Nick & Philip Young & more!

 

DISCLAIMER:

  • All business listings, articles, submissions, advertising, website content and/or links are provided as information only.

  • No liability, warranty, responsibility nor recommendations are accepted or implied for content or links contained herein or which may appear in AUC's published Website, Social Media, Newsletters, eNEWS, Membership Brochure, Event Posters, etc.

 

@ Content Copyright: Reproduction in whole or in part allowed only with express written permission of the Alberta Underwater Council (AUC) and/or its representatives.

 

 

Events
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Divescapes Scuba Conference 2026
Oct
16
Divescapes Scuba Conference 2026
Holiday Inn Edmonton South - Evario Events by IHG
Fri, Oct 16 2026 16:00 – Sat, Oct 17 2026 22:00
  The AUC is proud to announce: Early Gold Pass: Jan 1/26-Sept 1/26: $209.95 +gst.   After Sept 1/26-Oct 6.26: $229.95 +gst Divescapes Scuba Conference - 2026 Oct 16,17, 2026 in Edmonton, Alberta @Holiday Inn Edmonton South Evario Event Centre AUC's Divescapes Conference 2026 - in planning stages now!    Featuring Keynote: (Yet to be confirmed) Additional Speakers: (Yet to be confirmed)   Exhibitors: (Yet to be confirmed!)   PLUS: Silent Auction, Prizes, etc.   PLUS: possible additional daytime Workshops on October 15, 16 or Oct 17, 18 (TBA) on-site or off.   Tentative Divescapes '26 Schedule:    Friday, Divescapes Registration table opens at 4:00 pm, with Exhibitor’s trade show & Dinner included.  Followed by Friday evening Speaker’s Presentations starting at 6:00 pm, wrapping up with Cocktails with VIP’s at 9 pm (+Cash Bar).  Agenda to come as speakers are yet to be booked & confirmed.   Saturday,  all day schedule from 8 am – 10 pm, with Speakers Presentations & Exhibitors’ trade show until 4:30 pm., (Note the Break needed here for facility to set up Banquet Tables for our Sat Evening's Gala Dinner & Keynote Presentation(s). 6 PM: Evening Cocktails with Dive Buddies, Guests, Presenters, Sponsors, Exhibitors & AUC Board 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Gala Buffet Dinner by the award-winning DEERFOOT INN & CASINO's catering at 6:30-8 pm, followed by Divescapes’ Keynote Speaker’s Presentations at 8-10 pm.    NOTE: Tickets held at Divescapes' Registration Table for pick-up upon arrival.   Sunday:  – Workshops (TBA) often scheduled for Friday prior and/or Sunday, Monday afterwards   What’s new: please visit the Divescapes Webpage & Facebook and/or AUC FB page often for exciting updates on our Presenters, +generous Sponsors & Exhibitors, Workshops, +Dive Travel Packages, +Door Prizes, ++Silent Auction items, +++Raffles, etc. PLUS Lots of ticket options for budget friendly or tight schedules. Need a custom ticket option? Contact Cathie at AUC Office.   Please help us get the word out to your dive buddies & friends, + share any Divescapes FB messages to your own FB Page to help encourage others to attend!  DON"T MISS OUT on this amazing scuba conference!   Divescapes Workshops: Note: optional Divescapes Workshops often scheduled just prior to or just after Divescapes (Onsite: Sunday/Monday, + OFFSITE: TBA Note: Workshops: limited participants, on site or off, must pay & register in advance See http://www.divescapes.ca/show/workshops/   Divescapes 2026 Speakers: AUC's sincere thanks to our invited Speakers/Presenters for taking time out of their busy careers, often with frantic & last minute film schedules, to travel to ALBERTA from around the globe to inspire us in the world of scuba diving at home & around our water-world!
Human Factors in Diving: Applied Skills
Oct
18
Human Factors in Diving: Applied Skills
Evario Events Centre
Sun, Oct 18 2026 08:00 – Mon, Oct 19 2026 17:00
Human Factors in Diving: Applied Skills Course October 18/19 2026 after Divscapes at the Evario Events Center. Are you a diver who wants enhanced performance by being more knowledgeable and aware, through immersive practice and focused debriefs? Do these sound familiar? You want to develop exceptional communication skills and remove ambiguity. You want to make sure your dive team is UNITED, and as well prepared as they can be for every dive. You want to understand team interactions, decision-making and how successful dives can be made, not just have lucky outcomes. You want to understand how external pressures and stresses impact individual and team performance and do something about them. You want the confidence to say "no", "stop", or "we need to do this differently". You want a methodology and tools so you can improve your own and your team performance after every dive. Then this is for you, and you need to take advantage one of these amazing deals! ​ALBERTA   We are pleased to offer the HFiD: Applied Skills Course for $450+gst (over 50% off) through funding from the DiveSmart Alberta Program. Buy your place now by choosing Alberta Pricing and once your location is confimed the coupon code for registering on the Human Diver Applied Skills class site will be email to you.  BUT​ We did not forget about our dive buddies and friends outside of Alberta! ​We are pleased to offer you a coupon code for $760+gst (20% off) through funding from the Alberta Underwater Council. Buy your spot now by choosing Non-Alberta Pricing and the coupon code for registering on the Human Diver Applied Skills class site will be emailed to you.  ​-Extremely limited Spots -First come/pay/registered first enrolled - -Dont delay and miss this amazing opportunity -

Sponsors

Government of Alberta