Community Snorkel at Copper Cove

Welcome to our first in-water event!

VQC is going snorkeling! We have found an accessible location for all of us to get in the water and look at some marine life.

We will be meeting at noon, with low tide at 12:50 pm. There should be no current while most of the underwater structure should be shallow and visible while snorkeling on the surface.

There is also an opportunity for some tide pooling if you want to join us but don't wish to dive. You are also welcome to just hang out at the beach and stay dry! We won't judge!

After we are all content with the ocean time we might hang out and drink some tea together depending on the weather.

What will I need?

Late march we expect temperatures of around 8 degrees in the water. Thankfully snorkelers stay mostly on the surface and move around a lot, so you will stay a bit warmer.

You will need the following kit:

Wetsuit with Hood - we recommend at least 6mm. You can purchase or rent a hood if you don't have one.

Gloves and Socks - 5mm at least recommended, 7mm might be warmer

Mask and Snorkel - Any will suffice. On a budget you could use swimming goggles and a nose-clip in place of a mask.

Fins - Fins are recommended for getting around and safety

What can I rent?

We recommend the following rental packages:

Diving Locker Freediving Package - $60 - fins, 8mm wetsuit \w hood, 5mm gloves. You will need to buy socks, mask and snorkel

Diving Sports Freediving Package - $56 - fins, 7mm wetsuit \w hood, mask. You will need to buy socks, gloves and snorkel.

The freediving packages also include weights, but you can leave those if you don't plan to dive underneath the surface.

Rowands Reef Wetsuit Rental - $30 for 6.5mm 2 piece wetsuit. Hood and gloves rented separately for $10 each. Neoprene boots availabe to rent for $10. You will need to buy mask and snorkel.

Rowands Reef can rent 5mm neoprene boots for $10 which can help you avoid buying neoprene socks. Additionally IDC can rent Personal Gear Package (Boots, Glove & Fins) for $22.

Our Discord server has a whole section on gear rentals in metro vancouver with lots of recommendations and advice.

Quality of life gear?

Sandals/crocks/flip-flops - these can be worn over your wetsuit socks, preventing you from ripping holes in your wetsuit socks. Copper Cove is a rocky beach so this is highly recommended.

A large towel/poncho can help with changing in and out of the wetsuit.

Spare change of clothes. Just in case.

Full water bottle is important as you can become quite dehydrated.

A snack for before and after the snorkeling will help you stay energised.

Camping stove with some tea bags is a good way to make some freshly brewed hot tea. We love ginger tea as it helps to increase body temperature. A thermos with brewed tea works great too!

If you are prone to sea sickness or car sickness, consider taking Gravol or other motion sickness Medic*tion.

If you own a large thermos (1.5L or more) you are in luck. Fill it with hot water to flush your wetsuit before and after going in the water. It will help you warm up!

A beanie or warm hat to wear afterwards is good if you are prone to ear infections/problems.

A waterproof bag to put your wet gear in. Ikea bags or those reusable shopping bags work great.

Waterproof torch/light is useful for looking deep into cracks or holes.

Wetsuit lube makes it easier to put on your wetsuit. A good alternative is water mixed with natural hair conditioner. Dive shops sell wetsuit lube also.

A gopro or other waterproof cameras to capture and share what you find!

Safety

We are a loosely organised diving and snorkeling community, rather than a club with staff and a safety team. You should plan for and consider your safety to be entirely your responsibility. We will be sending out liability release waivers closer to the event.

We will encourage attendees to group up into buddy groups of 3 people and stick together during the event. We will also run a quick briefing about hazards in the area and what to be mindful of.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

No. Wetsuits are bouyant so you will naturally float on the surface. While snorkeling, you will also tend to be in shallow water. Likely you will be able to touch the bottom with your feet and walk out to the shore if needed.

Breathing through a snorkel can take some time to get used to as you must breathe solely through your mouth rather than your nose (which will be in the mask/clipped closed). You can pactice on land before the event!

You will be wearing powerful fins which make it easy to get around using just your legs. Being comfortable flutter, breast-stroke or even dolphin kicking will help you make the most of your fins.

As always we recommend staying within the range of your abilities. We can recommend shallow and safer areas you can explore if you are worried.

Anything else?

Carpooling and other questions - We have a thread for the event on our Discord server. We recommend joining to coordinate details. Parking can be tricky so we recommend carpooling. Better for the planet too!

Conduct - Copper cove is in a residential area. Please be mindful of peoples homes while participating. Avoid shouting or making lots of noise to ensure we can keep returning to the area!

Snorkeling Ethics - VQD is a no-exploitation and no-harm community. This means we do not exploit or harm the ocean in any way during our events. Please avoid touching, picking up or handing marine life. Just watch and enjoy!

In BC it is illegal to approach or interact with large marine mamals. If you see some curious sea lions, seals, dolphins or whales, you may be approached and interacted with by the animals, but you risk very serious legal consequences if you attempt to attract or approach these wild animals yourself.

Info: We will tell you where we have found good areas to snorkel and help people group up if they don't have buddies to snorkel with.

Info: Weather allowing, some of us might hang out at the beach after we get changed. Maybe drink some hot tea and eat some snacks.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Copper Cove Dive Site, Copper Cove Road, West Vancouver, Canada