2023 North American Ice Diving Festival – January 28th, 2023
The 2023 North American Ice Diving Festival will be the largest Ice Diving event in regards to scuba divers under the ice on one day with over 20 scuba manufacturers showcasing their product lines. All events and tents are located on the ice, no land based displays.
The 2023 Ice Diving Festival will be held on White Bear Lake, the parking for the festival will be at the boat launch on White Bear County Park (Ramsey Beach) off of highway 96 in White Bear Lake, MN. The Ice Festival will be roughly 250 yards out on the ice from the boat lauch easily identified by a 25ft inflatable red scuba diver.
Visitors and spectators are welcome to come out watch the event and meet with the scuba manufacturers showcasing their respective products.
We are now accepting registration for the Ice Festival.
To register for the Ice Festival email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call MidWest School of Diving at 651-653-1174
Profits from the event are being donated to Veteran Scuba a 501c3 that works with disabled veterans for certifications and scuba therapy. https://veteransscuba.org/
Last year 2022, we had 57 divers from 15 states attend and 1 Canadian Province, over 150 total visitors.
For 2023 we are planning on 8 holes, each hole will have a warming tent.
• 5-6 holes will be dedicated to Ice Diving Certifications
• 2-3 holes will be dedicated for those individuals who are already Ice Certified.
Ice Diving Certification Requirements.
1. Advance Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
2. Experienced Cold Water Dives
3. Classroom on Friday evening the 27th of January
Safety Harnesses, Safety Ropes, Ice Screws will be provided.
Costs:
Ice Certification:
$250
• Use of all scuba gear
• Scuba tank 80cf to use
• Commemorative t-shirt
Fun Dive:(Must already be Ice Certified)
$60
• Scuba Tank 80cf to use
• Commemorative t-shirt
This year we are looking at over 100 divers in one day under the ice and attendance over 400. We have already received registrations from divers from around the U.S.(26 states), Canada, and outside of North America; United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
We will have the following Demonstrations during the Ice Festival:
• Interspiro surface supplied air
• Big Blue underwater lights
• Ocean Reef Full Face Masks
• BARE Drysuits
This year we have received confirmation from the following organizations on attending and having a display in one of the tents that we will have on the ice:
Travel:
• Cayman Island Bureau of Tourism – set up booth “calypso theme”
• Gozumel – Go Divers Cozumel – Booth
• Island Scuba, Sri Lanka.
• Black Hills Aquatic Adventures, Rapid City SD
• Joe's Scuba, Charleston, SC
• Purple Diver Scuba Training Center, Ft Lauderdale FL
• Best Times Travel, Forest Lake, MN
Scuba Manufacturers who will be attending:
• Oceanic
• BARE ( If you are drysuit certified, BARE will be offering divers an opportunity to try and demo one of their drysuits.)
• Hollis
• Mares
• TUSA
• Cressi
• Ocean Reef
• OTS
• Henderson
• Sealife Cameras
• Waterproof
• Sea and Sea Cameras
• Light n Motion
• Interspiro
• Neosport
• Underwater Kinetics
• Suunto
• Stahlsac
• Zeagle
• Big Blue underwater lights
• Surf Fur
• Lefeet DPV's
• Lavacore
• Atomic
• Qysea
We are reaching out to additional manufacturers on attending.
Seminars (on the ice)
• 10:00 to 10:45 - BARE Drysuits
• 11:00 to 11:45 Interspiro, surface supplied air
• 12:00 to 12:45 OTS, underwater communication
additional seminars will be added
Charities:
• Veteran Scuba
• Dive Pirates
Scuba Training Organizations Attending:
• PADI
• SDI-TDI-ERDI
• NAUI
• IDEA
• SSI
• DAN (Divers Alert Network)
Support:
• A couple of local Fire Department Dive Teams
Diving Charters:
Great Lakes
• Sol Mates Charters
• Shipwreck Adventures
U.S.
• Charleston, SC
Mexico
• Sea Dragon - Playa Del Carmen
On Saturday evening there will be a no host social for divers at Jimmy's Bar and Restaurant (connected to Holiday Inn) for divers to meet other divers from around the U.S., Canada and the world.
The Ice Festival has arranged for hotel discounts at the following locations:
Fairfield Inn Link: Book your group rate for Midwest School of Diving
Holiday Inn Link: Ice Diving Festival
When you are done diving for the day, go explore the St Paul Winter Carnival evening activities, snow sculptures, ice carvings.
