DiveFest 2017 launched Friday, adding 1 new event to 20 others, that will run from 2nd to 16th July 2017

​DiveFest 2017 was launched on Friday at the Anchorage Hotel, and one new event has been added to 20 others that are already on the program, which will run from 2nd to 16th July 2017. Dominica WaterSports Association (DWA), the Ministry of Tourism and other partners are collaborating to host the 28th Annual Dive Fest Dominica event. Sponsors of Dive Fest 2017 include Kubuli, Clear Harbor, Petro Caribe, Rosalie Bay Resort, Fort Young Hotel, and Board Walk Restaurant & Bar.
 
The new activity that will be added is called ‘Freediving’, where divers will go into deeper water as far as they can, with or without flippers, and with no oxygen tanks. This component will be under the guidance of free dive company, Blue Element International. As part of Dive Fest activities, one member of the company will attempt to set a record of diving over 200 feet into Dominican waters.
 
Other major Dive Fest 2017 activities include: T-VICE in concert, Free scuba diving in the pool of Anchorage Hotel, Turtle Love Day at the Rosalie Bay Resort, Whale watching, Indian River boat rides, Wave Dance Water Sports at Picard Beach in Portsmouth, and an Island-wide Coastal Clean-up.
 
Tourism Minister Robert Tonge said his Ministry is fully on board, and together with partnering organizations, will ensure he event is successful and will help strengthen relations among the events partners.
 
Tonge said, the fact that Dive Fest 2017 was being launched “well in advance”, shows that the teams are proactively working together. He expressed that view that the addition of the free diving activity, “brings some additional excitement to this year’s event”, and also forms part of water sports itself, which contributes to economic sustainability.
 
He added, “There is no doubt about the importance of water sports in the tourism industry, and to the economy of Dominica in general, as that industry sustains many direct and indirect jobs, as divers spend a fair amount of money, as compared to the average visitor to Dominica”.