Guest Speaker Events
Why train with us?
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Low student to instructor ratios : 3 or 4 students per instructor both in the pool and ocean
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Our retail store is located downtown.
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Diving courses available all year-round. Private courses available.
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We teach children 10 years and older.
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Passionate team of Instructors and Divemasters who love to teach.
Guest Speaker Night with Registered Clinical Counsellor & Competitive Freediver Andrew Jarvis | December 3, 2026
Freediving is a window into your nervous system. The greatest barriers to depth and comfort are often in your head, not your lungs. Join Registered Clinical Counsellor, trauma therapist, former Army Combat Diver, and competitive freediver Andrew Jarvis (Holdfast Counselling) for an evening exploring how the autonomic nervous system shapes performance, safety, and enjoyment underwater, along with practical tools you can use on your next dive.
Whether you're pushing for new distances or depths, or finding greater joy in the limits you're already diving, this is a night you won't want to miss. Relaxation, inner calm, and a healthy relationship with your nervous system can benefit freedivers, spearos, and recreational divers of all types.
Meet Our Guest Speaker:
Andrew Jarvis (www.holdfastcounselling.ca) grew up competing in pools and wild swimming in the Pacific Northwest, eventually completing ultra-distance ocean swims, including the Northumberland Strait crossing from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. As a freediver, Andrew is a no-fins enthusiast with a personal best of 150 metres in dynamic no-fins (DNF).
Andrew served 15 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Engineer and Combat Diver, instructor, and supervisor, working in underwater construction, explosives, and tactical operations. Since leaving the military, he has trained as a stress- and trauma-focused psychotherapist, bringing extensive experience in nervous system health and regulation to the treatment of stress injuries and trauma.
Andrew works in private practice as a Clinical Counsellor and as a group therapist for veterans and first responders with the Veterans Transition Network.
Event Highlights:
- Presentation on mental health, stress, and psychological wellness in freediving
- Practical mindfulness and relaxation tools to reduce pre-dive and in-water stress
- Live Q&A with Andrew Jarvis
- Raffle prizes and giveaways
- Community networking with local divers and ocean lovers
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Pacific Time
- Location: Diving Sports Canada – 4578 Main St, Vancouver, BC
- Cost: $5 to attend (limited in-person seating – register here)
- Virtual Attendance: This event will also be broadcast live on Zoom. Register using the link above, and a Zoom link will be emailed to you before the event.
Why Attend?
This evening is perfect for anyone who loves holding their breath underwater, wants to connect with the local dive community, or is looking for inspiration to begin their freediving or spearfishing journey. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned diver, you'll discover practical tools to help improve your underwater experience and develop a healthier relationship with stress, relaxation, and performance.
Spots are limited — reserve yours now and be part of this inspiring community event!
This talk is educational and is not a substitute for individual care.
Past Guest Speaker Events
Donnie Reid – Dec 2, 2023
Topic: Human Exploration in Deep Space – NASA's Pavilion Lake Research Project
Donnie Reid has been a SCUBA diver for over 30 years and has held leadership roles in BC’s dive industry. He’s been Director of the Underwater Council of BC, President of the Dive Industry Association of BC, Diving Safety Officer at the Vancouver Aquarium, and a lead for the Ocean Pioneer Awards.
Through photography and expedition work, Donnie became a Fellow of the Explorers’ Club and a Member of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
Presentation Overview: NASA's Pavilion Lake Research Project used a small BC lake to simulate deep space missions and train scientists to search for life on Mars. The team explored the lake’s unique microbial structures—freshwater corals—using divers, robots, and submersibles. The project evolved over three phases: science, engineering, and diver-based analog exploration.
Howard Robins – Aug 12, 2023
Topic: Turning Wrecks into Reefs
Howard "Howie" Robins is a founding member and current President of the Artificial Reef Society of BC (ARSBC). A diver since 1973, Howie shared the inside story on how ships become artificial reefs—highlighting both the technical and ecological aspects of reef creation in British Columbia.
Samantha Schwann – July 8, 2023
Topic: Diving with Sharks – Researching and Photographing Apex Predators
Samantha is an award-winning underwater photographer and ocean conservationist. With a background in sculpture and fine art, she transitioned to underwater photography in 2015. Her focus on shark conservation has led to international exhibitions and a feature on Discovery’s Shark Week.
She is a Member National of The Explorer’s Club and actively documents threatened marine life while advocating for preservation through art and science.
Kirk Krack – Nov 10, 2022
Topic: Technical Freediving and Avatar 2
Kirk Krack is a world-renowned freediving coach and consultant. He trained the cast and crew of James Cameron’s Avatar sequels in advanced breath-hold techniques for underwater filming. The production conducted over 250,000 freedives—some lasting up to 4.5 minutes—with zero safety incidents thanks to “technical freediving” methods.
Kirk’s talk explored the science and logistics of freediving for film production, safety, and performance enhancement.
Location and Contact
Diving Sports Canada
4578 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R5
Phone: (604) 694-1886
Email: customerservice@divingsports.com
