Help Protect Our Seas By Participating in the Seventh-Annual Dive-A-Thon

Ocean lovers all around the world will be diving for dollars this July, working as good environmental stewards in support of the San Diego Oceans Foundation's (SDOF) Dive For A Cause program. Proceeds from the fundraiser support SDOF’s work, which includes marine science education, pollution prevention as well as habitat and fish-restoration projects.

The Dive-A-Thon, in its seventh year, will begin July 1st through August 31st, 2011, benefiting SDOF, an environmental non-profit that has been spreading their message of ocean stewardship since 1984. Dive-A-Thon is similar to a walk-a-thon where participants collect pledges from their family and friends for the amount of miles walked. However, instead of walking, they dive their way towards their fundraising goals by tallying the number of minutes they were in the water. Anyone can participate anywhere in the world by registering at www.diveforacause.org. With a $25 registration fee, participants receive an event t-shirt, a personal webpage to fundraise, an SDOF annual membership, along with food and drink specials at SDOF’s “Dive for a Cause” parties, held throughout the summer. Prizes are based on points earned from the total of diving minutes and dollars raised.

A new addition to this year's event is a photo contest. All Dive-A-Thon participants may enter up to five (5) underwater photographs for a photo competition judged by Emmy-award-winner Marty Snyderman. In addition to amazing prizes, the diver that spends the most time underwater will earn the title "Diver of the Year". Their picture and an article will be published in California Diving News Magazine.

All participants have a chance to win prizes worth over $10,000. Prizes in the past have included: exotic dive trips, regulators, dry suits, dive computers, semi-dry wetsuits, dive lights, gear bags, local dive charter tickets and amusement park passes. Sponsors include: Roddenberry Dive Team, California Diving Magazine, ScubaPro, Aqua Lung, Atomic Aquatics, Underwater Kinetics, Whale Tails, Ocean Enterprises, Waterhorse Dive Charters, Marissa Dive Charters, Lois Ann, Stahlsac, Chammyz, Outdoor Travel Adventures, SeaWorld, SDG&E, The Fishery and Hornblower Cruises.

Dive-A-Thon is a fun way to participate in much needed help! Today’s oceans have too much pollution and too few marine animals. SDOF’s mission is to promote ocean stewardship by leading community supported projects that enhance marine habitats and encourage the sustainable use of the oceans’ resources. SDOF was founded in 1984 and has built a legacy of grassroots volunteer programs that increase the understanding of marine animals, protect ecosystems and provide solutions to environmental challenges. Through their programs, SDOF encourages community members of all ages and backgrounds to engage in meaningful, hands-on volunteer work to help spread their message of ocean stewardship.

For complete details on the event and to register for Dive-A-Thon, visit www.diveforacause.org

For more information on San Diego Oceans Foundation, visit www.sdoceans.org