Pioneering underwater explorer Jill Heinerth has been awarded the inaugural Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

The Suunto ambassador received the prestigious award at Ottawa's Museum of Civilization on November 13th in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of exploration.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized with such a significant award in my home country," says Heinerth. "I’m proud to join the ranks of the remarkable Canadian explorers who came before me.”

Heinerth has been at the forefront of underwater exploration for almost 20 years. An award-winning filmmaker, her other accolades include being named Scuba Diving's and Oris Watches' 2012 Sea Hero of the Year, named a "Living Legend" by Sport Diver magazine, inducted into the exclusive New York Explorers Club and named to the inaugural class of the Women Divers Hall of Fame.

More recently, she has taken to environmental causes. Earlier this year, she cycled almost 7,000km across Canada with her husband in aid of her We Are Water project, which aims to raise awareness of the dwindling supply of fresh water in the world.

“We are very pleased to see Jill honored for her achievements and proud to be a supporter of her projects,” says Mika Holappa, Business Unit Director, Suunto Dive.

The Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration

Established by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2013, the medal recognizes singular achievements and the pursuit of excellence by an outstanding Canadian explorer or a non-Canadian for exploratory achievements within Canada. The medal celebrates Sir Christopher Ondaatje, a renowned adventurer, author and philanthropist. Through his travel and writing, Ondaatje has contributed to a greater understanding of the world and the relationship between people and lands.

The award is intended to continue the Society’s tradition of supporting and celebrating exploration and advance the Society’s mandate “to make Canada better known to Canadians and the world”. The inaugural medal was awarded during the Annual Dinner of the College of Fellows on November 13, 2013, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

About Suunto

Suunto was founded in 1936 by Tuomas Vohlonen, a Finnish orienteer and inventor of the liquid-filled field compass. Since then, Suunto has been at the forefront of design and innovation for dive computers, instruments and sports watches used by adventure seekers all over the globe. From the highest mountains to the deepest oceans, Suunto physically and mentally equips outdoor adventurers to conquer new territory.

Suunto's headquarters and manufacturing plant is in Vantaa, Finland. Employing more than 400 people worldwide, Suunto products are sold in over 100 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corporation along with its sister brands Salomon, Arc'teryx, Atomic, Wilson, Precor, and Mavic.