Divers’ Chamber Day Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Byline: Ambrosia Brody AVALON — Scuba divers and snorkelers who enjoy exploring Catalina Island’s crystal blue waters are encouraged to spend a day diving in local waters during Chamber Day on May 1. This year mark’s the event’s 25th anniversary. The day of diving is dedicated to raising funds for the University of Southern California Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. “This event succeeds because everyone in the diving community comes together to try to make it work,” said Ken Kurtis, chairman for Chamber Day 25 and Chamber Eve 2013. “This collective effort has turned Chamber Day and Chamber Eve into the largest single-day scuba charity event in the U.S. — and maybe even the world.” Chamber Day and Chamber Eve were begun in 1989 by Roger Hess, former owner of Charisma Charters. Close to 200 divers attended the initial event and raised $15,000 for the hyperbaric chamber. Since then, the event has attracted more than 1,000 participants — and just last year, it netted more than $136,000. Kurtis hopes this year’s donations surpass 2012’s. Chamber Day includes a full day of diving at Catalina Island and a walking tour of the hyperbaric chamber. The cost is $95 (plus $30 for food and airfills, which goes to the boat)....