Plan Now for 7th Annual Ice Hole Festival in Lake Okoboji, Iowa – February 8-11, 2024

The 7th annual Ice Hole Festival, held at Lake Okoboji in Iowa, is set to be an incredible celebration of ice diving skill and camaraderie. This unique event not only offers an exhilarating diving experience but also provides a significant boost to the economy of dive centers, particularly during a slower month for North American dive shops.

Proudly sponsored by PADI, the Ice Hole Festival has gained unwavering support for creating an inclusive diving event. Charles DuPont, a renowned ice instructor trainer from PADI Canada, has played a crucial role in developing the festival, ensuring a focus on professional-level education about the complexities of ice diving. Territory Director Michael Janssen and esteemed PADI Regional Manager Steve Heaton are among the returning participants, adding their expertise to the success of the festival.

Beyond being a diving event, the Ice Hole Festival serves as a catalyst for building infrastructure and fostering collaboration among dive shops to strengthen the scuba industry. Founder Richard Thomas envisioned a unique approach to ice diving, transforming it from a challenging outdoor activity in harsh conditions to a comfortable and inviting experience. Upon arrival, participants can enjoy well-appointed event tents, heaters, and readily available hot food and drinks.

Fourth Element, a leading provider of dry suits and exposure protection, has been a steadfast sponsor of the festival since its early days. Michele Tomillia, a visionary leader at Fourth Element, shares a commitment to supporting divers’ needs by providing not only exposure protection but also a warm cup of comfort as divers exit the water. Fourth Element’s signature hats have become a trademark of Ice Hole divers, and the company extends its commitment to the event by providing a wide range of exposure protection through their dive locker.

The Ice Hole Festival offers transformative experiences for participants, from new instructors mastering the challenges of ice diving to dive shops recognizing the potential of bringing trained dry suit divers to test their skills in extreme conditions. Collaboration is emphasized, with participants supporting each other and creating an environment where everyone can showcase their potential to become future professional divers.

The festival also features the presence of Tom St George, an acclaimed adventure photographer known for capturing the essence of extreme experiences. Tom undertakes the ambitious task of capturing a hero shot of each participant, immortalizing their triumphs in the beauty of clear waters and sunlight piercing through the transparent ice. His artistry turns the Ice Hole Festival into more than just an event; it becomes a gallery of personal triumphs and shared experiences, beautifully preserved for participants to cherish and share with the world.

While the event continues to grow each year, safety remains the top priority. Organizers have added a special photographer hole and limited the number of divers to 60. A third hole is reserved for returning alumni who are properly trained in safety procedures.

The Ice Hole Festival welcomes additional sponsorships, including Aqualung/Apeks, which provides cold-water regulators and accessories. Companies that understand the value of collaboration among dive shops are encouraged to explore sponsorship opportunities. Two press releases, one before and one after the event, shine a spotlight on participating shops and manufacturers, ensuring recognition for their contribution to this extraordinary event.

Dive shops interested in participating and exploring sponsorship options can contact Bill Sturm at [email protected] or Rich at [email protected], or call 972-416-8400.

Event Highlights:
– Thursday and Friday: Dedicated to training professional divers and instructors.
– Friday evening: The legendary ICE Hole Party!
– Saturday and Sunday: Focus on training new divers and professional divers accumulating required dives for teaching.

The Ice Hole Festival aims to showcase the profitability of winter programs, particularly benefiting Southern Dive Centers that typically close during the winter months. Fourth Element supports this goal by offering top-end cold-water exposure wear without a minimum buy, facilitating success and fostering new relationships for participating dive shops.

Dive shops signing up as sponsors will have their name prominently featured on event banners, t-shirts, and will be included in both post-event and pre-event press releases for the following year.

For media inquiries, please contact Rich at [email protected] or Bill Sturm at [email protected], or call 972-416-8400.
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