Churchill, Manitoba
Sunday 25th July to Monday 2nd August, 2010
This trip is intended to be, first and foremost, an opportunity for freedivers to experience animal encounters that we will rarely have the opportunity to experience in our lifetimes.
Part of each day will include an opportunity to freedive with an astonishing number of Beluga Whales, as in summertime, the Hudson Bay and Churchill River are alive with them. They are friendly and curious and allow people to swim among them (although harassing these animals is illegal – this is not an opportunity to ride ‘Petrik-style’ on the backs of these beautiful animals!).
This trip will also provide the opportunity to train on lines in water 50m deep, that hovers just above freezing (a good way to kick in Bradycardia!), and to experience the beautiful turquoise structures of the ice from below the surface. I am certain that this week will be an underwater photographer’s wet dream!
More about the wildlife:
Beluga Whales:
The ice on the Churchill River begins to break up early to mid-June. Around this time, the first sightings of the Beluga Whales begin. Each July, approximately 3,500 Beluga Whales leave the open ocean and congregate on their annual migration along the coast of the Hudson Bay where they take the opportunity to give birth and nurse their young. The water visibility is the best at the end of July, hence taking the trip at this time.
Polar Bears:
Churchill's polar bear population is the most southern population of polar bears on the planet. Several natural processes help make Churchill the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’.
Polar bear diets can also include beluga whales, and have been spotted near Churchill lunging after the beluga in open water. A warning to freedivers to be alert! But try not to worry, our guides will be watching for polar bears whilst we dive!
To ease your mind, the polar bears enjoy the ice until about mid-July. At this time the ice pack becomes too small for the bears to stay, so they swim for shore, landing somewhere on the hundreds of miles of shoreline around and to the south of Churchill. At this time of year the bears become sleepy and groggy because they are generally fat and not eating any food. Polar bears will occasionally kill seals in the summer, if given an opportunity, but generally consider it too much work. They can be seen feasting on dead whale carcasses and chasing flightless geese. Individuals looking for bears often will see one relaxing along shore or swimming in the Hudson Bay.
Churchill is also one of the best places on the planet to take in the spectacle of Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights). The picture below was taken in Churchill. However, best viewing is during the winter months and they are hard to spot during July when the summer days are long (sunrise at 5am and sunset at 10pm). However, they are occasionally seen in summer during nights with clear skies, as northern lights are active all year round.
Accomodation:
1 night in Winnipeg:
Then 6 nights at the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill:
There is a single supplement fee if you wish to have your own room
The Itinerary*:
Sunday 25th Jul
- Depart London Heathrow 12:35, Arrive Toronto 15:15 (Economy, Air Canada)
- Depart Toronto 18:50, Arrive Winnipeg 20:25 (Economy, Air Canada)
Overnight stay in Winnipeg
Monday 26th Jul
- Depart Winnipeg 10:00, arrive Churchill 10:30 (Economy, Calm Air)
Check into the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill for 6 nights
Tuesday 27th Jul
3 hours diving with the Belugas in the morning (times dependent on tide times)
Wednesday 28th Jul
Day at Leisure
Thursday 29th Jul
Training day (50m of water); High tide will allow the boat 5 hours out of the harbour, I’m thinking considering the water is just above freezing this will probably be enough time!
Friday 30th Jul
3 hours diving with the Belugas
Saturday 31st Jul
Day at Leisure
Sunday 1st Aug
- Depart Churchill 11:10, arrive Winnipeg 13:40 (Economy, Calm Air)
- Depart Winnipeg 15:10, arrive Toronto 18:33 (Economy, Air Canada)
- Depart Toronto 20:40
Monday 2nd August
- Arriving London Heathrow at 08:35
*The itinerary is entirely dependent on the weather so may be changed around to suit conditions. You have the opportunity to join all the activities or you are free not to dive and to take time off to explore something else. However, in order to keep boat charter prices the same for everyone else if you decide not to join one of the boat trips you will not be refunded the money for that trip.
At this point it's appearing as though the cost will be approx £2,000 per person but I am in negotiation with the Lazy Bear Lodge to reduce room rates and diving costs dependent on numbers in our group. I have four people confirmed as coming so far.
Unless you are completely hardcore or want to risk writing the trip off through hypothermia, then you may want to bring a 7 or 8mm freediving suit!
So that's all the information I have for now..... If you're interested then drop me a line with your e-mail address and I'll include you in the future planning.
Time to open those Beluga savings accounts!
Sunday 25th July to Monday 2nd August, 2010
This trip is intended to be, first and foremost, an opportunity for freedivers to experience animal encounters that we will rarely have the opportunity to experience in our lifetimes.
Part of each day will include an opportunity to freedive with an astonishing number of Beluga Whales, as in summertime, the Hudson Bay and Churchill River are alive with them. They are friendly and curious and allow people to swim among them (although harassing these animals is illegal – this is not an opportunity to ride ‘Petrik-style’ on the backs of these beautiful animals!).
This trip will also provide the opportunity to train on lines in water 50m deep, that hovers just above freezing (a good way to kick in Bradycardia!), and to experience the beautiful turquoise structures of the ice from below the surface. I am certain that this week will be an underwater photographer’s wet dream!
More about the wildlife:
Beluga Whales:
The ice on the Churchill River begins to break up early to mid-June. Around this time, the first sightings of the Beluga Whales begin. Each July, approximately 3,500 Beluga Whales leave the open ocean and congregate on their annual migration along the coast of the Hudson Bay where they take the opportunity to give birth and nurse their young. The water visibility is the best at the end of July, hence taking the trip at this time.
Polar Bears:
Churchill's polar bear population is the most southern population of polar bears on the planet. Several natural processes help make Churchill the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’.
Polar bear diets can also include beluga whales, and have been spotted near Churchill lunging after the beluga in open water. A warning to freedivers to be alert! But try not to worry, our guides will be watching for polar bears whilst we dive!
To ease your mind, the polar bears enjoy the ice until about mid-July. At this time the ice pack becomes too small for the bears to stay, so they swim for shore, landing somewhere on the hundreds of miles of shoreline around and to the south of Churchill. At this time of year the bears become sleepy and groggy because they are generally fat and not eating any food. Polar bears will occasionally kill seals in the summer, if given an opportunity, but generally consider it too much work. They can be seen feasting on dead whale carcasses and chasing flightless geese. Individuals looking for bears often will see one relaxing along shore or swimming in the Hudson Bay.
Churchill is also one of the best places on the planet to take in the spectacle of Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights). The picture below was taken in Churchill. However, best viewing is during the winter months and they are hard to spot during July when the summer days are long (sunrise at 5am and sunset at 10pm). However, they are occasionally seen in summer during nights with clear skies, as northern lights are active all year round.
Accomodation:
1 night in Winnipeg:
Then 6 nights at the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill:
There is a single supplement fee if you wish to have your own room
The Itinerary*:
Sunday 25th Jul
- Depart London Heathrow 12:35, Arrive Toronto 15:15 (Economy, Air Canada)
- Depart Toronto 18:50, Arrive Winnipeg 20:25 (Economy, Air Canada)
Overnight stay in Winnipeg
Monday 26th Jul
- Depart Winnipeg 10:00, arrive Churchill 10:30 (Economy, Calm Air)
Check into the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill for 6 nights
Tuesday 27th Jul
3 hours diving with the Belugas in the morning (times dependent on tide times)
Wednesday 28th Jul
Day at Leisure
Thursday 29th Jul
Training day (50m of water); High tide will allow the boat 5 hours out of the harbour, I’m thinking considering the water is just above freezing this will probably be enough time!
Friday 30th Jul
3 hours diving with the Belugas
Saturday 31st Jul
Day at Leisure
Sunday 1st Aug
- Depart Churchill 11:10, arrive Winnipeg 13:40 (Economy, Calm Air)
- Depart Winnipeg 15:10, arrive Toronto 18:33 (Economy, Air Canada)
- Depart Toronto 20:40
Monday 2nd August
- Arriving London Heathrow at 08:35
*The itinerary is entirely dependent on the weather so may be changed around to suit conditions. You have the opportunity to join all the activities or you are free not to dive and to take time off to explore something else. However, in order to keep boat charter prices the same for everyone else if you decide not to join one of the boat trips you will not be refunded the money for that trip.
At this point it's appearing as though the cost will be approx £2,000 per person but I am in negotiation with the Lazy Bear Lodge to reduce room rates and diving costs dependent on numbers in our group. I have four people confirmed as coming so far.
Unless you are completely hardcore or want to risk writing the trip off through hypothermia, then you may want to bring a 7 or 8mm freediving suit!
So that's all the information I have for now..... If you're interested then drop me a line with your e-mail address and I'll include you in the future planning.
Time to open those Beluga savings accounts!