Get Adaptive Scuba Certified
June 9th - 11th
Adaptive Festival Dates
June 11th - 13th
Submerged Adaptive Festival 2021 will give participants an experience to remember, with participants coming from USA, Europe and Canada. This festival will action packed with thrilling activities, unforgettable personalities and memorable experiences.
Participants can choose which activities they want to participate in during the event schedule. Pick and choose what activities and events to attend.
Event Schedule
June 9th - HSA Certification Class Room
June 10th - HSA Pool Day training
June 11th - HSA check out dive / certification
Adaptive Festival Participants Arrive
6 pm - Submerged Adaptive Festival Welcome BBQ
June 12th - Submerged Adaptive Festival Activities
6 pm - Paul de Gelder Submerged Dinner
June 13th - Submerged Adaptive Festival Activities
June 14th - Depart home
All activities have adaptive and standard options.
Special Guest
Paul de Gelder - Host of Discovery Channel's Shark Week, Ex-Military Diver, Survivor of a Shark Attack (lost his arm and leg), Shark Advocate, Author and Motivational speaker.
Paul has an exclusive message for Submerged participants. His one-of-a-kind message will be empowering, memorable and an experience that will change your life forever.
Jim Gatacre - HSA Founder-President
Get your adaptive certification from the founder himself at the Submerged adaptive festival. We are certifying shops, instructors, adaptive divers and adaptive dive buddies. Jim is a U.S. Army Veteran, founder of Handicap Scuba Association (HSA) and a NAUI Instructor and Course Director. In 1972, while attending college, he sustained an injury to his right arm that left it paralyzed. He started Scuba diving in 1973 as a means to recover emotionally and re-establish his self-image. In 1975, he organize and teach the first Scuba course for people with disabilities at the University of California Irvine (UCI).
Dr. Alex Senk - Sports Medicine Specialist, Dir of Sports Medicine at MN VA Hospital.
Dr Senk specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Physiatrists are physicians who specialize in helping patients with disabilities. Their focus is rehabilitation, restoration of function and a return to a high quality of life. Dr. Senk will be a guest speaker
and available for questions.
Hack Albertson - National VP of Paralyzed Veterans of American.
Hack is a former Marine. He has been involved in several positions within the PVA. Hack sustained a T-7 complete spinal cord injury in 1994. Since his injury he has earned 32 medals at eight National Veterans Wheelchair Games. He is a diver and a member of Paralyzed and Disabled Scuba Diving Organizations and Wounded Veterans in Parks (WVIP) program. He is an amazing role model. Hack has had the honor of diving the USS Arizona.
Todd Kemery - VP of Paralyzed Veterans of America, MN chapter.
Todd is a Veteran and former Marine. For the last 18yrs his mission has been improving the lives of US veterans. He participated in National Veterans Wheelchair Games and several other adaptive sports. Nothing has stopped his relentless spirt and his life and accomplishments have been honored.
Adaptive Festival Activities
Crater Diving + Try Scuba
Mountain Biking
Rock Climbing
Ice Hockey
Rock Crawling/Trailer Riding
Pricing - Hotel & Activities Options
Do you have questions? Need more information? Want to book over the phone or via email?