Wädenswil at Lake Zurick PADI Aware Foundation Kick-off Reef Ball Project
The Foundation Project A.W.A.R.E. is proud that its pilot project in Wädenswil, a small village on the borders of Lake Zurich, coincided to the first ever to be conducted in Europe. It was very considerate of Todd Barber and Kathy Kirbo from the Reef Ball Foundation and Prof. Dr. Richard Spieler to honour the event by coming all the way from the United States to support us with their invaluable expertise. Kurt Amsler, both project adviser of the foundation and well-known underwater photographer, and the DC ?Baer Sports? formed the organisation committee. They were greatly supported by many volunteers as well as local entrepreneurs that provided them with the necessary logistics. The two reefs each consisting of 30 Reef Balls were officially immerged in September 2000. The memorable and festive event was covered by many media representatives from local and national newspapers, radio and television stations. Only after 48 hours the first signs of life were observed and within three months the cement was completely covered with underwater flora. Despite this early success the forms had to be replaced after half a year, because the site originally chosen proved to be not favourable for the development. The change has allowed a very gratifying and promising evolution of the habitat ever since.
After that the moulds continued to the South of Switzerland, the Ticino.
Philip Simha, PADI Member and Learco Benaglio, owner of the DC ?No Limits Blue?, picked the small Lake of Verbano as site of settlement. This was excellent choice, because the lake is located close to a national park, so that the Reef Balls are very well protected and enrich the habitat of the area even more.
On July 28 the official immersion took place. Project A.W.A.R.E. was represented by Roberto Raffaeli and Nuria Palou from PADI Europe AG. The moulds were placed at a range of 7 to 15 meters (approximately 2.5 to 5 feet). The minimal depth of 7 meters was requested by the local authorities in order to prevent the moulds from being visible at the surface, but suited our usual requirements perfectly.
Since then a careful monitoring by the DC and the local office of environmental issues has been provided.
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