DATE: Thursday, March 20, 1997              TAG: 9703210933

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   37 lines

DIVERS WILL TAKE THE PLUNGE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FIGHTING CANCER

Two Virginia Beach businesses that cater to scuba buffs hope lots of folks will take deep breaths and dive into the fight against cancer come next Saturday.

Beginning at 1 p.m. March 29, masked and snorkeled divers will pay $5 each for two minutes' worth of swimming to the bottom of the 8-foot Lynnhaven Dive Center pool to scoop up pastel Easter eggs. It's part of a two-day underwater fund-raiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Each plastic treasure brought to the surface means a chance in a raffle with lots of big prizes - including a mountain bike, wet suit, scuba gear and dive trips.

Those who don't want to take the plunge or get in over their heads will still be able to help in the fight against the disease by sponsoring one of four divers in their attempts to spend 24 hours underwater in the center's 60,000-gallon, heated, indoor pool.

The marathon begins Friday, March 28, at 2 p.m. Divers must accumulate at least $150 in pledges.

On Friday afternoon at 5, 24 hours of underwater relays begin.

Baton-passing divers who'll each spend an hour beneath the surface also need sponsorship of at least $25 each.

Moved by the loss of loved ones, the owners of the dive center and a director at Undersea Institute of Aqua Technology put their heads together and came up with what they think is a sure-fire way to raise at least $5,000.

David Bowden, one of the center's owners, said the marathon portion of the fund-raiser is the first attempt at such a long stay underwater in Virginia. MEMO: Contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, c/o

Lynnhaven Dive Center, 1413 North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, Va.

23454.

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