National Geographic Expeditions Council

The National Geographic Expeditions Council funds projects across several fields of study including adventure. Their support not only makes these expeditions possible but allows the project to be shared among the millions of people that read National Geographic magazine or watch their television programs.

Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national, arm’s-length arts funding agency. Their main areas of activity are grants, endowments and prizes, and research. Olive Odyssey received a grant through a program which provides funding to individual professional artists and arts organizations through a peer assessment process.

British Columbia Arts Council

The British Columbia Arts Council is an independent agency that supports arts and cultural activity in communities across British Columbia. From professional dance companies, to art galleries, local museums and music festivals – the Council works to enrich the lives of British Columbians in virtually every community in the province.

Access Copyright Foundation

The Access Copyright Foundation promotes and supports Canadian culture by providing grants intended to encourage the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works. The Foundation endeavours to make a modest but important contribution to the Canadian cultural community, while also broadening public awareness of the creative vitality of Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers.

Sundog

Sundog eyewear is a pioneer in sunglasses. Their proprietary Mela-Lens™ technology blocks not only UV radiation, but also HEV (High Energy Visible Light) which contributes to eye damage, fatigue and headaches. They have received numerous accolades for their shades, including being rated #1 by Runner's World. On our expedition we'll be using glasses with polarized Mela-Lens™ which will allow us to see submerged hazards in the Mediterranean waters.

Iridium

Iridium makes the only satellite phone that works anywhere in the world. We have depended solely on their satellite phones for thirteen years and can thank them for saving us in more than one pinch. There is no replacement for having a way to communicate when you really need it - it is a life saver, literally.

Salus

Salus is an innovative designer of award-winning PFDs for paddlers, sailors, active families, and rescue professionals. Based in Canada, it also manufactures here. A strategy that means superior quality control and facilitates their commitment to environmental responsibility. Committed to the “reduce, reuse, recycle” model, Salus first employs energy and resource efficient methods of production, then invests in re-use projects for the by-products of production, and finally sends the balance of “scrap” materials into recycling programs rather than sending them to landfill.

Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen has over a century's experience producing top-of-the-line clothing for both land and ocean environments. Now an industry-leading maker of rugged sportswear, Helly Hansen earned its reputation by creating tough clothing for working people. Fishers, sailors and outdoorsmen worldwide will speak fondly of the durable, warm clothing Helly Hansen has provided over the decades.

Atlantis Kayaks

Atlantis Kayaks, Inc. is an innovative Canadian corporation focused on the design and manufacture of the highest quality composite kayaks in the world. Located on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia--a world class kayaking mecca affords them the opportunity to develop and test their boats in an environment that truly reflects what sea kayaking is all about. With in-house design and innovative approaches to manufacturing and quality control, these Canadian built kayaks are as much a pleasure to paddle as they are to look at.

Individuals

Ida Toews
Dennis Johns