Thursday, August 30, 2001

Dan, the Ogopogo man
Peachland Signal

Dan Basaraba, a Peachland resident and employee of Pentowna Marina, points in the general direction where he saw and video taped what he believes was the legendary lake creature Ogopogo. His video has captured the attention of news and media organizations across North America and, to some extent, Europe. He has also entered the footage in the Penticton Chamber of Commerce Search for Ogopogo contest.

Ogopogo video gets international attention
Peachland Signal
By Ross McDermott

Video shot last month by a Peachland resident showing something moving through the waters of Okanagan Lake close to Rattlesnake Island is getting some serious attention by various news agencies and media organizations around the world.

Dan Basaraba was boating with friends July 9 when he captured what he believes to be the legendary lake creature Ogopogo on home video.

The images captured on film by Basaraba clearly shows something creating a noticeable wake as it cruised through the water at a relatively high speed.

Basaraba estimates the object was moving at approximately 15-20 mph as he shot the footage from the stationary boat. The lake was quiet that day, Basaraba said, noting boat traffic was minimal and at the time he took the video there were no boats in the vicinity. "I zoomed out to show there were no boats in the area," he said, adding the object was "moving pretty quick."

The video captured by Basaraba was taken on the same day this reporter snapped a still image of something large breaking the surface just south of Pentowna Marina.

Basaraba took the video at approximately 11 a.m., while the photo taken by this reporter was captured at exactly 2:15 p.m.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But the video taken by Basaraba is gaining attention from various news agencies and media outlets throughout North America and Europe.

Basaraba said CBC, BBC, CTV, Ripley's Believe or Not, and the production company from 48 Hours, 60 Minutes and Hard Copy, have all contacted him and expressed interest in his footage. His story and stills from the video have also appeard in national and provincial newspapers.

Through this type of attention was not something Basaraba sought or expected, he admits he's enjoying his time in the limlight. "I'm just living it out while I can and we'll see what happens with it".

Basaraba has entered the video in the $2 million contest sponsored by the Penticton Chamber of Commerce and Lloyds of London. A contest which has been labeled impossible due to the requirements -"finding alive and definitely verifying Ogopogo's existence." In addition the creature "must be proven to be a minimum of 21 ft., or 7m," and must be previously unidentified or one thought by (relevant body) to have been extinct for at least one million years.

John Singleton with the Penticton Chamber of Commerce, which along with Kelowna Tourism, Lake City Casinos and Sun FM 99.9 and the Penticton Rotary Club, sponsor the contest, said of the three entries received to date, photography, sonar readings, and Basaraba's video, none possess the elements to win. "With what we've seen thus far it's unlikely."

Describing Basaraba's video as "compelling", Singleton believes it "clearly shows something other than water. But what that is I'm not skilled enough to tell you." The Search for Ogopogo contest could continue next year, Singleton said, but that is dependent on funding and sponsorship.