Golden Buoy 2025: United for a Cause
What is the Golden Buoy Competition?
The Golden Buoy is an annual fundraising contest among several dive shops in Roatan that benefits SOL International Foundation.
What is SOL International Foundation?
SOL International Foundation was founded in 2006 when the founders David Elmore and Brandon Raab noticed the lack of recreational opportunities for children in Roatan. What started with simple ball games grew into a mission to give the local youth the same joy, growth, and opportunities they experienced in their own childhood.
Over the past 15 years, SOL has evolved into much more than sports. Today the foundation runs a Community Center, scholarship, meal programs, and collaborative sports initiatives, all focused on creating brighter futures.
Through the years of hard work the SOL Foundation learned that true impact comes from a holistic approach: supporting not only academics, but also self-esteem, family life, nutrition, and mental and physical health. By building on every child’s strengths and resilience, we empower them to dream bigger, grow stronger, and reach their full potential.
HAPPY TUMMIES & JUNIOR CHEF Programs
Happy tummies lead to active minds. Nutrition plays a critical role in a child's physical and mental development. Nutrition is vital for every child to develop their full potential, improve cognitive function, and enhance learning and memory. Learning to cook equips children with an essential life skill, while promoting healthier eating habits and boosting self confidence.
The Happy Tummies Program was designed to make sure that as many children in the community as possible could have access to healthy balanced meals.
Volunteer chefs run our Junior Chef Program twice a month, where kids prepare three meals and learn about nutrition and food preparation.
How the Golden Buoy Competition Works?
Between September and November, dive shops across Roatan host creative events to raise funds for the SOL Foundation’s programs. In 2025 the Golden Buoy will raise money for the Happy Tummies Program.
These activities not only generate support but also spread awareness about the vital work SOL does with local youth. The goal is simple yet powerful: “Bring the community together to help change the future of Roatan’s children.”
The fundraising fun all comes together at the Dive Shop Olympics, a big community day full of laughs and friendly challenges. Think of three-legged snorkel races, tug-of-war, and silly beach games that get everyone cheering. It’s all about teamwork, good vibes, and island spirit.
In the end, the shop that raises the most is awarded the coveted Golden Buoy, a gleaming buoy trophy, handcrafted by a local artist, that proudly hangs in their dive shop until the next year.
What Roatan Divers will organize in 2025?
In partnership with Roatan Island Brewing Company, Roatan Divers is kicking off fundraising with the Oktoberfest Olympic Games on Sunday, October 5th! Get ready for a day full of laughter, friendly competition, and great prizes.
Games Include:
Stein Hold Competition – How long can you hold your beer?
Keg Throw Competition – Show off your strength and aim!
Beer Barrel Roll Relay – Teamwork meets silliness.
Germany / Oktoberfest Trivia – Test your knowledge
Pretzel Eating Contest – Fun (and tasty!) challenge.
Blind Beer Tasting Challenge – Can you guess your brew?
How to Participate:
Tickets are $15 each, giving you access to 3 games of your choice. Winners of each game will receive great prizes like t-shirts, caps, beers, meals, fun dives, Discover Scuba Dives, and more!
Gather your friends and compete as a team in all the games, only the best will claim the final prize… but what it is remains a secret.
The Famous Dunk Tank:
Brave souls can sign up to be dunked or nominate someone else they think deserves it! Set a minimum “bounty” and rally friends to contribute, either for yourself or for others. If the goal is reached, 50% goes to the cause and 50% to the person being dunked. Or challenge your friends and see who can handle the ultimate splash!
We’ll also have a team competition round for the dunk tank, so get your swim trunks ready!
Raffle Fun:
For just $40, you can enter a raffle to win amazing prizes, including:
Snorkel Trip to Pigeon Key for 8 friends
Dive course of your choice (Open Water, Advanced, Specialty, or Rescue)
Flash Tattoo Section with our amazing instructor Dani
You can not miss this event! On the same day we will have the famous craft market and live music.
Save the date:
Where? Roatan Island Brewing Company
When? Sunday, October 5th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Why? Support the SOL Foundation and be part of changing the future for kids in Roatan.
Bring your friends, share the fun, and know that every laugh and splash is helping make a difference. It’s the perfect mix of giving back, supporting a great cause, and creating memories together!
