Next Meeting

Thursday June 7, 6:50 PM at Ocean Enterprises – Shaun McMahon will share slides from her Caribbean Explorer liveaboard trip in the Bahamas.

From the President

It was a cold, dreary morning for this year's International Dive-In day. The event, sponsored by the Hammerheads along with the SDOF, had a limited turnout due in part to the weather and also because of bad conditions.

I arrived early to schmooze, and was joined by two other club members. After observing for 30 minutes or so we agreed to shine the dive, it just was not worthwhile. As a general rule, when the cove is closed due to poor conditions, shore diving anywhere in La Jolla is rotten.

I wanted to thank all of those who made the Baja trip, I think I speak for all when I say that a good time was had by all. We may have to do this again. Special thanks also goes out to Shaun for packing the extra bodies on. It is now time for us to start diving. Watch for good conditions and e-mail notices. Happy diving. – Mark Clausen

Shore Diving

Saturday June 16, 8:30am – Meet at La Jolla Cove to dive the best spot. Breakfast to follow.

Road Trip!

2001 Scuba Show – Once again, we'll make the pilgrimage to the Convention Center in Long Beach to see what's new in the industry. Meet at the Carlsbad Stores just off Palomar Airport Road, near the Starbuck's coffee shop. Meeting time is 9:15 AM for those who wish to carpool. We'll make our decision about lunch/early dinner before heading back.

You can find a discount coupon at:http://www.oceanexplorers.org/Archive/DiscCn2001.gif

Boat Dives

June 23, meet at the boat at 7:00am for a 2 tank dive to the Yukon and the NOSC tower. Cost will be $48.00 per person with tanks, weights and food provided. Please be at the dock by 7:00am so we can depart promptly.

Other Club charters – July 14, and August 11. A sign up sheet will be at the next meeting. All dives will be 2 tank morning to the destination of our choice, cost will be 48.00 with minimum 14 person load..

Flotsam

OE is closing at 7 PM. Please get to the meeting a little earlier if you can. If you can't, we've usually been able to keep the door on the west side of the builting open. You can also call either Mark or I and we'll send someone down to open the door for you.

A round of applause for Shaun McMahon; Those brave enough to take the Rosarito lunch trip were treated to an excellent time. We had a great company, a super lunch, some nice sightseeing, and a little shopping. Next time we go, I'm getting more vanilla. We came back with some delicious stuff.

State of California is looking to rework the Marine Reserve system. There's some basic info and info about a 7/27/01 public meeting in San Diego at:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/index.html.

Initial comments should be make to Paul Reilly of the DFG at preilly@dfg.ca.gov. We should all be watching this proposal carefully. I haven't read it yet, but will report back to you when I do.

Denis and Kelly Taparel are now at Acumal, in Yucatan. Those who've been around the OES for a while will remember their outstanding slide show on the Red Sea. Kelly is opening an art gallery. I'm assuming we'll see some outstanding cenote photos in the near future.

Another diving accident:

Here are the facts as reported by the USCG: Two guys on a private boat go to Farnsworth bank ( backside of Catalina) The plan was for diver 1 to dive first while diver 2 stays topside to watch the boat. Diver 1 dives to 260' solo on air, when he gets to 10' diver 2 gets into the water. Diver 2's profile was planned 280', on air, solo and NO deco gas.. On top of that he brought his video camera. After diver one gets on the boat he doesn't see any bubbles and tries to call the USCG but the radio doesn't work. He later flags down another boat and the USCG responds. These guys were trimix certified but chose to do this dive on air.

You have to sympathize with the diver's family, but sometimes what you think you know can hurt you.

Rocks, Rips, and Reefs

Rocks, Rips, and Reefs (also affectionately known as the 3R's) is jointly sponsored by the SDCD, San Diego Lifeguards, and local dive clubs. 3R's are an in the water orientation to the local shore diving in San Diego. It's usually given by a member of the lifeguard staff.

Taking advantage of this program is really easy. Show up at the rendezvous point with your wetsuit, snorkeling gear, and a weight belt containing no more than half of your usual diving weight.

The lifeguards request a $5 donation to cover expenses. Refreshments are provided at your exit point. Call the dive and surf report at 619/221-8824 on the morning of the 3R to find out the final location, or whether the session has been canceled due to conditions.

The Hospital Point event was cancelled due to rough conditions. It will be rescheduled.

Here are the remaining events:

Yukon Monitoring Project

On May 2nd, eight volunteer divers installed half of the reference squares on the Yukon. Many thanks to the Lois Ann for donating use of their boat. These squares are located at various places on the ship.

The project will collect photographs of these squares to document marine life growth on the ship. If you have a camera and a few spare frames, take a picture from about 3 feet away, and send it to SDOF.

Please don't disturb anything in or on these squares!

The project will be installing the remaining PVC reference squares and transect lines on the Yukon in the near future.

San Diego Council of Divers

The next SDCD meeting is 7 PM on June 14th at Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant in La Jolla at 8980 Via La Jolla Drive,

Diving the Internet

Just a couple of sites this month. For a list of the artifical reefs in California waters, check this URL:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/artificialreef.pdf

If you're pining away for tropical diving, check the Bonaire web cams: http://www.bonairewebcams.com/

La Jolla Preserve Research

Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Project Pacific are looking for divers to help with a study of the San Diego - La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve (more simply: La Jolla Cove and Shores!) The Reserve has been in place for nearly 30 years, but has never been studied. As more and more communities think about creating marine reserves, we have to opportunity (with any luck!) to demonstrate the benefits of a marine reserve by comparing the diversity and abundance of marine life within our reserve to that in unprotected areas. (Assuming that there is a difference... which is what the study will look at.)

If you are interesting in helping out, please contact Dick Glenn, 858-587-1150.

Dr. Paul Dayton will hold an introductory meeting to explain the project's goals, and research methods.

When: Tuesday, June 5th, 7:00 pm

Where: Sumner Auditorium, Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Why: SIO needs our help in designing and conducting the first ever study of the SD-LJ Underwater Park Ecological Reserve (otherwise known as LJ Cove, the Marine Room and LJ Shores). They are looking not just for people interested in doing more scientific techniques, but also people simply wanting to help by reporting interesting observations (e.g., leopard shark behavior, or those small red crabs that show up by the zillions back by the Caves every couple years). This is a good opportunity to help SIO and our diving community.

More info in a message from Dr. Paul Dayton, Professor at SIO, at http://divebums.com/General/dayton.html

Video and Digital Imaging Seminar

Light & Motion is sponsoring a workshop, seminar, and photo shoot-out in Monterey, California August 10 - 12, 2001

This seminar and workshop offers instruction for all levels, including essential techniques for shooting great underwater video and digital photographs; making the most of your digital photographs using software programs and the world wide web; digital video editing and housing maintenance.

The shoot-out competition affords a chance to test newly learned skills. Contest judges from Light and Motion, and other professional photographers help critique your images and give tips for improving your work before you submit your favorite shot.

For workshop details, contest rules or for information about lodging and reservations visit www.theshootout.org or contact Light & Motion at 831-645-1525, or www.uwimaging.com.

Dive Travel

Several people in the club are looking at our next set of trips. We've got some tropical, some local.

I'm looking at Channel Islands or Catalina sometime late summer, or early fall. 3 day trips on the Truth Aquatics boats are great trips; reasonably priced, and very relaxing. If you're interested, please let me know.

The Spew Crew is doing some informal trips to San Clemente.

Shaun is looking for a tropical destination. Stay tuned for more information.

We've also got lots of trip specials this month.

Little Cayman

Jon, and Elieen Parkhurst are informally organizing a trip to Little Cayman

Current (Tentative) Itinerary :

Little Cayman Beach Resort Reef Fanta-Seas 1-800-327-3835

$1,395 includes - 3 meals & 2 tank boat dive am & 1 tank boat dive afternoon.

$132 round trip Island Air flight from Grand to Little Cayman

Please call (858) 792-1077 or email us at emonzon@home.com if you have any questions.

La Bufadora

The Dive Animals are doing an open trip to La Bufadora June 30th. They leave Friday night June 29 and return Sunday July 1. They need reservations made now. They have to have deposits on the bunkhouse a month in advance, or else we have to assume there will not be sufficient and we would have to cancel the bunkhouse reservation soon enough so it could be rented to some group of rea divers.

That means, you have 2 weeks to deliver earnest money so you can get a real live bed, a flush potty, hot shower and furniture. Otherwise, you camp. So send a check for $15/night to:

John Leek

3090 Admiral Ave

San Diego, CA, 92123.

If it degenerates to a camping trip you can have your check back. No problem.

For more info, email: jjleek001@san.rr.com

Mexico

Laura Mankoff is organizing a trip to Chinchorro Banks in Mexico. Dates: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 through Wednesday, January 2, 2002 This is an all inclusive (except alcohol) resort. Very laid back. Beautiful accommodations with air conditioning, TV's (no phones), and pool. They have two great boats and Laura will make sure we get the bigger boat. Boats are camera friendly.

Price is $1245 + $100 transportation fee. Its a four hour drive from Cancun to Maya Ha. The resort van picks us up in Cancun. American from Miami is best route.

Price includes all meals, 5 days of diving or land tour (kayaking trip, day trip to one of the ruins). There is one day nothing is planed but a kayak trip would cost $75 per person and includes lunch and a tour of one of the local forts. Air Fare not included. Let Laura know if you want us to get your airfare. The more seats the better fare they can get. (bulk) vs. economy.

Water temp was 78-82 degrees and air was in upper 70's. Very pleasant. Did wear Chammyz on the boat, but was never uncomfortable. No hoods or gloves are allowed.

Ten spaces are available. Deposit of $200 is required to hold your space. Deposits are nonrefundable.

Red Sea

I'm not normally given to reprinting anything which looks like marketing hype, breathless or otherwise. However this deal looks really interesting if for no other reason than price. $1300 plus airfare to London is tempting. I don't know anything about the tour, operator, etc; so check carefully. Here it is verbatim.

My name is Sharon Costello and I live near Pasadena, California. I've been diving for 11 years and have traveled to many parts of the world with my well-used gear, but diving the Red Sea was the experience I'd saved until I'd been everywhere else. After discovering that "everywhere else" takes a lifetime, I decided to fulfill my Red Sea Dream in August of last year on a trip put together by a good friend ("Izzy") who is a marine biologist, PADI instructor, and underwater photographer.

Izzy (Arun Madisetti) has been to the Egyptian Red Sea about 12 times, grew up in UK, and now lives in Florida with his family. Even though I realized that diving the Red Sea with a marine biologist who knows the ecology (and loves to share his knowledge) would be an incredible opportunity, the trip exceeded all my expectations!

I moved through schools of unicorn fish so large they blocked the sun, was endlessly fascinated by blue spotted rays, titan triggers and crocodile fish, and photographed huge sworls of barracuda in water that was crystal clear and 85 degrees. Over 25% of the species in the Red Sea are endemic (not found anywhere else) and the corals are spectacular.

Anyone who has seen the wreck of the Thistlegorm (at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez) can testify to its reputation as the "Holy Grail" of wreck diving. Before going on the trip last August I couldn't have imagined being on a dive boat with people who "only snorkeled!" Once there, however, I never missed an opportunity to jump back in the water with them to snorkel the reefs between dives.

I can't say enough about the dive operator, Waheed. He's a friend of Izzy's and really gives his groups the red carpet treatment. The all-round knowledge and hospitality of the Waheed and crew exceeded anything I've ever seen on a dive trip, and the lunches served on the boat were varied and delicious.

Some of us also climbed Mt. Sinai (from St. Catherine's Monastery), starting at around 2:00 am to arrive at the top by sunrise. That was spectacular, as you can see for miles in every direction perched on some large rocks with about 30 other people who typically make the climb. Another high point was the night trip to a Bedouin camp that Waheed arranged for a nominal price.

Sharm el Sheikh is stunningly beautiful lying at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Like most of Egypt it's also quite inexpensive. I could hardly wait to return, so my friend suggested that I pull a group of at least 10 West Coast divers together so we could do it again this year. (He gets to fly free by booking a group of at least 10 with the charter airline in London.)

The trip costs only $1,300, which is less than half of what one would typically pay from the US because of the special discounts Izzy is able to get via his "UK connection." The price covers 6 days of diving, excellent accommodations, airfare between London and Sharm, transfers, food, etc. Your round-trip fare from home to London is arranged and paid separately by you. (My friends and I are paying $650 plus tax r/t from LA to London.) A $300 deposit holds your reservation, but all deposits must be made by May 31.

If you'd like to join us, please contact me immediately at my home (626)303-1949 or send an e-mail to sharoncostello@hotmail.com. I should be able to answer any questions you have. If you prefer, you can send an e-mail to IzzyDiving@hotmail.com. You'll receive an Izzy Diving brochure describing the trip in detail, a booking form, an Egyptian visa application, and a list of "bucket shops" that sell really cheap airfares. Once you've made a deposit you'll receive a copy "Travel Tips," a recommended book list, and (if you do u/w photography) a summary of "Underwater Photo Tips." Since Izzy lives in Florida, he'll meet the group at Gatwick airport in London. The flight to Sharm leaves on August 12 around 4:30 pm and leaves for London from Sharm the following Sunday shortly before midnight. Your airline tickets from London to Sharm will be sent directly to you after full payment has been made.

Grand Cayman

Hammerheads is sponsoring a trip to the Grand Cayman Island, July 14-21. Price is $1049 ($1139 from Houston) and includes 7 nights lodging, 5 days of diving with Bob Soto's, theme parties, island tour, and sunset cruise. Contact Lydia Eldridge at 858-616-6408 for more information.

For Sale

A woman's medium DUI drysuit, TLS 350, navy and turquiose. Shoe fits about a 7-8. Only 10 dives. Sale price: $799 OBO (new $1698). Sizing below:

Suit size: M Height: 5'2"-5'8" Chest 32-34 Waist 30-33 Hips:36-38 Girth: 63-65 Spine-to-wrist: 26-29 Floor-to-crotch: 32-34 Shoe size: 7-8 Sock size: M

You will find pictures at:

http://www.oceanexplorers.org/Equipment/drysuit.html

For more info, contact Kelly Taparel at knd@uwimagery.com

OES Info

OES members can receive discounts on regular OE classes. Members receive $30 off the regular OE price for specialty classes.

Subscriptions to Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine are available through the club for only $10. See Mark Clausen for details.

Club T-shirts are still available for $13.00.

Renewal rates are $20 single; $30 for a family. Send your renewal to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.

For more information:

Surf and diving conditions: 619/221-8824

Club events: Mark Clausen at 760/727-6181 or e-mail at mark@oceanexplorers.org.

Newsletter Editor - Dave Ambrose at 858/679-7817 or e-mail stargazer1@cox.net.

SDCD Hotline 619/687-1492

Ocean Enterprises 858/565-6054