Ocean Explorers Society
September 2003
Sponsored by Ocean Enterprises

 

Contents

Monthly Meeting
Thursday, September 4th, 7:00 PM in the upstairs classroom at Ocean Enterprises. Ocean Enterprises is now open until 7:30PM. Those of you who couldn't make it earlier can get in now. We're still trying to arrange a speaker.

We'll meet for dinner at 5:30 in Appleby's across the street.

Club Diving
The plankton seems to be in full bloom so formal shore dives planned this month. Water clarity opens up to 30 ft or more if you go deeper. However, vis is improving so we may want to go diving this weekend or next week. Send an email to the list if you want to dive after work or on the weekend.

Flotsam
Help Wanted - I'm looking for a couple of people who can spend a few hours per month writing the travel and marine conservation sections of the newsletter. The travel section is a very cool gig because you get first shot at the good deals. These sections are mostly taking news releases, announcements, email, or whatever; then transforming them into decent articles. I'll forward any information I get to you. Neither should be time consuming, and we'll keep the newsletter interesting and up-to-date. While we're not exactly the New York Times, our newsletter does get read and occaisionally redistributed around San Diego. If we're keeping to our proper schedule, I need the information on the 25th of each month. Please contact me at stargazer1@cox.net if you can write one of these sections.

My Favorite Time - With the passing of Labor Day, the crowds of tourists will be gone. Yeay! we get our beaches back, and if we don't tell anyone that the weather is still great, they'll stay that way. This is my favorite time of the year; no big crowds, the water's still warm, and once this plankton bloom subsides, diving will be great.

The San Diego Oceans Foundation is holding a benefit party aboard the historic Star of India sailing ship on Saturday, October 18, 2003. It will feature an evening of camaraderie, hor d'oeuvres, cocktails (no host bar), wine tasting by Jakob Gearhardt International Wine Brokerage, dancing to Koko Loco, hula contests, and silent auction. Hawaiian attire is suggested. The benefit will run 7:00 pm ~ Midnight and cost $65 per person. Groups of 10 will cost $600. I would love to see a group of OES people at the party.

For those who are new to the San Diego diving community, the San Diego Oceans Foundation is best known for sinking the HMCS Yukon, maintaining the buoys in Wreck Alley, and monitoring the fish populations on the Yukon. They also run numerous other programs, including educational events for disadvantaged children, run the grow out pens for the white seabass restocking program, and sponsor the Canyon Watch project to detect sewage spills before they reach the bay. I've done a little volunteer work for the SDOF over the past few years, and I'm extremely impressed with their effectiveness. This is not some bloated non-profit. All our contributions get put to work and make a big difference in our community.

Mary and I enjoyed a marvelous evening at the last SDOF benefit. We'll be at this one too. I'd love to see you all there.

Underwater Film Festival - As part of the Centennial Celebration for Scripps Institution of Oceanography, two acclaimed San Diego film organizations will host two outstanding evenings of digital films and slides at the San Diego Underwater Film Festival. The Undersea Film Exhibition (UFEX) will present the winners of it's Fourth International Competition. The world famous San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (SDUPS) will exhibit its first all digital slide shows. Each evening's unique program of short films and slide shows will utilize a state of the art large-format digital projection system. Enjoy our artists' visions of the colorful marine life large and small, from such exotic locales as the tropical waters of the Indo Pacific and Caribbean to the temperate waters of North America, and of course our own backyard, San Diego.

Each evening's performance will be introduced by a keynote speaker. Sunday night will feature deep sea explorer Ralph White who will guide us on a dive through the interior of the sunken Titanic taken by Jim Cameron's ROVs. On Monday, National Geographic's Photographer-in-residence Emory Kristof will present a spectacular short film on deep sea hydrothermal vents.

The Master of Ceremonies for both evenings will be Chuck Nicklin, an underwater filmmaker and pioneer of diving in San Diego.

Tickets are $10 per evening; two different shows, Sunday, Sept 21st and Monday, Sept 22nd from 7:00 to 9:15 pm. Golden Ballroom, Town and Country Convention Center. Open seating.

Tickets are available online at http://www.sdoceans.org/events/sdups.php

Informal Night Dive and Bonfire at La Jolla Shores Saturday, September 13th, Michael Scheu will be hosting a night dive and bonfire at La Jolla shores. Please bring some food to share. Someone will be watching the spot, and probably any gear. You are all welcome to bring significant others or kids to share in the fun. Michael's bringing some snacks, marshmallows, and smores supplies.

He'll be there all day so anyone who wants to stop by for a dive or just to hang out for a while, that would be great. If anyone wants to volunteer to bring anything interesting, like a cooler or good food, just post it at the Divebums Bulletin Board.

The 3R's program is down to its last session. September 13th, they'll be touring Hospital Point. This is another nice shore diving location when conditions are right. I will see you there.

Get your tickets to the DUI demo days. It's slated for September 27-28 at La Jolla Shores. If you didn't go last year, make sure you go this year. Especially you people who complain about being too cold. $5 covers drysuits and stuff, expert advice, commemorative hat, and lunch. Another $8 gets you dinner. I've got my tickets and am looking forward to some fun and easy diving. Just don't blame me if you really really really have to get a drysuit after diving one.

Casa Cove (aka Children's Pool) - People have been diving Children's Pool. I guess someone from the FBI had a talk with the "Seal Enforcement Officer" because he's not been in evidence. The lifeguards and NOAA have been monitoring the situation there, and so long as you don't disturb the seals, you can dive there. This is a great site, and I, for one, am very glad to see it available.

There have also been people claiming to be from NOAA and acting as if they were enforcement officers. If you're approached by anyone, ask to see their official ID. Any enforcement officer will produce that in a heartbeat though they normally have a badge visible. If you're approached by one of these people, note the time and place, collect any cards they give you, and turn the whole thing over to the FBI. Maybe if we give them enough grief, they'll arrest these people or make them stop.

Chocolate Lobster Dive The Cabrillo Aquarium is holding their annual chocolate lobster dive on September 20. Divers search for plastic packed chocolate lobsters. Each lobster is numbered and good for a prize. Some of these prized are very nice indeed. All proceed benefit the Cabrillo aquarium in San Pedro. The dive itself is a Cabrillo Beach. Entry fee is $40 or $70 for two buddies.Visit http://members.cox.net/chocolatelobster/ for more information, and entry forms or the Cabrillo aquarium at http://www.cabrilloaq.org/.

Rocks, Rips, and Reefs
Every year, the San Diego Council of Divers and the San Diego City Lifeguards sponsor a series of in-the-water seminars at local shore diving spots. The protocol is the same as previous years; snorkeling gear only, wear no more than half your normal diving weight. The cost is $5 per person and includes drinks and snacks afterwards. Registration and waivers start at 0800 and you should be suited up and ready by 8:15. This is a fun way to get familiar with our local waters. If you haven't done any of these, be sure to do Goldfish Point. It's one of those neat places that go unnoticed.

September 13 - Hospital Point

There is an email list for reminders and cancellation notices. To subscribe, send a blank email to rocks-rips-reefs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Each 3R's session is on a Saturday morning. On the Thursday two days before each session, the lifeguards send out reminders to the 3 R's e-mail list. Each reminder has the date, time, and location of the 3R's session, some comments regarding the dive site, and information regarding current and expected ocean conditions.

As with any water activity, weather and surf are always factors. Organizers won't be taking people out in six foot breakers. If we know for certain that large surf is expected, the Thursday reminder may tell you that the 3R's has been canceled. This would be unusual. It is more likely for the reminder to warn you of our concerns about the weather and ask that you to monitor further developments, such as by checking your e-mail before leaving home on Saturday morning. Cancellations are also posted on our web site. Sometimes, there's just no way to tell whether ocean conditions are conducive to diving other than to go down to the beach and take a look. Part of what we hope to teach in the 3R's program is what the ocean looks like when diving conditions are marginal.

The San Diego Lifeguard beach conditions recording -- (619) 221-8824 -- is updated in the morning, usually just before 7 am. We try to include cancellation information in that recording.

If the session is going forward, we will have a volunteer on site no later than 8 am to register participants. We try to be there earlier. Look for the small dive flag. Each participant must sign a liability waiver before each session. Participants 17 and under need a parent or legal guardian to sign the release. Let us know and we can e-mail you a release to print out and have signed. 3R's is free.

Bring a mask, fins, and snorkel. The ocean is cool and rocks can be sharp, so a wetsuit is strongly recommended. Bare feet and full foot fins are not a good idea. Weights are unnecessary. Scuba gear (regulator, BC, tank) is not used during the 3R's.

If you haven't been diving or snorkeling recently, please check your gear before Saturday. Mask straps and fin straps deteriorate over time, even if not used.

The lifeguard starts the briefing at 8:15 am. We try to be in the water by 8:30 am. We are in the water for about an hour.

Marine Conservation
Join I Love A Clean and San Diego San Diego BayKeeper for California Coastal Cleanup Day 2003!
Saturday, September 20th, 9 a.m. to Noon

California Coastal Cleanup Day is the country's premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment. Each year, more than 40,000 volunteers turn out to over 400 cleanup sites statewide to conduct what has been hailed by the Guinness Book of Records as "the largest garbage collection" (1993). Since the program started in 1985, over 552,000 Californians have removed almost 8.5 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast. Coming at the end of the summer beach season and right near the start of the school year, Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) is a great way for families, students, service groups, businesses and neighbors to show community support for our shared natural resources, take care of our fragile marine environment, learn about the impacts of marine debris and how we can prevent them, and to have fun!

During CCD 2002, more than 4,700 dedicated volunteers removed approximately 100,575 pounds of debris from San Diego County's coastal and inland waterways. We were thrilled to see the widespread and enthusiastic support that made last year¹s cleanup one of the most successful in the state! A huge "THANK YOU!" goes out to all the volunteers, site captains and supporters who helped to make this event possible.

For more information on CCD 2003, visit the official CCD website, http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html, call the ILACSD Recycling Hotline at 1-800-237-2583, or contact Sarah Adams at volunteers@ilacsd.org. We look forward to again seeing thousands of dedicated volunteers out supporting clean water, helping to make our beaches, bays, rivers and creeks safe and clean for all of San Diego to enjoy.

Please join us on September 20, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Bring your family, friends, schools, co-workers, and community or church groups! Let¹s make the 19th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day the biggest and best yet!

Be part of the solution to marine pollution!

Sarah Adams
Volunteer Coordinator
I Love A Clean San Diego
4355 Ruffin Road, Suite 118
San Diego, CA 92123
T: 858-467-0103 ext.3003
Fax: 858-467-1314
volunteers@ilacsd.org

San Diego Council of Divers
Currently the OES does not have a Council of Divers delegate. We need 1 more person to join before the OES gets a vote on the council. SDCD membership is only $15/year. If you want to support both the council and OES, please contact John Leek, and be sure to list your affilliation as the Ocean Explorers Society.

 

Also, if you get harrased by any of these people, let me know and I will pass that information along to the council.

If there are issues you think the council should be addressing, please let me know. I'm on the board of directors now, and can take your ideas directly to the council leadership.

Dive Travel
Cocos Island
Former OES member Laura Mankoff is leading a Cocos Island trip for Gypsy Divers in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cost is $3100 plus airfare. There are still 2 spots left. Visit the Gypsy Divers web site for more information

La Paz
October 9-13 - We still have a few spots available. The water is warm (about 78 deg. or so), and it's "Hammerhead Season." We 're staying at Club Cantamar and using the Baja Diving Service. It is a great little resort outside of town, and you can view it on the web at www.clubcantamar.com The cost of this four-night trip, with airfare, three full days of diving, breakfast, and lunch will be $800.This is a great trip at a price that won't break the bank. Contact Liza Suwczinski at a1turkey@cox.net for more information.

Channel Islands
The SD Underwater Photographic Society has invited OES members to join them on their Truth Aquatics and Horizon trips. Their last trip was truly outstanding. If you haven't done the Channel Islands yet -- GO. This is some of the best diving California has to offer. Send an email to Cindy (ccoppert@qualcomm.com) or you can call her at W: 858-845-6632 or C: 858-775-8590 if your're interested in going.

Horizon - out of San Diego - H & M Landing -2803 Emerson Street 858-277-7823 Oct 25 & 26 (Saturday/Sunday) Cost: $280 ($200 Deposit) Destination: Santa Barbara Island. Boarding Time: 7PM Friday (10/24) Departure Time: 9PM Friday (10/24) Return Time: 8PM Sunday (10/26)

REEF Research Trip to the Channel Islands
REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) is planning a research trip to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary September 16-20. The cost is $540 and you will learn how to identify all the fish species in the reserve as well as conduct up to 18 fish-count dives.

Package includes 5 nights accommodation aboard the M/V Conception, all diving (up to 18 dives), air refills, all meals while on the boat, and daily marine life identification review seminars. All prices per person. An additional $100 tax-deductible REEF fee is added to the full package cost to cover the cost of trip leaders, seminars, and survey materials.

Contact Dive Reservations, Inc. at 888-363-3345 or reef@diveres.com for more information, or visit www.reef.org/fieldsurv/index.htm.

La Bufadora
Once again, the Dive Animals are organizing trips to La Bufadora. These are very cheap, and fun.Reports have been universally good, and you can't beat the price. Trips are schedules for Sept 13 - 14, and Oct 25 - 26 (tentative). The trip is open to everyone, not just Dive Animal members, so bring your fun, adventurous friends. (think "Summer Camp"...)

Frances San Clemente writes:
We stay at the rustic half-star accommodations provided by Dale's Dive Shack and dive from his trusty pangas (fishing boats). This is much more fun than it sounds! Some folks sleep in the much sought-after bunkroom. Others camp in the front yard, which is on a cliff overlooking the bay. Both have the same incredible ocean-view.

We have room for 15 in the bunkhouse (that's where you'll find me!). Any number can camp. We have room for 26 divers. These always sell out, so sign up early. Maximum number on the trip? We've had as many as 40 campers....! The more the merrier! This is a great way to meet people.

Each morning you'll awake to a buffet feast prepared by yours truly, John and Jean, and whoever else we can recruit when they get up early when they small the bacon cooking and the coffee brewing.

We leave the non-divers behind to clean the kitchen, and take off for a morning of diving the gorgeous walls, pinnacles, coves, arch, caves, and sea lion rookeries.

Afterward, we head for a hot shower before we relax, unwind, nap, visit the famous blow-hole, shop and have lunch at the nearby mercado, whatever. Dinner arrangements are made for a group dinner at one of the restaurants nearby. Some folks like to bring their dinner grills or otherwise do their own thing. There are several inexpensive, yummy and reliable restaurants in La Bufe.

We end the day swapping tales over a big campfire. And prepare for a repeat performance the following day. Folks pack up shortly after diving on Sunday and head back to San Diego, most vowing to return on the next trip.

The diving in La Bufadora is none short of spectacular. Bring your camera (or a friend's) for some amazing macro photography. The nudibranches here are like nothing you've ever seen. Also, lots of sea lions, occasional dolphins, and a regular assortment of the same type of fish we see locally, as well as others (corvina, species of rockfish, etc.) we don't see much of around here.

The cost for the expedition is such that just about everyone can come.

$30pp covers a weekend of lodging, parking (whether you stay in the bunkhouse or camp), buffet breakfast, snacks, water, sodas, other necessities (such as toilet paper, paper towels, etc. We bring it all for you!). This is paid at the time you sign up to reserve your spot.

The cost for a 2-tank dive has been $25 for many years. There may be a slight increase this year due to the high cost of gasoline. Don't know yet. Last year Dale charged $30 for the trip to the far southern pinnacles. So 2 days of diving (2 tanks a day) has been $55. Darn good deal...!!

Tanks/fills - You can bring your own (Dale charges $4 for a fill) or rent one of his ($5 per tank). Is it worth the dollar to haul your own tank? Only you can decide. Dale has both AL80s and steel 72s. No HP steels. No problem with Dale's air fills. He's been taking care of US divers for years (he is one!)

Meals - Breakfast, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages are included. Other meals: For lunch, you may want fish tacos from a local place (2 for $1.50 or you may want a Mexican combo plate $5.00) Either way, it won't break the bank. Dinner is about $10 per person. On the way down, I've stopped at La Fonda for a $20 scallops platter, but also stop at roadside stands for tamales (75 cents each) or carne asada torta ($1.50). That gives you some idea.... $40 should fee you well for the weekend.

Shopping - That will depend on you. The mercado is right there, a few steps away, and has some great deals on Mexican arts and crafts. Some places take credit cards, most want cash.

Getting there - Carpooling is best so you can split the cost of insurance, tolls, gas. In my 4Runner, I can fill up here and not need gas till I get back. So that's about $30 right now. Insurance at the border costs me about $20 for the weekend. And tolls are about $8 each way. So that's about $60
per car.

Alcoholic beverages - BYO. The Mexican beer is wonderful, as most of you know. (try Negra Modelo, if you never have). Stop at a Gigante market for your best prices, rather than a liquor store.

 

Membership
Renewal rates are $20 single; $30 for a family. If you can't make it to a meeting, send your renewal to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.

OES Info
OES members can receive $30 off the regular OE price for specialty classes.

For more information: