Ocean Explorers Society
May 2005 

Contents

Monthly Meeting	From the President	Local Diving
Flotsam	3 R's	Conservation
SD Council of Divers	Travel	Membership
Information

Next Meeting Please note the change in date and location -- Thursday, May 12th, 5:30PM at Panda Country Restaurant at 4455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, near the corner of Clairemont Mesa and Genesee. Our regular meeting date collided with Cinco de Mayo.

From the President

We're trying a new location this month. I hope you'll come try Chinese cuisine at Panda Country. We'll be trying different places over the next few months so keep your eye on the newsletter and the web site.

It's the time of year where we dust off our dive gear for the new season. If your reg needs a rebuild, get it in to the shop now before everyone else in San Diego county gets the same idea and you have to wait six weeks.

Our Playa del Carmen contingent has returned from an outstanding trip. I'm sure we'll hear more about their trip at the meeting. In the meantime, here's a picture of Liza in a Cenote.

In case you haven't already guessed, I travel a lot. So much so that sometimes staying at home looks like the ideal vacation. But, the call of tropical diving is way too strong to give in to being a wanton homebody. Besides, traveling with friends is so much more fun. It is true that air travel has gotten much less pleasant over the past year. Seems like all the airlines are trying to emulate the budget carrier's frugality without including their sense of humor.

I've been grappling with overcrowded aircraft, the tightest possible seat spacing, tight connections, and perpetually overoptimistic arrival time estimates. But overall, I get to where I'm going somewhere close to the predicted time and it still beats the hell out of driving. We've seen most of the traditional comfort measures disappear, i.e. pillows are no longer available, even in first class.

I've developed a few strategies for keeping air travel tolerable.

• Be nice - even when they screw up. The poor sod standing in front of you didn't cause the problem, but they're probably going to fix it for you. I've gotten some nice upgrades just by not yelling at them.
• Fly first class or business class on long flights. This sounds kind of silly, but sometimes the upgrades are both cheap and worthwhile. You get more seat room, free drinks, and a decent meal. You're also first off the aircraft which helps with tight connections.
• Get to the airport early. You get the best shot at the upgrades, and you can pick the best seats. I'm usually happy with an aisle seat on the right hand side (I'm left handed. You righties will want the left hand side.) Other good seats are the exit rows, and the last 2 seats on the left hand side. Sometimes you can't get a seat assignment. Delta seems to be the only one doing this. I've heard all sorts of excuses, none of which I believe. Best bet is to  get to the gate early, and let the gate agent know what you want. They'll usually accommodate you.
• Be prepared for the security checkpoint. Lose the metal by putting it in your carry-on. I keep my ID in my pocket, and not my wallet. They want to see it out anyway.
• Get a frequent flyer number for the airline you're flying, and make sure it goes into the reservation system when you book your flight. Even a frequent flyer with no miles gets better treatment than someone without a number.
• Don't carry anything you don't have to. The post 9/11 regulations made the domestic airlines tighten up on luggage handling to the point where bags hardly ever go astray. For a dive trip, I still carry my regulator, mask, camera gear, and dive computer. Everything else goes in the cargo hold.
  
• I check 2 bags on a dive trip; a sturdy suitcase, and a dive bag. My dive gear goes in the suitcase, and my clothes go in the dive bag. The suitcase protects the dive gear, and the clothes aren't worth stealing. When I get to my destination, I swap the contents and go diving.
• Do bring water. You get really dehydrated on even short flights. A 1 liter bottle will ward it off if you take frequent sips. If you don't bring your own, bottled water is available and the cabin crew will be happy to provide some. They're small, so don't be afraid to ask for two.
• Unless you plan to sleep then entire flight, something to read is an outright necessity. Those airline magazines are so bland that they make Parade look like Esquire.
• Forget about using your laptop on board unless it's small, you're in an exit row, or you're sitting in first class.
• Bring food. The airlines go so tired of all the jokes about their food that they stopped serving it almost altogether. These days you get a snack pack that would make a chinchilla very happy. Jerky and an orange make this into an almost decent meal. You can also bring other meals on board. You can get carry-on meals at most airports now.
• Bring headphones with the airline jack adapter. In flight video entertainment seems to be de rigeur these days. No point in spending good money for lousy headphones. The classical channels offer some surprisingly good music. If you can splurge a bit, get the noise canceling headphones. They really make a difference. An MP3 player is a great travel accessory for those os us who think that life without music would be a mistake. Those small DVD players look like winners too.

Happy Bubbles,
Dave Ambrose

Local Diving

Flotsam

The SoCal SCUBA Show -- The Southern California Scuba Show will be held the weekend of May 21st and 22nd with the usual assortment of equipment vendors, travel, seminars, and films. There will also be in the water equipment try-outs, so you may want to bring your swim suit. Admission is $9 or $8 with the  discount coupon from our web site. Please RSVP to Dave Ambrose if you're coming so we don't leave anyone behind. Meet at the Starbuck's at the Factory Outlet Center in Carlsbad on May 21st at 8:30AM, then we'll carpool to the show.

Giant Black Sea bass Speared in the La Jolla Reserve -- A diver speared a 170 lb black sea bass inside the reserve. The lifeguards spotted them and went to investigate. Everyone in the boat was arrested upon finding the fish. I've heard a couple of stories as to why the perpetrator shot the fish, first he said he didn't know they were protected, then he said he shot in self defense. Anyone who's been around those fish will tell you that claim is totally ridiculous.

At the present time, this individual has been charged with taking a protected species, and fishing in a reserve. Both are misdemeanors with a maximum of 1 year in jail and a $1000 fine. I'll pass along more information as I get it. We may have to write the San Diego City attorney to encourage them to take a little time out from their corruption investigations and prosecute these people.

Help Wanted -- DUI is seeking an enthusiastic individual to join it's Customer Service Team in San Diego.  Responsibilities include assisting dealers with questions and placing orders as well as answering product questions for divers. In addition to working with all areas throughout the company to assist our customers, other duties could include assisting with coordinating logistics for DUI's DOG Rally & Demo Days program and evaluating Key Persons for their qualifications to participate in the program.  Opportunities will include working with DUI at consumer shows, DEMA and DUI DOG Rally & Demo Days events. Necessary skills will include excellent written and communication skills, knowledge of diving and dive equipment as well as the ability to multitask. A minimum of two years previous customer service experience is required. Please forward your resume and salary requirements to Human Resources.  

For more information, visit the DUI website.

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; snorkelling 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.

Call the dive and surf hotline the morning of the session at 619-221-8824 to make sure the session hasn't been cancelled due to rough weather.

3R's Schedule

Sat, May 21, 2005 3Rs- North Bird Rock 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 6000 Camino de la Costa in La Jolla	Sat, Jun 4, 2005 3Rs- La Jolla Cove 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 1150 Coast Blvd. (steps at the top of the Cove) in La Jolla	Sat, Jun 25, 2005 3Rs- Shell Beach 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 1000 Coast Blvd. (nearest cross street - Ocean St.) at the top of the stairs about half way between La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool Hosted by the Ocean Explorers Society
Sat, Jul 9, 2005 3Rs- South Casa Cove 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at Coast Blvd. at Jenner Street, in front of the lifeguard station.	Sat, Jul 30, 2005 3Rs- Goldfish Point (La Jolla Caves) 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 1325 Coast Blvd. (Old Shell Shop)	Sat, Aug 13, 2005 3Rs- Marine Street 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 300 Marine Street.
Sat, Aug 27, 2005 3Rs- Hospital Point 8:00am - 10:30am Meet at 400 Coast Blvd (south of Cuvier)

San Diego Council of Divers

You've heard of the Ships2Reefs initiative (http://www.ships2reefs.com/), and the possibility of having more diveable wrecks off the San Diego coast.  Want to know more about the pros and cons?  The San Diego Council of Divers will host a panel-style discussion of man-made (artificial) reefs at their May 2005 public meeting.

The panel will include researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, John Daley from Ships2Reefs, and Sgt. Bill Bender from the San Diego Lifeguards.

Please join the Council at Sumner Auditorium on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus on Tuesday, May 10th.  The meeting starts at 7pm, or come at 6:30 for snacks and socializing.

Directions are and all details are posted at http://www.sddivers.com/events/items/382.html

If you're not a Council member,  please consider joining. The Council does a lot of good in the community. Besides working for diver's best interests, Council membership includes weight belt insurance which will replace your weight belt should you ever have to ditch it in an emergency. Visit the Council of Divers web site for more information

Dive Travel

Lodging will be at Dolphin Bay House at Kealakekua Bay. Kealakekua Bay is only 20 minutes from the nightlife in Kona, but still a bit off the beaten track. It's much more like old Hawai'i and less commercial. The bay itself is a state park, and a great place to snorkel, dive, kyack, or just hang out. There is an active heiau (temple) at the bay, and the Captain Cook memorial is just across the bay from most houses. This area gets enough rain to have lots of greenery, but not so much that you're in a rain forest.

The house can accommodate up to 8 people; 2 singles and 3 couples. The exact cost will depend on how many people go but the house becomes affordable, relative to a 2 bedroom condo, with only 4 people. The house has a full kitchen, so we can cook some meals in. We can also split the cost of renting a van.

Diving will be with Dive Makai, Aloha Diving Company, Jack's Diving Locker or some combination. Dive Makai offers blue water dives, Aloha offers trips to the more remote sites for those who didn't get to go on the Kona Aggressor. I really like Dive Makai because of their very thorough predive briefings. Close in dives run $95. The 3-tank, all day, adventure dive is $165. Aloha charges $140 for the remote sites which are also full day trips.

There's good shore diving all up and down the Kona coast. Kealakekua Bay, and the nearby City of Refuge are particularly good. Let's Go Shore Divin' has all the information you'll ever need.

The Big Island offers plenty of non-diving activities. We found that diving in the morning, and sightseeing in the afternoon worked well. A trip to Mauna Loa, the active volcano, is a full day trip. City of Refuge and Kealakekua Bay are great places to shore dive and hang out.

World-class stargazing is available at the visitors center on Mauna Kea. If there's enough interest, I'll see about bringing a telescope of our own. The visitors center is at 9000 feet so a visit there will be a non-diving day.

Estimated cost for the trip will be $1000 per person, plus food and airfare. It will be less if we get more than 4 people. Flights to the Big Island (KOA) from San Diego have been running from $400 to $700 round trip.

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 web site: http://www.oceanexplorers.org
• Club events: Dave Ambrose at 858/679-7817 or e-mail stargazer1@cox.net
• Newsletter Editor - .Dave Ambrose at 858/679-7817 or e-mail stargazer1@cox.net
• Surf and diving conditions: 619/221-8824
• Ocean Enterprises 858/565-6054