Ocean
Explorers
Society
February 2006
Welcome to February. It's that chilly time of year, both above and below the surface. On the plus side, the days are getting longer and warmer. This is also the time when we can get some big surf. But, there's no reason not to go dive.
Check sites like wetsand.com for swell predictions. They're not perfect, but will provide some guidance as to whether you should bring your dive gear or surf board. For reasons I don't fully understand, La Jolla Shores can be quite diveable even in large northwest swells. A look at the Scripps Pier webcam is always worthwhile. There are other places to escape the swells. North Bird Rock is an interesting dive and well protected from the northerly swells. Mission Point is diveable in almost any conditions and offers a wide variety of life on the jetty.
As with any coastal location, don't dive for a few days after any significant rain.
If you're not going to dive, this is a great time to get your gear ready for the summer. The rush hasn't started, and the techs have the time to really do the job right.
I'm already anticipating our Caribbean trip. My flights are booked. (Thank you American Airlines Frequent Flyer miles.) We're working on hotel accomodations next. We still have spots available. Details are below; so contact Kevin Douglass if you're interested.
Happy
Bubbles,
Dave Ambrose
DUI Dry Suit Demo - DUI is repeating their drysuit demo on March 11th at the National Polytechnic University in Kearny Mesa. See the DUI web page for the complete schedule.We'll try to have more information next month. If you haven't tried a dry suit, get down to this event. DUI will get you suited up in style and you can give it a whirl in the training tank at the NPU. They used to hold these events at La Jolla Shores, but the City of San Diego pretty much killed that venue with userous permit fees.
Break Ins at La Jolla Shores - There has been a flurry of recent vehicle break-ins at La Jolla Shores. Please use common sense and leave as many valuables at home when shore diving, don't leave anything of value in sight, lock your car, and park in a well lighted area. The local diving community is pulling together and contacting their local representatives to alert them of this increase in break ins, lack of lighting, burnt out lights, and general security.
If you have any related safety concerns, you are encouraged to contact the following representatives:
San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition - The 7th Annual San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition is being held October 20-21 2006 at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. If you are interested in exhibiting your work in a public arena, this may be your opportunity.
Entry guidelines:
The Club's next trip is scheduled for June 3rd through 10th on the Caribbean Exploreer II live-aboard. The tour departs from St. Kitts, and the itinerary includes 5 1/2 days of diving including diving at St. Kitts, the Saba Marine Park, the St. Eustatius Markine Park. 5 dives daily are normally offered, inlcuding night dives; the schedule also provides for up to 3 island tours during the week, providing ample time to explore forts, rainforests, duty free shops and museums. The itinerary ends on the island of Sint Maarten, were we will depart and can either spend additional time on the island or fly home.
This will be an excellent trip at a reasonable price. The Caribbean Explorers always get top marks in Undercurrent and elsewhere. It's a large boat with private staterooms and a sun deck. Those subject to seasickness will have a much easier time with this boat and schedule. The boat spends most of its time in protected coves, and the longest passage is approximately 2 hours. Winds this time of year are generally light.
The boat will visit St. Kitts, St. Eustatius (Statia), and Saba. There will be land excursions available on all the islands. The boat leaves from St' Kitt's on June 3rd, and we disembark at St. Maartin. on June 10th. Both St Eustatius, and Saba are underwater marine preserves. You can make up to 5 dives per day. Nitrox is available for $100 and highly recommended.
They take a maximum of 18 passengers with 5 crew members. There will be plenty of elbow room, even for a boat. It also has 110 volt power available for chargers, and other electronic devices. Twin and double staterooms are still available. We can arrange twin cabins for single travelers.
Please feel free to pass this along to your friends. The more people we can book for this trip, the cheaper it will be for everyone.
If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Douglass (kddinsd@sbcglobal.com)
$1595 max. If we get enough people for free spots, we'll reduce the trip price for everyone. Price includes all meals, (except last dinner at St. Maartin), beverages, air fills, etc. while on board. There will be a fuel surcharge added to the final settlement. It’s currently $65.00 and could change. Nitrox is available for either $10/dive, or $100 for the entire trip.
Currently $36.00 for eco reserves at Statia and Saba.
We suggest an amount of 10-15% of charter cost depending on service and how generous you feel
Approximately $900.00. as of 12/16/05 it was $868.85: SAN / DFW / MIA / SKB – SXM / MIA / DFW / SAN
on St’ Kitts and St.Maartin. Most people are planning to stay a few days extra.
Refunds: A deposit: of $150.00 is non-refundable The remainder will be refunded as follows:
For additional general
information, go
to www.explorerventures.com
and go to
the Saba/St.Kitts/Statia link, or contact Kevin Douglass or Mark
Clausen.
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.